Delights of Southern India - Additional information

Visas
Please ensure that your passport has at least 6 months' validity from your return date, left on it. 
Australian Passport Holders will require a Tourist E-Visa to enter India. For more details, please CLICK HERE. This information is current as of June 2025 and is subject to change. Stay updated by visiting smartraveller.gov.au. 

Alternatively, you may apply for your visa through Vina Visas (additional charges will apply). We also offer in-office assistance for a fee.

 

Climate
Late September sees the end of the rainy season, with warm (high 20s - low 30s) and humid conditions in southern India.

 

What to pack
Due to the warm and humid conditions, clothing in lightweight and breathable fabrics will work best.
Travel for comfort rather than for style. Comfortable and breathable walking shoes are a must, a lightweight jacket, and a pashmina for multi-purpose and modesty. For travel in religious places, dress modestly - this means clothing that covers shoulders, necklines, and knees. We recommend bringing a light raincoat and/or umbrella just in case there are a few lingering showers.
Also, don't forget sun protection: sunglasses, a wide-brimmed hat and sunscreen, as well as insect repellent.

 

Health While Travelling
There is always a risk to your health when travelling, and it is better to be prepared. It is recommended to take with you some diarrhoea medication in case you come down with a stomach bug. It is also a good idea to bring along some hydrolyte for dehydration purposes. We also recommend Travelan to help protect your stomach from any nasties (available over the counter at any pharmacy).

For any other vaccination/health/medical concerns with regards to travelling, please consult your GP or visit a Travel Doctor.

 

Electricity
India generally uses plugs with 3 round pins, although many hotels will have universal sockets that accept UK/Irish plugs. We recommend that you take a universal plug adaptor.

 

Language 
There is no one language in India, which is partly why English is still so widely spoken. Eighteen languages are recognised by the constitution, and in addition to this, over 1,600 minor languages and dialects were listed in the last census! You will find that almost everyone you come across will speak English to some degree.

 

Drinking Water
It is not recommended to drink the local tap water. Sealed bottled water, carbonated soft drinks and fruit juices are widely available.

 

Money
The Rupee (INR) is the currency in India. There are ATMs at the airport and in all but the smaller towns; however, we recommend you bring some AUD to exchange locally for when you are unable to access an ATM. We recommend you exchange money or withdraw cash at the airport on arrival. Many hotels will provide a money-changing facility for cash. Unlicensed moneychangers can also be found in major tourist centres, but they are generally uncompetitive and unreliable, so we advise against using these wherever possible.

When exchanging money, it is advisable to obtain some small denominations for tips. Visa and Mastercard credit cards are widely accepted in hotels, larger shops and top-end restaurants; however, smaller shops and restaurants may only accept cash.

 

Local Laws and Customs
India has a rich and diverse culture, full of time-honoured traditions and customs. If you’re ever in any doubt about how you should behave, simply watch what the locals do or ask. ‘Namaste’ (I bow to the divine in you) is the traditional Indian greeting said with a slight bow whilst bringing your hands together with palms touching in front of your chest. Both men and women should dress modestly outside hotels and away from beaches, with clothing that covers the shoulders and knees.
When visiting religious sites, you should ensure your shoulders and knees are covered and remove your shoes and hats. Topless and nude sunbathing is prohibited and public displays of affection between members of the opposite sex are frowned upon. The left hand is considered unclean; therefore, passing things to an Indian person and eating should be done with the right hand.

 

Road Travel
Road travel is a great way to see the country, but can be quite a startling introduction to Indian life. The traffic in built-up areas is often chaotic and aside from newer roads around major cities, many roads are in a state of disrepair. Often, roads are single carriageways and, in the hills, can be narrow and winding, so road travel is often slow. Driving can be erratic with potential hazards such as animals and people wandering into the road, but please be assured your driver will be familiar with local conditions and is trained to drive with due care and attention.

When travelling on newer roads, be aware that many vehicles are fitted with speed limiters, set by the government at levels below the speed limit. Do bear in mind that the weather and local road conditions can occasionally result in longer journey times.

