TRAVEL GUIDE 2017

INDIA

1 Do I need a visa? Citizens of Singapore, Cambodia, Laos, Vietnam, Philippines, Myanmar, Indonesia, Finland, Japan, Luxembourg and New Zealand are eligible to apply for a tourist visa on arrival. All other nationalities should apply online. Visit the website of the Indian High Commission in Singapore (hcisingapore.gov.in) for further info.

How long will it take me to get there? Between 4 and 5.5 hours from Singapore. India is 5.5 hours

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ahead of GMT, and 2.5 hours behind Singapore.

3 What’s the money situation? The official currency of India is the Indian rupee (INR). You will find ATMs in most of the large towns throughout India. If you’re travelling out of town, ensure you have enough cash. Major currencies can be changed at banks and private money changers. MasterCard and Visa are the most commonly accepted cards but are limited to mid- to high-end hotels, restaurants and shops. although January to September is a good time for the south, while north- eastern India tends to be best between March and August. Kashmir and the mountainous regions of Himachal Pradesh are most accessible between May and September. Skiing is popular from January through March, while trekking in the Indian Himalayas is recommended from April to November. Beach-goers tend to head to Kerala and Goa from December to May, when the weather is clear and dry. 4 When’s the best time to visit? The best time to visit most areas is from October to March,

FACT FILE

• The games Chess and Snakes & Ladders ( mokshapat ) originated in India. • Approximately 5,000 Mumbai boxes”) deliver about 200,000 lunchboxes ( dabba ) containing freshly made food from their customer’s home to their offices each day. largest employer in the world with a workforce of 1.5 million. • Khari Baoli in New Delhi is Asia’s largest wholesale spice market. • Chail Cricket Ground in Chail, Himachal Pradesh, is the highest cricket ground in the world. • India is the world’s second largest English-speaking country. • Indian Railways is the eighth dabbawalas (“ones who carry the

What’s the lingo? The official languages of India are Hindi and English. Here

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are some Hindi phrases to get you started: Hello Namaste What is your name? Aapka naam kya hai? My name is __ Mera nama __ hai How much? Kitna Thank you Dhanyavaad Yes Haan (Ha) No problem Koi bhat nahi

Is there anything I should know about meeting the locals?

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Press your palms together at chest level while saying “Namaste”. This is often followed by a light handshake. Always allow Indian women to initiate contact. What’s a must-try dish? Before hitting the restaurants for the huge range of amazing curries and other dishes, try a kati roll – traditional street food consisting of a wrap of kebabs, eggs, vegetables, and spices rolled into paratha (flat bread). 7

What should I buy as a souvenir? Indian bling: bold, bright and beautiful.

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