Location  The Indian peninsula is separated from mainland Asia by the Himalayas. The Country is surrounded by the Bay of Bengal in the east, the Arabian Sea in the west, and the Indian Ocean to the south.

Geographic Coordinates  Lying entirely in the Northern Hemisphere, the Country extends between 8° 4' and 37° 6' latitudes north of the Equator, and 68° 7' and 97° 25' longitudes east of it.

Indian Standard Time GMT + 05:30

Area  3.3 Million sq. km

Telephone Country Code +91

Border Countries Afghanistan and Pakistan to the north-west; China, Bhutan and Nepal to the north; Myanmar to the east; and Bangladesh to the east of West Bengal. Sri Lanka is separated from India by a narrow channel of sea, formed by Palk Strait and the Gulf of Mannar.

Coastline  7,517 km encompassing the mainland, Lakshadweep Islands, and the Andaman & Nicobar Islands.

Climate The climate of India can broadly be classified as a tropical monsoon one. But, in spite of much of the northern part of India lying beyond the tropical zone, the entire country has a tropical climate marked by relatively high temperatures and dry winters. There are four seasons:

•     winter (December-February)
•     summer (March-June)
•     south-west monsoon season (June-September)
•     post monsoon season (October-November)

Terrain  The mainland comprises of four regions, namely the great mountain zone, plains of the Ganga and the Indus, the desert region, and the southern peninsula.

Natural Resources Coal, iron ore, manganese ore, mica, bauxite, petroleum, titanium ore, chromite, natural gas, magnesite, limestone, arable land, dolomite, barytes, kaolin, gypsum, apatite, phosphorite, steatite, fluorite, etc.

Natural Hazards Monsoon floods, flash floods, earthquakes, droughts, and landslides.

Environment - Current Issues Air pollution control, energy conservation, solid waste management, oil and gas conservation, forest conservation, etc.

Environment - International Agreements  Rio Declaration on environment and development, Cartagena Protocol on biosafety, Kyoto Protocol to the United Nations Framework Convention on climatic change, World Trade Agreement, Helsinki Protocol to LRTAP on the reduction of sulphur emissions of nitrogen oxides or their transboundary fluxes (Nox Protocol), and Geneva Protocol to LRTAP concerning the control of emissions of volatile organic compounds or their transboundary fluxes (VOCs Protocol).

Geography - Note India occupies a major portion of the south Asian subcontinent.

Download various maps of India Air Routes & Road, Outline, Physical, Political, Population, Rain fall, Railway & Sea Routes, Road, Soil, etc.

• Population  India's population, as on 1 March 2011 stood at 1,210,193,422 (623.7 million males and 586.4 million females).
• Population Growth Rate The average annual exponential growth rate stands at 1.64 per cent during 2001-2011.
• Birth Rate The Crude Birth rate was 18.3 in 2009.
• Death Rate The Crude Death rate was 7.3 in 2009.
• Life Expectancy Rate 65.8 years (Males); 68.1 years (Females) in the period 2006-2011.
• Sex Ratio 940 females per 1000 males according to 2011 census
• Nationality Indian
• Ethnic Groups All the five major racial types - Australoid, Mongoloid, Europoid, Caucasian, and Negroid find representation among the people of India.
• Religions  According to the 2001 census, out of the total population of 1,028 million in the Country, Hindus constituted the majority with 80.5%, Muslims came second at 13.4%, followed by Christians, Sikhs, Buddhists, Jains, and others.
• Languages  There are 22 different languages that have been recognised by the Constitution of India, of which Hindi is an Official Language. Article 343(3) empowered Parliament to provide by law for continued use of English for official purposes.
• Literacy According to the provisional results of the 2011 census, the literacy rate in the Country stands at 74.04 per cent, 82.14% for males and 65.46% for females.

Country Name Republic of India; Bharat Ganrajya

Government Type Sovereign Socialist Secular Democratic Republic with a Parliamentary system of Government.

