India Travel

Travellers’ Medical and Vaccination Centre

Related Properties from Gurgaon

Australia and New Zealand

Auckland Hospital, Park Road, Grafton 09/797440. General traveller health advice. Travel-Bug Medical and Vaccination Centre, 161 Ward St, North Adelaide 08/8267 3544.Consultations, inoculations, first-aid/medical kits, post-travel examinations. Travellers' Immunization Service, 303 Pacific Hwy, Lind field, Sydney 02/9416 1348. Offers inoculations and general advice.

From Calcutta to Andaman Islands in Calcutta

Alliance Air (Indian Airlines) fly to Port Blair five times a week but if you want to take a ship (leaving every two weeks) you'll need to book through the Shipping Corporation of India. 13 Strand Rd. Although theoretically you need a permit before buying your ticket, the Foreigners Regional Registration Office at 237 AJC Bose Rd has informed travellers to get their permits on arrival in Fort Blair; check in advance. There are four classes starting with bunk beds (from around Rs1000) to a/c dorms and cabins; the journey takes three to four days, so bring plenty to read

Medical resources for travelers

For up-to-the-minute information, make an appointment at a travel clinic. These clinics also sell travel accessories, including mosquito nets and first-aid kits. Information about specific diseases and conditions, drugs and herbal remedies is provided as well as advice from health experts. You could also consult the Rough Guide to Travel Health by Dr Nick Jones. UK British Airways Travel Clinics Operates several clinics located in London including 156 Regent St, London W1 020/7439 9584 (Mon-Fri 9.30am-5.15pm, Sat10am-4pm; no appointment necessary). There are appointment-only branches at 101 Cheapside, London EC2 020/7606 2977, and at the BA terminal in London's Victoria Station 020/7233 6661.

Rough Guide travel insurance

Rough Guides now offers its own travel insurance customized for our readers by a leading UK broker and backed by a Lloyd’s underwriter. It's available for anyone, of any nationality or age, travelling anywhere in the world. There are two main Rough Guide insurance plans: Essential for basic, no-frills cover (£23.03 worldwide) for two weeks; and Premier- with more generous and extensive benefits (£28.79 worldwide). Alternatively, you can take out annual multi-trip insurance which covers you for any number of trips throughout the year (with a maximum of 60 days for any one trip) at £83.99 (worldwide). Unlike many policies, the

Travel insurance

In the light of the potential health risks involved in a trip to India - see opposite - travel insurance is too important to ignore. In addition to covering medical expenses and emergency flights, it also insures your money and belongings against loss or theft. A typical travel insurance policy usually provides cover for the loss of baggage, tickets and - up to a certain limit - cash or cheques, as well as cancellation or curtailment of your journey. Most of them exclude so-called dangerous sports unless an extra premium is paid: in India this can mean trekking, mountaineering, skiing,

What about the water?

One of the chief concerns of many prospective visitors to India is whether the water is safe to drink. To put it simply, it's not, though your unfamiliarity with Indian micro-organisms is generally more of a problem rather than any great virulence in the water itself. As a rule, it is not a good idea to drink tap water, although in big cities it is usually chlorinated. However, you'll find it almost impossible to avoid untreated tap water completely: it is used to make ice, which may appear in drinks without being asked for, to wash utensils and so on. Bottled

Listings of Guwahati in Northeast

Airlines British Airways, c/o Pelican Travels, Brahmaputra Ashok Hotel; Indian Airlines, GS Road, Ganeshguri Charili, near Assam Assembly. Dispur; Jet Airways, GNB Road, Silpukhuri; Air India, c/o Aryna Travels, on GS Road, Bhangagarh, 3km from the centre; Sahara, GS Road, Uluwari, near Bara petrol station. Banks and exchange ANZ Grindlays on GNB Road (Mon-Fri 10am-3pm; Sat 10am-12.30pm), opposite the State Museum changes US and Australian dollars, or pounds sterling, and cashes travellers' cheques. The State Bank of India (Mon-Fri 10am-2pm, Sat 10am-noon) on MG Road, 50m west of ARB Road, cashes travellers' cheques and changes foreign currencies. Bookshops There are

