Practical Information

 

 

Passport & Visa

To travel to India you need a passport with at least 6 months validity. All foreign nationals require a visa to enter India. For detailed information on passport requirements and Entry Visas to India please visit the High Commission of India, Visa Services website: http://www.hcilondon.org/visa.htm

 

Travelling to India

GeckoWorkshops Expeditions begin and end in India. It is the responsibility of participants to reach the designated meeting point on the day of commencement of the Expedition. Participants must inform GeckoWorkshops of their flight or train number, and arrival time at least two weeks prior to the start of the Expedition.

In order to allow individuals to tailor their itineraries to their varying personal needs, GeckoWorkshops does not arrange international transportation. This permits participants to incorporate any of our Expeditions within their wider travel plans in India. As GeckoWorkshops Expeditions are sold independently of flights, participants are able to use and collect frequent flyer mileage on the airline of their choice.

As most of our Expeditions take place during the off-peak season, participants are able to benefit from the low airfares available at this time. Flight reservations are best secured well in advance of intended travel dates; early booking will ensure the lowest fares available on the market and give you a wider choice of dates and airports. We therefore, strongly recommend that you book your flights through your chosen provider as early as possible.

 

Most of our Expeditions begin in cities with international airports:

Panjim, Goa - (Hampi Expedition)
Numerous charter flights connect Goa with most major European airports. Goa is on the Konkan Railway, which connects the city of Mumbai with the South Indian States of Goa, Karnataka, and Kerala, making it easily accessible by rail. Goa is also well connected to other Indian cities by domestic flights.

New Delhi - (Thar Desert Expedition, Aravalli Hills Expedition)
All major international airlines fly to New Delhi. As the capital of India, Delhi is also the hub of all domestic transportation.

Kerala – (Monsoon Expedition)
A number of Airlines fly to the South Indian State of Kerala, including Air India Gulf Air, Emirates Airlines, Jet Airways, Quatar Airlines, SriLankan Airlines, Kuwait Airlines. There are two international airports in Kerala; these are located in the towns of Kochi (Cochin) and Trivandrum. (If required, we are able to arrange private transportation from Trivandrum International Airport.) Kochi and Trivandrum are also well connected to the rest of the Indian subcontinent by air and railway.

Ladakh – (Zanskar & Ladakh Expedition) Leh, the capital of Zanskar, can be reached either by internal flight from New Delhi, or by road from the town of Manali, in Himachal Pradesh. The road journey to Leh along the Manali-Leh highway takes around two days.

A number of airlines operate flights between Delhi and Leh. Flight time is around 1 and ½ hour and the cost of flights ranges from £25 to £200, depending on individual airlines and seat avilability. Tickets can be booked on-line.

We strongly recommend that you check availability before confirming your course booking with us.

The following operate regular flights to Leh:

• Indian Airlines https://www.indian-airlines.org/internetbooking/ialform1.aspx

• Jet Airways http://www.jetairways.com

• Air Deccan http://www.flyairdeccan.net/AirDeccan.htm

If you are planning to travel to any of the designated meeting points by rail, you are strongly recommended to make your travel arrangements well in advance. SD Enterprises in London make reservations on Indian Railways and purchase internal flights from the UK.

If you would like assistance in making your travel arrangements to any of the meeting points, we will be happy to inform you of routing and providers we have found reliable.

 

Health

To allow sufficient time for the recommended course of vaccinations needed before travelling to India, we recommend that you visit either your doctor or a travel health clinic at least 8 weeks prior to departure.

Please remember to keep a record of all your vaccinations. You should carry an up to date International Certificate of Vaccinations whilst travelling. Please also make sure that you have adequate provisions of malaria prophylaxis to last you for the duration of travel, as not all brands are available in India.

For the latest Travel Health information you can also visit the following websites: http://www.nathnac.org/index.htm and http://www.fitfortravel.nhs.uk/

In India, the sun can be fierce, making sunglasses and high-factor sunscreen lotion essential items. We also recommend that you bring some mosquito repellent for tropical climate. Although these items can be purchased locally, choice may be limited.

 

Money

The local currency is the Indian Rupee (INR). Currency Exchange facilities are available at most locations. Travellers’ cheques and all major credit cards are also widely accepted.

 

Electricity

The electric current in India is 230-240V AC, 50 cycles; please bring the necessary plug adaptors as sockets are of a round-pin variety.

 

Clothing

On all our Expeditions, we travel to hot climate areas, with temperatures ranging between 15 and 32 degrees centigrade. Lightweight cotton and linen clothing is ideal, but a fleece is also sometime handy after sunset during our stay in the desert and the hills for the Thar Desert, Aravalli Hills, and Hampi Expeditions.

For the Zanskar & Ladakh Expedition warm and light-weight clothing is required. During the summer , the temperatures in these regions vary beetween extremes of -5C and 35C, Trekking footware and a sleeping bag are also necessary.

For the Monsoon Expedition, breathable protective rain gear is highly recommended.

Loose fitting, long trousers and long-sleeved shirts offer excellent protection against the sun and are a must for visits to religious sites and festivals.

Footwear should include one pair of closed walking shoes, as well as open sport sandals, or trekking sandals, as appropiate. Although most activities on our itineraries take place during the coolest times of the day, you may find it useful to bring a sun hat.

A detailed list of what to bring will be sent to you with confirmation of your booking.