Administrative formalities that you need to fulfill before joining us. How do I get my passport? How do I get Visa for India, Nepal and Buthan? How do I get International Driving Permit? What type of insurance contract do I subscribe? How do I book my international flight?
Money: Currency, Exchange rate, Payments and Budget. What is the currency in India and what is the exchange rate? Where can I obtain cash? Can I pay with a credit card? How much should my budget for local expenses be?
Seasons and climate according to places and tours How is the weather like in India? What destination to pick according to the season?
Culinary and gastronomic discoveries What will I be eating during my stay? What are the local specialities?
Equipments and Personal belongings What kind of baggage should I opt for? What equipment do I need to carry?
Health: precautions that need to be taken before leaving Do I have to get some vaccination before leaving? What all should I have in my travel medical kit? Do I need to take any anti-malarial treatment? What is Altitude Sickness (AMS)?
ADMINISTRATIVE FORMALITIES
How do I get a passport?
To enter India, you need a passport that has a validity period of at least six more months. Make sure your passport is properly signed and make a photocopy before you leave. It costs £77.50 for a standard 32-page ten-year adult passport. You can find more detailed information on the following links -
You can get the application form in four ways. You can:
Visa is compulsory and can be obtained and issued from the Indian Embassies or Indian High Commissions abroad. One thing worth remembering is that the entry visas are not issued at the entry point. A passenger found guilty of travelling without an entry visa is detained and deported. Visas for India are obtained from the VFS Global (the official agent of the Indian High Commission) offices in London, Hayes, Birmingham, Manchester, Cardiff, Glasgow, or Edinburgh. All current information on Indian visa applications is available on the web at: http://in.vfsglobal.co.uk/. You can apply in person or by post, we suggest that you apply well in advance. A tourist visa is usually valid for six months from date of issue.
The two Indian addresses you will put on your visa application form are -
1. Vintage Rides, Ground Floor, C-66 Okhla Phase – I, New Delhi- 110020 , Tel - +91 11 41 00 78 06 2. The Hotel’s Address in which you would be staying, which would be conveyed to you by your travel advisor.
Visas for entry to Nepal are available within 48 hours upon the submission of the visa application form to the Embassy. With a view to facilitating the visitors, the visa application form and the important information for visa are available on the Embassy's website http://www.nepembassy.org.uk/. Bhutan: A visa is required to enter the country. It can only obtained on arrival while you travel with Vintage Rides. It’s sufficient to possess a passport whose validity covers the length of stay and two passport photos.
How do I book my international flight?
To give you more freedom, international flights are not included in the prices of our trips. Here are some guidelines to help you in your efforts reservations. INDIA Many airlines fly to India from UK: Jet Airways Kingfisher airlines Air-India Bmi British Midland Oman Aviation Air France Turkish Aviation British Airlines Etihad Airlines Emirates Airlines Gulf Air NEPAL On our tour in Nepal, arrivals and departures take place in Kathmandu. Capital is easily accessible with the following companies, for regular flights: Kingfisher Airlines Air India Emirates Airways, Qatar Airways- Virgin Atlantic BHUTAN To enter Bhutan, flights leave regularly from Delhi or Calcutta to Paro. Attention! There are no flights every day! The return is from Guwahati. On our tour of 13 days, flights Delhi / Paro and Guwahati / Delhi are included in the tour price. On our tour of 8 days, the flights are not included. However, it is possible to add these (extra charge).
MONEY
What is the currency of India and what is the exchange rate?
The Indian currency is the Rupee. 1£ = 70 Rs It changes from one month to another so confirm the exchange rate before you leave.
Import and export of Indian rupees is prohibited. So, you will have to exchange your currency for rupees directly in India.
There are ATMs as well as foreign exchange offices in all the big Indian cities.
We advise you to exchange some currency at the international airport upon your arrival.
Make sure that you always have some change and small bills for petty expenses: rickshaws, taxis, drinks and other small purchases. There is often a shortage when it comes to returning change...
This is not as yet a common mode of payment in India: only luxury hotels and certain restaurants and boutiques selling luxury items accept international credit cards.
On the other hand, the network of ATMs in the whole country has developed greatly over the past few years making it very easy to withdraw money with cards like Visa, Mastercard, Maestro, Cirrus etc. A fee is charged per transaction.
However, this is less common in small cities.
Before leaving, remember to ask your bank for an international helpline number in case your card gets lost or stolen.
TRAVELER’S CHEQUES
This is surely the best way to travel tension-free. Several banks or financial institutions like American Express, Thomas Cook, Citybank, Barclays, Bank of Tokyo etc sell them, all you have to do is choose one Traveler’s cheques are widely accepted in the big cities but sometimes might have a lower exchange rate than cash. Cheques can be exchanged at all banks and may even be accepted in some shops.
BUDGET
No surprises here! India is a low-cost country. 5 £ a day is enough for food and a fistful of euros will buy you a lot of memories.
And since you are touring with Vintage Rides where you pay half-board, 130 £ for the whole trip is largely sufficient for all your expenses.
