Traveller’s guide: India

This guide is for reference only; the information may change — check the latest details before your trip. The official version is in Russian; in the event of discrepancies in translation, the Russian text takes precedence.

Consumer features

Booking a wellness course at an Ayurvedic clinic or hotel (with a package of wellness services).

Rules of conduct and prohibitions

It is recommended:

  • to be friendly towards the local people and respect the Indian way of life;
  • to be patient, not to be rude, not to raise your voice, not to demean their dignity;
  • to respect local customs and traditions, not to show arrogance or contempt for the local culture;
  • to try not to go into town alone. When going into town, carry yourself with dignity and stay composed and alert;
  • to be prepared for excessive attention from local residents;
  • to keep a close eye on your belongings and luggage.

It is prohibited:

  • to appear in public places or on the street while intoxicated;
  • in conflict situations, possible detentions and being taken to the police, do not answer questions, do not sign any reports or papers without representatives of the embassy or consulate, and do not give in to persuasion or intimidation;
  • women are advised not to wear revealing clothing;
  • do not wear beachwear away from the beach;
  • it is not customary to hug and kiss in public;
  • it is forbidden to photograph government institutions, airports, bridges and railway stations;
  • smoking is prohibited in public places (medical facilities, restaurants, snack bars, cafés and bars, shopping complexes, cinemas, nightclubs, libraries, public toilets, stadiums, bus stops, railway stations, airport halls);
  • only a passenger with a ticket may enter the airport terminal building; violation carries criminal liability;
  • do not use unmanned aerial vehicles without an Indian state licence.

Features of greeting

  • the traditional greeting is palms pressed together at chest level;
  • handshakes between men are not forbidden, but reaching out to shake hands first is not customary — many religious taboos may forbid a Hindu these gestures altogether;
  • you must not shake hands with a woman (unless she offers her hand first) or place a hand on the shoulder of the person you are speaking to.

Religion

The people of India acknowledge, respect, honour and observe the laws of various religions. Hinduism is the most widespread across the country (80% of the population). Christianity is common in South India. In the state of Goa there are many Catholic churches.

Features of visiting temples:

  • shoes are removed at the entrance to every temple and before burial sites;
  • you may enter Sikh temples only with your head covered;
  • a woman may enter a mosque only with her head and shoulders covered and in long clothing;
  • leather goods should not be brought into temples;
  • by tradition, you should donate a little money to the temple (placed in the donation box);
  • you may take photographs only with the permission of a temple attendant;
  • it is strongly discouraged to photograph members of certain ethnic groups and castes;
  • all buildings, especially religious structures, are traditionally walked around on the left side;
  • treat objects of worship with respect;
  • it is strictly forbidden to photograph funeral processions on the ghats in Varanasi and Benares, as well as the ritual cremation of the dead.

Health, nature and climate

  • avoid being in the sun from 11 am to 4 pm;
  • swim in the sea only in specially designated zones with lifeguards (there may be strong undercurrents and poisonous jellyfish);
  • be careful when moving about in uninhabited areas — snakes and wild animals may live there;
  • use mosquito repellents (the risk of malaria and tropical diseases);
  • drink only boiled or bottled water;
  • wash raw fruit and vegetables thoroughly and wash your hands before eating;
  • do not eat in questionable places (do not eat outside the grounds of the clinic or hotel);
  • take out medical insurance for the entire period of the trip.

First aid kit

Familiar medicines may be called differently in another country; to avoid problems finding and buying them, take them with you. We also recommend bringing a first-aid kit — it will help with minor ailments related to being in an unfamiliar climate and eating exotic food.

A first-aid kit may contain:

  • painkillers and cardiovascular medicines;
  • medicines for digestion;
  • choleretic agents;
  • anti-motion-sickness remedies;
  • remedies for insect bites;
  • dressing materials;
  • waterproof and antibacterial plasters;
  • eye drops;
  • sunscreen and after-sun skincare products.

What to bring with you

  • light, closed cotton clothing;
  • a hat;
  • comfortable shoes;
  • Repellents;
  • copies of your documents.

Time difference

The time is 2.5 hours ahead of Moscow.

Customs rules

You should read the detailed information on customs rules on the websites of the Federal Customs Service of Russia and the customs service of the country you are travelling to. You may take out of / bring into the Russian Federation cash in roubles and/or foreign currency up to the equivalent of 10,000 US dollars. If this amount is exceeded, you must fill in a declaration for all the cash you are carrying.

Currency

The monetary unit is the Indian rupee (INR). 1 rupee equals 100 paise. It is most advantageous to bring euros or new-style dollars to India (the oldest banknotes are not accepted at all). The exchange rate at the airport is worse than elsewhere.

Language

The official languages of India are Hindi and English. That said, the older generation, especially in rural areas, may not understand English. A distinctive feature of Hindi is that it has many words borrowed from Sanskrit. Hindi is more of a spoken language, while Sanskrit is literary. India officially recognises only 22 languages, among them Bengali, Sanskrit and Urdu. About half of these languages have their own alphabets. There are hundreds of dialects in the country, and literary works have been written in some of them.

