Your Essential Guide to Visiting India: e-Visa, Vaccines & Cultural Tips
How to prepare for a trip to India
Visiting India is an experience like no other—vivid, diverse, and deeply immersive. From centuries-old traditions and vibrant street life to flavorful cuisine and spiritual landmarks, the country offers an incredible cultural tapestry. It’s wise to plan ahead: apply for your e-Visa well in advance and consult your doctor about any recommended vaccinations. Before arriving, take time to explore India through films, books, and travel blogs to help ease the transition. While the energy of India can be intense, carving out quiet moments—whether sipping a chilled lassi in a calm café or taking a breather in a shaded park—can bring balance to your journey.
Passport
Heritage River Journeys requires that each guest be in
possession of a passport that is valid for at least six (6)
months after your return date. India requires that each
visitor be in possession of a passport that is valid for
the full duration of your visit to the country, and that it
has at least one blank page. You are fully responsible for
ensuring that you have a valid passport.
Visas
India requires citizens of most countries to be in possession of a valid visa in order to be allowed entry. It is recommended that you begin the application process well in advance of your travel dates. Regular tourist visas are valid for visits up to 30 days and are available through an online application. You need to apply for long term and multiple entry visas directly at the Indian consulate or embassy in your country. Indian visa regulations and procedures change frequently, sometimes without notice, and these changes are often not widely advertised. We highly encourage guests to check the Indian embassy’s website within your home country, or use a local visa service with experience obtaining visas for residents of your home country.
Vaccinations for India
Vaccinations required for travel to India vary depending on the traveler’s age, health, and the countries
they are coming from:
- Routine vaccinations: Travelers should be up to date on routine vaccinations like MMR, polio, and tetanus.
- Hepatitis A: Recommended for all travelers, especially those with liver or kidney disease.
- Hepatitis B: Recommended for travelers to India.
- COVID-19: Recommended for travelers to India, with guidance varying by age.
- Polio: Travelers coming from countries reporting polio cases must show proof of oral polio
vaccination. - Yellow fever: Required if traveling from a country with a high risk of yellow fever transmission. The vaccine must be administered at an approved center and the traveler will receive an International Certificate of Vaccination.
- Malaria: Travelers are generally advised to take antimalarials, as malaria is present throughout India.
- Rabies: Highly recommended, as many animals can transmit rabies.
- Diphtheria: Recommended for those who will be spending time in overcrowded spaces.
- Cholera: Selectively advised for those at highest risk.
- Japanese encephalitis: Selectively advised for those at highest risk.
Travel Protection
While travel insurance is not required in order
to participate in this program, Heritage River Journeys
strongly recommends that each guest purchase a travel
protection plan, as unforeseen circumstances can occur
both prior to and during travel. Please be sure to carry all
policy information with you during your program.
Satellite Devices
Phone, pager and all satellite communication devices are banned in India due to
security reasons. Please do not carry any such device to India.
Luggage
While there are no restrictions on the number of bags each guest may bring on board our ships, storage space is limited, and it is suggested that each guest bring only one checked bag. Additionally, all airlines impose restrictions on both size and weight, and many airlines restrict the number of bags per person. Each guest must check with his or her selected air carrier for limitations prior to departure, as luggage restrictions are subject to change. Please use luggage tags on all your bags. Valuables and medication should only be packed in your carry-on bags (unless required to be placed in checked bags by your airline).
Currency
The official currency of India is the Indian Rupee (INR / ). Onboard the ships Visa and MasterCard are accepted. There is no money-changing facility onboard. Hence it is recommended to exchange the same at the airport or hotel prior to embarkation. Currencies like US dollars, Canadian dollars, British pound sterling, Euros, and Australian dollars can easily be exchanged. It is advisable to keep small rupee notes on hand, as it is sometimes difficult to get change. ATMs in India only provide Indian rupees.
Medical
While Heritage River Journeys staff is trained in basic
first aid, Heritage River Journeys does not employ staff
nurses or doctors on board our ships. While international
medical facilities are available in Kolkata, and we have a
list of physicians who can be contacted during the cruise,
medical facilities are not easily accessible at all stops.
Any medical expenses incurred during the trip are the
guest’s own responsibility, and Heritage River Journeys is
not responsible for costs of medical service or the quality
of medical care received. Guests should bring their
medications with them. A travel insurance policy that
covers medical expenses while traveling internationally
is highly recommended.
Physical Limitations
Our river cruises offer a rich blend of relaxation and discovery. While there’s ample opportunity to unwind onboard, the journey also includes guided excursions to remarkable cultural and historical sites. Many of these outings involve walking across uneven ground and climbing stairs that may be steeper or narrower than you’re used to. Excursions at some places are done by tenders/country boats. To make the most of your experience, we recommend guests be in reasonably good physical health and prepared for active exploration.
Facilities for the Differently Abled
The ship does not have elevators, and is not handicapped- or wheelchair-accessible. Embarkation/disembarkation to/from the local boat and the riverbank is impossible to navigate with wheelchairs, scooters, walkers, or any other mechanical device, and guests must be able to navigate stairs, with minimal assistance.
