India

Getting Around By Air

Air carriers service all major Indian cities and most large towns. The state domestic airline is Indian Airlines (IC) (website: www.indian-airlines.nic.in). The network connects 76 cities, 58 within India and 18 overseas. Other domestic airlines include Alliance Air (CD), a subsidiary of Indian Airlines, Jet Airways (9W) (website: www.jetairways.com), JetLite (formerly Air Sahara) (JAI) (website: www.jetlite.com ), a subsidiary of Jet Airways, and Kingfisher Airlines (IT) (website: www.flykingfisher.com).

Air Passes

There are various special Indian Airlines fares available to foreign nationals and Indian nationals residing abroad which may be purchased either abroad or in India, where payment is made in a foreign convertible currency (such as US Dollars or Pounds Sterling). With the exception of the Youth Fare India (see below), discounts of 90% are available for children under two years of age, and of 50% for children aged two to 12. Full details of all the special fares are available from India Tourism. A summary of each is given below. Group discounts of up to 30% may also be available.

Discover India: seven-day, 15-day and 21-day tickets offer unlimited economy-class travel on all domestic Indian Airlines services. No stop may be visited more than once, except for transfer.

Youth Fare India: valid for three months, offering a 25% discount on the normal US Dollar fare. It is available to those aged 12 to 30 at the commencement of travel for journeys on economy/executive class of domestic air services and Indo-Nepal services.

India Wonder Fares (North, South, East and West): valid for seven days, offering unlimited economy-class travel. No town may be visited more than once, except for transfer. Details of the main air centres included in the deal can be obtained from Indian Airlines offices.

Getting Around by Water

There are ferries from Kolkata (Calcutta) and Chennai (Madras) to Port Blair in the Andaman Islands. Contact Shipping Corporation of India (tel: (033) 248 2354, in Kolkata or (044) 523 1401, in Chennai; website: www.shipindia.com) for details. There are also services from Kochi and Calicut to the Lakshadweep Islands (website: http://lakport.nic.in). Services are often seasonal, and are generally suspended during the monsoon. There is a seasonal catamaran service from Mumbai (Bombay) to Goa. One particularly attractive boat journey is the ‘backwaters' excursion in the vicinity of Kochi in Kerala. Several local tours are available.

Getting Around by Rail

The Indian internal railway system is state-run by Indian Railways (tel: (011) 2340 5156; website: www.indianrail.gov.in). There are six classes of travel: first-class air conditioned, first-class sleeper, second-class air conditioned, second-class sleeper, third-class air conditioned and air conditioned chair car. Major trains carry restaurant cars.

Special trains: The Palace on Wheels (website: www.palaceonwheels.net) is a luxury train especially popular with foreign tourists. Tariff includes cost of travel, full catering and conducted sightseeing tours. Itinerary: Delhi-Jaipur-Jaisalmer-Jodhpur-Ranthambore-Chittorgarh-Udaipur-Bharatpur-Agra-Delhi.

The Golden Chariot (website: www.thegoldenchariot.co.in): This luxury train journeys through Karnataka and includes a stop in Goa. Consult the website for itineraries.

The Deccan Odyssey (www.deccanodyssey.com) offers an eight-day jaunt through Maharashtra, pausing in Goa. Itinerary: Mumbai (Bombay)-Ganpatipule-Ratnagiri-Sindhudurg-Tarkarli-Goa-Pune-Aurangabad-Ajanta-Nasik-Mumbai.

The Fairy Queen is the oldest steam engine in the world. The journey is a two-day round trip from Delhi to Alwar. Guests are taken to Sariska Tiger Reserve for a jeep safari and stay overnight in a hotel.

The Darjeeling Himalayan Railway operates from New Jalpaiguri/Kurseong to Darjeeling. It climbs 1,525m (5,000ft). Hill Trains: Narrow-gauge rail lines completed in the 19th century link numerous hill stations. For example, the Kolkata (Calcutta)-Darjeeling route takes eight hours.

