TRAVELLING IN
INDIA

India is often refered
to as the "Sub-continent"
and that is an apt
description.It's sheer
complexity and size
make it almost too
big to be one
country.
First time visitors
to India are struck
by the vast variety
of colours,traditions,
peoples and customs
and it would need a
long visit to do
more than sample the
Indian travel
experience.

India is featured
by many British tour
operators and there
are quite a combination
of types of holiday
from the very popular
beach holiday in the
Goa area to walking
in northern India
(usually coupled with
a trip to Nepal) as
well as rail and
air tours.The islands
of the Indian Ocean
which belong to
India are also
attractive destinations.

With the nearest airport
in India only nine 
hours from London,even
short seven day holidays
are a practical
proposition.Even ski-ing
is possible in the
heights of Gulmarg and
Kufri in the Himalayas.

The standard of hotels in
India range from the
indescribeable to the
top of the range.City
hotels are ofetn of
international class and
serve a great variety
of foods. India can also
be done quite cheaply
as a 'backpacking' trip
with small town and
country hotels available
for a few pounds a night.

The Indian railway
system originally built
up during the British raj
is remarkably extensive
and is a great method of
seeing the country.
The Indrail Pass can be
bought by tourists and
is a really economical
way of using India's
rail network.


Places of interest are
numerous but include:
Delhi(city tour)
Golden Triangle
Agra(Taj Mahal)
Jaipur
Varanasi
The Kashmir(mountains)
Simia
Bombay(city tour)
Ellora caves
Panaji(architecture)
Calcutta(city tour)
Darjeeling
Assam(for wildlife
reserves)
Madras(city tour)
Bangalore(city tour)
Goa (for the
beaches)
Puri(Holy city)


Sports:
Cricket (all over
India)
Skking (Gulmarg and
Kufri)
Water sports(Goa,
Andaman islands)
Fishing(Simia and
Kanga Valley)
Golf(throughout
India - esp.
the Calcutta
Amateur Golf
Championship)
also
Riding
Polo
Hockey
Tennis
Squash
Football


Nightlife:As
understood in the
west,India has very
little nightlife
(and nothing a la
Bangkok!),although
in some of the larger
cities some is
developing. The Indian
film industry is
however the largest
in the world and
cinemas abound.

Good buys:
Carpets
Fabrics
Clothes
Jewellery
Leatherwork
Woodwork


Facts:
Capital:New Delhi

Pop:733,000,000

Language:National language
is Hindi although there are
thriteen other official
languages in India.
English is widely used
especially in commerce.

Time:GMT+5.30

Electricity:220 volts

Passports and visas:
Full British and visa is
also required.

Currency: Rupee=100Paise

Travellers cheques and
all major credit cards
are readily accepted.

Health risks:
Precautions are advised
against -
Yelow fever,malaria,
Typhoid/Polio,Cholera.


Air travel:
Indias national airline
is AIR INDIA with daily
flights into London.
Main airports are -

BOMBAY
CALCUTTA
DELHI
MADRAS

Domestic airlines are
Vayudoot
Indian Airlines


UK tour ops:
Hayes and Jarvis
Bales
Inspirations
Cosmos Distant Dreams



Ports:
Bombay
Calcutta
Cochin
Madras
Calicut
Panaji(Goa)


UK address:
India High Commission
India House,
Aldwych,
London WC2B 4NA
071-836-8484

