Hotel (14 nights), Overnight sleeper train (1 night)

Accommodation notes

ACCOMMODATION:
Some of the accommodation along the way is basic or simple, staying in local guesthouses and homestays. Some may have shared bathroom facilities with cold water only. We use a mixture of air-conditioned and non-air-conditioned rooms. Some areas of India experience daily load shedding. This is where the power may be turned off at certain times of the day and usually occurs for a few hours in the early afternoon. Most hotel properties have a restaurant or cafe serving local meals. Many restaurants and hotels do not serve alcohol for religious reasons or due to local laws. 

SHOWERS:
Showers at some hotels only have hot water at peak times (usually morning and evening). Outside of these times, you may need to speak to reception to obtain hot water.

ROOM ISSUES:
If you have any issues with your room, please speak to the hotel and your tour leader right away rather than your travel agent so that the problem can be addressed without delay., SLEEPER TRAINS IN INDIA
Sleeper trains are clean and air-conditioned. They’re a great way to travel long distances and maximise your time in each place. Depending on the route, you’ll travel in 2AC or 3AC class. Not all classes are available on all routes.

2AC carriages (second class or 2 tier AC carriages) have four sleeping berths in the compartment section and two berths in the aisle bay.

3AC carriages (third class or 3 tier AC carriages) have six sleeping berths in the compartment section and two berths in the aisle bay.

During the day, sleeping berths are folded away and serve as seats. Each sleeping berth has a padded mattress with sheets, pillow and a blanket provided. Some travellers like to bring their own sleeping sheet. 
Your luggage travels with you in the compartment, so packing light will make your journey more comfortable.

Each carriage has a limited number of sinks and charging points. There are toilets at both ends of the carriage, one a western-style toilet and the other a squat toilet. You will need to bring your own toilet paper, and you may like to bring sanitiser wipes.

Some trains have a dining carriage, but there’s no shortage of vendors who board at each station, selling tea, coffee, snacks and local favourites. You can also grab something at the station before boarding your train, or at a station en route.

Sleeping berths are allocated by Indian Railways’ reservation system, which we have no influence over. Regardless of when tickets are booked, your group may not travel together, with sleeping berths spread throughout a carriage, or multiple carriages, of the same class. You may share a compartment with local travellers of mixed genders. Your leader will do their best to swap with other travellers to enable people who booked together to travel together, but this isn’t always possible. Your leader may ask male travellers to swap with female travellers due to safety considerations.

Due to the complexity of the ticket purchasing system and high demand for tickets, we are unable to offer upgrades to other classes.

Find out more about travelling on sleeper trains in India here: https://www.intrepidtravel.com/adventures/india-trains-guide/

14 breakfasts, 4 dinners and 2 lunches

Food and dietary requirements

FOOD IN INDIA:
Food is a way of life in India. You can snack for a bargain or dine in the finest Indian restaurants. Generally, you can eat very cheaply in India. There is a huge choice of restaurants and street stalls serving traditional and local Indian food. In bigger restaurants in areas frequented by more tourists, there is a choice between Indian, Chinese and Western-style food. Here are some ideas of what to try: https://www.intrepidtravel.com/adventures/best-food-in-india/
https://www.intrepidtravel.com/adventures/foodies-guide-south-india/

Please note that service in restaurants (especially with a group) can be quite slow so patience is a must.

India caters very well towards vegetarians and vegans with almost all restaurants having a veg and pure veg section of the menu. If in doubt please check with your group leader or local representative. See our guide to eating vegan in India here: https://www.intrepidtravel.com/adventures/india-vegan-food-guide/

Your group leader or local representative will be able to direct you towards restaurants that are known to have better hygiene, especially in tourist areas where they are travelling with our groups regularly. For some more advice on avoiding “Delhi belly”, see our article here: https://www.intrepidtravel.com/adventures/how-to-avoid-delhi-belly-in-india/