Other trains: The Rajdhani Express trains are deluxe super-fast trains connecting Delhi with a plethora of centres including Mumbai, Kolkata, Chennai (Madras), Bengaluru (Bangalore), Bhubaneswar, Secunderabad, Thiruvananthapuram, Ahmedabad and Ajmer.

Shatabdi Express: Super-fast trains connecting major and secondary city centres. Snacks and meals are provided.

Konkan Express: This route is Mumbai-Goa-Mangalore.

Rail Passes

Indrail Pass : enables unlimited rail travel for a specific period. Advance reservation is essential. Indrail passes can be reserved in the UK from SD Enterprises Ltd (tel: (020) 8903 3411; website: www.indiarail.co.uk). The passes can also be purchased in India at all the main railway stations and authorised agents.

Getting Around by Road

Traffic drives on the left. Outside the major cities main roads and other routes are often poorly maintained and congested with poor visibility and inadequate warning markers.

Bus: An extensive network of busservices connects all parts of the country, and is particularly useful for the mountainous regions where there are no rail services. However, public transport is often crowded and can be uncomfortable. Details of routes may be obtained from the local tourist office.

Tourist cars: There are a large number of chauffeur-driven tourist cars (some air conditioned) available in the main tourist centres. These unmetered tourist cars are usually cheaper than taxis if booked for an extended period of time. Shop around for the best deals and hire from a reputable firm.

Car hire: Self-drive cars are not as widely available as chauffeur-driven ones. Driving around India is not recommended due to the erratic nature of driving standards and the heavy traffic.

Documentation: An International Driving Permit is required. If importing your vehicle into India, get the latest documentation requirements from the Indian embassy in your home country.

Note: Travel in rural areas during the monsoon season can be hazardous and care should be taken. Monsoon rains cause flooding and landslides that can cut off some towns and villages for days at a time.

Getting Around Towns and Cities

Taxis and auto rickshaws are available in large cities and fares should be charged by the kilometre. They do not always have meters but, where they do, visitors should insist on the meter being flagged in their presence. Fares change from time to time and therefore do not always conform to the reading on the meter, but drivers should always have a copy of the latest fare chart available for inspection. Kolkata (Calcutta) has a Metro underground railway. A Metro system opened in Delhi in 2004; the remaining sections are due to be completed in 2010.

Journey Times

The following chart gives approximate journey times (in hours and minutes) from Delhi to other major cities/towns in India.

Note: a. Time by express (not daily); normal train takes 23 hours. b. Time by express (not daily); normal train takes 25 hours. c. Does not include stopover in Chennai. d. Boat journey from Chennai takes three to four days.

Main Airports

New Delhi (DEL) (Indira Gandhi International Airport) is 23km (14 miles) south of the city (journey time - 45 minutes). To/from the airport:There are bus and taxi services to the city. Facilities:Duty-free shops, banks/bureaux de change, post office, snack bars and car hire.

Mumbai (BOM) (Chhatrapati Shivaji International Airport)is 35km (22 miles) north of the city (journey time - 50 to 75 minutes). To/from the airport:Taxi and bus services go to the city. Facilities:Bank/bureau de change, post office, restaurant and shops. 

Kolkata (Calcutta) (CCU) (Netaji Subhash Chandra Bose International Airport)is 20km (13 miles) northeast of the city (journey time - 40 to 70 minutes). To/from the airport: There are buses and taxis to the city. Facilities: Post office, bank/bureau de change, snack bars and duty-free shops. 

Chennai (MAA) (Anna International Airport) is 14km (9 miles) southwest of the city (journey time - 20 minutes). To/from the airport:Buses and taxis are available. There is a train regularly throughout the day. Facilities: Money exchange facilities, tourist information offices and hotel reservation services.

Getting There by Water

Main ports:Calicut, Kochi, Kolkata (Calcutta), Mumbai(Bombay), Panaji (Goa) and Rameswaram (the main departure point for the sea crossing to Sri Lanka; passenger services are presently suspended owing to the political situation in Sri Lanka).

