Wildlife of India & Nepal Adventure FEB. 23 - MAR. 14, 2027 hosted by Denell Falk

Vast, diverse, deeply spiritual and utterly unforgettable, India is unlike anywhere else on earth – a melting pot of ethnicities and religions, a treasure trove of history and culture, and a curious mixture of chaos and serenity. Stretching across more than three million square kilometres, it encompasses a staggering array of landscapes, vistas and environs, and offers unparalleled travel experiences – from the beautiful beaches of Goa, to the compelling craziness of Kolkata, the sacred Ganges river banks of Varanasi, the snow-capped peaks of the Himalayas in Kashmir and the ancient, exquisitely crafted temples dotted across the entire country. Not to mention the vibrant, friendly people, and the incredible cuisine.

Currency

Local currency: Indian Rupee
Symbol: ₹
ISO code: INR
Subunit: The Indian Rupee is divided into 100 paise, but since 2011, only the 50-paise coin is still accepted as valid currency.
Banknotes: ₹5, ₹10, ₹20, ₹50, ₹100, ₹200, ₹500
Coins: ₹0.50 (50 paise), ₹1, ₹2, ₹5, ₹10,₹20
₹500 and ₹1000 banknotes of Mahatma Gandhi series issued up to November 08, 2016, have ceased to be Legal Tender with effect from the midnight of November 8, 2016.

Banking

Card Transactions: Yes
ATMs: Yes
Mastercard: Yes
Visa: Yes
American Express: Limited acceptance
Diner’s club: Limited acceptance

Banking Hours:
Weekdays: 9:00 AM to 4:00 PM
Weekends: Limited hours or closed, check with local banks.
Public Holidays: Yes (Varies, typically reduced hours)
Foreign exchange services: Yes

Air:
Main airlines: Air India, IndiGo, SpiceJet, Vistara
International Airports: Indira Gandhi International Airport (DEL), Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj International Airport (BOM), Kempegowda International Airport (BLR), and others
Domestic Airports: Numerous, including Jaipur, Lucknow, Guwahati, and Patna.

Road:
Driving on the: Left
Tar roads: Yes
Gravel roads: Limited
Valid International Driver's License needed: Yes
Car hire available: Yes
Taxis: Yes
E-hailing services: Yes

Bus:
Inter-city bus services: Yes
Local city bus networks: Yes

Rail:
Railway system: Extensive
Subway System: Limited (in select cities)

Water:
Ferries: Limited
Water taxis: Limited
Leisure cruises: Limited

Food and water safety: 
Can you drink the tap water: No 
Fresh fruit and veg: Wash thoroughly or peel 
Ice: Use commercially produced ice 
Meat: Ensure it's well-cooked 
Street food: Yes 

Local cuisine: Indian cuisine is diverse and varies greatly by region. Highlights include dishes like biryani, curry, dosa, chaat, and tandoori specialties. Vegetarian options are plentiful. 

Drinks: Chai, lassi, sugarcane juice, and various regional beverages like coconut water. Alcoholic beverages are available, with beer and whiskey being popular choices. 

Tipping: Generally 5-10% in restaurants; tipping for other services is discretionary. 

Annual rainfall: Varies greatly by region, 500 mm-4,000 mm
Average temperature: Varies greatly by region, 15°C-30°C 

Summer:
Average highs: 25-45°C
Average lows: 20-30°C

Winter:
Average highs: 10-25°C
Average lows: 5-15°C

Best time to visit: The best time to visit India depends on the region and your preferences. Generally, the winter months from October to March offer milder temperatures and are ideal for exploring most parts of the country.

Spring and Summer 
Cool, light, breathable and comfortable: Yes 
Lightweight warm clothes: No 

Winter and Autumn 
Jerseys, cardigans, sweaters, jackets: Recommended 
Heavyweight clothing and boots: No 

General 
Umbrella and raincoat: Yes 
Warm gloves, hat and scarf: No 
Swimming costume (bathing suit): Yes 
Hat, sunglasses and sunblock: Yes 
Walking shoes: Yes 
Casual: Yes 
Smart-casual attire: Yes 

Internet cafes: Limited, mobile data or Wi-Fi in accommodations and cafes available.
Accommodation options: Yes
Restaurants: Yes
Cafes: Yes
Shopping malls: Yes
Public parks: Limited
Libraries: Limited

Plug Type: Type C, Type D, Type M 
Voltage (V): 230 
Frequency Hertz (Hz): 50 

*Travel plug adapter and voltage converter might be necessary depending on your appliances. 

