Passports must have at least 6 months validity left and two blank pages.
- India: Citizens from many countries can now enter India with an E-Visa whuch must be applied for in advance of travel. Please refer to this site https://indianvisaonline.gov.in/evisa/tvoa.html. Nationalities not on this list will need to contact their relevant India consulate to obtain the necessary visa.
- Sri Lanka: For passport and visa requirements please visit http://www.eta.gov.lk
- Nepal: http://www.nepalimmigration.gov.np/
- Bhutan: https://www.bhutan.travel/page/visaentry-permit
Enriching Journeys can’t assist in the actual application of visas, but you can do this through the respective embassies, sites mentioned above or with the support of your local travel agent.
For India the best time to travel is between October and March, when the weather is most agreeable. After April the temperatures start to soar, and by June/July the monsoon has arrived. However India is huge and the climate does vary, and so it is best to check with us. The Himalayas are best visited between April – September to avoid the really cold weather, Sri Lanka is a year round destination, with the South and West Coasts at their best between December and April, while the east coast is ideal during the months of June – September.
Nepal is best visited between October and December when the views of the Himalayas are at their best, however the weather remains dry until, April before the monsoon rains.
Bhutan Like Nepal the views are best between October and December. January and February are colder, Bhutan remains dry until spring when the rhododendrons are in bloom, after which the monsoon arrives.
Travel by road is recommended because our drivers are the best companion you could have during your intercity drives. It is generally the most convenient and comfortable way to travel in India, and your driver will also know the best places to stop for a rest-break, lumch stops and the most photogenic view points. We try and limit any drive to between 4-5 hours maximum, and we do not drive after dark.
For long distances India has a very effective railways system and sleeper trains offer a glimpse of real India. There are many excellent domestic airlines also operating which makes flying within India a very convenient mode of travel.
No problem. We are curators and would love to handcraft your dream holiday as per your preference, budget and bucket list destinations and interests. We do not like include or suggest hotels below a certain standard that we believe is necessary for a seamless trip, free of issues. We are not a mass market operator hence do not have any mass market, all inclusive tours! Whether it be solo travel, a family vacation or a group of friends travelling, we can put together for you a completely bespoke tour. India is addictive and we can guarantee that holidaying with EJ will be the first of many visits.
Yes. It is absolutely crucial that you purchase a fully comprehensive travel insurance policy in advance before you embark on your journey.
No problem. Most welcome.
EJ is a full-service travel company, providing all the elements for a tour – therefore we do not provide piecemeal booking services.
Most of the luxury and boutique hotels that we use and recommend are wheelchair accessible however we would prefer to discuss your needs to ensure that they are met. We can make sure that we out together the most wheelchair friendly tour for you as possible, visiting monuments and attraction which are geared up for disabled travellers.
For all our tours we organise a private meet and greet in the arrivals area of International and Domestic airports. Assistance at check in will also be included.
In India all our private guides speak English fluently, and for guests speaking other languages we can organsie specific guides who specialise in said language. Our drivers will all have at very least a rudimentary grasp of English – but please be aware that they are not guides, but your drivers. In South India most will understand and speak English no problems. In Sri Lanka a different system operates, and your chauffeurs are also your guides for the duration of your travels. They are fluent in English.
We provide a round-the-clock concierge service and emergency assistance. A dedicated number will be available for you to contact for any assistance at any time.
For any flights booked by EJ we will ensure that your flights are reconfirmed. For any international flight you must ensure you check in online directly. The ideal check-in time for international flights is 3 hours prior to the departure in case of economy class and 2 hours for business class. For domestic flights, check-in should be 2 hours prior to the departure in economy class and 90 minutes minutes before the departure for business class. Airports in India can be very busy, in particular during public and school holiday periods. One can be a little more relaxed at the airports in Nepal, Bhutan and Sri Lanka though.
You would be aware of the allowance for your international flights. For domestic/internal flights, the allowance varies from 15-30 kgs per person depending on the airline and class of travel. The allowance can be increased at an additional cost if pre-informed or at the airport directly.
Certainly, we would be delighted to customise program as per your interest. If you are a first time visitor, you may draw inspiration from the suggested itineraries on the website and ask for a quote. Just fill the quote request form on the website and send. One of us would be delighted to get back to you with our reply and any further questions we may have. Mind you, we try to ask as many questions possible to ensure you have a fulfilled holiday and we have an enriched traveller at the end of the journey.
Wi-Fi access is available at most of the hotels we use and recommend. Most are free but some of the city hotels may charge nominal fees. Data roaming connectivity is pretty good everywhere though some rural and more off beat destinations you may struggle. We can organise a local SIM card to b handed over an arrival for all countries. In North India e can also organise an in-vehicle dongle subject to request in advance.
