Practical Information

So your journey through South Asia starts relaxed and well prepared, we've gathered the essentials here – from money and staying connected to luggage, safety, tipping and health. With a little planning behind you, you can arrive ready to focus on the temples, landscapes, wildlife and warmth of welcome that make a Karmaventura trip so special.

Whether it's your first time in India or Sri Lanka or you already know the region, these notes will help you feel confident from the moment you land.

It's wise to carry both cash and a card. In India and Sri Lanka, cash is essential for markets, small shops, tips, rickshaws and rural areas, while Visa and Mastercard are accepted in city hotels, larger restaurants and shops. ATMs are widely available in towns and cities and are the easiest way to get local currency – withdraw in reasonable amounts and keep some smaller notes handy, as change can be scarce.

Note that the Indian rupee (INR) and Sri Lankan rupee (LKR) are 'closed' currencies – get them on arrival or from ATMs rather than in the UK, and spend or exchange any leftover before you fly home. Tell your bank you're travelling so your card isn't blocked.

Mobile coverage is good across most of India and Sri Lanka, and Wi-Fi is common in hotels and cafés – though it can be patchy in the hills, in national parks and in remote areas, so download offline maps and key information before you set off.

A local SIM or eSIM is inexpensive and handy. In India, buying a physical SIM requires your passport and can take a day to activate, so an eSIM bought before you travel is often the easiest option; in Sri Lanka a tourist SIM is quick to buy at the airport. For occasional browsing, hotel Wi-Fi is usually enough.

We suggest a main bag of around 15–20 kg plus a small daypack for day trips and hand luggage. A soft holdall or wheeled case works best and is easiest to handle on trains and in busy stations.

If your trip includes internal flights, checked and hand-luggage limits can be lower than your international flight, so pack light. A small padlock for your bag is useful, and a daypack is ideal for temples, walks and safaris. A packing list is included with your booking confirmation.

India and Sri Lanka are rewarding and generally safe to travel in, and your guide makes sure the group is looked after. The main things to be aware of are everyday ones: in busy markets, stations and tourist sites, keep an eye on your belongings and be firm but polite with persistent hawkers or touts.

Cross roads with care – traffic is busy and lively – and use official taxis or app-based cabs (Uber and Ola operate in Indian cities; PickMe in Sri Lanka) rather than unmarked ones. Women travellers may prefer to dress modestly and avoid travelling alone after dark. Trust your instincts, and don't leave valuables unattended.

Tipping (often called baksheesh) is part of everyday life in South Asia and always appreciated. On your trip, it's customary to thank your guide and driver at the end – as a guide, around £6–9 per couple per day for the guide and £4–5 per couple per day for the driver is a reasonable benchmark. In restaurants, around 10% is welcome if a service charge isn't already added, and a few coins or small notes for porters, housekeeping and helpful hands go a long way. It's always a personal choice – never feel obliged.

Parts of India and Sri Lanka carry a low malaria risk, and dengue fever (also mosquito-borne) occurs, particularly in the wetter months. The single best precaution is simply to avoid mosquito bites:

• Use an insect repellent containing DEET, day and evening (dengue mosquitoes bite by day).
• Wear long, light-coloured clothing at dawn and dusk.
• Sleep under a net or in air-conditioned/screened rooms where provided.

Speak to your GP or a travel clinic about whether antimalarial tablets are advisable for your particular route. With sensible precautions, bites are easy to keep to a minimum.

For legal reasons we can't make specific vaccination recommendations, so please see your GP or a travel-health clinic in good time – ideally 6–8 weeks before you go. Commonly recommended jabs for the region include hepatitis A, typhoid and tetanus, and sometimes hepatitis B or rabies depending on your itinerary. If you're arriving from a country with yellow fever risk, a certificate is required.

Mild stomach upsets ('Delhi belly') are common, so drink only bottled or filtered water (avoid ice and salads washed in tap water), be a little cautious with street food, and pack rehydration sachets and any personal medication in your hand luggage. Arrange travel insurance that covers medical care and evacuation, and check the latest advice at gov.uk/foreign-travel-advice.

Protecting wildlife

From tigers in India's national parks to leopards and elephants in Sri Lanka, the region's wildlife is extraordinary. On safari, always keep a respectful distance, never feed or touch animals, keep noise down and follow your guide and driver's instructions. Stay in the vehicle where required, take your litter with you, and photograph without crowding the animals – so these habitats are protected for the future.

In tune with local communities

Meet people with openness and respect, buy handicrafts, spices and textiles directly from local makers, and always ask before photographing someone – a smile works wonders across any language. Giving money or sweets to children is well-meant but can encourage begging; it's better to support schools and community projects through your guide. A friendly 'Namaste' or 'Ayubowan' is always warmly received.