Eating for Ramnagar in Eastern UP

Most of the old city cafes are veg, and alcohol is not tolerated, but the newer Cantonment area is less constrained by religious mores, and some of the more expensive hotels have bars. After a trip on the boats in the early morning, try kachori, savoury deep-fried pastry bread, a traditional snack found m the old city next to the ghats — but avoid the chai stalls here as the cups are washed in the river. Varanasi is also renowned for its sweets and paati (betel leaf). Bhang, a-.tent form of cannabis, sometimes mixed in lassis, is available from government-licensed

Eating of Ramnagar in Varanasi at the Eastern UP

Most of the old city cafes are veg, and alcohol is not tolerated, but the newer Cantonment area is less constrained by religious mores, and some of the more expensive hotels have bars. After a trip on the boats in the early morning, try kachori, savoury deep-fried pastry bread, a traditional snack found m the old city next to the ghats — but avoid the chai stalls here as the cups are washed in the river. Varanasi is also renowned for its sweets and paati (betel leaf). Bhang, a-.tent form of cannabis, sometimes mixed in lassis, is available from government-licensed

Library of Tibetan Works and Archives in Hmachal Pradesh

The Library of Tibetan Works and Archives (Mon-Sat 9am—lpm, 2-5pm-closed 2nd & 4th Sat of month; (01892/22467, 23723) has one or the world's most extensive collections of original Tibetan manuscripts of sacred texts and prayers, books on all aspects of Tibet, copious information on Indian culture and architecture, and a rich archive of historical photos. Decorated on the exterior with bright Tibetan motifs, it is housed in the Tibetan Central Administration compound, below the southern end of McLeod Ganj. The library is not the sole attraction -Tibetan language and philosophy courses are held each weekday. On the first floor of the

Travel, trek and tour operators in North Bengal

Clubside Tours and Travels jp Sharma Road. Established and reliable company dealing with airline tickets, tours and trekking. DGHC Tourism Silver Fir Building. Arranges transport, manages trekking huts and organizes white-water rafting on the River Teesta. Diamond Travels 37B Old Super Market, Trekking, transport to Kathmandu, Calcutta and Guwahati. Greenland Tours & Travels 21 Beechwood, Laden La Road. Low-key, friendly travel, tour and trek operator, with a book exchange, up the steps above the post office. Himalayan Adventures Das Studios, 15 Nehru Rd. Established Indo-Australian company which runs upmarket treks and tours. Himalayan Travels 18/1 Gandhi Rd. A major trek operator in

Listings of Thiruvananthapuram in Kerala

Ayurvedic health centres Ayurvedic treatment one form or another is to be found throughout Kerala, but for more information contact me Next to the bus station and unbeatable for breakfast or a quick snack. Turbaned waiters serve dosas. wadas, omelettes and hot drinks in a bizarre spiral building designed by an eccentric British architect. Obligatory pit stop. Kalavara, press Road (lane opposite the GPO). Past several bookshops, an upstairs restaurant above a fast-food counter, which features a mixed menu plus local cuisine including pork and beef dishes. Expect to pay around Rs7D. Kerala House, next to DC Books, Statue Road,

Listings Airlines Indian Airlines Shimla in Himachal Pradesh

Airlines Indian Airlines, c/o Ambassador Travels, The Mall 0177/258014 and Jagson 0177/225188. Banks and exchange UCO Bank, close to the GPO, ANZ Srindlay's at Scandal Point and the State Bank of India, between Scandal Point and the railway station, each exchange currencies. Visa encashments can be made at the Bank of Baroda on Cart Road, five minutes' walk east of the bus stand. Authorized agencies, such as Span Tours near Scandal Point and Sindh Tours on the Mall keep longer hours, but only change dollars and sterling. Bookshops Maria Brother, an antiquarian bookshop on the Mall, sells old maps and etchings as

Accommodation south of Kovalam in Kerala

Two of the most luxurious of Kovalam's resorts lie around 8km to the south by road, and they benefit from long stretches of golden beach, as opposed to the unattractive black sand of Kovalam. The German-run Surya Samudra at PULINKUDI (0471 /480413, 481124) consists of beautifully presented antique Keralan wood cottages (all non-a/c), which spread discreetly along a rocky hillside and look down onto two small beaches. There is an Ayurvedic centre and an extraordinary swimming pool cut into the rock that is open to nonresidents, but for a price (Rs400). Nearby, Somatheemm at CHOWERA (0471/481601, 462935) was formerly an