Shopaholics should carry an extra hundred pounds or so.
TAXES & TIPS
Restaurants and Hotels often levy up to 10% service tax. It is a common practice to leave a tip in a restaurant but this is not compulsory. You could leave a sum that is 5-10 % (in proportion to the amount) of the total bill. If you rent a chauffeur driven car for the day, it is customary to slip the driver a small sum (60-120 Rs) at the end of the day. A cultural guide could be given 100 Rs and 10 Rs to the bellboy who loads your bags on the bus. BEGGING
As a general rule, avoid giving money to the children on the roads. This money is usually collected by a small local mafia, a kind of network of 'protectors' who profit from it.
In the countryside, avoid giving things to children who seem to have a home. This is necessary to prevent them from getting used to receiving gifts without doing any work and developing a fixed behaviour pattern with respect to tourists. That being said, don’t forget that giving is a part of life in India.
CLIMATE What destination to pick according to the season?
The climate in India varies greatly all over the sub-continent due to its large geographical scale and diverse topography ranging from coastal areas to high mountains. The climatic differences from one region to another make it difficult to generalize and predict the weather.
Northern India has a dry tropical climate whereas it is humid in the southern part of the country. During summers, the monsoons last from June to September in the north and from May to October in the south. North India experiences cold weather during the winter season (November to March). The coastal areas have a mild tropical climate throughout the year whereas the Plains and most of the central and southern states are subjected to high temperatures during summers (April to June). The north-western state of Rajasthan experiences an extremely hot desert climate from June to September.
The temperature oscillates between 18°C and 28°C in January and between 26°C and 34°C in May. The country receives its maximum rainfall in the month of July, with a record number of rainy days, sometimes up to 20 at a stretch…
The best season to visit India is between November and early March. It is dry and the temperature is the most favourable during this time. For the Himalayas, less affected by the monsoon, the best time to visit is from June to September.
-Rajasthan « The Land of the Maharajas »: October to March -Ladakh “The Trans Himalayan Tour”: June to September -Uttarakhand « To the Source of the Ganges »: October to November and April to June -Himachal Pradesh « Between Heaven and Earth: May-June and September-October -Kinnaur and Spiti « To the Gateway of Tibet »: June-July and September-October -South « The Spice Route »: November to March -Nepal « The Roads of Katmandu »: October to April (except January, peak winter) -Tibet « On the Roof of the World”: October to April (except January, peak winter) -Bhutan: October to April (except January, peak winter)
Food
For just a few rupees, you can feast like kings upon succulent dishes with smells and colours as diverse as India itself. Indians eat 3 meals a day. The evening meal is usually eaten late, around 10pm, so they eat a small snack around 5pm to appease their growling tummies until dinner time. All the dishes are served at the same time. Dessert consists of a few slices of fresh fruits.
Another option open to you is the widely available street food, however this is a good idea to first check if the food is fresh. Avoid raw vegetables and peel the skin of fruits to avoid the notorious ‘traveler’s diarrhea’ which would bother you for a few days… At Vintage Rides, you’ll love the improvised stops at dhabas, the typical small local restaurants that are very popular and very well-loved for their warm and convivial atmosphere. You can order good local dishes here, the taste of which stays with you even when you hit the road again. In Delhi, you have the opportunity to taste Indian fine dining or eat at the good quality restaurants offering a variety of cuisines. The hosts scrupulously chosen by Vintage Rides will prepare home food that you shall relish forever. There is nothing better than a well prepared local dish, served in a homely environment. For those who are not very fond of spicy food, they can easily order western dishes in hotels that we shall visit.
Vintage Rides has picked out the best of Indian dining… from the biggest fine dining restaurant in Delhi to the small Dhaba around the corner. Let us guide you along the paths of Indian cuisine…
DISHES Around 20 spices add to the flavour of regional specialties in India. The most often used amongst these are red chilies, Ginger, Turmeric, Saffron, Cardamom, Coriander and Pepper. Pulses, rich in proteins, are held in high esteem in traditional vegetarian dishes. Dal, the simplest dish, is a bowl of lentils. Rice is an integral part of every meal and Basmati rice which comes from India is known worldwide for its incomparable flavour.
In North India, you will find a variety of breads to complement your meal.
Some examples are: Puri – a kind of deep-fried fritter or Parantha – which has many layers and of course, the most well-known, naan – a cooked pancake, whether it is stuffed with cheese or not, it’s a treat for the taste buds and a real stomach filler. When it comes to fruits, there is a large variety thanks to the tropical Indian climate which is conducive to the growth of many exotic fruits: mangoes, papayas, pineapples, passion fruits etc. Curries or dishes with gravy are common dishes in India but for the richer half of the population which can afford to buy meat. Tandooris are a treat: meat is marinated in curd and spices before being cooked in an oven. Many sauces accompany this dish: mint, bitter-sweet etc. A large part of the population is vegetarian by choice, by tradition or by compulsion. There is a large variety of vegetarian recipes especially with pulses (lentils, chickpea etc) as they have high protein content. The non-vegetarians mainly eat mutton or chicken.