Is this trip right for you

This trip takes you to a part of India rarely seen by travellers and is ideal for those who have been to India previously and are keen to explore more., Entry permits are required to visit Nagaland and Sikkim. While Intrepid will endeavour to obtain these permits on your behalf, government regulations in these regions can change without notice. In the unlikely event that the necessary permits cannot be secured, your itinerary will be adjusted accordingly., Sleeper trains are a quintessential Indian travel experience. They’re a great way to travel long distances and maximise your time in each place. You’ll be travelling alongside locals, as well as Intrepid travellers, in a compartment of mixed genders. You’ll find more details about the experience in the Accommodation section of the Essential Trip Information, or you can read more about it here: https://www.intrepidtravel.com/adventures/india-trains-guide/, We cover a lot of ground on this trip. There are some long travel days by train and van, including on winding mountain or bumpy local roads, particularly in Nagaland. It’s not unusual for journeys to take longer than estimated and travel times to vary from one departure to the next., Parts of this trip travels to over 2000 m above sea level. It can get colder than you might expect in India, so make sure you check the weather at your time of travel to help pack appropriately. Please bring a jacket and layers, just in case., Although in the same time zone, day-time in the north-east of India is shorter, with sunrise at approximately 4 am during the winter months of November to February. During these months, your days will often start early to make the most of the available daylight., You’ll likely be of as much interest to the locals as they are to you – be prepared for plenty of selfies and conversations.

Transport notes

TRANSPORT IN INDIA
Main roads in India are usually very busy with an assortment of vehicles from the biggest trucks (who always have right of way) down to bikes (and animals!). Overtaking on blind corners at speed is common, as is using the horn as a form of communication. Our leaders have complete authority to remove groups from local transport if the driver is not driving safely. Drivers of our private vehicles are experienced and well trained. if you are uncomfortable with your driver, please always let your leader know immediately. Please ensure you always wear your seat belt.

TRAVEL TIMES
Distances in India do not reflect the driving time. Driving 100 km/62 m may take much longer than at home, even if much of the route is on a highway.

TRAINS
India has a massive network of trains and millions of people travel by rail every day. Trains often travel the length of the country over several days. Trains are a great way to see the countryside and get away from busy roads.

From December to February, delays can happen, especially in northern India, due to fog. On occasion, your trip will be rerouted to allow for these delays. Your leader, in conjunction with our local office, will advise of any changes to your itinerary.

Seats are allocated by Indian Railways’ reservation system, which we have no influence over. Regardless of when tickets are booked, your group may not travel together, with seats spread throughout a carriage, or multiple carriages, of the same class. You may share a compartment with local travellers of mixed genders.

If your trip includes travelling on sleeper trains in India, please see the Accommodation section for more information about this experience.

AUTO RICKSHAWS
On this trip, you may travel on an auto-rickshaw. These small, motorised three-wheeled vehicles are a common form of transport in India and do not have seatbelts.

FLIGHTS
Airlines in India are of excellent quality. Airports are becoming more modern (especially in major cities and tourist hubs). To enter the airport, you must have a copy of your flight ticket and passport. Schedule changes and delays do occur, especially when weather conditions make visibility poor.

Covid-19

Health related to Covid-19. This operator has a policy in place for COVID-19 and their adventures. Please request full details so we can share the most up to date information with you and be aware that the note below was relevant at the time of writing but may have changed. Thanks!

Is this trip right for you

This trip takes you to a part of India rarely seen by travellers and is ideal for those who have been to India previously and are keen to explore more., Entry permits are required to visit Nagaland and Sikkim. While Intrepid will endeavour to obtain these permits on your behalf, government regulations in these regions can change without notice. In the unlikely event that the necessary permits cannot be secured, your itinerary will be adjusted accordingly., Sleeper trains are a quintessential Indian travel experience. They’re a great way to travel long distances and maximise your time in each place. You’ll be travelling alongside locals, as well as Intrepid travellers, in a compartment of mixed genders. You’ll find more details about the experience in the Accommodation section of the Essential Trip Information, or you can read more about it here: https://www.intrepidtravel.com/adventures/india-trains-guide/, We cover a lot of ground on this trip. There are some long travel days by train and van, including on winding mountain or bumpy local roads, particularly in Nagaland. It’s not unusual for journeys to take longer than estimated and travel times to vary from one departure to the next., Parts of this trip travels to over 2000 m above sea level. It can get colder than you might expect in India, so make sure you check the weather at your time of travel to help pack appropriately. Please bring a jacket and layers, just in case., Although in the same time zone, day-time in the north-east of India is shorter, with sunrise at approximately 4 am during the winter months of November to February. During these months, your days will often start early to make the most of the available daylight., You’ll likely be of as much interest to the locals as they are to you – be prepared for plenty of selfies and conversations.

