Most of the traders and guides around the historic monuments are fluent in atleast one other European language other than English. Though English is understood and widely used by the locals it is advisable to pick up a few key words in Hindi. It is possible to get by at most places with Hindi and English.

The Rupee is the official and only accepted currency while you travel around India. While credit cards are quite frequently accepted in Delhi, you would still need currency to pay at smaller or street side shops. It is advisable to keep denominations of 10, 20, 50 and 100 Rupee notes at hand.

Foreign currency can be converted at the hotel's foreign exchange desk, at exchange houses at the airports and at most travel agencies.

AIR: All the four major cities- New Delhi, Mumbai, Calcutta and Chennai have direct international air connections. Domestic airlines operate between cities. And, the domestic carrier, Indian Airlines flies into the neighbouring countries.

SEA: Mumbai, which used to be the main point of entry into India, still receives sea travellers via passenger ships and freighters

ROAD: Overland, there are several points of entry into India. For up-to-date information on border crossing-points, contact Indian overseas missions or government tourist information offices.

Visitors possessing more than US$ 10,000 (or the equivalent in travellers' cheques or bank notes) must fill in a currency declaration form. Visitors may bring in up to 200 cigarettes or 50 cigars, and one litre of alcohol, duty-free. Non-sporting firearms and narcotics are prohibited, as are gold bullion or coins (except by Indian nationals returning from working abroad, who may bring in a maximum of 5 kilograms).

India has three major seasons: winter, summer and the monsoon. The winter months (November to March) are pleasant in most of India, with bright sunny days and cool nights. In the northern plains however, the minimum temperature at times drops steeply.

The Himalayas and its foothills receive snowfall, sometimes till early April. In most parts of western, southern and eastern India, December and January are pleasantly cool but never really chilly. During the summer months (April-August), northern India is fairly hot, with daytime temperatures around 45 °C. Most hill resorts, like Shimla, Mussourie and Nainital - the summer capitals during the days of the colonial Raj - are busy with Indian tourists beating the heat of their hometowns.

The southwest monsoon usually hits the southern tip of India in early June, and tracks north over the next two months. Most of India receives its major share of rainfall between June and September, the south-eastern areas, in addition, get the north-east monsoon rains between mid-October and the end of December.