Discover India: How and When to Tour India?
Posted on March 25, 2008 in Travel by Prarthna
India occupies merely a 2.4% of the entire world’s land area but shelters almost about 17.5% of the total world population. The March 2008 census further claims that India encompasses about 1.13 billion people within its territories.
The country provides ground to more than about 2000 thousand ethnic communities. The whirlpool of languages and dialects has emerged from 4 major language families - Indo-European, Austro-Asiatic, Dravidian and Tibeto-Burman. The unclassified Nihali language is spoken in some parts of Maharashtra.
India gained its freedom from British rule on 15th August 1947 and since then has been an abode to 28 states and 7 union territories. The country also boasts of being one of the largest democracies of the world.
How to tour India?
Yes, the most important part of visiting India is to have a valid passport and visa. All foreign nationals whether students, tourists, businessmen or journalists require valid passports and visas (valid for 6 months from the intended date of departure from India) to tour India. Foreign nationals should keep in mind that the visas are obtained from an Indian Embassy or Consulate in their respective country before entering India.
The foreign embassy or consulate in India can do nothing if people travel to India without proper documentation. Remember to carry photocopies of your passport and visa in order to facilitate the process of exiting India in case of theft or loss of your passport or visa.
What Non-Resident Indians need to know about touring India?
All NRI’s (Non-Resident Indians) or foreign nationals of Indian origin can obtain entry visas to India which is valid up to 10 years. Tourist visas can be obtained for 6 months, 1 year or 10 years.
What foreign nationals need to know about traveling to India?
Some particulars foreigners need to take note of are listed here below:
- Passport, visa and travel documents are essential to tour India
- While leaving India, foreigners need to furnish details which will be laid out on a “D” embarkation form
- The civil authority can restrict the movement of a foreigner in India under the Foreigners’ Order, 1948
- Foreigners staying in India for more than 180 days need to register themselves in the Foreigner Registration Office within 2 weeks from their arrival
- A foreigner coming to India on a tourist visa for 6 months is not required to register his or her name depending on the conditions laid out in the visa
When is the best time to tour India?
India is said to have a tropical monsoon type of climate which means heavy rains scorching summers and chilly winters. The best time to tour India is the winter season that lasts from November to February.
Avoid the monsoon or rainy season that lasts from July to September. India is hot and unbearable from March to June (summers). Even if you decide to visit India during summer season, try the hills for adventure and comfort from the heat.
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