Are You Ready For Your Enchanting India Adventure?

The countdown is on! It’s time to start planning all those little details that will make our OUTbound Enchanting India trip even more amazing! Below are a few things to help you make the most of our vacation together. As always, if you have any questions that we haven’t covered, or have a special request, hit us up… either by phone at 916.683.1000 or email us at info@iamOUTbound.com.

Let’s get started!

Flights

Flight Ideas

Since our Enchanting India trip arrives and departs from Delhi, flights are super easy. Simply log onto your favorite airline’s website and look for roundtrip tickets to Delhi (DEL).

The airline you choose is completely up to you. While your flights to and from Delhi are not included, we’re always happy to help narrow down the best flight options with you. Simply give us a call or send us an email, letting us know where you’ll be flying from, if you have a preferred airline (based on frequent flyer miles or credit card points), and what class of service you typically like to book.

Getting To Our Hotel

Getting to the Leela Palace Delhi

Your transfers to our host hotel, the Leela Palace Delhi, are included with your reservation. You will be met by an OUTbound representative upon your arrival in Delhi who will meet you after you’ve gone through passport control and collected your luggage. You’ll meet your driver in the arrivals hall who will transport you from the airport to our hotel.

The exact address of the Leela Palace Delhi is Africa Avenue, Diplomatic Enclave, Chanakyapuri, New Delhi, Delhi 110023, India.

Be sure to enter your flight information as soon as you have booked your airline tickets so that we can arrange your hotel transfers.

Early Arrival Option

Arrive Early In Delhi

For those of you who want to get an early start and arrive early in Delhi, we have you covered. Getting to Delhi a few days early is a great way to kick your jet lag, ensure that you and your bags all arrive in time for the start of our vacation, and start getting to know your fellow OUTbounders even before the trip has officially started.

You can arrive in Delhi with us as early as Friday, October 16th. We’ll make sure that you’ll be able to stay in the same room at the Leela Palace Delhi for your entire stay there. To add an early arrival, simply log onto your profile by clicking HERE, or send us an email letting us know the day you’d like to arrive and we can take care of that for you.

Visas

Visa Requirements

India requires a tourist visa for United States citizens. Your passport must have six months’ validity remaining to be allowed entry. Please allow two weeks to have your visa processed.

India eVisa

You can apply for an Indian visa on your own through India’s official tourism website. The application process is fairly straight forward. Just fill out the required fields and upload your travel document. You can apply for your Indian visa by clicking HERE to go to India’s official website.

Visa On Arrival

US citizens are NOT eligible for an Indian “visa on arrival”. Applying for an eVisa ahead of our trip is the only way to obtain the proper entry documentation needed for our trip together.

Travel Tips

Take A Picture!

Before heading out on a big trip, most travelers focus on packing the right clothes, confirming reservations, and making sure your passports are in hand. But seasoned OUTbounders know there’s another small step that can make a big difference in a pinch… snapping a few key photos before you leave home.

These quick snapshots take less than two minutes to capture but can save hours of stress if luggage gets lost, travel apps glitch, or important documents go missing.

Passport and Visas
A clear photo of the main passport page can make it faster to get a replacement at an embassy or consulate if your passport is lost. It’s best to keep this image in a secure, password-protected file or cloud app. Take a picture of your Indian visa as well, although you’ll need to carry a physical copy with you for the fastest way through passport control.

Prescription Medications & Labels
OUTbounders who take medication should take a picture of both your pills and the prescription labels. If your medications get lost or you run out, having the generic drug name on hand can make it much easier to refill while traveling.

Boarding Pass & Travel Documents
Travel apps sometimes glitch, and wifi isn’t always reliable at the airport. A screenshot of your boarding pass ensures it’s available offline when needed. The same goes for any hotel confirmations, train tickets, or tour reservations booked outside of your OUTbound trip.

Luggage Contents
Snapping a photo of everything packed in your suitcase before zipping it shut can be invaluable if your bags are delayed or lost. Airlines and insurance companies often ask for detailed lists of contents when processing a claim. A quick image can serve as proof of what was inside your bags and speed up any claims you might need to make.

