Vaccination & Medical Preparation
While no specific vaccinations are required to enter India unless you are entering within six days of having visited a yellow fever-infected area, you should also check with your general physician or Student Health Service for how to best prepare. From our experience organizing India WizTreks, we’ve gathered detailed vaccination guidelines here. You may also set up an appointment with your physician or Student Health Service before travel to get prescriptions for any medicines you wish to carry on the trip.

If you are taking prescribed medicines, split your supplies between your hand baggage and your main baggage. Make a list of the generic properties of the drug and keep it with you. If you are prone to cough, cold, and sore throat, we advise you to bring preventive medicines with you as larger cities suffer from smog pollution. This is particularly important if you suffer from bronchial complaints.

The most common complaint during India travel is an upset stomach for a day or two, usually the result of a change of diet, water, or simply a change of lifestyle. Most cases are not serious, and recovery is swift. Refer to the next section for food and drink recommendations.

Food & Drink
It is important to be mindful of what you eat and drink in India. It is recommended to avoid street-side food vendors, eat only peeled fruits and vegetables, and prefer food that's been boiled or fried. Make sure you don't drink water from the tap, and always only opt for bottled water. A lot of Indian foods like chutneys, curries, and daals use a variety of nuts, dairy, and spices. Make sure you check the ingredients of the food items in case of allergies or dietary restrictions. While traveling with WizTrek, we will serve bottled water and ensure that dietary restrictions and allergies are accounted for in the menu. However, please make sure you’re careful when exploring on your own.

Cows are protected and venerated by several groups of faith in India. Consequently, several states impose prohibitions on beef consumption. We highly recommend that you avoid consuming beef or its derived products while in India.

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Alcohol, Smoking & Substance Use
Legal drinking age in India varies by state, but most allow drinking above the age of 21. Smoking is banned in all public places, except airports, hotels, and restaurants with designated smoking areas. E-cigarettes and related products are banned. You will be unable to buy e-cigarettes in India or bring them into the country. There are strict laws prohibiting drug possession and consumption. There are significant penalties associated with drug possession which can lead to a long-term prison sentence.

 

Local Transportation
For transport within the city (e.g. going to restaurants, markets, bars), it is recommended to use ride-sharing apps such as Uber and Ola. These services are widely available at reasonable prices and are safe options when travelling alone. Most apps accept international credit cards. Some Uber and Ola drivers might request payment in cash, in which case you can politely decline saying you have picked the credit card payment option on the app.

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Interaction with Locals
When touring the city or visiting heritage sites, it is common for international tourists to be approached by locals to take pictures with them, or answer questions. Please don’t be alarmed by this, and depending on your level of comfort respectfully accept or deny their request. Couples should avoid public displays of affection. This may attract unnecessary attention from the locals since it is frowned upon in Indian culture.

 

Protection against Crime & Scams
Foreign tourists may become targets of petty crime, such as pickpocketing and purse snatching. Be vigilant in all crowded locations, and don’t carry large sums of money. Ensure that your personal belongings, including your passport and other travel documents, are secure at all times. While using credit cards or ATMs, pay careful attention when your cards are being handled by others and cover the keypad with one hand when entering your PIN. Do not entertain offers of cheap transportation, or hotel rooms by taxi drivers or others at the airport. Be wary of confidence tricksters, who promise large amounts of cash for delivery of jewellery abroad in return for an initial deposit. The jewelry is worthless, and the deposit is lost.

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Gratuities
Tipping in India is not mandatory, but is quite customary in the tourism economy. The amount is determined by your level of satisfaction, service context, and time spent with the service provider. As a high-level guideline - i) Drivers (along with any helper) may receive USD 2-3 pp, ii) Guides USD 5-10 pp for each day spent with you, iii) porters - USD 1 pp, and iv) at restaurants, a 10% service charge is typically added to your bill, so you’re not expected to tip an additional amount unless you want to. Make sure to review your bill for these service charges before you pay.

If traveling in a group, it might be convenient for you to use a “group kitty” to coordinate tipping for different service providers. You can discuss and make contributions to your tour leader on the first day of the trip, who will keep track of expenses, and return unused money at the end of the trip.

 

Currency
The Indian currency is called the “Rupee” and is typically denoted as ₹. You can exchange currency at kiosks set up in the airport arrival halls, or withdraw cash from bank ATMs at competitive exchange rates. All major credit cards (especially Mastercard and Visa) are accepted in hotels, restaurants, and larger stores. However, we recommend carrying some cash if you plan to make purchases at smaller stores, street vendors, and tuk-tuk rickshaw rides. It is recommended to retain your currency exchange receipts as you may be asked to provide them during customs when departing from India, or if you need to convert rupees into foreign currency upon departure.

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Baggage Allowance on Indian Domestic Carriers:
The baggage allowance on various Indian domestic carriers as of date is:

Checked in:                            15 kgs (33 lbs) per person
Cabin baggage:                     7 kgs (15.4 lbs) per person
Personal item: 3 kgs (6.6 lbs) per person

Anything beyond the permissible weight limit will be charged by the domestic airline directly at the check-in counter. Details can be found here: https://www.goindigo.in/baggage/baggage-allowance.html

 

Internet Connectivity & Local SIMs
Most airports and hotels are equipped with Wi-Fi connections for the Internet, and you should be able to connect with these networks after landing or at the time of hotel check-in. However, for general connectivity and internet access during tours and activities, we highly recommend you purchase a local SIM. India has among the cheapest mobile data in the world, so buying a local SIM may be more cost-effective than activating international roaming on your existing connection.

Activated local SIMs with high-speed data are easily available at the airport upon presenting a visa and one photo. These SIMs are validated for foreign tourists only and automatically get deactivated in 30 days. The most commonly used telecom providers are Vi, Jio, and Airtel. Alternatively, you may use app-based eSIM service providers like Airalo to buy a local plan.

 

Electrical Plugs & Adaptors
The electric supply in India is 220-240 Volts/50 Hz available through round pin outlets. It is advisable to carry universal adapters for your electronic gadgets. You may check with your equipment manufacturer for the range of electric supplies that the equipment can use. Where there are dual supplies available (110 V and 220 V), they are marked so. Most laptops and camera models have chargers that can work with a range of electric supply. The two common Indian plug configurations are displayed below.