Destination India

Summaries of Countries Visited

The only country we visited is India. Canadian citizens are required to obtain a visa before traveling to India. India no longer issues visas on arrival to Canadians at the airport, so, visitors should apply for a visa online in advance.

The eVisa for India is quick and easy to apply for as the process is entirely electronic, with no need to attend an embassy or consulate in person. Once approved, the visa is sent via e-mail to be presented at the border with the passport. The length of time a Canadian citizen can stay in India depend upon the type of visa they hold. The maximum time a Canadian passport holder can remain in India is 180 days with a tourist visa.

India's borders are opened to fully vaccinated tourists. There are also some additional requirements such as pre-departure testing and a health declaration form. The cost to get an Indian eVisa for Canadian citizens is USD 80. Bank transaction charges of 2.5% will be charged additionally on applicable eVisa fees. The fees must be paid at least 4 days before the expected date of travel otherwise the application will not be processed. The website to apply for an Indian visa is e-Visa (indianvisaonline.gov.in).

Travel Advisory - India

Avoid non-essential travel outside Canada due to the risk of the Omicron variant that causes COVID-19

Beef consumption

Cows are protected and venerated by several groups of faith in India. Several states impose prohibitions on beef slaughter and consumption. In some rural areas, cow protection vigilantes have attacked people suspected of selling, consuming, or possessing beef or items made with cowhide. Avoid consuming beef or its derived products while in India.

Air pollution

Smoke haze and other types of air pollution can be extremely hazardous in urban areas and cities such as Delhi. It's typically at its worst in winter. In rural areas, air quality can be affected by agricultural burning. Dust storms also occur across northern India. Monitor air pollution levels, which change quickly, especially if you suffer from respiratory ailments or have pre-existing medical conditions. During periods of high pollution:

limit your activities outdoors
monitor local media
follow the instructions of local authorities

Ambulances

Ambulances are often equipped with basic and old medical equipment. Response times can be very slow. Traffic doesn't yield to emergency vehicles. In case of serious illness or injury, you may consider taking a taxi or private vehicle to go to the hospital rather than wait for an ambulance.

Lost or stolen passport

If your passport is lost or stolen, an exit visa is required to leave India. To obtain an exit visa, you must present the FRRO with:

a police report
two current passport-size photographs
a letter providing details of the loss or theft from the High Commission of Canada to India in New Delhi or Consulate General of Canada in either Chandigarh or Mumbai

The FRRO will verify the entry details before issuing an exit visa. This process can take several days.

Penalties for overstaying

Strict penalties are enforced for overstaying. If you overstay, you could be subject to fines, detention, and a future travel ban. If you have overstayed your visa, you must request an exit visa from the Foreigners Regional Registration Office (FRRO). This process can be lengthy.

Imports and exports

There are strict regulations on the importation or exportation of items such as:

firearms
antiquities
electronic equipment
local currency
ivory and gold objects
protected animals
pornographic material

Monsoon

The rainy (or monsoon) season extends from June to September. Heavy rain can cause flooding throughout the country, resulting in significant loss of life and extensive damage to infrastructure. Seasonal flooding and landslides can hamper overland travel and reduce the provision of essential services. Roads may become impassable and bridges damaged.

Cyclones

India's coastline is subject to cyclones, particularly between April and December. These severe storms can put you at risk and hamper the provision of essential services. If you decide to travel to a coastal area:

know that you may expose yourself to serious safety risks
be prepared to change your travel plans on short notice, including cutting short or canceling your trip
stay informed of the latest regional weather forecasts
carry emergency contact information for your airline or tour operator
follow the advice and instructions of local authorities

Currency

The currency of India is Indian Rupee (INR). The four common denominations in India are:

Time Zone

The time zone of India is 12:30 hours ahead of Calgary, Canada.

Local Tax % (VAT)

The Higher VAT Rate in India is a Goods and Service Tax (GST) of 28 %. It applies to consumer durables, air conditioning, automobiles, cement, chocolate, and accommodation above 7500 INR. The standard VAT Rates are 18% and 12 %. The reduction rate is 5 %. India has also some 0 rated goods, the sales of which must still be reported on your VAT return, even though no VAT is charged. In order to process the tax refund on goods purchased, the following procedure must be followed:

Visit the GSTN Portal and fill in the application form meant for claiming the refund. You will receive an e-mail or SMS which contains an acknowledgment number after the filling of the application is done electronically.

Must-see attractions

India is very rich in its culture, art, cuisine, history, etc. There are lots of attractions to see in India but I would recommend the following 3 attractions that are must-see.

Taj Mahal

Taj Mahal is an immense mausoleum of white marble. It was built in Agra between 1631 and 1648 by the Mughal emperor Shah Jahan in memory of his favorite wife, Mumtaz Mahal. Taj Mahal is the jewel of Muslim art in India and is one of the universally admired masterpieces of world heritage. The cost of building the Taj Mahal was approximately 32 million Indian Rupees. The architect was Ustad Ahmed Lahori. The entrance fee for foreigners is 1000 INR. The Taj attracts more than 6 million visitors a year.

