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

Additional Entry Permits to The Union Territory of Lakshadweep are needed by those who wish to join us on our Winter and Spring Tours as these include a stay on Bangaram Island. Our host in Kerala, CGH Earth, handles Entry Permits, and transfers to the Lakshadweep. We will make appropriate permit arrangements and reservations for you; as a minimum of 10 weeks are needed to process all applications for the Lakshadweep, early booking is essential.

 

Travelling to Kochi, Kerala, India.

GeckoWorkshops Photographic Tours begin and end in Kochi, Kerala. It is the responsibility of participants to reach Kochi. On the day of commencement of the course, we will meet participants at Kochi Airport, or Ernakulam Railway Station if arriving by train. Participants must inform GeckoWorkshops of their flight, or train number, and arrival time at least two weeks prior to the start of the Tour.

In order to allow individuals to tailor their itineraries to their varying personal needs, GeckoWorkshops does not arrange international transportation. This permits individuals to incorporate any of our Tours within their wider travel plans, and enables participants to use and collect frequent flyer mileage on the airline of their choice.

As all our Tours take place during the main holiday seasons, 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.

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, and 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. If you are planning to reach Kerala by railway from any other Indian State, 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 Kerala, 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.

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 Kerala, the sun can be fierce, making sunglasses and high-factor sunscreen lotion essential. We also recommend that you bring two 50 ml bottles of mosquito repellent for tropical climate. Although these items can be purchased locally, choice may be limited.

 

Money

The local currency is the Indian Rupee. Currency Exchange facilities are available at all locations with the exception of Bangaram Island. Travellers cheques and all major credit cards are also accepted at CGH Earth hotels.

 

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.

 

What to Bring

The climate in Kerala is tropical, with temperatures ranging between 20 and 32 degrees centigrade. Light-weight cotton and linen clothing is ideal for the plains, but a fleece is often needed after sunset during our stay in the hills of the Western Ghats.

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 sport sandals. Reef sandals are strongly recommended for Bangaram Island.

Although most teaching activities on our Photographic Tours itinerary take place during the coolest times of the day, you may also 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.