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CBT HolidaysTravel Information - FAQ --

India & Nepal Travel Information - FAQ -

Visas

All travelers need visas to visit Nepal and India.

For Indian visa, 2 photos and one visa form required with application fee of $75p.p.

For Nepal visa, two visa application forms, two photos and visa fee of $60 required.


Original passport is required for any visa application. Normally it will take 7-14 working days to process. Please make sure your passport has a minimum validity of 6 months before the travel date.
" Visa application forms can be download from our website http://www.cbtholidays.com.au

Currency & Credit Card

India: Rupee (INR) 1 = 100 Paise. Indian Rupee notes are printed in denominations of Rs 1000, 500, 100, 50, 20, and 10.

Nepal: Rupee (NPR) 1 = 100 paisa. Nepali Rupee notes come in Rs. 1, 2, 5, 10, 20, 50, 100, 500, 1,000 denominations.

1 Australian Dollar = 33 Indian Rupees

1 Australian Dollar = 56 Nepali Rupees

(Information correct as at Oct 2006, and for references only; please click <here> for more current details of the exchange rate)

The above are for references only, Please visit http://www.oanda.com/convert/classic for more current details of the exchange rate.

US Dollar is more popular in the above countries and major credit cards are welcomed in big department stores.

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Health

Malaria Prophylaxis recommended for traveling to Vietnam, Cambodia and Laos. The Traveler's Medical and Vaccination Center (TMVC) recommends that all travellers have current polio and tetanus immunizations. For most update information, please contact TMVC in Sydney or visit their web site at http://www.tmvc.com.au. Please consulate your family doctor as well.

Drinking Water

Please always drink bottle water or mineral water during your stay in all the countries in this brochure. Don't drink any tap water or drinks with ice cube on the street vendors.

Travel Safe

Please visit www.smartraveller.gov.au for more safe travel information of your destination. Your safe travel is a key priority for us and for the government.

Time Difference

Indian time is 4.5 hours behind Sydney EST time, and 5.5 hours behind during daylight saving. Nepal (Kathmandu) is 4.15 hours behind Sydney EST time, and 5.15 hours behind during daylight saving period.

Tipping

Influenced by American and European travelers, tipping is getting more popular in Asia now. So we suggest total $5 per client per day total for the tour manager, local guides, and coach captains as gratuities for their service. For group tours, normally the Tour leader / National guide will collect the tips for the entire journey on the second day of your tour and will manage for on behalf of the group along the way.

Insurance

There is no insurance covered in our tour price; we strongly recommend that you take out comprehensive insurance cover for cancellation, medical expenses, personal accident, personal baggage, money and public liability before you travel. Please ask us for an insurance brochure. Or simply click <here> to buy insurance online.

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Electricity Voltage & Power-point

The electrical voltage in Nepal & India is 220-240 Vac, 50Hz. The plug has three large round pins in a triangular pattern as follows:

Hotels

The hotels selected for group tours are based on 4 star hotel by international standard or the local best in some remote areas that provide the best value for money. Of course, different countries have different standards, but CBT Holidays endeavors to provide our clients with the best available in cleanliness and comfort. Most of the hotels are centrally located in the city or at a convenient location in the tourist area.

Guaranteed Departures at Group Prices

Most of our group tours are guaranteed departures, whether the group be two or twenty-two people, we guarantee the departure dates at low group prices. You can be confident in knowing your travel plans are set and then relax and prepare for a marvelous holiday.

*All guaranteed departure tour programs required a minimum of two persons to qualify for a guaranteed departure. China Bestours reserves the right to cancel a departure that does not meet this requirement.

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Group Size

Most of our groups are between 10-20 people.It might be popular in some departures in April, September and October, for your most comfort, the maximum number of group will be 28 people.

Meals on tour

Western style full breakfast is always included on our tours, and most lunches and dinners, which are local style, are also included. You will find out quite a few local banquets also included in your itinerary. Please check your itinerary for details. Meal code: B=Breakfast, L=Lunch, D=Dinner, WD=Western Dinner or Buffet. We will try to arrange the local specialty and some western meals to meet your appetite. Clients can discover the local cuisine or Western meals when there aren't scheduled meals.

We understand that clients may have varied dietary needs. If you have special dietary needs due to religious or medical limitations etc, please advise your tour guide well in advance. Special food cost extra.

Luggage

We suggest your single check in bag should not exceed 20 kg or a penalty from airlines might apply. Please note that airlines have restrictions on the size of hand luggage dimensions, which is:

115cm=56cm(L)+36cm(H)+23cm(D)

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Late Booking

A late booking fee of $120 per person may apply for group tour bookings within 25 days before tour commencement. Please check with us for details.

Airport Check in

It is important that you arrive at the airport at least two hours before the domestic flights and three hours in advance for the international flights. This will allow you to have enough time for your check in procedure and also security check.

If you connecting an international flight, please be sure that you have enough connecting time to transfer from one flight to the other, more time required if your luggage needed to re-check in.

Customs on Your Entry

All travelers aged 18 years and over are allowed to bring into the followings goods duty free:

India:

Tobacco: 200 cigarettes

Liquor: 1 litres of alcoholic beverages

Perfume: 250ml

Nepal:

Tobacco: 100 cigarettes

Liquor: 1.15 litres of alcoholic beverages

Perfume: Reasonable amount for personal use

The above information is for your references only

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Customs on your return

Australian Citizens: All travelers aged 18 years and over are allowed to bring into Australia the following goods duty free. Goods bought overseas or bought duty free before leaving Australia are included when determining duty free concessions. A$900 worth of goods not including alcohol or cigarettes (A$450 for travelers under 18 years of age). 2.25 liters alcohol (including wine, beer or spirits) and 250 cigarettes are permitted to bring in.

The above information is for reference only. For details, please contact Australian Customs prior to departure on 1300 363 263 or visit their website www.customs.gov.au for more details.

Extension your Holidays

Pre or post stay of group tours are available on request, an air ticket surcharge of $150 per person will apply.

Cancellation of the tours

We might cancel certain tours due to the local political reasons, which are out of our control and only refund those received from you.

Final payment

Balance of the tour payment should be paid to us no later than 45 days prior to departure; immediate full payment required if booking made within 45 days. For some tours, we might request earlier payment due to the special request from local service provider or airlines.

India Weather

Generally speaking, India's climate is commonly defined by three seasons - the hot, the wet (monsoon) and the cool, each of which can vary in duration from north to south. Coolest weather lasts from November to Mid-March, with cool, fresh mornings and evenings and dry, sunny days. Really hot weather, when it is dry, dusty and unpleasant, is between April to June. Monsoon rains occur in most regions in summer between June to September, which is hot, humid and muddy. The most pleasant time to visit most of the country is during the cooler period of November to around mid-February, although there are regional variations. The best time of the year to travel to India is from October to March.

Photography

You might have to pay fees in some attractions for photography or video. Please check details when entry.

Mobile Phone

You can bring your own mobile phone into these countries, please check with your Mobile Service provider in Australia for the details of roaming. Prepaid SIM card is very easy to access, simply ask your local guide to help and enjoy your call there.

India Tourism Board

India Tourism
Level 2 Piccadilly,
210 Pitt Street
Sydney NSW 2000
Tel: 02-9264 4855 Fax: 02-9264 4860

For more information or assistance, please contact our experienced personnel for details.

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Thank you for choosing CBT Holidays!