Surfing through our site, will answer most of your questions. If you have not found exactly what you are looking for, you will probably find the answers to your questions here.
1) Can I bring Indian currency with me to India or so I have to get them converted only when I land in India?
Bringing Indian currency by any foreign national is prohibited. Only Indians who travel overseas frequently can bring small amount of INR. Hence please bring your country currency and get it exchanged into Rupees here.
2) What if I do not like any of the tours listed on the site? Can TashiTakgye Tours tailor-make a tour for me?
Yes, we can workout your itinerary as per your choice which you need to write us an email.
3) Is the Company really reliable? What is the profile of the Company?
We suggest you to check our profile by clicking on ‘About US’ before you send us a request. OR one can check with your friend who has availed our services.
4) How do we settle the payment? Is there an advance deposit required?
We request for token amount or a 10% of the total tour cost to be sent to us as soon as the itinerary and the price have been finalized. This is an authorization for us to go ahead with the reservations. A lot of times we need to deposit money to block rooms in small hotels which do not entertain travel agents, to buy Flight / train tickets or bus tickets. The balance however has to be settled one month prior to your arrival in India. The money can be paid through a wire transfer to our bank account etc.
5) Is the information I give on the net safe?
Any correspondence exchanged between you and TashiTakgye will be kept confidential and not outsourced to any third party under any circumstances. Your profile (name, Email ID, address, Telephone number) will be used only to communicate with you in regards to the services you are buying our availing. At no time will this profile be misused.
6) Where can I apply for an Indian Visa?
You are requested to get in touch with the nearest Indian Embassy / Commission who will appraise you with the other formalities required.
7) Are there any India Tourist Offices near my home?
The Government of India Tourist Offices is located all over the world for any information that you may require pertaining to India as a destination. You may get in touch with them for any queries you have prior to booking your holiday with us.
8) Can I book only the accommodation since I am coming on business?
Yes, you can indicate us about your hotel budget via email tseringb@gmail.com and will be happy to help you with details.
9) Where on the site can I Find “Travel Tips?
On our homepage you can find Travel Tips on the right navigation menu.
10) What are the different room categories?
Generally hotels tend to place their bedrooms within five different categories: Standard, Superior, Deluxe, Executive, and Suite.
The actual differences between the bedrooms vary from one hotel to another, with executive being the highest standard of room.
Single Room
A single room is designed to accommodate one person only. The room contains one single bed or twin bed.
Double Room
A double room is designed to accommodate two people only. The room contains one queen bed or king size bed or if not available a twin bed.
Twin Room
A twin room is also designed to accommodate two people only. The room contains two single beds or if not available a king size bed.
Family Rooms
There are two main types of family rooms, as follows:
Triple Room A triple room is designed to accommodate three people only. The room will contain either: One queen and one single bed three single beds please specify which option you require when sending your reservation form.
Quad Room
A quad room is designed to accommodate four people only.
The room will contain either: Two queen beds one queen and two single beds four single beds.
Please specify which option you require when sending your reservation form. We can also assist you in seeking accommodation that can accommodate more than four people in a room. Please specify the number of people in your party when completing your reservation request form. Note that all kinds of room category are on request and depend on room availability.
11) Can I use my cell phone in India?
It depends. First, your cell phone must have GSM technology in order to tap into the local network. If you plan on bringing the phone that you use on a daily basis at home, CHECK WITH YOUR PROVIDER to determine what they will charge for both calls and texts – both outgoing and incoming – and for calls within India and for international calls. These calls can be exorbitant.
Consider carrying an old phone that is “unlocked” – one that you’re currently not using and doesn’t have a call plan attached to it. Remember that it has to have GSM technology in order to tap into the India network(s).When you arrive in India, you can purchase a SIM card for that phone and then be able to tap into the local network. Domestic and international calls will likely be far cheaper than using your own phone on your current plan. When you add the new SIM card, this phone will be assigned a phone number that you can then share with your family at home and they can call you directly (sometimes you’re not charged for incoming calls).
Upon arrival in India, you’ll need to find a mobile store, bring your passport and a couple of passport photos and fill out some paperwork in order to get a SIM card for your phone. It will still be far cheaper than trying to use your regular phone.
12) Will hotels have fitness centers and/or safe walking routes, will the tour itself be strenuous enough I won’t want/need/be able to workout, will the mornings all be early and the afternoons full enough there won’t be room for anything else?
Hopefully there will be some time for this in the early mornings or during a break in the late afternoon. The tour itself won’t be too strenuous.
13) Will the hotels provide shampoo and conditioner like they do in the US?
It’s hard to tell since even hotels in the US have cut way back on these amenities. You can always purchase shampoo and conditioner once you arrive if you don’t want to travel with it.
14) Do I need any special medications or a first aid kit?
If you are pre-disposed to anything (lactose intolerant or you have a sensitive stomach) you may want to bring something for these. Medicine is widely available throughout India so if you forget something it’s likely that you can pick it up at a pharmacy.
15) How much money should I bring with me?
This is a tough question as everyone’s spending habits will be different and much of the tour is covered in the cost of the trip. Having said that, you’ll want to factor in the cost of souvenirs, drinks, extra food items and any additional things you might want to do during the trip. For a two-week trip in India, you might carry $500 cash, $400 in travelers checks and both a credit and debit card. You’ll likely come home with money, but it’s best to be prepared.
16) Do we tip our guides and driver?
Indeed, it’s common to provide a tip to the guides and driver. You’ll have a guide at each destination – someone who knows the area well. Plan to tip about $5-7/day for these guides and then plan on tipping the driver about $3-5/day. US dollars or rupees will be fine.
17) If I bring US dollars, do I need to be fussy about how new they are?
It’s a good idea to have newer/crisper bills rather than ones that are torn. Sometimes the shopkeepers won’t take these.
18)Are short skirts (slightly above the knee) acceptable? How about calf-length skirts? Just pants?
It’s best not to wear above the skirt knees. In most areas, even though it could be warm, you’ll want to keep your knees and shoulders covered.
19) Can I bring my laptop?
A journal is great because you don’t have to plug it in. But you might consider carrying a small netbook or iPad-like device with a keyboard.
20) Can I wear shorts?
It’s not recommended except in the very touristy areas of Delhi. You might see others wearing them elsewhere, but it’s probably not the best thing. Bring a pair if you like but to be safe, count on wearing light pants or longish skirts. Capris are fine.
21) What should I wear to the temples?
Definitely dress conservatively and plan to leave your shoes at the door often. You might consider bringing a pair of those little socks and wearing those anytime you enter a public building where you have to remove your shoes.
22) Do I need any dressy clothes?
Nope.
23) What kind of shoes should I bring?
No need to bring more than 2 pairs. Perhaps a pair of walking shoes and then a pair of sandals that you can easily slip on and off during visits to temples.
24) Will you be sending an updated itinerary with our overnight accommodations so we can leave it with folks at home?
You’ll receive the hotel information 1 or 2 weeks before departure.
25) Will we have internet access?
Internet cafes abound and the hotels should have computers where you can access the internet as well. Please don’t rely on this, however, because it’s sometimes a crap shoot; computers don’t work and power outages do happen. Certainly you’ll be able to regularly check in with family but set the expectation that it won’t be like home.
26) What are the carry-on bag restrictions?
Every airline is different AND some enforce their policies while others don’t. Check your airline’s website and then hope that if your bag is over their weight limit, they won’t care.
