Basics

India is an all-year-round destination. However, some seasons are more ideal for visiting certain regions:
The southern regions are good destinations in the winter months, as the temperatures are very mild (maximum 15-23ºC). There is very little winter rainfall. In the south, summers are relatively milder as compared to the northern regions and are better suited for beach/cultural visits.

In the northern regions the temperature during winters and summers can be quite extreme. But summers are a good time to visit the Himalayan and sub-Himalayan regions, with river rafting being an ideal sport to indulge in. Summer, though hot, is a good time for viewing big game and cats because of the lack of water and shortening of the floral undergrowth.

Winters are an excellent time for exploring the sights in the plains of North & Central India. This is also an ideal time for birdwatching in the north, as nearly 300 species of birds migrate southward, many arriving from far-away Siberia. The Indian Subcontinent records 13% of the world's bird species, of which nearly 140 are endemic. Also, winters are breeding time for most big cats.

Summer: March – June
Monsoon Season: July – September
Winter: October – February

There are great contrasts in climate within the subcontinent. The extremes range from the almost rainless Great Indian or Thar desert, to the wet evergreen forests of the Khasi Hills in Meghalaya, where an annual rainfall of 1300 cm (511 inches) has been recorded at Cherrapunji (one of the wettest places on Earth), to the arctic conditions of the Himalayan peaks, where only alpine flowers and cushion plants flourish at over 4900m (16,000 feet). There are similar contrasts in temperature ranges. In the Thar desert, summer temperatures soar as high as 50°C (122°F) while winter temperatures drop to 0°C (32°F). On the Kerala coast, the annual and daily ranges of temperature and humidity are small; the average temperature is about 27°C (80°F) and the average relative humidity is 60-80%.

Despite these variations, one feature dominates the subcontinent’s climate and that the monsoons. Most of the rain in the region falls between June and September, during the south-west-monsoon season. Typically, the monsoon begins in Kerala and the far northeast in late May or early June and moves north and west to extend over the rest of the area by the end of June, although it starts rather earlier in Sri Lanka and the Andamans Islands. In the Himalayas, the monsoon rains reach the east first and leave this area last. The monsoon begins to retreat from the northwest at the beginning of September, and usually withdraws completely by mid October. Rain continues, however, in the southern peninsula, and in the southeast around half the annual rain falls between October and mid December. This is brought by winds coming from the northeast during the northeast monsoon. In contrast, much of the northern part of the subcontinent experiences generally clear, dry weather in October, November and early December. Low-pressure systems from the west during this season do, however, bring some light to moderate precipitation to Pakistan and northern India.

India is 5½ hrs behind Greenwich Mean Time (GMT -5.5), 10.5 hours ahead of Eastern Standard Time.

All international visitors to India are required to possess a valid passport and obtain an entry visa prior to their arrival in India. India does not issue visa on arrival for any visitor. Visitors who intend to travel to India’s neighboring countries and back are advised to apply for multiple entry visas.

Each visitor should carry photocopies of the bio-data page of their passport and the page containing the Indian visa, to facilitate obtaining an exit visa from the Indian government in the event of theft or loss of the passport.

Visitors should have sufficient funds to support themselves while in India and should be in possession of a return ticket or have proof of other means to return to their home country.

Visitors are generally required to make a written baggage declaration regarding baggage and foreign currency in their possession. You also required to obtain the Currency Declaration Form from Customs. Please fill in the Disembarkation Card handed to you by the airline during the course of the flight.

There are two channels for Customs clearance:
Green Channel: For passengers not in possession of any dutiable articles or unaccompanied baggage.
Red Channel: For passengers with dutiable articles, unaccompanied baggage or high value articles to be entered on the Tourist Baggage Re-Export Form.

Medical services in India are readily available. Visitors are advised to secure coverage on their medical insurance before arriving in the country. Major hotels have contracts with physicians and dentists. Visitors are however advised to bring along supplies of specialized medication they may require. Otherwise, medicine may be purchased at pharmacies. Some emergency pharmacies in cities and towns are open all night.

While India is generally safe for foreign visitors, petty crime, especially theft of personal property, is common, particularly on trains or buses. Be cautious about displaying cash or expensive items, keep a close eye on bags and passports, and be aware of your surroundings when you use ATMs.

Women traveling alone may experience unwanted attention from males which, while usually annoying rather than threatening, can be uncomfortable. In general, it’s suggested to travel with a companion or a tour group. Dressing modestly is advised, and the best way to deal with comments or stares is to ignore them and move on, or firmly tell the offender to stop looking at you.

There are no travel warnings or alerts currently in place for India. However, terrorist and insurgent activities have occurred in recent years. US citizens should always practice good security. Be aware of your surroundings and keep a low profile.

The Department of State strongly recommends that you avoid travel to the state of Jammu & Kashmir (with the exception of visits to the eastern Ladakh region and its capital, Leh) and areas within ten kilometers of the border between India and Pakistan.

A direct international dialing service is available from the major hotels in India. Both local and long distance calls are metered on a time basis and every second counts in terms of cost. Major hotels have a fax and Internet service. Remember that hotels levy a substantial surcharge on all calls. Most lodges have telephone communication facilities, unless they are in very remote areas. Mobile network is available at almost all places of your stay. Please co-ordinate with your service provider for more details; the main network providers in India are Airtel, Vodafone, Reliance and Dolphin.

Voltage in India is 220 to 240 volts, 50Hz. Most electric sockets accept round pin plugs, but some may be able to use flat pin ones too. However, it is advisable that you carry an adaptor for 5 Ampere round pin socket. Hotels usually provide dual voltage razor sockets, 110 to 210 volts or 220 to 250 volts. Some of the game lodges may not have electricity. These lodges generally run on generator power for lighting and refrigeration and this power only runs at certain times on the day. Please be aware that you may not find plug sockets in your rooms/tents at these lodges.

There are 23 official languages and 752 dialects spoken in India. The most commonly spoken language is of course Hindi and English. Visitors to this country have been able to cope even without even knowing the local language, and most guests will be accompanied by English speaking guide or escort. Below are a few words and phrases which have been translated into Hindi – they should be helpful (and fun to use) in most regions:

Good morning    Shubh-prabhat
Greetings     Namashkar; namaste
Good night   Shubh-ratri
Thank you    Dhanyavard; shukriya
Yes    Ji haan
My name is…    Mera naam _____ hai
What is your name?    Aapka naam kya hai?
Where is the nearest telephone?   Sabse kareeb telephone kahan hain?
Show me the way to...   Kripaya, hamey raasta dikhayo;  ____ marg darshao