North Indian Highlights

Re: North Indian Highlights

Hey there,

Thanks for your post.

As a general guideline, clothing should be lightweight, loose-fitting, hard-wearing and easily washed. In India's hot summer months, cotton clothing is much more comfortable than man-made materials like nylon. In the winter months (Dec-Feb) North India (particularly Himchal Pradesh and Punjab) can get very cold so you should bring plenty of warm clothing.

You should bear in mind that India has conservative attitudes towards dress, particularly in remote areas. Women, and also men to an extent, will find that the way they dress will often determine the degree of respect they receive from both men and women. The issue is not nearly of such importance in places such as Mumbai and Goa where 'western' dress is more acceptable.

In certain areas and religious sites your Tour Leader may ask you to dress conservatively. Out ot respect for local values, we ask that you follow your Tour Leader's advice at all times.

Make sure you allow for climate changes and remember that even in the very hot countries, night-time can be extremely cold. You will generally find it is better to have several thin layers that one thick layer as it gives you more flexibility and warmth. A fleece can be invaluable and double as a pillow.

Essentially we recommend that you bring lots of clothing that covers shoulders and also more than one outfit which covers your legs to ankles and your arms past the elbows. A sarong is an invaluable item to carry as it can be used to instantly cover any exposed areas.

I hope this helps and please do not hesitate in contacting me either in here or via email to online@imtrav.net should you have any further questions.

All the best wishes,

Robert

Re: North Indian Highlights

Thanks for your comments.

So NOBODY else but me is going on this trip eh? There must be someone lurking that wants to chat about it.

Re: North Indian Highlights

Oh yeah,
I was wondering about the local payment. I think I have already paid the full tour price. Does this mean I will be asked to pay again?

Re: North Indian Highlights

Hi Brit

The tour is made up of two costs, the pre departure cost in stirling of 630 pounds and a local payment of 180 us dollar which needs to be paid to the tour leader in cash. As your trip is a traveller style, all the entrance fees as part of the itinerary are included so you shouldn't have to pay too much once you get there.
Hope you have a good trip!

Re: North Indian Highlights

Hope you have a good trip!

Re: North Indian Highlights

So I am wondering.

Is the tourbus air conditioned?

Re: North Indian Highlights

Hey Britt,

Thanks for your post.

This tour has a private air conditioned coach.

All the best,

Robert

Re: North Indian Highlights

Oh good

I was worried about that. I am in Canada afterall and the crocuses are not even up yet.

I hear there are big riots in New Dehli. THE BIGGEST riots that Ne Dehli has ever seen. IS this true? How will this affect the tour?

Re: North Indian Highlights

Hi Britt..I took this tour in 2004 (November) and just want to let you know that it is awesome..I assume you are female..if not sorry..but i have found with my travels through India, that western women really cover up..Capri pants for men and women are a must..And loose t shirts and comfortable cool walking shoes..Your clothes seem to get very dirty on this tour..So don't bring anything that is really really nice..

Laundry is extremely cheap everywhere on this tour, we did it every few days..

The women on the tour that i was on did bring nice skirts and blouses for evening dinners..I didn't and kinda wished i would have..

So last year we did the Kerala in Style Tour and i made sure to bring a few casual outfits for evening wear and I am glad i did, because all of the women on that tour also brought them..

But even in Kerala, all of the western women that i met were always wearing pants and long sleeve shirts..I usually wore a t shirt with capris and sometimes a tank top..

Anyhow, you will have a great time on the North India tour..India is just amazing and you will probably start booking another trip there before you get home from this one..

Varanasi is really a highlight as well as the Heritage Hotels..The camel ride is fun as well..My fav was Mandawa..

Hope you have a great time..I just got back from Goa (no tour)last week and am already craving another trip back to India..

I haven't heard about any riots in Delhi..What's up now??

Re: North Indian Highlights

Hey there,

Thanks for your post.

I have contacted our destination Manager and he has informed me that there are no riots anywhere in Delhi at present. Perhaps you are thinking of Kathmandu? But I can assure you that everything is fine and dandy in Delhi.