Capital New Delhi

Administrative Divisions 29 States and 7 Union Territories.

Independence  15th August 1947 (From the British Colonial Rule)

Constitution  The Constitution of India came into force on 26th January 1950.

Legal System The Constitution of India is the fountain source of the legal system in the Country.

Executive Branch The President of India is the Head of the State, while the Prime Minister is the Head of the Government, and runs office with the support of the Council of Ministers who form the Cabinet Ministry.

Legislative Branch The Indian Legislature comprises of the Lok Sabha (House of the People) and the Rajya Sabha (Council of States) forming both the Houses of the Parliament.

Judicial Branch The Supreme Court of India is the apex body of the Indian legal system, followed by other High Courts and subordinate Courts.

Flag Description  The National Flag is a horizontal tricolour of deep saffron (kesaria) at the top, white in the middle, and dark green at the bottom in equal proportion. At the centre of the white band is a navy blue wheel, which is a representation of the Ashoka Chakra at Sarnath.

National Days 26th January (Republic Day)

15th August (Independence Day)

2nd October (Gandhi Jayanti; Mahatma Gandhi's Birthday)

• Checked Baggage: Baggage exceeding in size, the sum of the 3 dimensions (length + breadth + height) in excess of 45 inches or 115 centimeters, cannot be treated as hand baggage and will have to be checked in. The following are the permitted allowance:

         First Class                                                                         40 Kgs.

         Executive Class                                                                 35 Kgs.

         Economy Class (Y,B,M & H)                                              20 Kgs.

         Economy Class (K,Q,V,W,G,L,U,S,T,X, N & E)               15 Kgs.

         Infants not entitled to a seat (All economy classes)          Nil

• Infants will be entitled to 1 collapsible stroller/carrycot/infant car seat.
• The maximum  weight  permissible for  a  single  piece  of  baggage  is  32  kgs.  This  rule  is applicable on the entire Air India network
• Cabin Baggage:  The  Government  of  India  regulations  permit  only  one  piece  of  cabin baggage  on  board.  The  dimensions  of  which  should  not  exceed  115  linear  cms  and weight  should not exceed 7 kgs. The  dimensions  of  the  hand  baggage  should  not exceed 55 cm X 35 cm X 25 cm totaling not more than 115 linear cms for Boeing as well as  Airbus.  The  hand  baggage  dimensions for  ATR  should  not  exceed  50  cm  X  45  cm X  20  cm  totaling  not  more  than  115  linear  cms.  Trolley  bags  with  the  above  specified dimensions will be allowed.
• An infant carrying basket is allowed per infant traveling within India.
• Guests travelling on flights originating from Jammu, Srinagar and Leh stations will not be
• Contours  are  available  at  all  airports  to  check  the  dimensions.  If  it  exceeds  these
• Gels,  alcohol,  liquids,  creams,  lotions,  and  sharp  articles,  etc.  are  not  permitted  in  the
• If you are arriving at Delhi and Mumbai from an international flight and then in transit to
• Please note that you can carry electronic items like camera etc. but without the batteries. allowed to carry any hand baggage. specifications,  you  will  be  requested  to  check  your  bag  into  the  baggage  hold.  Hand baggage is accepted in the  cabin  subject to availability of  space in the Over Head Bin. Restricted stowage space is also available under the front seat. In the event of no space being available in the aircraft to stow hand baggage, it will be necessary to remove and load the same in the baggage hold as per safety regulations. hand baggage. another flight (international or within India) you may not be permitted to carry liquids more than 100 ml in their cabin baggage when going through security at these airports. Batteries  should  be  taken  out  and  placed  in  the  check-  in  baggage.  Otherwise  the security personnel at the airport shall remove the batteries and throw them away.
  • Indior Tours suggests the following:
    • Take small toiletries in your cabin luggage so that you are not left without supplies in case your checked luggage is lost by the airline.
    • In  case  of  special  medical  prescription  -  pacemaker  :  please  carry  the English translation for the prescription with you in the cabin baggage.
    • Remember to take more medication than necessary for your stay in case you get stuck in place.
    • Also take all your medicines in the cabin luggage.
    • Take your chargers, phones, cameras etc. in the cabin luggage.