Indian ports are also served by several international shipping companies and several cruise lines. There are, however, no regular passenger liners operating to South-East Asia.

Departure tax: Seaports levy the following departure tax: Rp500 (for journeys to Afghanistan, Bangladesh, Bhutan, Maldives, Myanmar, Nepal, Pakistan and Sri Lanka); Rp750 (all other destinations).

Getting There by Rail

This section gives details of the major overland routes to neighbouring countries (where frontiers are open); in most cases these will involve road as well as rail travel. Details should be checked with India Tourism as they may be subject to change (see Contact Addresses).

Connections to Pakistan: From India you can cross into Pakistan at the international Attari/Wagah border. There are bus and train services between India and Pakistan. Approaching the border away from the official crossing point could be dangerous.

Connections to Nepal: The most practical and popular route to Nepal is by train to Raxaul (Bihar) and then by bus to Kathmandu or by train to Gorakphur (or by bus if coming from Varanasi) and then by bus to Kathmandu crossing the border at Sunauli; also, by train to Nantanwa (UP) and then by bus to Kathmandu/Pokhara, or Bhairawa to Lumbini for Pokhara. It is also possible to make the crossing from Darjeeling by bus to Kathmandu across the southern lowlands.

Connections to Bhutan: The best way of reaching Bhutan by land is by bus/train to Siliguri, then bus to Phuentsholing.

Connections to Bangladesh: The most convenient route to Bangladesh is Kolkata (Calcutta) to Dhaka by bus. Another route is from Darjeeling via Siliguri, then train or bus from Jalpaiguri to Haldibari.

Currently, no land frontiers are open between India and Myanmar or India and China (PR).

Getting There by Road

The overland route from Europe to India remains popular, but travellers should have accurate up-to-date information about border crossings, visa requirements and political situations en route. Some of the most popular border crossings into India are Sunauli (for Delhi and northwest India), Birganj (for Kolkata (Calcutta) and east India) and Kakarbhitta (for Darjeeling). Several adventure holiday companies arrange overland tours and buses to India. 

A bus service operates between Lahore (Pakistan) and New Delhi. The journey takes about 12 hours. For information on this and other overland routes to neighbouring countries, contact the India Tourism office (see Contact Addresses).

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The weather is hot most of the year with variations from region to region. The coolest weather lasts from around December to February, with fresh mornings and evenings and mostly sunny days. The really hot weather, when it is dry, dusty and unpleasant, is between March and June. Monsoon rains occur in most regions in summer anywhere between June and early October. 

Western Himalayas: Srinagar is best from March to October; July to August can be unpleasant; cold and damp in winter. Shimla is higher and therefore colder in winter. Places like Gulmarg, Manali and Pahalgam are usually under several feet of snow from December to March and temperatures in Ladakh can be extremely cold. The mountain passes of Ladakh are accessible from July to October.

Required clothing: Light- to mediumweights are advised from March to October, with warmer wear for winter. Weather can change rapidly in the mountains and therefore it is important to be suitably equipped. Waterproofing is advisable.

Northern Plains: This extreme climate is typically warm inland from April to mid-June, falling to almost freezing at night in winter between November and February. Summers are hot with monsoons between June and September.

Required clothing: Lightweights in summer with warmer clothes in winter and on cooler evenings. Waterproofing is essential during monsoons.

Central India : Madhya Pradesh state escapes the very worst of the hot season, but monsoons are heavy between July and September. Temperatures fall at night in winter.

Required clothing: Lightweights are worn most of the year with warmer clothes during evenings, particularly in winter. Waterproofed clothing is advised during monsoon rains.

Western India : November to February is most comfortable, although evenings can be fairly cold. Summers can be extremely hot with monsoon rainfall between mid June and mid September.

Required clothing: Lightweights are worn most of the year with warmer clothes for cooler winters, and waterproofing is essential during the monsoon.

