Useful tips

Visa

If you are applying for visa in Norway, here are some information;

- the visa is valid for 6 months, it takes min 4 working days to receive it

- charge is NOK 400 (for Norwegian citizens) you need to bring it in cash together with 2 photos and the passport

- bring or sent the application form to Embassy of India -consular enquries, Niels Jules gate 30, 0244 Oslo (telphone + 47 22 55 22 29), it is open from 9-12 am for acceptance of applications- collection is between 14-16 hrs

Clothing and packing

We recommend loose fitting, comfortable clothes from natural fibers. Women should avoid short skirts and shorts, and shoulders should be covered. A light shawl is very practical. In the cities, as in Goa, western clothing is acceptable. During winter you will need warm clothes, including woolen socks.
Bring walking shoes and good sandals, a hat for protection against the sun, sunscreen, sunglasses, mosquito repellent and a swimsuit.

Money

There are bank machines in the cities where you can withdraw money with your Visa or Master Card, but it may be useful to bring some cash or travel checks, in Euro or US dollars. (The currency in India is the Rupee; see http://www.xe.com/ucc for the exchange rate). We recommend that you bring a money belt for your passport, ticket, credit card and money.

Begging

There are many poor people in India - and we will meet beggars, especially at places with many tourists. We recommend not giving money, sweets, or other things to children and beggars. This creates more begging and can distance you from that section of the people. However, if you wish to support the poor or local communities, there are many - and - better ways of doing this. We visit areas which have not been under the influence of large-scale tourism, and where the interest is based on genuine curiosity and not begging. We believe that this is a better meeting between cultures and wish to keep it this way.