* All foreign nationals have to pay their hotel bills in foreign currency only, in cash, travelers' Checks or credit cards. However, Indian rupees are accepted if supported by proof of certificate Of encashment in India of foreign currency or travelers' checks.

* All foreign nationals have to pay their hotel bills in foreign currency only, in cash, travelers' Checks or credit cards. However, Indian rupees are accepted if supported by proof of certificate Of encashment in India of foreign currency or travelers' checks.

* Concessional- tickets like Indrail Pass, Youth fares, Discover India Fares and Air Fares are to be paid for in foreign exchange only.

* Do not purchase air/ rail/ bus tickets through strangers or unauthorized travel agents/ tour operators.

* Do not hire any type of transportation from unlicensed or unapproved operators. Leave this to us to organize. Self- drive cars are available for hire from recognized International firms.

* While shopping, sightseeing or going to and from transportation terminals avoid touts and brokers. Be aware of unscrupulous shopkeepers, if you feel that you are being abused do not hesitate to consult the proper authorities.

* Taxi and auto-rickshaws fares keep changing, therefore, they do not always conform to readings on meters. To avoid confusion, insist on seeing the latest fare chart available with taxi/ auto-rickshaw drivers and pay accordingly. Taxis and auto-rickshaws do not have meters in all cities, but where they do, insist on the meter being flagged in your presence. Incase the driver refuses to cooperate, seek the assistance of a policeman. Where there are no meters, ask assistance at your hotel and agree on the tax fare in advance.

* The dry summer heat can drain you completely. Drink lots of water and fluids. The sun is strong. Remember to use sunscreen on exposed parts of the body. Wear sunglasses to screen out harmful rays.

* Concessional- tickets like Indrail Pass, Youth fares, Discover India Fares and Air Fares are to be paid for in foreign exchange only.

Tipping - In tourist restaurants or hotels a 10% service charge is often added to bills. In smaller places, where tipping is optional, you need only tip a few rupees, not a percentage of your bill. Most major hotels include a service charge of 10%. Waiters, room service boys, housekeepers, porters, and doormen all expect to be tipped. Taxi drivers don't expect tips unless they go through a great deal of trouble to get to your destination, but if you hire a car with a driver, tip him about Rs.50 -Rs. 100 per day, depending on the distance traveled.

Health Precautions

Always drink bottled water.

For the first few days it might be advisable to clean your teeth in bottled water.

Eat fruit you can peel.

Always wash fruit well before eating it.

Always keep a tube/spray of mosquito repellent with you.

Always carry a kit of the basic emergency medicines you might need for diarrhoea, fever etc. Also, band aids and an antiseptic ointment.

If you do catch a bug, do not panic. It will go away in a few days - but try the following tips to keep it down:

* Drink lassi - a yogurt drink. It will help tone down the bacteria.
* Eat plain rice, or try a simple Khichdi - an easily digestible mixture of rice and lentils.
* Drink plenty of coconut water. Its cooling, and naturally sterilized!
* Drink plenty of fluids and take some electrolyte salts if the bug persists.

Social Interaction - If you are fair complexioned, blonde or red-haired - and especially if you are female - chances are that you will be stared at continuously, specially in the smaller towns. Don't be offended - they mean no harm, it is just curiosity. Avoid crowds, especially if you are female. Try to avoid shaking hands. Greet people with a 'namaste' (hands pressed together at chest level as if in prayer). You will be appreciated for using the Indian style of greeting.

Time - Everything in India takes time - longer than in most places. So always give yourself extra time for whatever you may have to do - even it is just a visit to the Post Office or changing money. Indians joke about the concept of "Indian Stretchable Time" (IST). Certainly, if you're a super-punctual sort, India can be frustrating. Make allowances for this.

Others
Keep extra photocopies of the relevant pages of your passport. This will be required for Indian permits. When asking for directions, ask shopkeepers, not pedestrians. Crosscheck with at least two people. Taxi and auto-rickshaw fares keep changing, and therefore do not always conform to readings on meters. Insist on seeing the latest rate card (available with the driver) and pay accordingly. Insist on the taxi/auto meter being flagged down in your presence.

Beggars - Do not let them hassle you, and do not encourage them by giving them money. Avoid eye contact.

Sightseeing - Dress codes for religious places can include covering your head, being barefoot etc. Ask, so that you don't unwillingly give offence. Some temples do not permit any leather articles at all on their premises. Certain areas of temples are not open to Non-Hindus.

Most museums in India are closed on Mondays and Site Museums, those near archaeological monuments, on Fridays. Photography is not always permissible, and at many places it is permitted only at a fee. There is usually a higher fee for using a video camera.

English is spoken at almost all tourist centers, but you can also request Government-trained and Approved guides who also speak German, French, Spanish, Japanese, Italian or Russian.