What is the currency in India?

The Indian rupee is the official currency of India. 100 paise make one rupee and the currency code is INR.

What should I wear in India?

As with all travel, you want to pack clothes that are comfortable but also respectful. Generally, there is an expectation of modesty for women so you may feel more comfortable avoiding shorts, singlets and clothing that shows a lot of skin. It is often required that you remove your shoes when visiting temples and sites of religious importance so it is worth investing in sandals or sneakers that are easy to slip on and off. Given the climate, lightweight, breathable clothing is best for the heat and humidity. A scarf may be handy to take to temples to cover your head.

What is the weather like in India?

Indian’s climate can be described as hot and tropical and the temperature rarely drops below 18 degrees. The northern states near the mountains have a cooler temperature but most of summer is very hot. In October, the monsoon rains begin.

India tours for seniors

How do you even start to summarise a country as large and diverse as India? Maybe you begin with the highlights everyone knows: the amazing Taj Mahal, or the pink roofs of Jaipur on a tour of Rajasthan, giving Jaipur the nickname the Pink City, or Qutub Minar, a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

There is the sacred River Ganges, flowing from the western Himalayas, and Lake Pichola, an artificial fresh water lake created in the 14th century. On a trip to India, visit Goa, Cochin, and Kerala to see its hidden treasures. Take in the diverse cultures and heritage sites of north-east India, the great Thar desert, or the sights and sounds of cosmopolitan Kochi on a Kerala tour. Feel the pull of a sacred place in Varanasi, India’s holy city and spiritual centre.

India also has lush forests, taking you closer to its incredible flora and fauna native to the country, such as sloth bears, as well as beautiful beaches on the islands of Andaman and Nicobar.

You also have to experience Indian cuisine, ranging from North Indian biryani to South Indian dosa through sugary desserts such as gulab jamun.

Perhaps to find the answer, you must simply visit India for your vacation! See the nation’s richness firsthand and the memorable travel experience it has on offer.

Tours for Mature Aged and Senior World Travellers.

India Tours

From $3,596 USD

India Short Tour | Small group tour for seniors

Bounded by the majestic Himalayan ranges in the north and edged by an endless stretch of golden beaches, India is a vivid kaleidoscope of landscapes, magnificent historical sites, royal cities, colourful people, and rich culture.

11 days

Asia

Departing Mar, Nov

From $4,258 USD

North East India small group escorted cultural tour

An out-of-this-world trip to the Indian countryside.

15 days

Asia

Departing Oct

From $4,869 USD

North East India Explorer

An out-of-this-world trip to the Indian countryside.

15 days

Asia

Departing Oct

Guaranteed

From $6,884 USD

Cultural and History Tour of India | Small Group Tour

22 days

Asia

Departing Nov, Mar

The need to know

Touring India

Getting around

Odyssey travels by coach and occasionally uses local transport, including trains and ferries. Specifics are always outlined in your tour itinerary. Public transport is the main form of transport for Indian citizens, and is therefore very heavily used. India’s rail network is the third longest in the world, but suffers from infrastructure issues and lack of investment. Taxis, richshaws and buses are also an option, though prices are variable. It is advised to agree on a fixed price prior to boarding.

Accommodation

In major cities, Odyssey stays in centrally located 3-4 star hotels, with easy access to public transport. In smaller towns or rural areas, we usually stay in family-run hotels or guesthouses. On our longstay tours, during which you spend the length of the tour in a single location, we use serviced apartments.

Tour Guides

Odyssey always engages local guides with regional knowledge to ensure an authentic experience during which you can learn as much as possible about the history and culture of places you visit.

Health & Safety

On your India vacation, personal safety, particularly for women and girls, can be a concern, including in tourist destinations. Women travellers should take particular care and avoid travelling alone on public transportation, especially at night. We recommend respecting local dress codes and customs and avoiding isolated areas. Petty crime, including pickpocketing and bag-snatching, is common, particularly in crowded areas such as markets, airports and on buses, metros and trains (including overnight and long-distance trains). During the winter months, air pollution in some parts of India can spike to hazardous levels and those with pre-existing medical conditions, the very young, or the elderly may be particularly vulnerable. If you intend to travel or live in India during the winter months, you may wish to seek medical advice in advance of your trip.

Electrical Supply

Whenever you travel overseas, it’s always wise to take an appropriate travel adaptor. The electricity supply runs at 230V, 50Hz. India uses plugs of Types C, D and M.

FAQs

What is the time zone?

Indian Standard time (IST) is the time observed throughout India, with a time offset of UTC+5:30. India does not observe daylight saving or other seasonal adjustments.

Is tipping customary in India?

If you’re on an Odyssey tour, we take care of tipping so you don’t need to give it a second thought. However, in your free time, or if travelling independently, it’s essential that you make sure you tip an appropriate amount for services. Most of the time, especially in large restaurants, a service charge or gratuity is already included in the bill. If not, it is fine to tip 10% of the total cost of the bill. If you want to make sure they do receive the money, it is best to give it to the staff directly or leave small change on the table. Tipping at hotels can be confusing at times. It is customary to tip service providers at hotels. It is also best to give bellboys a small gratuity of around 20-50 (about $1.00) rupees per bag. Do not allow someone to grab your bags if you do not want to tip them. A small tip for housekeeping is also perfectly acceptable.

Is travel to India safe?

Yes. However, heed the Australian government advice to “exercise a high degree of caution”. Do not travel to the cities of Srinagar and Jammu along with other parts of the state of Jammu and Kashmir, and reconsider your need to travel to some regions of India listed because of safety and security issues. Odyssey Traveller follows government travel advice and our tours in India do not venture into these areas.

Can I use my mobile/cell phone while in India?

Check with your cell phone provider to see whether you’re able to make calls and use data while in India. Many providers will offer a daily fee that allows you to make calls and check the internet while only being charged your regular rates. However, be certain to inform your provider that you’re heading overseas, because just like a bank they can turn off your service as a result of unusual activity.

Articles about India published by Odyssey Traveller.

For all the articles Odyssey Traveller has published for mature aged and senior travellers, click through on this link.

External articles to assist you on your visit to India.

7 Wonders of India (World Atlas)
New Seven Wonders of the World (Travel Channel)
7 Things You Didn’t Know About the Qutub Minar (National Geographic Traveller India)
Incredible India

Responsible travel tips for India

Learn at least the local greetings to break the ice. Although many locals speak English, the more you know of the native language, the greater your experience of the country will be.
Carry a business card in your wallet or purse from your local hotel, to assist you with the return journey if you do become lost.
Always ensure that you are covered by travel insurance. If you need advice on this feel free to contact Odyssey and we’ll be able to help.
When travelling independently, make sure you check the opening hours of shops and museums so that you don’t miss out! Museums and galleries are often closed on Mondays. Also be certain to check whether your trip coincides with any public holidays, so you can plan accordingly.
Consider contacting your bank to inform them that you may be making purchases overseas. Otherwise, they may flag any activity on your account as suspicious. Also, check which ATMs and banks are compatible with your cards, to ensure you can withdraw cash with minimal fees.
Before departing, make sure you have a number of Rupee in a range of denominations. You don’t want to be carrying around enormous amounts of cash, but take enough to make it easy to pay in locations that might not accept credit card. It will also help you avoid card transaction fees, and it makes tipping a breeze.

India tours for seniors

India Tours

India Short Tour | Small group tour for seniors

North East India small group escorted cultural tour

North East India Explorer

Cultural and History Tour of India | Small Group Tour