FAQs
Question
Getting around Delhi
Answer
Delhi is an urban sprawl, and traffic is often unpredictable. The Delhi Metro (https://www.delhimetrorail.com/) offers a convenient way of getting around town, and passes can be obtained at any metro station. The Delhi Metro also connects to Gurgaon. However, last mile connectivity is poor with the Metro. The other option for guests is to use a service such as Uber or Ola. These would require the download of an app on your phones, and, of course, a working cell phone plan with internet connectivity.
Question
Tourist Destinations Within Delhi
Answer
Visitors should take some time to explore Delhi’s rich historical and cultural heritage. Delhi has been the seat of political power in India for several kingdoms who have ruled over India since the 8th century. It has been the site of many battles, and the city has historically been razed and rebuilt by various kingdoms including the British Empire, the Mughal Empire, the Delhi Sultanate, and the Chauhan dynasty. So different parts of Delhi offer a glimpse into different phases of Delhi’s history. An excellent way to get around Delhi is to use the “Hop on Hop off” buses run by Delhi Darshan (http://hohodelhi.com/).
Question
Trips outside Delhi
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In addition, several travel operators organize day trips to cities in the vicinity of New Delhi. A popular destination is the “Golden Triangle”, which consists of Delhi, Jaipur, and Agra. Another highly recommended destination is Udaipur, which is a smaller city with historic palaces. Jaipur and Agra are about a 6 hour drive from New Delhi, but Udaipur is approximately 11 hours by road. Some suggested travel operators include : Crystal India Holidays Website : https://crystalindiaholidays.com/ Phone: +919311016363 This company specializes in tours of the Golden Triangle. They offer day trips, as well as travel packages spanning anywhere between 2 and 6 days. Rao Travels Website: http://www.raotravels.com/ Phone: +91-9971880099 This company offers longer trips to destinations farther away from New Delhi, including trips to the Himalayas.
Question
How do I RSVP?
Answer
A more formal announcement/RSVP will come closer to the date, with plenty of lead time before the wedding.
Question
What should I wear?
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Feel free to wear traditional Indian outfits, western cocktail attire, or formalwear. Traditional Indian wedding outfits include; a sari, a lehenga, a salwar kameez, a kurta, or a sherwani. A sari can be made pre-draped so figuring out how to wrap them is not a problem. A lehenga is a cropped top with a skirt and a duppata (which is a scarf). A kurta is a two pieces with a long top and pants, this often comes with a dupatta. A sherwani is a long jacket and pants. This website also has some more information about attire https://soxy.com/blogs/what-to-wear-to-an-indian-wedding/#5_Outfit_Ideas_to_Wear_to_an_Indian_Wedding_for_Women
Question
Where can I buy clothing?
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If you arrive in India early enough you can get semi-custom-made clothes there. If you live in a larger town, there are often clothing stores that sell traditional Indian clothes which can be tailored to your size and preferences. You can also find clothing online. Etsy is a great place to find a variety of clothes that are customizable. Here are a few other online shops kalkifashion.com perniaspopupshop.com azafashions.com https://www.cbazaar.com utsavfashion.com
Question
Do I need a Visa?
Answer
US citizens need to apply for an e-visa. The e-tourist (30 day) visa is valid for 30 days and you can apply for it 30 days in advance of your arrival date. https://indianvisaonline.gov.in/evisa/tvoa.html
Question
Do I need vaccinations?
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We highly recommend the Covid vaccine/booster. In the past you needed a negative PCR test within 48 hours of travel to India, as of October 2022 that no longer is needed but things might change by February. Aside from that many people get pills to prevent malaria. People traveling outside of the city and going to more rural areas might want to consider the Japanese Encephalitis vaccine. Please check the CDC website for recommendations https://wwwnc.cdc.gov/travel/destinations/traveler/none/india You may also wish to bring mosquito repellent with you and avoid drinking tap water
Question
Other things to consider
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Most public bathrooms do not have toilet paper. Septic systems often cannot handle toilet paper so if you bring your own, you might have to throw the toilet paper in the trash. Consider bringing hand sanitizer with you. Traditional Indian toilets are holes in the ground where you squat over but many destination places have western toilet (such as the Taj Majal and hotels). Most public toilets you need to pay for but it is cheap