Indian food has its own charm but it is important to know that it varies greatly from place to place so it is advisable to carry some sweets or energy bars with you at all times. DRINKS Buy bottled mineral water available in all small shops. Avoid fresh fruit juice. The main drink of the Indians is chai, a mixture of tea, milk and sugar that is very good to drink when it is hot. Local sodas are also available like masala soda made of lime, spices, sugar and salt.
Lassi, a drink made with curds, goes particularly well with a spicy meal.
Alcoholic drinks are not easily available because they are prohibited in some areas. One thing you can bank upon is that local beer is served in most restaurants.
EQUIPMENT
Appropriate equipment is an essential requirement for a successful trip! Travel light! You will be able to make the most of your trip without exhausting yourself. We strongly advise you not to exceed the 20Kg baggage limit.
What kind of baggage should I opt for?
Avoid rolling suitcases! A waterproof duffel bag is more suitable. Your bags will be transported in a truck that may not always be covered. Therefore, your things will be better protected in waterproof bags. It is therefore advised: -A waterproof bag of 20Kg maximum per person to be deposited in the support vehicle. -A small waterproof bag (10L) for the touring trunks of the bikes that can be used to keep the daily utilities such as rain gear, sunscreen and camera.
Do not forget to put a label with your name and address as well as that of vintage rides on the luggage before departure
Essential for all destinations - A good helmet - A motorcycle jacket (leather or textile) - Rain Gear - A scarf - A good pair of sunglasses - Motorcycle Boots or Walking shoes - Tennis Shoes - A pair of gloves - A sweater or sweatshirt for cool nights - A swimsuit (For trips to South India and the swimming pools in hotels or elsewhere) - A tracksuit or a pair of canvas pants - A cap, sunhat or a scarf - For women, sports undergarments are advised.
Things to carry -Pocket lamp (and batteries) - Sunscreen -Candies, cereal bars and biscuits are good to munch. - Electric adapters are not required. The indian sockets are the same as european sockets.
For the trips inclusive of night camping. The camps are well-equipped: beds, mattresses, blankets….However, people used to more comfort can use a light duvet and a small mattress in addition to their sleeping bag. Get a warm sleeping bag (suitable for -10°c, lightweight down designed for high altitudes) and possibly, a sleeping bag liner.
Do i have to get some vaccination before leaving ?
No vaccination is compulsory to travel to India. However, it is recommended that you get protection against tetanus, polio, hepatitis A and B, typhoid and for those who are more susceptible to falling ill, against tuberculosis and rabies as well. For more information, consult your regular doctor before leaving or go to the nearest vaccination center
In Bhutan, vaccination against yellow fever is required for all travelers coming from a country in the Yellow fever endemic zone.
We highly recommend that you carry a medicine bag: aspirin, band aid, disinfectant, vitamin C in case of fatigue. It is also advisable to carry medicine for sore throats or colds brought on by the considerable change in temperature (often due to excessive air conditioning)
It is advisable to take preventive measures against malaria but not compulsory. It is an infectious disease caused by a parasite propagated by mosquito bites (by certain species of mosquitoes) which means that individual preventive measures have to be taken (sprays, creams, electric mosquito killer, mosquito nets…) Along with these measures, you should also undergo medical treatment adapted to your individual needs: you can visit either your regular doctor or a travel health clinic.
The treatment against malaria isn’t necessary for high altitude mountain trips like the Himalayas because it is nonexistent above an altitude of 1800m.
On the other hand, the treatment against malaria is highly recommended for those traveling to South India.
Consult your doctor for more information.
Vintage rides takes special care to prevent altitude sickness and has adapted its tours to ensure a gradual acclimatization to the altitude.
Acute Mountain Sickness (AMS)
What is it? AMS occurs when a person finds it difficult to adjust to the changing conditions brought on by ascending too rapidly to higher altitudes. There is no need to worry about altitude sickness if proper precautions are taken.
The symptoms: When the body is unable to adjust because the ascent is too fast, the first symptoms of altitude sickness appear: great fatigue, headaches, nausea, loss of appetite, dizziness, insomnia.
Rules to be followed: Drinking small quantities of water at regular intervals makes acclimatization to the high altitude easier: around 3 to 4 litres per day. A light sleeping pill may be taken in case of insomnia caused by high altitude. It is extremely unadvisable to drink alcohol during the first few days of ascent.
Diamox: This medicine is used as a diuretic and can treat the symptoms of a lighter form of altitude sickness by improving ventilation in the body. It is highly recommended that you carry this medicine with you in case it is needed. Consult your doctor for advice.
If you wish, for your satisfaction, you can also take an AMS susceptibility test which will help you know in no time how your body will react to a progressive loss of oxygen. Consult your doctor for advice.
Required if your destination is the Himalayas: a medical certificate stating that you are ‘fit to ride a motorbike for more than 6 hours per day at high altitudes (above 4000m)’ must be submitted to us at the time of registration.