Amer Fort

The Amer Fort is situated in Amber, 11 Kilometers from Jaipur, is one of the most famous forts of Rajasthan. Amer originally was the capital of the state before Jaipur. It is an old fort built in 1592 by Raja Man Singh. The fort is also very popularly known as Amer Palace. It was built in red sandstone and marble and the Mayotha Lake adds a certain charm to the entire fort. Though the fort is quite old and may even look not good from the outside, it is beautiful from the inside with buildings of prominence like the Diwan-i-aam, the Sheesh Mahal, and even the Sukh Mahal. The Amer Fort has influences of both Hindu and Muslim architecture. This fort also has Sheela Devi Temple and the Ganesh Pol which is a gate that leads to the private palaces of the kings. The entry fee for foreigners is Rs 500 INR. Approximately 1.4 million visitors come here every year.

Dudhsagar Falls

Dudhsagar Falls is a four-tired waterfall located on the Mandovi River in the Indian state of Goa. it is 60 Km from Panaji by road and is located on the Belgavi-Vasco da Gama Rail route about 46 Km east of Madgaon and 80 Km south of Balgavi. Dudhsagar Falls is amongst India's tallest waterfalls with a height of 310 meters and an average width of 30 meters. Nearly 0.3 million visitors come here every year.

Dance Night at Cubana Club

Goa is one of the best party destinations in India. The beaches come to life at night when people enjoy the beach parties and are in full swing to enjoy the thrilling nightlife. Not just the beach parties but there are various clubs, pubs, and casinos that add charm to Goa's nightlife. People in large numbers both tourists, as well as locals, flock in large to these nightclubs and pubs to enjoy the night party experience. Club Cubana is one such club in Goa that promises a fun-filled and thrilling nightlife to its guests. Without any doubt, you can head to this club for some thrilling nightlife experiences.

For those who like to live it up and party, Club Cubana Goa is one of the best places to spend a few hours. Apart from the fact that it is where all tourists make a stop, most locals come over here as well to enjoy a couple of drinks and a few dances. The Club Cubana Goa dress code is stylish yet casual, just like all of Goa is, so keep that in mind. However, they are not in the habit of turning away guests because of attire. One can enjoy live music, great food, and some amazing service here. A rocking party destination, Club Cubana in Goa, also hosts the Club Cubana Goa lady's night, which is a must-visit for those looking to score free drinks and delicious snacks. Club Cubana in Goa has a poolside bar, a clubbing area, a lounge as well as the main bar.

The entry fee for Club Cubana ranges between Rs 700 and Rs 2000 depending on the season you are planning to visit. The entries differ with the kind of guests depending on whether one wants a couple entry or a stag one. The ideal duration to visit is 4-5 days.

Food and Beverages

Since Goa is located on the west coast of India, along the shore of the Arabian Sea, Goan cuisine is dominated by spices and flavors. The staple food of Goa is rice and fish curry. Most of the dishes incorporate coconuts, rice, fish, pork, meat, and local spices like kokum. The cuisine of Goa is mostly dominated by seafood which includes shark, tuna, pomfret, and mackerel fish

Goan Fish Curry

Goan fish curry or the Xitti Kodi is the staple diet of every Goan making it a famous food of Goa. The Goan fish curry is loaded with various spices along with coconut. Raw mango is also used to give the dish a tangy flavor. The main ingredients of the dish are a decent-sized Pomfret and raw mango. Instead of Pomfret, Kingfish may also be used. This Goan dish is served along with rice.

Chole Bhature

Rich, spicy, and extremely popular; chole bhature in Delhi is a must-try food combination. A piece of Delhi resides in these fried baseball-shaped bread enjoyed with onions and spicy chickpeas. A staple in many places as a breakfast option, this lip-smacking choice is one of the most popular dishes in Delhi.

Vada Pav- Poor Man's Burger

Vada Pav, or the Poor Man's Burger, is among the top Mumbai street food dishes. It is essentially bun bread (pav) and a fritter(vada) stuffed with mashed potato. The dish is served with spicy and sweet chutneys, fried chilies, and garlic powder chutney.

Popular Variants: Schezwan, cheese, and grilled Vada Pav

Where To Try: Anand Vada Pav Stall and Parleshwar Vada Pav Samrat in Vile Parle West

Falooda- Indian Version of Persian Dessert

Falooda, an Indian adaptation of the Persian dessert, is a rich drink of vermicelli mixed with milk, almonds, pistachios, rose syrup, and basil seeds, topped with ice cream. This street food needs no introduction and is perfect street food in Mumbai in summers to cool off the heat.

Where To Try: Badshah at LT Marg in Crawford Market

Introducing India - Lonely Planet