Home|Travel Tips

Travel Tips

"You travel. You see. You experience. And you understand, It is a beautiful World."

It is the uniqueness and difference between people, culture, history, architecture, natural beauty and wildlife that attract travelers. It may cause confusion and frustrations. Their best standards may not match yours. Prepare yourself to accept them as they are, on their own terms and you will be rewarded with rich and unforgettable experience.

Reading

Please do some background reading. Visit libraries and bookstores that may have excellent books and guides. Log on to our website and click on Cities & Attractions. Internet could be a good source but you have to go to authentic sites for unbiased informatio

Passports and Visa

In general, a valid passport and entry visas are required to travel abroad. Consult respective embassies and consulate. Requirements and rules keep changing. Make sure that your passport and visas are valid for at least three months after the end of your trip. Some countries require visas must be obtained prior to departure. We suggest travellers to use a reliable visa agency. Please call us for information and assistance.

Health Regulations & Tips

Please consult Public Health Services and your physician for their current recommendations. Review your health insurance policies and coverage, if you are covered for overseas treatment, hospitalization and medical evacuation. Get a physical. It is better at home than on road. Get any needed immunizations. Have your prescriptions filled. Take extra doses separately. Carry prescription in original. Have your doctor use generic names of your medicine as trade names vary from country to country. Get a letter from your doctor outlining your current treatment and illness, if any.

Credit Cards

Most major credit cards are accepted around the Wolrld by hotels, airlines, restaurants, handicraft emporia, boutiques, jewelry stores, department stores. Contact us for destination specific information.

Packing: General

Pack light. Lay out all the clothes and all the money you want to take. Then pack half the clothes and take twice the money!

Remember to take along items of daily personal use for e.g. camera, sun and reading glasses, binoculars, comfortable walking shoes, thick socks, hat, rain coat or umbrella (during rainy season) and prescription medicines. Free Baggage: Please contact airlines for their current policies. Visit their website/s.

Packing: Wildlife, River Rafting, Adventure and Trekking

Do not take bright colors clothing. Clothing should be Khaki or soft similar colors. Dress in layers so that you could remove or add when required depending upon weather, hiking shoes and sandals, bathing suites, back-pack, Rucksack, bottled / mineral water, snacks, towels, tissue papers, paper napkins, toiletries, water proof bags, caps, mosquito repellents, body lotion, tooth brush and tooth paste, pads and pen to record your memories.

Packing: Dress

Dress casual. Take wash and wear. A formal dress or jacket for evenings is recommended. All hotels have laundry service. Refer to weather chart and take woolen clothing if required. You can buy some exotic clothing as you go along.

Water

Avoid drinking tap water. Mineral water is recommended. Available at most hotels for $ 0.75 to $ 2

Shopping

Shopping could be a pleasant experience. You may get best selection and bargains in hand crafted jewelry, precious and semi precious stones, marble, carpets, rugs, durries, silks dresses, brocades, papier mache, handicrafts and leather goods. Shopping is suggested from reputable emporia. Most of them will ship your merchandise in time but it is advisable to bring your purchases with you or ship yourself. Do not contact us with problems of shopping and shipping. Consult your local tour guides for suggestions.

Tipping Suggestions

Immigration and Custom

What you can bring

Item for personal use like clothing, jewelry, musical and sound recording instruments, 200 cigarettes or 50 cigars, wine or liquor up to .95 liters. Bring your preferred wine and liquor, as they may be expensive in hotels

Prohibited Articles

Drugs, Live Plants, Gold coins, Gold and Silver bullion

Currency Regulations - General

No restriction provided a Currency Declaration form is filled upon arrival. This enables you not only to exchange but also to take the un-spent currency out on departure. Cash up to US $ 1000 need not be declared. Exchanging of foreign money other than through banks or authorized money changers is illegal. Most hotels can exchange money. Please obtain exchange receipts and retain them till departure. Call respective embassies for current regulations and information.

Photos

Take along extra pictures. You will need it for trekking route and national park entry permits.

Telephone and Fax

Check the hotel surcharges and rates. There are “Phone Shops” from where you can make international or in country calls or send fax. These shops have much cheaper prices! Talk to the guide who will help you find a shop for you.

Photography

Photography at airports is prohibited. Our destinations are lands of color, sunshine and mountains. Bring your still / video cameras and lot of film rolls. Photography inside the Taj Mahal has recently banned.

Electricity

The electric current is 220/240 volts 50 cycles. You may need converter for your personal electric instruments such as hair dryer, traveling iron and electric shavers. Most hotels do provided hair dryer and irons in-room or on request by housekeeping department.

Cousins: Bhutan,China, Egypt, India, Korea, Nepal etc.

It is suggested that you try only one item with each meal for the first few days. Your system will get used to after a while. Stick to only cooked meals or fresh fruits whose skin you can peel off. Do not eat anything from roadside vendors.

Meal Cost - General

Approximate costs for full - breakfast $15 to $25 Buffet Lunch $30 to $40 Dinner $ 45 and upwards.

Medicine and Medical Help

Bring your own medicines if you are taking any. Brand names may differ as all medicines are manufactured locally. If you ever need a doctor, please ask the hotel concierge to recommend one. Most hotels have physicians on call at all times.

Beggars and Pan handlers

They are there due to charitable nature and religious considerations of the society. There are shelters for them and instructions to help and teach trades, but professional beggars find begging more lucrative. If you wish to help, do so through a recognized charitable organization and not by giving alms, please. Contact us destination specific suggestions.

Item can bring back

Check specific immigration policies of your cou

Banned items - General

Animal and snake skins and articles made thereof, antique art objects.

Departure Taxes

Check your airline or contact us.

US Embassies: Check state department website.

Canadian High Commissions: Check respective websites
For general information, maps and reading materials, contact

Respective Embassies, consulates, Tourist office.
These are only suggested tips. Exotic Journeys International Group does not assume responsibilities for accuracy nor is responsible for errors and inaccuracies.