Documente Academic
Documente Profesional
Documente Cultură
Namaste.
Thank you for selecting Sodha Travel for your Indian experience. Before departure, we encourage you to read the following
information that highlights Indian customs and travel propriety. Please contact us with any additional questions and we look
forward to being a part of your journey.
Contents
Safety . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9
Taxi . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10
Bus . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10
Auto Rickshaw . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10
Cycle Rickshaw . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10
Private Vehicle for Hire . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10
Train . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 11
Suburban Rail System/Metro/Rapid Transit System . . 11
Communication . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 12
Baggage . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 12
Laundry . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 12
Electricity . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 12
Weather . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 13
Movie Recommendations . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 14
Suggested Reading . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 14
Common Indian Food Items . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 15
Resources . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 16
History . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Fast Facts . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Visa . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Vaccinations . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Medical . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Currency . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Money Exchange/ATMs/Credit Cards . . . . . . . . . .
Gratuities . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Food and Water . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Language . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Festivals and Holidays . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Religion . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Clothing . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Shopping . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Social Etiquette . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Locals . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Photography and Videography . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
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History
Fast Facts
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Visa
Vaccinations
Medical
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If there is one place on the face of earth where all the dreams
of living men have found a home from the very earliest days
when man began the dream of existence, it is India!
Romaine Rolland
Currency
Gratuities
~ Tip ~
The code for Rupee can
also be INR
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info@sodhatravel.com
503.718.7839
1-877-564-7526
info@sodhatravel.com
Language
Religion
~ Tip ~
In Hindi, thank you is
pronounced Dhanyavad
(daan-yaa-vaad)
Hindu - 80.5 %
Muslim - 13.4%
Christian - 2.3%
Sikh - 1.9%
Buddhist: 1.2%
Other 0.7%
The Constitution of India declares that the country must
support the right of its citizens to freely worship any religion.
Separate personal law codes apply to Hindus, Muslims,
and Christians. Although inter-religious marriage is not
common, Indians are generally tolerant of all faiths.
503.718.7839
1-877-564-7526
info@sodhatravel.com
Clothing
Social Etiquette
Shopping
Jewelry, clothes, spices, tapestries, shoes, shawls, handicrafts,
tea, rugs Shopping will soon become one of your favorite
experiences in India. The shops and bazaars are overflowing
with color and vitality. Bargaining is expected. As a foreigner,
your price will automatically start three times higher than the
locals. Have fun with the bargaining! If you prefer, ask your
representative about standard item pricing before making any
final purchases. Many outdoor markets and bazaars only accept
Rupees. Credit cards are accepted at hotels, restaurants,
shopping malls, and upscale/government licensed shops.
503.718.7839
1-877-564-7526
info@sodhatravel.com
~ Tip ~
Locals
Safety
For its size, India has a very low crime rate and is generally
a safe country. However, as with any international travel,
please be aware of your surroundings. Check with your
guide or representative about the safe/unsafe areas of
town and use caution when traveling alone. Also, always
make sure your purse is zipped and wallets are in sealed
pockets. In the markets, be vigilant of pick-pockets and
distraction scams. Additionally, at the train/bus stations and
airports, monitor your luggage at all times.
503.718.7839
1-877-564-7526
info@sodhatravel.com
Taxi
Auto Rickshaw
Cycle Rickshaw
Bus
Buses are generally government-owned and provide a
convenient and cheap mode of public transportation. Until
recently, buses were overcrowded, not air-conditioned,
and offered limited access to the disabled. However, new
features such as air-conditioning and low-floor lifts are
being initiated in cities to improve the system and attract
private car owners to decongest roads.
Sample Fare: INR 5 INR 15 for a local ticket; INR 25 for
an A/C bus
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10
Train
The train stations in India, particularly in large cities, are
quite complex and can be very overwhelming. We highly
recommend using a transfer representative when applicable,
as they can safely navigate entering/exiting the station.
Please also keep a safe watch of your valuables. When we
do hear of theft, it mainly occurs in or around train stations.
Trains are available for both day and overnight journeys.
There are generally three classes of seating: 1st class A/C,
2nd class (A/C or non-A/C), and 3rd class non A/C. Most
travelers opt for 1st or 2nd class, where Western restroom
facilities are available and seating is reserved. Depending
on your itinerary and class of service, meals are delivered by
a server or you may purchase food items from a vendor.
Taking an overnight train in India is NOT similar to European
rail travel. (This refers to standard train travel, not luxury
rail journeys including Palace on Wheels.) Although the
Indian rail system is very reliable, we only recommend it
for certain travelers. If you are particularly discerning, train
travel can be a sensory overload.
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11
Communication
Baggage
Electricity
Laundry
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12
If I were asked under what sky the human mind has most
fully developed some of its choicest gifts, has most deeply
pondered on the greatest problems of life and has found
solutions, I should point to India.
Max Mueller
Average Temperatures
Hot Season
(March - June)
Monsoon Season
(July - September)
Cool Season
(October - February)
Shimla
57 - 68F
59 - 68F
41 - 55F
Darjeeling
54 - 64F
59 - 68F
45 - 55F
Delhi
75 - 97F
79 - 93F
52 - 79F
Udaipur
75 - 100F
79 - 97F
54 - 84F
Mumbai
77 - 90F
77 - 86F
70 - 86F
Kolkota
77 - 95F
79 - 90F
64 - 84F
Trivandrum
77 - 90F
73 - 89F
73 - 86F
Source: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:India_average_annual_temperature_map_en.svg
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13
Movie Recommendations:
Suggested Reading:
Gandhi
Bombay
Water
Earth: 1947
Monsoon Wedding
Lagaan
Slumdog Millionaire
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14
Naan
Chai
Tandoori
The tandoor is a clay oven. Tandoori is the preparation of food using the tandoor.
Dosa
A thin crepe made from rice and black lentils. It can also be stuffed with vegetables, meats, and spices.
Paneer
Cheese
Dal
Ghee
Clarified butter
Lassi
Yogurt
Thali
Channa Masala
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info@sodhatravel.com
15
Resources
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16