Southwest: The most pleasant weather is from November to March. Monsoon rains fall anywhere between late April and July. Summer temperatures not as high as Northern India although humidity is extreme. The coast benefits from some cooling breezes. Inland, Mysore and Bijapur have pleasant climates with relatively low rainfall. 

Required clothing: Lightweights. Waterproofing is necessary during the monsoon. Warmer clothes are worn in the winter, particularly in the hills.

Southeast: Tamil Nadu experiences a northeast monsoon between October and December and temperatures and humidity are high all year. The hills can be cold in winter. 

Required clothing: Lightweights. Waterproofing is necessary during the monsoon. Warmer clothes are worn in the winter, particularly in the hills.

Northeast: March to June and September to November are the driest and most pleasant periods. The rest of the year has extremely heavy monsoon rainfall.

Required clothing: Lightweights. Waterproofing is advisable throughout the year and essential in monsoons, usually from mid June to mid October. Warmer clothes are useful for cooler evenings.

Hotels

Modern hotels are available in all large cities and at popular tourist centres. Usually they offer a choice of first-class Western and Indian cuisine, with the more upmarket properties serving excellent global fare, from Thai to French food. Premier 5-star hotels in India include the Taj, Sheraton, Oberoi, Hyatt and Meridien. These offer properties that range from business hotels to beach resorts. Hotel bills may be subject to a 10% expenditure tax, 7 to 15% luxury tax and a variable service charge. 

Grading: Hotels range from historic palace buildings that have been converted into Heritage Hotels, 5-star deluxe, 5- and 4-star hotels, which are fully air conditioned with all luxury features, 3-star hotels, which are functional and have air-conditioned rooms, to 2- and 1-star hotels, which offer basic amenities.

Camping/Caravanning

Campsites are scattered throughout India, but are few and far between. Full addresses may be obtained from India Tourism (see Contact Addresses). Some hotels may permit camping on their grounds for a small fee which includes bathroom use.

Youth Hostels

The Department of Tourism has set up several hostels, spread throughout many regions. Each has a capacity of about 40 beds or more, segregated roughly half and half into male and female dormitories. Beds with mattresses, sheets, blankets, wardrobe (often with locks), electric light points, member kitchen utensils and parking areas are usually available at each hostel. Some hostels are more impressive than others.

Unique Accommodation

There are tourist bungalows at almost every tourist centre in the country, under the control of the respective State Government Tourist Development Corporation. These usually include single, double and family rooms, most with attached bathrooms. Some properties have kitchen facilities, others can arrange meals.

Accommodation Information

Youth Hostels Association of India

5 Nyaya Marg, Chanakyapuri, New Delhi 110 021, India

Tel: (011) 2611 6285.

Website: www.yhaindia.org 

Federation of Hotel and Restaurant Associations of India

B-82, 8th Floor, Himalaya House, 23 Kasturba Gandhi Marg, New Delhi 110 001, India

Tel: (011) 2331 8781/2 or 2332 2634/47.

Website: www.fhrai.com

Contact for a full list of government-approved hotels.

Passports

Passport valid for at least 190 days required by all nationals referred to in the chart above.

Visas

Required by all nationals referred to in the chart above.

Note: Nationals not referred to in the chart above are advised to contact the embassy to check visa requirements (see Contact Addresses).

Visa Note

Certain parts of the country have been designated protected or restricted areas that require special permits and in some cases prior government authorisation. Intent to visit a specific restricted region should be indicated when applying for a visa and a permit will be granted to visit that region only. An additional form must be completed. Passengers are advised to check with the tourist board for up-to-date information before departure.

Types of Visa and Cost

Tourist visa: £30 (multiple-entry; six months); £50 (multiple-entry; one year). Business visa: £105 (one year); £160 (more than one year). Transit:£15 (single/double-entry). Restricted/protected area permit: £20. Prices for certain other nationals vary, nationals are advised to contact the embassy to check cost.

