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Follow on Google News |  Volunteer Travel Guide India - Volunteering Abroad India www.abroaderview.orgFrom the snow-capped Himalayas in the north to the sun drenched coastal villages of the south, India unfolds like an ancient tapestry. At times threadbare and fading, the land stretches from desert dunes and scattered slums to the rich .....
Since the first civilizations rose on the banks of the Indus River almost 5,000 years ago, India has given birth to Buddhism and Hinduism, been touched by the Empire of Alexander the Great, seen the ancient empires of the Mauryas and Guptas rise and fall, and has traded with Pharaohs and Caesars. India is a feast for the senses; where the air is heavy with the scent of jasmine and dancers trail frenetic melodies in colorful silk saris. Its cooks compose dishes from a palette of exotic spices that may leave a lingering taste of saffron or aniseed. In India's cities, the stench of slum living competes with the cacophony of seemingly endless traffic and a myriad of other textures, colors and movements all jostling for your attention. The Basics Time: Local time is GMT +5.5. Electricity: 240 volts, 50Hz. A variety of power outlets are used in India, but most plugs have two or three round pins. Language: Although English is generally used for official and business purposes, Hindi is the official language and is spoken by about 30 percent of the population. Urdu is the language common with the Muslim demographic. There are 16 other languages also spoken. Health: There are a number of health risks associated with travel to India, including malaria and dengue fever, and travelers should take medical advice on vaccinations at least three weeks before departure. Outbreaks of dengue fever and Chikungunya virus occur, both being transmitted by mosquitoes. Malaria outbreaks are common in areas above 6,562 feet (2,000m), particularly in the northeastern state of Assam. Outbreaks of cholera also occur frequently. Customs: India is generally a fairly tolerant society however visitors should be aware of religious and social customs. When visiting temples visitors will be required to remove their footwear and cover their heads. In general women should dress conservatively both to respect local sensibilities and to avoid unwanted attention. Topless bathing is illegal. Indians do not like to disappoint and instead of saying 'no' will come up with something positive, even if incorrect. Social order and status are very important in Indian culture. Avoid using the left hand, particularly when eating. Communications: The international access code for India is +91. The outgoing code is 00 followed by the relevant country code (e.g. 0044 for the United Kingdom). City/area codes are in use, e.g. (0)11 for Delhi. International calls can be quite expensive and there are often high surcharges on calls made from hotels; it is cheaper to use a calling card. Contacts Visa Agencies Travel Visa Pro, San Francisco, USA. 1-888-470-8472 or www.TravelVisaPro.com Tourism Indian Tourist Office, New Delhi: +91 (0)11 2332 0342 or www.incredibleindia.org India Embassies Indian Embassy, Washington DC, United States: +1 202 939 7000. Indian High Commission, London, United Kingdom: +44 (0)20 7836 8484. Indian High Commission, Ottawa, Canada: +1 613 744 3751. Indian High Commission, Canberra, Australia: + 61 (0)2 6273 3999. Indian High Commission, Pretoria, South Africa: +27 (0)12 342 5392. Indian Embassy, Dublin, Ireland: +353 (0)1 496 6792. Indian High Commission, Wellington, New Zealand: +64 (0)4 473 6390/1. Foreign Embassies in India United States Embassy, New Delhi: +91 (0)11 2419 8000. British High Commission, New Delhi: +91 (0)11 2687 2161. Canadian High Commission, New Delhi: +91 (0)11 4178 2000. Australian High Commission, New Delhi: +91 (0)11 4139 9900. South African High Commission, New Delhi: +91 (0)11 2614 9411. Irish Embassy, New Delhi: +91 (0)11 2462 6733. New Zealand High Commission, New Delhi: +91 (0)11 2688 3170. India Emergency Numbers Emergencies: Airports Indira Gandhi International Airport (DEL) Location: The airport is located 12 miles (20km) south of Delhi. Time: GMT +5.5. Contacts: Terminal 1 (Domestic): +91 11 2567 5126 or 2569 6351. Terminal 2 (International): Transfer between terminals: The International Terminal is three miles (5km) from the Domestic Terminal; a free bus connects the two, leaving every 30 minutes. Facilities: ATMs are available at Terminal 1A (Domestic) and in the Arrival Visitors Area of the International Terminal. Banks and bureaux de change are also available. Passengers should be prepared for a certain amount of chaos at the airport; customs are slow, the queues for the x-ray machines are long and the staff at the endless security checks are rude. There are no shops or restaurants of note. The only modicum of comfort is the Raj Lounge, where friendly staff are on hand to serve welcome drinks. Travelers with special needs should contact their airline in advance. Departure Tax: Rs.300. Website: www.delhiairport.com Climate The best time to visit Delhi is in October-November and in February-March, when the nights are cool and the days filled with mellow sunshine. December and January can be a little gloomy in Delhi while mid-summer (May, June and July) is very hot with temperatures over 45C; it is a dry heat and is sometimes accompanied by dusty desert winds. Most of the rain falls between July and September but they are not the tropical rains you'll experience in India's coastal cities. Passport & Visa Visa Agencies: Avoid the stress and queues, get a visa agency to arrange your visa. Travel Visa Pro, San Francisco, USA. 1-888-470-8472 or www.TravelVisaPro.com Global Visas, London, UK. 0207 190 3903 or www.globalvisas.com Entry requirements for Americans: United States citizens must have a valid passport and a visa. Entry requirements for UK nationals: British citizens must have a valid passport and a visa. Entry requirements for Canadians: Canadians require a valid passport and a visa. Entry requirements for Australians: Entry requirements for South Africans: South Africans require a valid passport and a visa. Entry requirements for New Zealanders: New Zealand citizens require a valid passport and a visa. Entry requirements for Irish nationals: Irish citizens require a valid passport and a visa. Passport/Visa Note: Some parts of the country are restricted areas and require a special permit. Travellers planning to go to the far northwest of the country or to the islands should check with India Tourism for the latest information. Note: Passport and visa requirements are liable to change at short notice. Travellers are advised to check their entry requirements with their embassy or consulate. ************************************************************ 1001 Dell Lane Suite B, Wyncote, PA 19095, USA Volunteer Abroad Project Tel: 1-215-780-1845 / Toll Free: 1-866-423-3258 / Fax: 1-215-887-0915 volunteers@abroaderview.org - www.abroaderview.org - info@abroaderview.org . # # # We offer international volunteer projects for the globally-minded individual searching for a unique travel experience. We are a 501 non-profit international volunteer organization offering short and long term volunteer programs in developing countries End
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