Basic rules for staying at clinics

Under international rules, check-in takes place after 2 pm, and the checkout time on departure is 12 noon local time. If you have any questions during your stay, you can contact the administration. Room allocation is handled by the clinic’s administration. If on the day of arrival you wish to check in before 2 pm, or on the day of departure you wish to stay in the room after 12 noon, the cost of the room is charged for an additional day. On the day of departure you must vacate the room and pay the clinic for any additional services you have used by 12 noon. Check-in/checkout times may differ between clinics; be sure to check the checkout time with the manager when booking the product. Early check-in and late checkout are allowed subject to room availability and payment of an additional charge.

  • when checking in, take immediate note of the paid and free services the clinic provides;
  • if you arrive later than the date stated in the voucher, the delay is not compensated. Information about a late arrival must be provided in advance in the request, in the comment for the Ayubooking reservations department;
  • departure takes place on the day the stay ends, no later than the checkout time;
  • during the stay at the place of temporary accommodation the guest bears personal responsibility for breaching the rules of conduct/accommodation, as well as for being late for an excursion or losing money or other valuables.

Tips

Tipping in India is not obligatory. If you liked the service, you may leave tips for drivers and guides on excursions, waiters, porters, maids and so on. The size of the tip depends on the type of service and the level of the establishment, and is usually 10 rupees or more. For a taxi driver 20–30 rupees will be enough; in restaurants and cafés tips are the traditional 10% of the bill. Large hotels have an official service charge of 10–25%, so there is no need to tip there.

Connection

India’s leading mobile operators are Airtel, Vodafone, Idea, Reliance, BSNL and Aircel.

India’s dialling code: +91

Calls from a landline:

  • from Russia to India: 8-10-91-(city code)-phone number
  • from India to Russia: 00-7-(Russian city code)-phone number

Calls from a mobile phone:

  • from Russia to India: +91-phone number
  • from India to Russia: +7-phone number

Transport

The bulk of passenger and freight transport is provided by the railways. High-speed trains with air-conditioned carriages run between the large cities. Buses are in great demand in India, as they are more convenient to travel on, run more often and have cheaper tickets than the train. The highlight and most popular Indian transport is the tuk-tuk (a three-wheeled scooter with a covered cab) and the cycle rickshaw (pulled by a person). Taxi services are also well developed, although this transport is far more expensive than the same tuk-tuks. The cost of a trip by taxi, tuk-tuk or cycle rickshaw should be agreed in advance. We do not recommend setting off on a journey in a rented car on your own — many unpleasant surprises can be encountered on the road. And the chaotic traffic in India is shocking. It is worth noting that for Indians the horn gives the right to any manoeuvre — do not be surprised if a sharp turn follows a beep.

Renting a car, motorbike or scooter

Ayubooking is not responsible for problems arising with car rental or car excursions that the guest has booked independently. The car must be insured. Be careful if you rent motorcycles, mopeds or scooters — in most cases they have no insurance. A car may be rented by a person who has reached the age of 18, holds an international driving licence, has at least 1 year of driving experience, insurance and a credit card.

Follow the general rules:

  • never get out of the car with the engine running, even if you only need to ask for directions;
  • always carry the car keys with you;
  • when leaving the car in a car park, try to keep car radios, cameras and camcorders out of sight;
  • never leave a car with belongings unattended, even for a very short time;
  • do not leave documents in the car;
  • it is not advisable to argue with the police or to offer them bribes;
  • driving while intoxicated is punishable by a large fine or imprisonment.

Precautions

At the airport:

  • never let your luggage out of your sight.

At the clinic:

  • do not allow persons who are not clinic staff to take charge of your luggage. We recommend keeping documents, money and valuables, including passports and air tickets, in a safe. Ayubooking is not responsible for damage to or loss of clients’ personal documents and belongings.

Outside:

  • you should not carry your personal documents with you;
  • do not tell strangers your room number;
  • in case of theft or loss of credit cards, block them immediately by calling your bank;
  • when travelling on public transport, prepare the fare in advance so as not to reveal where you keep your money and valuables;
  • on the terraces of bars and restaurants, do not hang bags on the back of the seat and do not leave them on the floor;
  • before a walk with your family or group, agree on a meeting place in case someone gets lost. We recommend always carrying copies of your passport and insurance policy;
  • be attentive: do not leave personal belongings unattended and do not accept dubious offers from strangers!

Emergency situations

If you find yourself at the police, do not sign any papers; demand the presence of an authorised representative of the Embassy of the Russian Federation, and conduct all discussions only in their presence. If you lose your international passport, you must report the incident to the police, where a report on the incident must be drawn up. One copy of the report is given to you in order to obtain a “Certificate for Return” — a document that replaces the passport.