Tucked away in the Himalayan Mountains, this enchanting nation’s natural landscape is dominated by eight of the world’s tallest peaks, including the iconic Mount Everest. In addition to the numerous ambitious climbers who flock here to face the challenge of climbing this majestic peak, Nepal attracts large numbers of eco-tourists eager to experience this intriguing country’s virtually untouched natural wonders including lush subtropical forests home to a range of exotic wildlife. Nepal’s cultural landscape is just as diverse as its natural one, playing host to an array of distinct ethnic groups. Other popular tourist highlights include: the capital city of Kathmandu with its exquisite temples and palaces; the sheer magnificence of Patan’s Golden Temple; Chitwan National Park, for its impressive scenery; and, of course, Bodnath, the nation’s most sacred Buddhist monument.

Currency 

Local currency: Nepalese Rupee 
Symbol: रू 
ISO code: NPR 
Subunit: Paisa (1/100) 
Banknotes: रू5, रू10, रू20, रू50, रू100, रू500, रू1000 
Coins: रू1, रू2, रू5, रू10, रू20, रू50, रू100 

Banking 

Card Transactions: Limited 
ATMs: Yes 
Mastercard: Yes 
Visa: Yes 
American Express: Limited 
Diner’s club: Limited 

Banking Hours: 
Weekdays: 9:00 AM - 4:00 PM 
Weekends: Limited hours in some locations 
Public Holidays: Yes (limited hours) 
Foreign exchange services: Yes 

Air: 
Main airlines: Nepal Airlines, Himalaya Airlines 
International Airports: Tribhuvan International Airport (KTM) 
Domestic Airports: Pokhara Airport, Bharatpur Airport, etc. 

Road: 
Driving on the: Left 
Tar roads: Yes 
Gravel roads: Yes 
Valid International Driver's License needed: Yes 
Car hire available: Yes 
Taxis: Yes 
E-hailing services: No 

Bus: 
Inter-city bus services: Yes 
Local city bus networks: Yes 

Rail: 
Railway system: Limited 
Subway System: No 

Water: 
Ferries: No 
Water taxis: No 
Leisure cruises: No 

Food and water safety: 
Can you drink the tap water: No 
Fresh fruit and veg: Yes 
Ice: No 
Meat: Yes 
Street food: Yes 

Local cuisine: Nepali cuisine offers a variety of flavors influenced by its diverse ethnic groups. Dal Bhat, a lentil soup served with rice and vegetable curry, is a staple. Momo, dumplings filled with meat or vegetables, are a popular street food. Other notable dishes include Sel Roti, a sweet, deep-fried rice bread, and Dhido, a traditional Nepali dish made from buckwheat or millet flour. 

Drinks: Chyang (traditional millet-based beer), Raksi (traditional distilled liquor), and Chiya (Nepali milk tea). 

Tipping: Tipping is not expected but appreciated, typically rounding up the bill. 

Annual rainfall: Varies 
Average temperature: 15°C 

Summer: 
Average highs: 25°C 
Average lows: 15°C 

Winter: 
Average highs: 20°C 
Average lows: 5°C 

Best time to visit: The best time to visit Nepal is during the spring (March to May) and autumn (September to November) when the weather is mild and favorable for trekking and outdoor activities. These seasons offer clear skies, stunning mountain views, and vibrant festivals. 

Spring and Summer 
Cool, light, breathable and comfortable: Yes 
Lightweight warm clothes: Yes 

Winter and Autumn 
Jerseys, cardigans, sweaters, jackets: Recommended 
Heavyweight clothing and boots: Yes 

General 
Umbrella and raincoat: Yes 
Warm gloves, hat and scarf: Yes 
Swimming costume (bathing suit): Yes 
Hat, sunglasses and sunblock: Yes 
Walking shoes: Yes 
Casual: Yes 
Smart-casual attire: Yes 

Internet cafes: Limited 
Accommodation options: Yes 
Restaurants: Limited 
Cafes: Yes 
Shopping malls: Limited 
Public parks: Yes 
Libraries: Limited 

Plug Type: Type C, Type D, Type M 
Voltage (V): 230 
Frequency Hertz (Hz): 50 

*Travel plug adapter and voltage converter might be necessary depending on your appliances.