We have done our best to offer you
holidays in this website which are different from the ones offered by other
companies. If more than one holiday appeals to you, we will be happy to “mix
‘n’ match” two together for you (many travelers like to ‘add-on’
our “Moghul Triangle” tour to their main holiday destination, for
example) – just tell us what you would like to do and we will quote you
for your own package. If there are destinations you would like to visit
which are not included in our tour progrmme, we are more than happy to quote
you for this also. NEI has specialized in “tailor made holidays”
for decades, and our experience and expertise in this area ensures you have
the holiday you want, when you wat it, Just give us your requirements and
leave the rest to us.
Your NEI “sirdar” is equivalent of
the usual travel company “Manager Escort”, but a lot more, too. He
will meet you at the airport on your arrival and will be with you for the
whole of your stay. All our “sirdars” are local people with
extensive local knowledge and who can also speak fluent English. They are
with you to ensure that you have no, or, at worst, very few problems during
your travel with NEI. Your “sirdar” is there to help and advise at
any time – and to be your friend in a strange land.
When
traveling to India – travel light! Visits to the south of India mean
that you will always be in a warm climate and you will need only light
weight clothing – thin cotton is best. If you are traveling in the
north, or the Himalayas, you may need a light sweater or jacket for the
evenings. Clothing in India is very cheap, and we have yet to meet anyone
who has not bought something during their holiday. It is a good idea not to
overpack, but leave some room in your suitcase for these inevitable
purchases.
A ten year Passport, with at least six months to run
after your departure date for India, is required for all passengers. In
addition to this you will need an Indian Visa, obtained from the Indian High
Commission in either London or Birmingham. If you are also traveling to
Nepal, a Nepalese visa will also be required. We strongly recommend that you
allow good time for the issue of any visas. (If you are able to go in person
you should find that your visa can be issued the day after you hand in your
application).
The currency in India and Nepal is the Rupee. The
exchange rate for the Rupee, like all other currencies, fluctuates. However,
for ease of conversion during your holiday we suggest you say there are
Indian Rs. 50 to the Euro, Rs. 44 for US Dollar, and Rs. 75 for British
Pounds. (assuming that the rate does not change drastically!). This gives
you a quick conversion when you are busy bargaining in the markets and
bazaars. It works for us!
Credit cards are widely accepted in
India and Nepal, but bear in mind that they will not be any use in remote
areas and don’t depend on using credit cards entirely during your
holiday. Taking a combination of currency and traveller’s cheques and
using your credit cards in an emergency is the best bet.
The
electricity supply in India and Nepal is 240v/50Hz – the same as the UK
– or, it should be! Be prepared for voltage fluctuations and, on
occasion, complete electricity failure. India utilizes a “power sharing”
scheme and while sometimes it can be irritating, most of the time it will
not cause you any problem.
While we will do everything in our power
to ensure that the published itineraries will run (as described in this
website), the local conditions may cause us to change any published tour or
re-organise travel arrangements.
There are over 400 languages and
dialects in India, but the good news is that English is one of them. A relic
of the days of the English Raj, English is the one language which is common
throughout the sub-continent and you should have no problems making yourself
understood.
Bargaining in the Indian bazaars is commonplace and
the normal method of purchase. Only in the “Fixed Price” shops
will the price you will be told be the price you are expected to pay. As a
general rule of thumb, when bargaining, offer half the price you are
originally asked, or decide how much you would be prepared to pay for the
item and then haggle like mad. But remember – never make an offer for
anything unless you really want to buy it. If you are not interested a
firmly repeated “No” will end the negotiations. When you get used
to it, bargaining can be fun.
Your hotels in India have been very
carefully selected to give you a flavour of the sub-continent and to be the
best possible value for money. Generally your accommodation will be in a
twin-bed en suite room (sometimes shower, sometimes full bath) and most will
also have satellite cable colour TV, which means you can keep up to date
with the news in English. Hotels in more remote locations will not have all
these facilities, but will, nevertheless, be the very best available. We
also choose, where we can, hotels with a swimming pool, but, again, this
cannot be guaranteed.
In big cities, accommodation generally is on
bed and breakfast basis only, as there are so many places to eat that it is
a shame to be confined to your hotel dining room and most of our travelers
like to explore other eating places. Ask your NEI “sirdar” for
information and advice.
In all other locations, unless specified
otherwise in the tour/holiday description, and during all trekking, your
holiday will be on full board basis, including daytime refreshments where
appropriate.
Nude Sunbathing and swimming are not permitted
anywhere in India or Nepal.
Travel insurance is compulsory for
anyone traveling with NEI. We recommend that you take out travel insurance
at the time of booking.
Vaccinations and inoculations are the
responsibility of all travelers. As situations change we recommend that you
check with your own doctor or health center for the latest requirements for
travel to India or Nepal. At the time of publication there are no mandatory
inoculations for travel to either country, other than Yellow Fever, if you
have visited an infected area within six days of your arrival in India or
Nepal.
If you are trekking with NEI. The important thing is that
you do not need to possess superhuman physical abilities to join in on an
NEI trek. As long as you are in reasonable physical shape and do some
regular exercise before joining trek, you will find all our treks an
enjoyable experience. The effects of altitude are an important consideration
and all our treks are designed to allow you time for good acclimatization.
A typical trekking day begins with early morning tea served in
your tent. Hot water will be supplied to allow you to wash properly and this
is followed by a hot breakfast. While the NEI staff strike camp, you will
begin walking in the cool morning air. Lunch will be served after about
three to four hours walking. We always aim to reach the campsite in the
early afternoon and as the camp is pitched you will be served with tea or
coffee with biscuits. The rest of the time is yours to explore, sit and
read, chat, or write up your trek diary, as you wish, before the evening
meal is served around the camp fire.
We believe that after a day
spent trekking, it is important to provide the very best food which can be
produced outside a fully equipped kitchen. Therefore, on every trek we aim
to provide a variety of a cuisine and many surprising and nourishing dishes,
for your enjoyment.
Most personal items are available in India,
but sometimes at a price! We suggest you bring the following :
Your
own camera – with plenty of film, as you will probably use twice as
much as you expect to; a torch; sun glasses; suitable factor sun creams and
after sun lotions; all your usual toiletries and adequate amounts of any
regular medication.
If trekking, please ensure you bring your own
sleeping bag; trekking shoes; a jacket suitable for the areas to be visited.
A nylon waterproof jacket, or raincoat, is also a good idea. You may not
need it to protect against rain, but at high altitude, clouds can be quite
wetting!
