Dharamsala

What to think of before leaving?

Visa

You will need a visa for India, which normally takes a few days. Contact the Indian embassy in your country to get the updated information about the procedure.

Vaccination

No specific vaccinations are required, with exception of yellow fever if you travel to India within six days or less after visiting a country infected with yellow fever. Most doctors will, however, recommend the following vaccinations: Diphtheria, Tetanus, Polio, and Hepatitis. Malaria is endemic. Contact a vaccination center or your doctor for further information.

Getting There

The flying time from central Europe to Delhi is about 7-8 hours. From Delhi you can catch a bus, train or domestic plane.

When is the best time to visit Rajasthan?

The main tourist season is from October to March. The beginning and end of the season have high day temperatures up to 35°C, evenings and nights are tropical. During mid-winter the maximum day temperature is around 25ºC, while the night temperature occasionally drops to 7-8ºC.

April-June is very hot with temperatures above 40ºC. This is a very dry period with possibilities of sandstorms. The monsoon season is between July and September; this period is hot with bursts of intense rainfall.

Language

The main language in northern India is Hindi. Many Indians also speak English, but in the rural areas English is less prevalent.

Time zone

India is 5.5 hours ahead of GMT.

Is it safe to travel to India?

We are living in a world of changes and instability, and the fear of traveling has naturally become larger. The Kashmir conflict and the conflict between Hindus and Muslims about the temple in Ayodhya (Uttar Pradesh) have been a source of violence.

India is a huge continent, and in most places Hindus and Muslims live peacefully side-by-side. If however, you feel unsure about whether to travel or not, we recommend you check the travel warnings from your national authorities.