Health

GENERAL HEALTH
All travellers need to be in good physical health in order to participate fully on this trip. For the safety and wellbeing of yourself and others, if you are unwell prior to travelling, please stay at home and contact us to make alternative arrangements.

When selecting your trip please make sure you have read through the itinerary carefully and assess your ability to manage and enjoy our style of travel. Please note that if in the assessment of our group leader or local representative a traveller is unable to complete the itinerary without undue risk to themselves and/or the rest of the group, we reserve the right to exclude them from all or part of a trip without refund.

You should consult your doctor for up-to-date medical travel information or for any necessary vaccinations before departure. We recommend that you carry a first aid kit as well as any personal medical requirements in their original packaging as they may not easily be obtained while travelling. If you are carrying medication, ensure you check your government’s foreign travel advice for any local restrictions or requirements. 
, MOSQUITO-BORNE ILLNESSES:
Malaria is a risk in many parts of India, including major cities. Cases of dengue fever are reported, especially in the period after the monsoon. Other mosquito-borne diseases (including Japanese encephalitis, chikungunya fever, and filariasis) also occur. Take preventative measures such as wearing long clothing, using repellent, and being indoors particularly around dusk and dawn. Consult a medical professional regarding prophylaxis against malaria. For more information, see the World Health Organisation’s fact sheets: http://www.who.int/neglected_diseases/vector_ecology/mosquito-borne-diseases/en/

AIR POLLUTION:
During winter months (October-February), air pollution levels in parts of India can spike to hazardous levels. Severe pollution can increase the risk of respiratory problems. Those with pre-existing medical conditions, particularly heart and lung conditions, may be especially affected. Your group leader or local representative can assist you to obtain a face mask if required. All customers are encouraged to pack (reusable) face masks as a precaution.

OTHER INFECTIOUS DISEASES:
Water-borne, food-borne, parasitic and other infectious diseases (including meningitis, cholera, typhoid, hepatitis, tuberculosis, diphtheria and rabies) are common in India. Tap water is not safe to drink. Home-made or unlabelled alcohol can be poisonous. Seek medical attention if you suspect food poisoning, if you have a fever or suffer from diarrhea.

ZIKA VIRUS:
India is classified as an ongoing transmission zone for Zika, with confirmed cases in Tamil Nadu and Jaipur. Basic precautions for protection from mosquito bites should be taken by people traveling to Zika transmission areas, especially pregnant women.

INFLUENZA
Cases of influenza A(H1N1) are widespread in India during winter with a number of recent cases in Rajasthan. Discuss influenza vaccination requirements with your doctor or a travel health professional before departing and maintain good hygiene practices by covering your mouth and nose with a tissue when coughing, and washing your hands regularly. For more information, see the World Health Organisation’s fact sheets: https://www.who.int/news-room/fact-sheets/detail/influenza-(seasonal)

Your fellow travellers

As you travel on a group trip you will be exposed to all the pleasures and maybe some of the frustrations of travelling in a group. Your fellow travellers will probably come from all corners of the world and likely a range of age groups too. We ask you to be understanding of the various needs and preferences of your group – patience with your fellow travellers is sometimes required for the benefit of everyone’s travel experience. Remember too that you have responsibilities to the group. If you are requested to be at a place at a certain time, ensure that you don’t keep the rest of the group waiting. We have found time and time again that the very best trips we operate are those where the dynamics within the group work well – this takes just a little effort on your part. Due to privacy reasons, we are unable to provide you with contact details and any personal information about your fellow travellers booked on your trip prior to departure., SOLO TRAVELLERS
On our trips, rooming is organised on a twin-share basis. We pair up solo travellers with another traveller of the same gender, as per the gender marker on each of their passports.

We also offer an optional single supplement on most trips for travellers who prefer to have their own room. This only applies to accommodation during the tour. Pre-trip and post-trip accommodation booked through us will always be on a single-room basis.

On a small selection of trips some accommodation will be open-gender and multishare, such as a felucca in Egypt or an overnight train in Vietnam. Please review the Accommodation section of the Essential Trip Information for details about your trip.

LGBTQIA+ TRAVELLERS
We strive to create a safe and inclusive environment for everyone. If your gender identity differs from what is indicated on your passport, please contact us so that we can discuss rooming options with you.

Covid-19

This operator has a policy in place for COVID-19 and their adventures. Please request full details so we can share the most up to date information with you. Thanks!