 

Don't Wear Your Shoes Inside
It's good manners to take your shoes off before entering someone's home, and it's a prerequisite before entering a temple or mosque. Indians will often wear shoes inside their homes, such as when going to the bathroom. However, these shoes are kept for domestic use and never worn outdoors. Shoes are sometimes also removed before entering a shop. If you see shoes at an entrance, it's a good idea to take yours off as well.

 

Don't Point Your Feet or Finger at People
Feet are considered to be unclean and therefore it's important to avoid pointing your feet at people or touching people or objects (particularly books) with your feet or shoes. If you accidentally do so, you should apologize straight away. Also, note that Indians will often touch their head or eyes as a show of apology. On the other hand, it's a sign of respect to bend down and touch an elder person's feet in India.

Pointing with your finger is also rude in India. If you need to point at something or someone, it's better to do so with your whole hand or thumb.

 

Don't Eat Food or Pass Objects with Your Left Hand
The left hand is considered to be unclean in India, as it's used to perform matters associated with going to the bathroom. Therefore, you should avoid your left hand coming into contact with food or any objects that you pass to people.

 

Don't Be Offended by Intrusive Questions
Indians are really inquisitive people, and their culture is one where people do anything but mind their own business, often due to a lack of privacy in India and the habit of placing people in the social hierarchy. As a result, don't be surprised or offended if someone asks you how much you earn for a living and a host of other intimate questions, all upon first meeting. What's more, you should feel free to ask these types of questions in return. Rather than offending, the people you are conversing with will be pleased that you've taken such an interest in them! 

 

Don't Always Be Polite
The use of "please" and "thank you" are essential for good manners in Western culture. However, in India, they can create unnecessary formality and, surprisingly, can even be insulting! While it's fine to thank someone who has provided a service to you, such as a shop assistant or waiter, lavishing thanks on friends or family should be avoided.

Another thing to keep in mind is that being polite can be viewed as a sign of weakness in India, especially if someone is trying to scam or exploit you. A meek, "No, thank you", is rarely enough to deter touts and street vendors. Instead, it's necessary to be sterner and more forceful.

 

Don't Expect People to Be Punctual
There is time, and there is "Indian Standard Time" or "Indian Stretchable Time". In the West, it's considered rude to be late, and anything more than 10 minutes requires a phone call. In India, the concept of time is flexible. People are unlikely to turn up when they say they will. 10 minutes can mean half an hour, half an hour can mean an hour, and an hour can mean indefinitely!

 

Don't Expect People to Respect Your Personal Space
Overcrowding and scarcity of resources lead to a lot of pushing and shoving in India! If there is a line, people will certainly try and jump it. To prevent this from happening, those who are in line will commonly stand so close to each other that they're touching. It can feel unnerving at first, but it's necessary to prevent people from cutting in.

 

Don't Overlook Your Body Language
Traditionally, women don't touch men in India when meeting and greeting them. A handshake, which is a standard Western gesture, can be misinterpreted as something more intimate in India if coming from a woman. The same goes for touching a man, even just briefly on the arm, while speaking to him. While many Indian businessmen are used to shaking hands with women these days, giving a "Namaste" with both palms together is often a better alternative.

 

Don't Judge the Whole Country
Lastly, it's important to keep in mind that India is a very diverse country and a land of extreme contrasts. Each state is unique and has its own culture, and cultural norms. What may be true somewhere in India, may not be the case elsewhere. There are all kinds of different people and ways of behaving in India. Hence, you should be careful not to draw blanket conclusions about the whole country based on limited experience.

 

Travel Insurance
It is mandatory for travellers to have comprehensive travel insurance; please ensure you have provided Sisterhood Womens Travel with a copy of your policy, including a 24/7 Emergency Contact Number.
 

WhatsApp Group
Please make sure you download WhatsApp onto your phone prior to departure.  This App will be your communication tool whilst on tour, and your tour hostess will contact you prior to departure to set you up in your tour WhatsApp group.  It’s also a lovely way to remain in touch with friends upon your return.

 

Changes to Itinerary
We do our best to give Sisters an enjoyable, trouble-free tour experience, but occasionally, even the best-laid plans can go awry.  We cannot rule out any changes to the itinerary and ask that you maintain a positive, upbeat and flexible attitude.

 

Updated: 1 July 2025