Insect Precautions
While you can expect to encounter insects during your trip, most are relatively harmless. Switching off lights when exiting your suite, and ensuring that glass or screen doors or windows are closed at all times will minimize the number of insects allowed into your room. On the fast-moving river, mosquitoes are rarely seen while sailing. If planning to be outside in the early morning or evening hours, applying an insect repellent to exposed skin is recommended.
Electrical Current
The voltage in India is officially 220 volts. To use any electrical product that is not dual voltage, you will need an electrical converter. Our ships have multi-configuration outlets, which accommodate most Western plugs.
Clothing
Comfortable, sporty, casual clothing is appropriate during your cruise. We suggest
layering natural and/or moisture-wicking fabrics in light colours, such as a mix of lightweight
shirts, everyday khakis, slacks, skirts/ dresses, and walking shorts, along with sweaters for early
mornings, late evenings, and air-conditioned spaces. We also recommend bringing a lightweight
rain jacket or umbrella. Shorts, capris or lightweight pants, good walking shoes, and sun hats
during the day are highly recommended. For evenings, we recommend casual and cool attire:
however, we kindly request that guests not wear shorts at dinner, and we require shirts and
footwear to be worn at all times in the dining room. Sport coats and cocktail dresses are not needed
at any time during this program. Please note that many places on this itinerary require that knees
and shoulders are covered, and that shoes be removed, although Hindu temples do allow socks to
be worn during visits. Reminders of these instances will be noted in your evening briefings and in
the Daily Programs.
Footwear
You will engage in a significant amount of walking over uneven terrain during your
time ashore. We recommend comfortable walking shoes, with good ankle support, that are easy to
remove when required at certain sites. Guests should wear comfortable but safe walking shoes
when going on tour. Guests will be asked to remove their shoes in specific venues during
excursions, which will be noted in the Daily Programs, and you may prefer to wear shoes that are
easily removed during these excursions. The paths used on our excursions can be quite dusty, or
muddy and slippery.
Smoking
The ship is a non-smoking environment in all public areas and suites, including
balconies. Smoking is allowed only in a designated section, which will be informed by the Ship Manager during the briefing onboard. We ask everyone to refrain from smoking while on
excursions.
Moving about the Ship
As the ship is often in motion, and the decks are sometimes slippery, please take care when moving about the decks. Stairs may be steeper than you are used to, and it is best to always use the handrails. Guests are requested to wear shoes in all public areas of the ship.
Internet Connectivity
Along the rivers of India is variable depending upon mobile phone towers.
In certain parts of the rivers in India as well as the Sundarbans area there is no phone connectivity.
The Wi-Fi in the designated area of the ship (lounge & sundeck) has limited bandwidth mainly for
communications and sending/receiving emails. It cannot support sending videos, photos, and other
heavy documents and if done so it stops functioning.
Onboard Meals
Special meal requests like vegan, gluten/lactose free etc. can be arranged with advance information. Passengers should let us know in advance if they have any food allergies. In Varanasi area only vegetarian meals are allowed on the Ganges River. Kosher meals are not available.
Onboard Liquor Policy
Though our ships have a full-service Bar with the requisite licenses to serve Indian and international liquor, in some regions liquor consumption is prohibited or restricted. For instance, the State of Bihar is “Dry State” and in Varanasi it is prohibited on the Ganges River.
Water
Please do not drink the tap water while on board or on shore. This water is suitable for showers, baths, and hand washing, but should not be consumed. Complimentary bottled water for drinking and brushing teeth is provided, and additional bottled water is complimentary on excursions. Ice on board the ship is made from bottled water. To save water and reduce detergent use, towels will be changed when they are placed on the floor
Laundry
Laundry and Ironing services are available on board the ships. Instructions and prices are listed in your Guest Services Directory in your suite. Dry Cleaning and self-service laundry facilities are not available.
Is India LGBTQ+ friendly
India has become increasingly welcoming to LGBTQ+ travelers, with growing acceptance and visibility throughout the country. We have been getting regular LGBTQ+ guests on our cruises and our staff is trained to service them. Major cities like Delhi, Mumbai, and Bengaluru also host active LGBTQ+ communities and pride events are gaining popularity. India also officially recognizes a third gender, offering legal protections for transgender individuals, including hijras—who hold a unique cultural role in Indian society. While urban areas tend to be more progressive, experiences can vary across regions and communities. Religion remains a sensitive factor, with some LGBTQ+ individuals, particularly within conservative faith communities, still facing social challenges.
Embarkation / Disembarkation Timings
Unless otherwise specified, the below standard timings are applicable for our vessels:
Embarkation: 12:00 hrs /noon
Disembarkation: 09:00 hrs /AM
Important for Cruising in Sundarbans
Fresh Water Management: While in the Sundarbans as we travel in Saltwater, fresh water on board the ship needs to be conserved in the storage tanks. So, fresh water (for usage in washrooms) will be available for a limited time before breakfast, lunch & dinner and after excursions. Timings of each day may change depending upon the program of the day and will be announced by the ship manager.
Wildlife viewing: Sightseeing in the Sundarbans is best done during low tide when the animals come out. The excursions will accordingly be rearranged based on the tide schedule (high tide / low tide timings) to maximize the experience.
