Time zone  GMT + 5.30hrs

Population - 1.2 billion

When to Travel – Most travelers visit India between Oct – Mar, but India has a great deal to offer throughout the year and the climate varies according to regional factors and geography.

Telephone - International dial 00, country code 91

Capital – New Delhi

Government: Republic. Democracy

Language – Hindi and hundreds of local dialects; English is widely spoken, especially in the tourist industry and by the educated classes.

Main Religions: Hindus (80% of overall population), Muslims (13%), Sikhs (2%), Christian (2,5%), Jains and Buddhists.

Money – Indian Rupee. US Dollars, UK Pounds and Euros can easily be converted in banks and cashier desk of hotels. ATMs are available in major cities and credit card accepted in major shops and hotels. Visitors may not bring in or take out any Indian currency, except in the form of travelers cheques. Do not use unauthorized moneychangers for exchanging foreign currency. You run the risk of receiving forged rupees or being cheated.

Health
Depending on length of stay and itinerary, immunization against hepatitis A and B, Japanese encephalitis, rabies and typhoid may be necessary. Malaria and dengue fever exist around the country; take precautions against mosquito bites and consider taking anti-malarial medicine. Tuberculosis is still present in India. Tap water is not safe to drink; always buy bottled water and check the seal is intact. Also, care should be taken when eating as few western travelers escape without a bout of diarrhea. Sunscreen and a hat should be worn in hot weather.

For detailed health information please visit the following website:
http://wwwnc.cdc.gov/travel/destinations/india.htm

Food
Each region has its specialties, but the basic division is between north and south Indian cuisines. In the south, food tends to focus on spicy vegetarian and fish dishes, usually served with rice. In the Muslim-influenced north it is more meat and bread-oriented and less spicy; often Tandoori ovens are used for cooking chicken and naan or roti bread. Restaurants always advertise whether they are "veg" or "non-veg". Chilli, turmeric, garlic, ginger, cumin, coriander and cinnamon are commonly used, ground into a masala or mix for each dish. Thalis are a wonderful way of sampling lots of dishes - usually economical too. Snack food includes masala dosa (filled pancakes), samosas and pakoras. Those who crave western food can find it in tourist restaurants but it is often more expensive and inauthentic.

What to buy:
Fabric, jewellery, Ayurvedic healthcare and cosmetics, carpets, paintings, cooking spices, tabla drums, English-language books, CDs…etc.

Major events:

March: Jaipur Holi Festival; the “festival of colour” is celebrated with elephant shows, cultural performances and parades.

July: Birthday of the 14th Dalai Lama; celebrated most spectacularly in Dharamsala, Himachal Pradesh, site of the Tibetan government in exile. 

September: Festival of Ganesh, Mumbai; the city's patron deity is honoured with celebrations across the city and clay idols of the elephant god are immersed in the water at Chowpatty Beach. Dussehra: important Hindu festival celebrated all over India, it commemorates various gods' victories over evil with reinactments. 

November: Pushkar Camel Festival; hugely popular fair around Pushkar lake, with camel races, dancing and food stalls. Divali: important Hindu festival of lights, celebrated across the country.

Embassies and visas:

For UK Citizens

UK: Indian High Commission India House, Aldwych, London WC2B 4NA (020 7836 8484).

India: The British High Commission Shantipath, Chanakyapuri, New Delhi (+91 11 6872161). Deputy high commissions in Mumbai (Bombay), Chennai (Madras) and Calcutta (Kolkata), plus a consular office in Goa.

For Irish Citizens

Ireland:
EMBASSY OF INDIA, IRELAND
6 Leeson Park, Dublin
Tel.: 01-4970843

India: Embassy of Ireland 
230 Jor Bagh
New Delhi 110 003 - Tel: +91 11 2462 6733

For American Citizens:

US: Indian Embassy in Washington DC
Chancery 
2107 Massachusetts Avenue, NW
Washington, DC 20008
Telephone: (202) 939-7000
Fax: (202) 265-4351

India: US Embassy in New Delhi
Shantipath, Chanakyapuri
New Delhi - 110021
Tel: 011-91-11-2419-8000
Fax: 011-91-11-2419-0017

For Canadian Citizens

Canada:
Consulate General of India in Toronto
365 Bloor Street East, 7th Floor,  Toronto, ON M4W 3L4
Telephone: 416-960-0751

India:
High commission of Canada in New Delhi
7/8 Shantipath, Chanakyapuri
New Delhi 110 021, India
Telephone: 91 (11) 4178-2000

Visa requirements: 

Visa & Immigrations: All visitors, except those from Nepal and Bhutan, must have valid passports stamped with current visas. There is no provision for visa on arrival in India. Contact the nearest Indian embassy or consulate in your home country before making your travel plans. In most countries visas can now be obtained through VFS Global. Business travelers should apply for a multiple-entry business visa which is valid for one year. Special visas are also issued for trekking, botanical expeditions and sports and journalism related activities. Visitors may move freely throughout the country, except to restricted or prohibited areas.

Visas are required by all visiting foreign nationals. Valid for 6 months from the date of issue (not date of entry), visas allow multiple entry. Visas can be obtained through VFS Global:

UK
http://www.vfs-uk-in.com/

Ireland
http://www.vfs-ireland.co.in/

Canada
http://in.vfsglobal.ca/

USA
https://www.vfs-usa.co.in/USIndia/Index.html

Other formalities:
Customs: Visitors possessing more than US $10000 (or the equivalent in travelers cheques or bank notes) must fill in a currency declaration form.  If you plan to bring to bring any expensive electronics/cameras, ask for a re-export permit from customs officials when you arrive. The permit will be written into the back of your passport, and unless you can present the item to Customs while leaving, duty will be levied.

India restricts the export of antiques, including foreign-made artifacts and items more than 100 years old. The Archaeological Survey of India is the authority that determines whether items are restricted. Visitors may not bring in or take out of India anything made from endangered animal species.

Travel advice to be consulted before your departure:

UK citizens when travelling to these destinations can contact:
Website:    http://www.fco.gov.uk/en/travel-and-living-abroad/

Canadian citizens when travelling to these destinations can contact:
Website : http://www.voyage.gc.ca/index-eng.asp

American citizens when travelling to these destinations can contact:
Website: http://travel.state.gov/travel/cis_pa_tw/cis_pa_tw_1168.html

Australian citizens when travelling to these destinations can contact:
Website: http://www.smartraveller.gov.au/

Corporate Address: ACME Tours & Travels (Recognised by Department of Tourism, Government of India) 501, Kirti Mahal, 19 Rajendra Place New Delhi - 110008 (INDIA) Phone : +(91 11) 25 73 15 68 / 25 74 32 10/ 25 82 45 05 FAX : +(91 11) 25 78 62 99 / 25 81 62 99 E-mails : acmedel@vsnl.com & acmedel@eth.net