Listings of Ramnagar in Eastern UP

Airlines Air India are in Hotel Clarks. Indian Airlines are behind the Hotel de Paris, Cantonment (Mon-Fri 10am-1 pm & 2-5pm), and they also have an airport office, Sahara Airlines are at Mint House: opposite the Taj Hotel. Banks and exchange Most foreign-currency branches of the major banks are located in the Cantonment area. The State Bank of India behind Best Western Hotel, the Mall (Mon-fy 10am -2pm; Sat 10am-noon) will change travellers' cheques but doesn't advance cash on Visa cards. The Allahabad Bank is near Takshal Cinema. Most of the top hotels also have foreign exchange facilities. Down at Dashaswamedh.

Listings form Ramnagar in Varanasi at the Eastern UP

Airlines Air India are in Hotel darks. Indian Airlines are behind the Hotel de Pans, Cantonment (Mon-Fri 10am-1pm & 2-5pm), and they also have an airport office. Sahara Airlines are at Mint House, opposite the Taj Hotel. Banks and exchange Most foreign-currency branches of the major banks are located in the Cantonment area. The State Bank of India behind Best Western Hotel, the Mall (Mon-Fri 1 Dam -2pm; Sat 10am-noon] will change travellers' cheques but doesn't advance cash on Visa cards. The Allahabad Bank is near Takshal Cinema. Most of the top hotels also have foreign exchange facilities. Down at Dashaswamedh,

Moving on from Calcutta

By air For information about flights from Calcutta Airport; otherwise call the individual airlines listed on pp.954-955 to confirm departure and arrival. Remember that return flights must be confirmed at least 72 hours in advance. Besides a good network of domestic flights, Calcutta is served by several short- and long-haul international flights. Major domestic routes from Calcutta are summarized in the Travel Details on p.990. For details on getting to the Andaman islands from Calcutta, see opposite. By rail Information on train connections is available around the clock:. Making reservations to leave Calcutta by train is easy, with computerized booking offices throughout the

The Town Thrissur in Kerala

The principal point of orientation in Thrissur is the Round, a road subdivided into North. South. East and West, which encircles the Vadakkunatha templeand maidan at the centre. Once you've established which side of the Round you're on, you can save yourself long walks along the busy pavement by striking out across the green. The State Art Museum and Zoo (both Tues-Sun 10am-5pm) stand together on Museum Road, ten minutes' walk from Round East, in the north-cast of town (turn right at the end of Palace Road and walk 200m down the right-hand side). Although small, the museum has excellent local

Bikaner Arrival and information in Rajasthan

Rickshaws ply the route between the bus stand, opposite Lalgarh Palace a few kilometres north of the centre, and the south of town, where you'll find the railway station and most hotels. The very helpful tourist office (daily 10am-5pm) is in the RTDC Dhohmaru Hotel at Pooran Singh Circle. For trips around town, use any of the cycle or auto-rickshaws, or rent a bike; you'll find two cycle rental shops outside the post office on Station Road. Travellers' cheques can be changed at the State Bank of Bikaner and Jaipur (Mon-Fri 10am-2.30pm) opposite the entrance to the fort. Booths have

Other routes from Dharamsala to Chamba in Himachal Pradesh

Several other routes cross the Dhauladhar Range, including the Toral Pass (4575m) which starts from Tang Narwana (1150m), 10km from Dharamsala. The most difficult route north is the five- or six-day trek across Bhimghasutri Pass (4580m), covering near-vertical rocky ascents, sharp cliffs and dangerous gorges. A much easier four- of five-day trek from Dharamsala crosses Bleni Pass (3710m) in the milder ranges to the northwest, weaving through alpine pastures and woods and crossing a few streams, before terminating at Dunali, on the Chamba road. Courses Numerous courses are available in McLeod Ganj including lyengarYoga, Dharma teachings, Tibetan language, Hindi, ancient Thai