• All arrangements made by Indior Tours are in the capacity of an agent only. Indior Tours will not be liable for  claims or expenses arising from  circumstances beyond its  control  such as accidents, injuries, delayed or cancellation of flights & acts by forces of nature.
• Force  Majeure:  Indior  Tours  shall  not  be  liable  to  pay  any  compensation  where  the performance  or  prompt  performance  of  our  contractual  obligations  is  prevented  or  affected  by or  you  otherwise  suffer  any  damage  or  loss  as  a  result  of  “force  majeure”.  In  these  Booking Conditions, “force majeure” means any event which Indior Tours or the supplier of the service(s) in  question  could  not,  even  with  all  due  care,  foresee  or  avoid.  Such  events  may  include  war or threat of war,  riot,  civil  strife, actual or threatened terrorist activity, industrial dispute, natural or  nuclear  disaster,  adverse  weather  conditions, fire  and  all  similar  events  outside  our  control. Indior  Tours  and  its  associates  are  not  liable  for  any  compensation  for  damage  caused  by  a force  majeure  or  other  unforeseen  events  that  Indior  Tours  or  its  associates  could  not  have prevented even through utmost care. Indior Tours would notify our clients/agents timely of such force  majeure  events  as  and  when  feasible  and  will  aim  to  limit  the  damage  and  supplement cost  befalling the  clients/agents for making  alternate  arrangements  deviating from the  planned program.
• We  suggests that apart from  regular travel insurance,  you  should also take extra  cover for cancellation, natural and man-made disasters, technical hazard that can cause any significant or non-significant physical damage and destruction or loss of time, life and property.

Local  festivals  may  fall  on  the  date  of  travel  and  it  is  possible  that  the  visits  to  places of  interest  are  modified  by  the  local  government  or  authorities  for  which  we  cannot  be  held responsible. The program would be amended accordingly so that none of the visits included are missed on an alternative provided.

(Wildlife Safari/ Boat ride/ Desert & Rural Safari/ Bicycle & Rickshaw Ride/ Animal Rides)

• Please  be  aware that  local  laws  governing transportation  safety  in Indian Subcontinent may differ from those in your country. As per your itinerary, you may indulge in an activity that includes  alternate  mode  of  transport  including  canters  and  jeeps,  bicycle  and  auto-rickshaws, camels,  elephants  and  horses  and  a  variety  of  All  passengers  participating  in  village/desert safaris  should  be  ready  for  a  rustic  experience  as  local  jeeps  may  have  side  facing  seats (seats placed along the length of the vehicle). Also, please be informed that most of the Wildlife Safari  vehicles are open and as  such  vehicles like jeeps/canters used for  safaris and for other sightseeing tours / excursions may or may not have seat belts. All guests must acknowledge that they are aware of the risks involved depending on the type of tour taken.

Boats: To take part in any boat ride, you need to be of average mobility to be able to climb on and  off  all  these  boats  unaided;  able  to  disembark  onto  makeshift  docks  without  handrails,  or onto muddy and slippery riverbanks.

Canters: These are large, open trucks with wooden bench seats in the back and used for safaris on sharing basis in the national parks.

Elephant ride at Amber Fort (Jaipur): Elephant rides can either be taken to the fort or from the fort based on the directives  received from the Rajasthan State Tourism Board and are booked on first come-first serve basis. As such for Elephant ride at Amber Fort, an early departure from the hotel is recommended. Also note Elephant ride to or from the Fort is subject to same being operational and may be stopped due to various reasons by Rajasthan State Tourism Board

Important: At all times, our Tour Managers, Local Guides, and Representatives will assist and brief  guests  about these  activities  but  cannot  guarantee the  uninterrupted  services  during their stay in Indian Subcontinent. All guests must bear full responsibilities for such activities releasing Indior Tours, its associates, its directors, its agents of any claim. It would be in your interest to buy a suitable insurance to cover all risks associated with such travel.