Unforeseen circumstances (force majeure)

Ayubooking is not responsible for delays or changes that have occurred in your trip for reasons beyond the company’s control. These include: the threat of military action, coups, strikes, unrest for economic reasons; disasters; military action; the failure of technological equipment (lifts, air conditioners, water pumps); technical breakdowns of aircraft; the closure of airports and other reasons of insuperable force.

Prevention of dangerous diseases

In a number of countries there is a real possibility of contracting especially dangerous infectious and parasitic diseases that affect vital organs and can lead to death. The greatest danger is posed by cholera, plague, yellow fever, HIV infection (AIDS) and malaria. Cases of Russians contracting these infectious diseases have become more frequent with the development of international tourism, as well as through neglect of preventive measures. The State Committee for Sanitary and Epidemiological Surveillance of the Russian Federation strongly recommends observing the following simple rules while on a tourist trip abroad:

  • drink only guaranteed safe water (boiled and drinking) and factory-packaged beverages;
  • wash fruit and vegetables thoroughly with safe water;
  • avoid eating from stalls, as well as in cafés and restaurants that do not hold the relevant certificates from state authorities;
  • when swimming in bodies of water and pools, try to avoid getting water into your mouth;
  • observe basic personal hygiene rules: wash your hands thoroughly with soap before eating and preparing food, and after using the toilet;
  • avoid contact with stray animals. If animals injure you even slightly, see a doctor immediately. Delay in seeing a doctor after contact with a rabid animal leads to death in 100% of cases;
  • protect yourself against bites from mosquitoes, midges and other insects using protective creams, aerosols and other means;
  • do not buy clothing from random people: there is a risk of contracting diseases transmitted by contact;
  • it is not advisable to walk barefoot or in open footwear.

Shopping and souvenirs

In India there are whole spice markets that astonish with their abundance of colours. The choice really is enormous, so you can get lost for a long time in search of your favourite seasonings. Cosmetics based on natural ingredients are highly valued both by Indian women themselves and by holidaymakers. Ayurvedic cosmetics with natural oils make an excellent purchase for yourself and as a gift. The most popular products are from trusted brands: “Khadi”, “Swati” and “Himalaya”. Chyawanprash is a mixture of herbs that rejuvenate the body; it can be bought at any Indian pharmacy. Rajasthani cotton is very popular. It has its own distinctive pattern and is considered the highest quality. For women the ideal gift is cashmere from Kashmir, as well as the sari — the ancient national dress for women. Carpets made by the hands of Indian craftsmen from cashmere, cotton and other kinds of fabric are a work of art. All sorts of boxes, ceramics and, of course, statuettes of the gods make an excellent souvenir from India.

Visa

Citizens of the Russian Federation need a visa arranged in advance to visit India.

Contacts of the RF Embassy and RF consulates in India

Embassy of the Russian Federation in the Republic of India

  • Embassy telephone: +91 112611 0640, +91 112611 0641, +91 112611 0642
  • Email: rusembindia@mid.ru
  • Fax: +91 112687 6823
  • Consular Section telephone: +91 112611 0560
  • 24-hour telephone for Russian citizens in emergencies: +91 813030 0551 (New Delhi)
  • Consular Section email of the Embassy: consuldelhi@mid.ru

Opening hours:

  • Monday: 8:00 to 18:30 (break from 14:00 to 15:30)
  • Tuesday: 8:00 to 14:00
  • Wednesday: 8:00 to 14:00
  • Thursday: 8:00 to 18:30 (break from 14:00 to 15:30)
  • Friday: 8:00 to 14:00

Consular offices of Russia in India

Consular Section of the Embassy — Tel.: +91 11 2611 0560
(the states of Punjab, Rajasthan, Uttarakhand, Uttar Pradesh, Haryana, Himachal Pradesh, the National Capital Territory of Delhi and the union territories of Jammu and Kashmir, Ladakh, Lakshadweep, Chandigarh) — india.mid.ru

Consulate General of Russia in Mumbai — Tel.: +91 22 2363 3627 / 3628
(the states of Goa, Gujarat, Madhya Pradesh, Maharashtra, Chhattisgarh and the union territory of Dadra and Nagar Haveli and Daman and Diu) — mumbai.mid.ru

Consulate General of Russia in Chennai — Tel.: +91 44 2498 2320 / 2330
(the states of Andhra Pradesh, Karnataka, Kerala, Tamil Nadu, Telangana and the union territory of Puducherry) — chennai.mid.ru

Consulate General of Russia in Kolkata — Tel.: +91 33 2479 7006
(the states of Arunachal Pradesh, Assam, Bihar, Jharkhand, West Bengal, Manipur, Meghalaya, Mizoram, Nagaland, Odisha, Sikkim, Tripura and the union territory of the Andaman and Nicobar Islands) — kolkata.mid.ru

Emergency telephones:

  • Tourist assistance hotline: 1800111363 or 1363 (free call)
  • Police: 100
  • Ambulance: 102