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Packing tips for your singles vacation
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Trip Tips and What to Pack
for  India Vacations

Visas and Passports:

Visa affixed in a valid passport is required of all United States citizens wanting to enter India. The Indian Embassy has outsourced the processing of visa applications.

An India tourist visa has a validity of either 6 months, 5 years or 10 years. This is a multiple entry visa. Each entry has a limited duration of 6 months. This means that the maximum amount of time you can stay after entering the country is 6 months. Once you exit, you must wait for a period of 2 months before re-entering unless you obtain special permission.

The Embassy of India refers you to BLS International which has all the information on how to obtain a visa to India. Best Single Travel highly recommends hiring a visa company to obtain your visa.

Local Currency:

India Currency: The Rupee (INR). INR1 = 100 paise

Paper Denominations: INR500, 100, 50, 20, 10 and 5

Coins: INR5, 2, 1 and 50, 25, 10 paise

Credit cards: Most large hotels, stores and restaurants will accept international credit cards but if you are planning to vacation in more remote areas or shop at local markets, do not count on credit cards for payment. If paper money in India is too torn, grubby or marked, merchants may not want to accept them.  The bills can be exchanged in major banks but it’s easier to ask for newer bills.

India Local Time:

India follows a single time zone, called the Indian Standard Time (IST). IST maintains a 30 minute offset from GMT. This means that when it is 12:00 GMT, it is 5:30am everywhere in India.

10.5 hours ahead of EST / 13.5 hours ahead of PST

Electric Plugs:

India uses 230 Volts, 50 Hz alternating current as the power source. Plugs and sockets have grounded / earthed 3 Pin connections (Type D) or ungrounded 2 pin connections (Type C).

But travel plug adapters do not change the voltage, so the electricity coming through the adapter will still be the same 110-120 volts the socket is supplying. If your appliance is from another part of the world, and it is built only for 220-240 volt electricity, or a Japanese appliance built for 100 volts, then a travel plug adapter by itself won't be sufficient. The voltage will have to be changed from 110-120 volts at the socket, to whatever voltage your appliance requires. This is accomplished with a voltage transformer.

Weather:

Climatic conditions vary considerably because of the size of the country. The coolest and driest time of the year is from December to February. If high temperatures aren’t a problem for you then travel during the months of March, April and May. While the monsoon rains in June and July provide a brief respite from summer heat, the humidity in the big cities in the summer months is usually unbearable for most tourists.

What to Pack for your India Vacation

It is very important to plan conservative yet light, airy clothing for vacations to India. While cities like Delhi and beach resort destinations may have a more casual dress code, it is still important to respect the local culture and dress accordingly.

Keep in mind when planning your India packing list: shoulders and knees should always be covered.

For what to pack on all singles vacations and more tips - Click Here

Shopping in India

Bustling bazaars with native handicrafts, and boutiques with brilliant textiles are found everywhere. Shopping in an Indian bazaar can be overwhelming, vendors will inundate you with options, prices and colors. Half the fun when buying goods in the bazaars is the bargaining .

Indian craftsman have been perfecting their art for centuries, passing down traditions from generation to generation with each town having its own speciality. Silks, spices, jewelry and many other Indian products have been traded, and merchants have travelled thousands of miles in order to make their purchases.

Souvenirs you will find hard to resist during your India vacation:

* Bangles- Glass or metallic:  available in almost every region of India, each state designs
* Jewelery such as necklaces and anklets which can be made from gold, bronze, and silver.
* Incense sticks:  Scented with sandalwood or some other exotic aromas, these sticks will certainly add a touch of India to any home.
*Dried spices: Indian cuisine is all about the aromatic spices. Purchase spices and enjoy the taste of India long after your travels.
*Sandalwood is known for its distinctive aroma and its therapeutic properties.
*Handicrafts and Artifacts:  Handicrafts such as stoneware and silverware, brass, silver, and marble are easily found throughout India.
*Textiles:  Gorgeous prints and handiwork especially on women’s clothing.
*Tea:  India is home to world famous Darjeeling tea and one of the largest tea exporters in the world.
* Ayurvedic and Herbal Products:  Natural products for holistic use.

Local Foods

In western India, the desert cuisine is famous for its unique taste and varieties of food. Rajasthan and Gujarat are the states that represent the dessert flavor of Indian food. Here an immense variety of deals and aches (pickles/preserves) is used that simply substitutes the relative lack of fresh vegetables in these areas.
In Southern India, the people make great use of spices, fishes and coconuts, as most of them have coastal kitchens. The foods of Tamil Nadu use of tamarind is frequently made in order to impart sourness to the dishes. It simply distinguishes the Tamil Food from other cuisines.

Don’t Leave Home without your Passport!