As we all know, travel can be unpredictable, but your smartphone camera (something that’s already in your pocket and doesn’t require any extra cost) offers one of the easiest safeguards. Taking a few extra photos before you depart is a small habit that can prevent big headaches… and help you stay calm when plans don’t go exactly as expected.

Weather

The best time to visit India is typically during the fall, from late September to early December. This period offers pleasant, comfortable temperatures, making sightseeing and outdoor activities more enjoyable. Keep in mind that evenings can get cool, so pack accordingly.

What To Pack

The weather in India and along the Rajasthan region is most suited for comfortable and lightweight clothing, particularly natural fabrics such as cotton.
A light waterproof jacket for occasional rainy weather or cooler evenings.
Good walking shoes or sandals. Keep in mind that you will be visiting lots of cities and temples with uneven surfaces.
A hat, sunscreen and sunglasses.
A great camera or camera phone.

Comfort Services

Laundry

Laundry services are available for an extra fee at several of our host hotels during our trip. The prices and instructions will be found in your hotel room. Generally, laundry deposited in the morning will be returned to you that evening. Dry-cleaning services are typically not available.

Massage & Spa Services

Our host hotels all have amazing spa services, with dedicated treatment rooms and massage therapists who provide different types of pampering services for an extra fee.

All treatments can be booked in advance of our arrival, depending on availability.

Drinking Water

During our trip, bottled water is provided in your hotel rooms and on our buses as we travel from city to city. Bottle water is used for making all the ice cubes, and our chefs use bottled water when preparing our meals.

Tipping

Tipping Our Hosts

Tipping is the ONLY thing not included with your OUTbound vacation. We never want to dictate anyone’s generosity or decide how much you think YOUR experience with a tour guide, bar tender or waitstaff was worth. How much to tip depends on the type of service you receive and your personal experience.

During our trip together, you’ll come into contact with many different servers and hosts. At the end of each day’s guided tour, you’ll have the chance to tip our guide and driver whatever you feel your experience was worth. Feel free at any point to tip whoever you’d like, be it a bartender who goes the extra mile, your hotel room attendant, or a tour guide who’s insight and knowledge makes your visit even more memorable than expected.

If you feel that any individual in particular has gone above and beyond in making your experience something extra special, then we encourage you to reach out to them directly and let them know how much you appreciated their service during our time together.

Currency

What Money Should You Bring?

The Indian Rupee is the official currency in India. It is preferable if your bills are in good condition as many businesses and vendors may refuse to accept worn out banknotes.

You can order Indian Rupees ahead of our trip from most banks, or you can wait until you arrive in India and use one of the many ATMs to withdraw the local currency. ATMs are a common sight in India, and you should have no trouble locating one in the destinations we will be visiting.

International credit cards such as Visa are widely accepted at most stores and restaurants.

American Express is not widely accepted in India.

One thing to remember… It’s a good idea to carry cash, especially if you want to buy crafts or textiles directly from the local artisans we will visit. We’ll be traveling to some of the more remote destinations in India, so credit cards won’t always be accepted.

Power Outlets

What Power Converters Will I Need?

For our hotels in India and Nepal, you’ll need a Type D adapter.

The Type D is the plug which has three round pins, like this…

You can find a ton of options on Amazon or other retailers that will include USB, USB-C or Lightening ports for charging your phone, tablet and other devices all at the same time.

Travel Insurance

If we’ve learned anything over these last couple of years, it’s that the world can be an uncertain place at times. While you’re never required to buy travel insurance, it’s a good idea and we recommend all OUTbounders consider protecting your hard-earned vacation money. The price of your coverage will depend on a few factors, including the cost of the trip, what state you live in, how long before the trip departs, and if you have any pre-existing or underlying health conditions, to name a few.

Some reasons why you might buy travel insurance include:

Cancel for Any Reason
Unexpected Work Requirements
Personal or Family Illness

OUTbound does not provide travel insurance. However, we always recommend using a third-party insurance carrier to provide your coverage.

Get Ready India