• To  respect local traditions, we  suggest that  you  should avoid to wearing dresses which are short, tight fitting, sleeveless or with deep necklines. This is particularly recommended during visit to places worship and meetings with families etc.).  Visitors going to a religious place on the tour should be modestly dressed. Admission may be denied (depending on the code of conduct followed  at  the  religious  place  being  visited)  to  anyone  wearing  shorts  pants/skirts,  sleeveless t-shirts/blouses.  Bare  shoulders  and  mid-riffs  are  not  permitted  and  should  be  covered  with shawls. Visitors are required to take their shoes off and cover their heads (with scarves/ stoles) before entering a  religious  complex. Please try and avoid  very  revealing  swimsuits even at the hotel swimming pool.

In  order  not  to  encourage  begging,  we  suggest  that  you  should  not  distribute  anything  during your visits  (candy, money, toys, pens etc.).Should you wish to made donations in cash or kind, please consult your guide who would provide you with the best advice.

We suggest that you spend your money to buy locally produced things made my local craftsmen and take them to the  country of  your origin and  contribute to the local economy thus providing work to those in need.

• Prices are subject to change in case any supplier decides to increase the rates at short notice or any change in tax structure is proposed by the Government of India and Reserve Bank of India regulations pertaining to taxes. Similarly in case of any hike in the hotel rates, transport and fuel charges, entrances to the monuments, fluctuation in the rate of exchange, or a change caused  by  an  unforeseen  political  activity  or  force  majeure  situation,  we  reserves  the  right  to adjust the tour price accordingly.

• The  rates provided in this quotation are  confidential exclusively for the person or agent to  which they  are  being  sent.  These  cannot  be  disclosed to  any third  party  without the  written consent of Indior Tours.

• The  costs indicated are based on  rates  contracted for leisure business. No  conference/business/corporate activity is envisaged in this tour cost. Including any such activity may result in the above group being treated as a business delegation and the hotels may like to charge rates applicable for Business delegations.

• For  package  deals,  Indior  Tours  may  not  be  in  a  position  to  provide  supporting  bills. Supporting bills may be provided only where available and only if it was agreed in writing before confirmation of any tour, conference or event.

• In case of any refunds / adjustments, if applicable, the same will be processed between Indior Tours and the Foreign Tour Operator. No refund will be given directly to the clients in India.

• Any dispute will be settled within the guidelines framed by Indior Tours and at courts and forums at Delhi shall have exclusive jurisdiction in this regard.

(Indicative only because it is at the discretion of each / not to spare but only tickets ) :

• 10% of the total amount of the invoice/meals in restaurants, hotels
• ` 20 (Indian Rupees) / porterage at hotels
• PP 03 € per day for guide escort (to be submitted in an envelope at the end of the stay)
• PP 02 € per day for the driver (to be submitted in an envelope at the end of the stay)
• PP 01 € 01 per day for the assistant driver  (to be submitted in an envelope at the end of the stay

• Cancellation fee per person:
• 31 days prior to arrival: no cancellation fee.
• 30 - 15 days prior to arrival date: 50 % of the total billing amount.
• 14 - 07 prior to arrival date - 75% of the total billing amount.
• 07 - No show: 100 % of the total billed amount.
• In  case  of  reservation  of  luxury  hotels  like the Villas, Palace Hotels,  Luxury Trains  and Cruises etc. the  cancellation fees  can be  severe. Same is also applicable for the high demand periods of Christmas and New Year's or during periods when International or local Fairs or major Sports events are being organized. Please contact us for details.
• In case of cancellation or change of flights once the tickets have been issued, a standard deduction of 25 per person per sector would be levied. In case of no show, the deduction will be that of 100 %.