All the best,

Robert

Re: North Indian Highlights

[quote]Originally posted by robtrav:
[b] Hey there,

Thanks for your post.

I have contacted our destination Manager and he has informed me that there are no riots anywhere in Delhi at present. Perhaps you are thinking of Kathmandu? But I can assure you that everything is fine and dandy in Delhi.

All the best,

Robert [/b][/quote]Hi Robert. Thanks for your reply. I think that the person who informed me of riots in New Delhi was confused when watching the news report they said they got the info from. There are large demonstrations in the United States at the moment and also there is unrest in Nepal. I think it is a matter of my friend getting their wires crossed. It could be that my friend did not understand that Nepal is a different place than India. The story did not fully make sense to me, which is why I asked about it here. I am sorry if I alarmed you and thanks for your prompt replies :-)

Re: North Indian Highlights

[quote]Originally posted by Tracy:
[b] Hi Britt..I took this tour in 2004 (November) and just want to let you know that it is awesome..I assume you are female..if not sorry..but i have found with my travels through India, that western women really cover up..Capri pants for men and women are a must..And loose t shirts and comfortable cool walking shoes..Your clothes seem to get very dirty on this tour..So don't bring anything that is really really nice..

Laundry is extremely cheap everywhere on this tour, we did it every few days..

The women on the tour that i was on did bring nice skirts and blouses for evening dinners..I didn't and kinda wished i would have..

So last year we did the Kerala in Style Tour and i made sure to bring a few casual outfits for evening wear and I am glad i did, because all of the women on that tour also brought them..

But even in Kerala, all of the western women that i met were always wearing pants and long sleeve shirts..I usually wore a t shirt with capris and sometimes a tank top..

Anyhow, you will have a great time on the North India tour..India is just amazing and you will probably start booking another trip there before you get home from this one..

Varanasi is really a highlight as well as the Heritage Hotels..The camel ride is fun as well..My fav was Mandawa..

Hope you have a great time..I just got back from Goa (no tour)last week and am already craving another trip back to India..

I haven't heard about any riots in Delhi..What's up now?? [/b][/quote]Thanks for your insights, Tracy!

After my tour, I am going to Goa myself and I am looking forward to it very much. Did you encounter any mosquitos while there?

The clothes really are an issue, (yes I am female BTW), as when I travelled in the mideast, I felt so naked in comparison to the local women, no matter how many layers I used. I also remember how easy it was to get dirty as there is nothing to lean against or sit down on that is not covered with sand or some other kind of dirt. I imagine that India is the same. I am very glad to hear that it is easy to do laundry because I found on my mideast trip that I never had enough clean clothes. Whatever I did have that was clean, quickly became rancid by association with the dirty clothes in my suitcase! I was a sight by the end of my trip!

Re: North Indian Highlights

Hi Britt..There were lots of mosquitoes in Goa..And it will be really really hot there when you are going...But have a great time..The Goans are exceptionally nice people..However, Goa is not like the rest of India..It still has charactaristics of India, but is totally different..You will see..We had so much fun there though, i can't wait to go back..Why don't you check out my latest pic's.

[url=http://community.webshots.com/user/gbassett]http://community.webshots.com/user/gbassett[/url]

Re: North Indian Highlights

[quote]Originally posted by Tracy:
[b] Hi Britt..There were lots of mosquitoes in Goa..And it will be really really hot there when you are going...But have a great time..The Goans are exceptionally nice people..However, Goa is not like the rest of India..It still has charactaristics of India, but is totally different..You will see..We had so much fun there though, i can't wait to go back..Why don't you check out my latest pic's.

[url=http://community.webshots.com/user/gbassett]http://community.webshots.com/user/gbassett[/url] [/b][/quote]Those are great pics! Thank you for showing them to me. I can't wait. Actually, I am leaving in the morning and have some long plane rides ahead of me

Too bad about those mosquitos, but I have started malaria pills so at least I have that small comfort. Could they be worse than Northern Canada? lol, in the Yukon they are sort of like birds. Northern Alberta is pretty oppressive too. Well, at least I am prepared.

Cya all when I get back!