Validity

Tourist: six months or one year for multiple entry. Transit: maximum stays of 15 days within three months. Business: three or six months, or up to two years for multiple entry.

Applications to:

Embassy or high commission (or consular section at embassy or high commission); see Contact Addresses. There are also Indian Visa Application Centres in London, Birmingham and Edinburgh.

Working Days Required

Personal applications can normally be processed the same day. Applications made at the visa centres will take at least 2-3 working days. Postal applications take a minimum of 10 working days. Where referrals are required, applications may require 20-25 working days.

Health Care

Health care facilities are limited and travellers are strongly advised to take out full comprehensive medical insurance before departing for India. It is advisable to bring specific medicines from the UK. There are state-operated facilities in all towns and cities and private consultants and specialists in urban areas.

On leaving India: Visitors leaving for countries which impose health restrictions on arrivals from India are required to be in possession of a valid certificate of inoculation and vaccination.

Note

* Any person (including infants over six months old) arriving by air or sea from an infected country must obtain a yellow fever certificate (includes passengers who have been transit in a country in the endemic zone).

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Food and Drink

Curries are created from the subtle and delicate blending of spices such as cumin, turmeric, cardamom, ginger, coriander, nutmeg and poppy seed although these vary from region to region. Vegetable dishes are more common than in Europe, particularly in southern India. 

Things to know: Bottled water is recommended for visitors but make sure the bottles are properly sealed. Alcohol is mainly served at mid- and upper-range restaurants in the larger towns and cities; in budget eateries, it's usually only found at non-vegetarian restaurants which have a liquor licence. Most upper-end hotels have well-stocked licensed bars. Various states impose prohibition and in some big cities certain days are observed as dry days when the sale of liquor is not permitted. Tourists may check with the nearest local tourist office for the prohibition laws/rules prevailing in any given state. 

National specialities:

• Dhal (curried lentils).

• Kulfi (firm Indian-style ice cream).

• Gulab Jamuns (deep-fried dough balls in sweet syrup). 

• Jalebi (circular-shaped deep-fried batter in sweet syrup).

• Paan (betel nut, with assorted condiments and spices, wrapped in a paan leaf).

National drinks:

• Chai (tea) is India's favourite drink. It will often come ready-brewed with milk and sugar unless ‘tray tea' or ‘separate tea' is specified.

• Coffee has long been popular in the south, but nowadays most large cities and towns have cafes serving cappuccinos, lattes, espressos and more.

• Nimbu Pani (lemon water).

• Lassi (iced yogurt/buttermilk beverage).

• Indian beer (in many varieties, with Kingfisher the most popular brand).Legal Drinking Age: 18-25 (state variations).

Tipping: 10 to 15% is usual in restaurants that impose no service fee; optional where service fee is added to bill.

Nightlife

Apart from some of the major cities, such as Mumbai (Bombay), Delhi and Bengaluru (Bangalore), India has generally little nightlife as the term is understood in the West. In those cities with a flourishing nightlife, expect to find swanky bars, nightclubs and a vibrant performing arts scene. In most larger towns and tourist centres there are cultural shows featuring regionally-diverse performances of Indian dance and music. 

The Indian film industry is the largest in the world, now producing around three times as many full-length feature films as the USA. Mumbai is India's answer to Hollywood, churning out scores of blockbusters each year, while a number of southern cities such as Chennai (Madras) and Bengaluru are also notable film-producing centres. Almost every town will have a cinema, and large towns will have many, some of which will show films in English. Music and dancing are an integral part of Indian cinema, combining with many other influences to produce a rich variety of unique film art. Larger cities may have theatres staging productions of plays in various vernaculars, including English.

Shopping

Each region has its own specialities, each town its own local craftspeople and its own particular skills, often passed down the generations. For fabrics, silverware, carpets, leatherwork, gems and antiques, India is a shopper's paradise. Bargaining is the norm at most bazaars, and the visitor can check for reasonable prices at fixed-price, state-run emporia.