Standard Check-In time is 14:00 and check-out time 10:00
Generally speaking we recommend you pack light, modest, casual clothing for your travels – these countries remain fairly conservative, and apart from Sri Lanka and Goa where a more relaxed beach culture exists, you should cover legs and shoulders. For all religious site visits this is de rigueur. Cotton and linen are ideal fabrics in the warmer months, and India offers plenty of opportunities to buy light, cheap and beautiful clothing. An effective pair of sunglasses and a wide brimmed hat will protect you against the deceptively strong rays. Most of the hotels we work with are smart but not hugely formal and smart casual works well. When travelling in winter going on game drives or staying up into the hills always carry a warm coat/jersey for early morning starts, and after the sun sets temperatures can dip to nearing zero. Travelling by train in India it is also highly advisable to carry some warm clothing as the AC can be fierce.
Each country has different defined rules and unsaid customs with regards to photography. The most common rule: Just ask before taking photos of people. It is generally fine but being polite always helps. Special permission is often required for professional photography for the purpose of publicity or commercial use. Photography is prohibited in certain tribal areas; taking photographs of airports, railway stations, bridges, military installations and drone photography (in India) is prohibited. Otherwise photography all around is easy and fun, and the region is a photographer’s dream. Sharing the snaps you have taken with the subjects will often cause quite a commotion and it is a delight to see their faces upon seeing themselves captured on camera.
India’s currency is the Indian Rupee, abbreviated as ‘Rs’ One Rupee is equal to 100 paisa. Coins are in various small denominations of 50 paisa (these are rarely in circulation these days) & 1, 2, & 5, 10 Rupees. Notes (bills) are in denominations of 10, 20, 50, 100, 500 & 2000 Rupees. The symbol of Indian rupee on the notes is ₹. Rs 1000 notes are out of circulation and usage since November 2016. Be careful not to accept those demonetised notes. Sri Lanka’s currency is the Sri Lankan Rupee abbreviated as ‘LKR’. It is divided into 100 cents. Notes (bills) are in denominations of 20, 50, 100, 500, 1000 & 5000 LKR. Coins are in various small denominations of 1, 2, 5, 10 are used. The symbols of Sri Lankan rupee on the notes are රු, ரூ and Rs. Nepal’s currency is the Nepalese Rupee abbreviated as ‘NPR’. It is divided into 100 paise. Notes (bills) are in denominations of 10, 20, 50, 100, 500, 1000 & 5000 NPR. Coins are in various small denominations of 1, 5, 10, 25 & 50 are used. The symbol of Nepalese rupee on the notes is रू. Bhutan currency is ngultrum abbreviated as ‘Nu’. It is divided into 100 chhertum. Notes (bills) are in denominations of 20, 25 & 50 Ch. Coins are in various small denominations of 1, 2, 5 & 10 are used. The symbol of Nepalese rupee on the notes is དངུལ་ཀྲམ.
It is not possible to purchase these currencies overseas, but it is easy to exchange USD, Euros and Sterling once you arrive, otherwise ATM machines are prolific in cities and towns. When travelling in rural areas make sure you have enough cash on you, as its is much harder to banks that will have ATMs to dispense cash for foreign cards and often it is not possible to pay by card.
We believe shopping in the subcontinent is an experience. India is a shopper’s paradise. Some shopping highlights include textiles, jewellery and gems, rugs, handicrafts, antiques, and spices, and each state specialises in different kinds of handicrafts and art. Haggling is par for the course in most Indian bazaars, and is most definitely part of the fun of shopping in India. Try not to buy the first thing you see as you will come across so much, so checking around for prices is a good idea. If you have something specific that you wish to purchase please do let us know and we can make sure that you visit the best shops where they sell quality and authentic goods. Carrying cash for bazaar shopping is a must, but in shops you can pay by card. Most shops will be able to organise shipping to your home country which doesn’t have to cost the earth. We have a strict no unscheduled shopping stops with pur drivers and guides so you can be assured that you will not be forced into any unwelcomed shopping excursions or stops.
In 2018, the Supreme Court of India overturned Section 377 making homosexuality legal in India. We have been planning, designing and executing for the LGBT community from the outset, ensuring that the destinations, hotels and experiences we include will ensure our gusts enjoy a relaxed vacation in India, free of discrimination.
Since all our holidays are planned in a way that you will meet like-minded people, educated and open minded hosts, so that you will feel completely at home. The major urban centres are very liberal, and Gay Pride parades happen annually in Mumbai, Delhi, Bangalore Chennai, Pune and Kolkata. Here at Enriching Journeys we respect and love all our guests so come explore with us.