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Passports and Visas
All foreign nationals require visa to enter India. However, there are some relaxations for Bhutanese and Nepalese nationals. Details and types of visa and the fee may be obtained from the respective Indian missions.
Visas are available from the Indian missions in each country. Six month multiple-entry visas are now issued to most nationals regardless of the intended duration of stay.
Generally a tourist visa is given for 6 months while a business visa can be issued for one or more year with multiple entries.
Transit visas are issued for a maximum period of 15-days with single/double entry facilities to bonafide transit passengers only.
Conference visas are issued for attending conferences, seminars, or meetings in India. A letter of invitation from the organiser of the conference needs to be submitted along with the visa application.
The fee structure depends on the nationality of the passport holder and type/duration of visa applied. It ranges from $5 for a to $50 for a visa with a one-year validity.
Just about all the major international airlines fly into India. According to the classification of Airports Authority of India, India has 6 major international airports - Delhi, Mumbai (Bombay), Kolkata (Calcutta), Chennai (Madras), Tiruvananthapuram (Trivandrum) and the newly upgraded Bangalore airport. These airports cater to around 85% of international air traffic in India. Mumbai’s Sahar International airport is the closest and most convenient to get to Kamshet and handles the maximum number of international flights to and from India. It takes around 3 hours to reach our base at Kamshet. Ask for our airport to site transfer service to have you fetched from the airport and driven up to our doorstep.
Apart from the state owned Indian Airlines and Alliance Air, private airlines like Jet Airways and Sahara Airlines operate to various destinations all over the country. All state capitals and major towns are connected by air. If you are arriving into another city (other than Mumbai) take a flight to Pune, which is approximately an hour’s drive from Kamshet. A prepaid taxi service from the airport will bring you in to Kamshet. Remember to mail us for the directions to our base (Native Place). Alternatively ask for our airport to site pick up service.
Getting flight tickets is not usually a problem but it is advisable to book in advance.
Currency: Rupee = 100 Paise. Coins are in denominations of 25 & 50 Paise & 1, 2 & 5 Rupees. Notes are in denominations of Rs 5, 10, 20, 50, 100, 500 & 1000.
Foreign Currency: There are no restrictions on the amount of foreign currency or travelers’ cheques a tourist may import, provided a Declaration Form is completed on arrival, This will facilitate the exchange of imported currency as well as the export of unspent currency on departure. Cash, bank notes and travelers’ cheques up to US$ 2.500 or equivalent need not be declared at the time of entry. Any money in the form of travelers’ cheques, drafts, bills, cheques, etc. which tourists wish to convent into Indian currency should be exchanged only through authorised money changers.
No Indian currency whatsoever can be imported or exported, except for Rupee travelers’ cheques. Banks abroad do keep Rupee balances with their agents in India and are able to draw upon these balances to issue Rupee travelers’ cheques to intending tourists.
There are 24 hour exchange facilities available at all big cites and international airports
Exchange rates:
The closest facility for encashing Traveler’s cheques & ATM from Kamshet is nearby Pune (an hour’s drive from Kamshet)
Airport Tax
Passengers embarking on journey to any place outside India will have to pay an airport tax of Rs. 300. For journey to Afghanistan, Bhutan, Nepal, Pakistan, Sri Lanka and the Maldives = Rs. 150. This is often included in your fare and noted on your ticket.
Health Regulations
Yellow fever: Any person coming from countries in South America or sub-Saharan Africa (including infants) arriving by air or sea without a certificate is detained in insulation for a period up to 6 days if arriving within 6 days of departing from an infected area.
Malaria: No certificate required, but a course of anti-malaria pills is recommended.
Drinking water: It is advisable to use bottled mineral water, which is widely available.
Facilities: It is advisable to bring specific personal medicines. There are state operated facilities in all towns and cities and private consultants and specialists in urban areas.
Communication
Email: access available at the guesthouse
Telephone: We have a telephone at the guesthouse and it is possible for our guests to receive calls there.
The international direct dialling code
for India: +91
for Mumbai: + 91 22
for Kamshet: + 91 2114
Weather and climate
Being situated at 2000 ft above sea level the weather here is cooler than in the plains. Coolest weather lasts from November to mid-March, with cool, fresh mornings and evenings and dry, sunny days. Really hot weather, when it is dry & dusty is between April and June although even at midday if you are in the shade the breeze makes the heat bearable and the mornings and evenings are definitely pleasant.
Although, flying until the late sunset that more than makes up for afternoon the heat. Monsoon rains occur between June and September. Paragliding pilots can expect almost 8 months of non-stop flying.
It is usual to tip waiters, porters, guides and drivers. Tips are not included in the bill.
Time
India Standard Time is 5.5 hours (5 hours 30 minutes) ahead of Greenwich Mean Time.
GMT+5.5
India Standard Time does not operate Daylight-Saving Time
Kamshet, India
Electricity
Voltage
Frequency
Plug / Socket type
220-240 Volts AC
50 Hz
C / D / M
What to bring along
Mosquito repellent, sun cream & lip salves, protective cool cotton clothing (long sleeves shirts and pants too) for extra sun protection, a sun hat, a light jacket or a pullover during winter, swimwear, personal medicines, toilet paper. Camelbak or any other brand of hydration gear.
Extra care should taken to protect children from the heat by creams, hats, sunshades etc. and by avoiding being out at the hottest part of the day.
Health Precaution tips
Always drink bottled water.
For the first few days it might be advisable to clean your teeth in bottled water.
Eat fruit you can peel.
Always wash fruit well before eating it.
Wash your hands before and after eating.
Keep a tube of mosquito repellent handy.
Always carry a kit of the basic emergency medicines you might need for diarrhoea, fever, etc. Also, band aids and an antiseptic ointment.
Safety
When flying abroad or at home, having a flight incident can become too costly a luxury. Therefore, we encourage all pilots to err on the side of safety on the ground and in the air. Bring a fully protected harness fitted with a recently refreshed reserve. Any modern DHV 1/1-2 glider will serve you perfectly well for all your flying needs here. A speed system is a must too. Have your insurance checked out as well.
Emergency Phones
Ambulance - Kamshet
9823208259
Doctor - Kamshet
9823092037
Hospitals
Pune
Ruby Hall Clinic
(020) 26123391
Bombay
Lilawati Hospital
(022) 26421111
Eco travelling tips
Where possible choose a destination, tour operator or hotel with a proven ethical and environmental commitment, and if in doubt ask
Spend money on local produce (rather than on imported) goods and services and use common sense when bargaining – Your few dollars saved may be a week’s salary to others.
Use water and electricity carefully. Travelers may receive preferential supply while the needs of local communities are overlooked.
Learn about local etiquette and culture – consider local norms and behavior and dress appropriately for local cultures and situations (e.g. while visiting places of worship)
Protect wildlife and other natural resources. Don’t buy souvenirs or goods made from wildlife unless they are clearly sustainably produced
Consider staying in local (rather than foreign owned) accommodation. The economic benefits for host communities are far greater and there are far greater opportunities to learn about the local culture.