Fabrics: One of India's main industries is textiles. Of the silks, the brocades from Varanasi are among the most famous. Rajasthan cotton with its distinctive ‘tie and dye' design is usually brilliantly colourful, while Chennai (Madras) cotton is known for its attractive ‘bleeding' effect after a few washes. The himroo cloth, a mixture of silk and cotton, often decorated with patterns, may be found throughout the country. Kashmir sells beautiful woollens, particularly shawls, which can be easily sourced at shops in most major Indian cities.

Carpets: India has one of the world's largest carpet industries. Each region has its own speciality, such as the distinctive, brightly coloured Tibetan rugs, available in Darjeeling and elsewhere. Exquisite Persian rugs can be found nationally.

Clothes: Clothes are relatively inexpensive, and can be quickly tailor-made in some shops. Cloth includes silks, cottons, georgettes, brocades and chiffons. Larger cities such as Mumbai (Bombay), Delhi and Bengaluru (Bangalore) have fancy boutiques selling domestic and foreign designer labels.

Jewellery: This is traditionally heavy and elaborate although fine, simpler pieces are also in abundance. Indian silverwork is especially world-famous. Gems include diamonds, lapis lazuli, Indian star rubies, star sapphires, emeralds, moonstones and aquamarines. Hyderabad is a leading pearl centre.

Handicrafts and leatherwork: Each area has its speciality; the range includes bronzes, brasswork (sometimes inlaid with silver), canework and pottery. Woven rugs and papier mâché(some decorated in gold leaf) are a characteristic Kashmir product. Inlaid marble and alabaster are specialities of Agra. Rajasthan is particularly known for its colourful fabrics and paintings. Leatherwork includes open Indian sandals and slippers, handbags and wallets.

Woodwork: Found nationally, with especially beautiful sandalwood carvings from Karnataka, walnut wood from Kashmir, and rosewood from Kerala and Chennai.

Other goods: Pickles, spices, Indian tea, perfumes, soap, handmade paper, incense, puppets and musical instruments.

Shopping hours: Mon-Sat around 0930-1700 in most large stores; variable hours in bazaars.

Note: There is a veto on the export of antiques, art objects over 100 years old, ivory, animal horns, endangered shells, animal skins and objects made from skins.

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• Listen to the evocative instruments of Indian music, such as the sitar, sarod and the subtle rhythm of the tabla. Note the variety of dance forms, each with its own costumes and elaborate language of gestures. 

• Experience India's majestic deserts. Jaisalmer,in Rajasthan, holds the Desert Festival in January/February each year. Pushkar in October/November hosts the fascinating Camel Fair.

• Play golf on the highest golf course in the world, at Gulmarg. From here there are good views of Nanga Parbat, one of the highest mountains on earth. In winter, Gulmarg is transformed into a lively ski resort (website: www.skihimalaya.com).

• Party in Goa. Although much less mellow than in the heady days of the 1960s, there are still some fabulous full moon parties in places such as Anjuna. 

• Whilst in Goa, attend the spectacular Carnival, held on the three days leading up to Ash Wednesday. This colourful festival is jam-packed with bustling fun, as crowds throng to watch the lavish floats pass by, and dance to music that continually rents the air. 

• Snorkel in the Andaman Islands, in the Bay of Bengal, a lushly forested archipelago that has exotic plant life and a wide variety of corals and tropical fish. 

• Take the ‘Toy Train' to Darjeelingthrough fragrant tea gardens and pine forest. Darjeeling commands fine views of Khangchendzonga (Kanchenjunga) (8,586m/28,169ft), the third-highest mountain in the world. Sherpa Tenzing Norgay lived here and, appropriately, it is home to the Himalayan Mountaineering Institute and is also a world-renowned tea-growing centre. 

• Take part in the Durga Puja (September/October) in Kolkata (Calcutta).One of the biggestHindureligious festivals in India, it is full of colour and noise, held in honour of the goddess Durga. 

• Go mountaineering, or trekking.Itis especially pristine in Sikkim. Shimla, in Himachal Pradesh, is the base for treks into the beautiful Kullu Valley, while Kodaikanal is a popular base for treks in Tamil Nadu.

• Cruise along the tropical backwaters of Kerala, pausing en route to visit sleepy villages and assorted touristic sites.

See Contact Addresses for further tourist information.

• Encounter the two sides of Delhi: New Delhi is a modern city, offering Lutyens' architecture; ‘Old' Delhi is several centuries old, with narrow, winding streets, ancient shrines and rambunctious bazaars. See the Red Fort, the nearby Jama Masjid (India's largest mosque) and the Qutab Minar's soaring tower.

• Gaze at the sacred River Ganges. Along its bank is the wondrous city of Varanasi, one of India's holiest Hindu locations with its ghats which, at dawn, are thronged with pilgrims and holy men performing ritual ablutions and prayers. 

• Discover the ‘Golden Triangle'. Delhiis its centre. In the southeast lies Agra, and its iconic Taj Mahal. To the southwest, in Rajasthan, is Jaipur,the vibrant ‘Pink City'. Visit the Amber Fort and the Hawa Mahal (Palace of the Winds).To the southeast of the triangle lies Khajuraho with its famous erotic friezes. 

• Visit the most romantic city in Rajasthan, Udaipur, built around the lovely Lake Pichola and famed for its breathtaking Lake Palace Hotel, and dubbed the ‘Venice of the East'. 

• Enjoy the cool Hill Stations as a retreat from the heat of the plains. Some of the most renowned hill stations include Shimla (Himachal Pradesh), Darjeeling(West Bengal), Ooty (Tamil Nadu) and Kodaikanal (Tamil Nadu). 

• Wonder at Kashmir'sflower-spangled meadows, icy mountain peaks and clear rivers. Jammu is the railhead for Srinagar, the ancient Mughal capital. Lake Dalhas houseboats where visitors can live surrounded by scenery so beautiful it is known as ‘paradise on earth'. 

• Escape Indian stereotypes in Mumbai (Bombay),the capital of Maharashtra, a bustling port and the country's commercial hub, with plate-glass skyscrapers and modern industry jostling alongside ramshackle bazaars and a hectic street life. The city is also the home of the prolific film industry. Welcome to 'Bollywood'!

• Enjoy India's beaches. Mumbai (Bombay) has Juhu and Chowpatty, while Goa offers some of the nation's most sublime beaches and resorts. Marina Beach in Chennai (Madras) is the second largest in the world. The lush state of Kerala includes the famous beach at Kovalam. 

• Observe stunning rock-cut temples, such as the Buddhist cave temples at Ajanta, which date back at least 2,000 years. The caves at Ellora depict religious stories and are Hindu, Buddhist and Jain in origin. 

• Go east to Kolkata (Calcutta),capital of West Bengal and India's second most populous city (after Mumbai/Bombay), with its impressive colonial buildings.It is a major business centre with many markets and bazaars. Central Kolkata contains the Maidan, the central parkland.

• Orissa state is famous for temples. Bhubaneswarhas some particularly notable temples, including the Lingaraj Temple.The city of Puri, a holy Hindu place of pilgrimage, stages Rath Yatra in June/July, where icons of gods are drawn on massive chariots. Konarak is known for its striking ‘Sun Temple '. 

• Check out the wildlife in over 93 national parks, 486 wildlife sanctuaries and 14 biosphere reserves. The Indian tiger and the Asiatic elephant are still found in certain regions. Among the best known reserves are Keoladeo Ghana National Park (Rajasthan), Ranthambore National Park (Rajasthan), Kanha National Park (Madhya Pradesh), Corbett Tiger Reserve (Uttarakhand) and Sunderbans Tiger Reserve (West Bengal). 

See Contact Addresses for further tourist information.

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