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India is a country of remarkable diversity, colour, history and hospitality. A little preparation before departure can
help you feel confident and ready to enjoy the journey. Use this guide as a checklist, and always confirm current
requirements with the relevant official sources.
Passport and visa
• Check your passport expiry date well before departure. Entry and visa requirements depend on your nationality,
passport type and visa category.
• If applying for an Indian e-Visa, check the current eligibility rules, passport-validity requirements, permitted entry
points and conditions on the official Indian visa website.
• Use the official government visa portal rather than an unofficial third-party website.
• Keep a printed copy of your visa approval and save an offline copy on your phone.
• If you hold an Indian passport, an OCI card or another travel document, check the requirements that apply
specifically to your status.
Travel insurance and health preparation
• Arrange comprehensive travel insurance before departure. Check cover for medical treatment, evacuation,
cancellations, delays, baggage and planned activities.
• Read exclusions, excesses and any requirements to declare pre-existing medical conditions. Save the insurer’s
24-hour emergency number.
• Speak with your doctor or travel-health professional well before departure about vaccinations, medicines and
precautions suitable for your itinerary.
• Carry regular medication in its original packaging, with prescriptions or a doctor’s letter where appropriate.
Check Indian rules for controlled or restricted medicines before travelling.
• Tell your travel organiser at Arahi Journeys, in advance about relevant dietary requirements, mobility needs or
arrangements that may help make your journey more comfortable.
Keep important documents handy
• Return or onward flight details and printed travel itinerary.
• Travel insurance policy and emergency contact number.
• Your travel organiser’s contact details and airport pickup instructions.
• Printed copies of your passport, visa and key documents, stored separately from the originals.
• Offline copies of essential documents on your phone.
Money and banking
• Carry a modest amount of Indian rupees for small purchases and situations where cards are not accepted.
• Take an international debit or credit card and check overseas transaction fees, ATM fees and daily withdrawal
limits.
• Tell your bank about your travel if it recommends doing so, and confirm how to contact it if your card is blocked.
• Carry a backup payment method and keep some emergency funds separate from your everyday wallet.
• Use reputable exchange counters or ATMs, and avoid carrying all cash or cards in one place.
(Do not assume a New Zealand bank card will be accepted everywhere, especially at small shops or local
vendors).
Phone, SIM and internet
• Check international roaming charges with your New Zealand mobile provider before leaving.
• Consider an Indian SIM or eSIM if your phone is compatible and you meet the provider’s eligibility and
identification requirements.
• Keep access to your New Zealand number if you need it for banking verification codes. Check how you will
receive codes while overseas.
• Save important phone numbers, accommodation addresses and pickup details in your phone, and keep
essential information available offline.
• Bring charging cables and a suitable adapter. Check airline rules before packing power banks or spare lithium
batteries.
• Drink sealed bottled water or water that you know has been treated safely. Be cautious with ice if you are unsure
how it was made.
• Choose food that is freshly cooked and served hot when possible. Use care with raw foods and unpasteurised
products.
• Carry hand sanitiser, sunscreen, tissues, any personal essentials and a small first-aid kit.
• Use mosquito repellent when appropriate for your destination and season.
• Keep bags and valuables secure in crowded places. Avoid displaying large amounts of cash or expensive items.
• Be cautious of shopping or transport. Always confirm with your tour host if you are unsure about the price.
• India’s climate varies significantly by region and season, and your itinerary may include heat, rain, cooler
evenings or mountain conditions. Pack comfortable, breathable clothing and a light layer for air-conditioned
transport or cooler weather.
• Take modest clothing for temples and religious sites. Some places require shoes to be removed, so easy-toremove footwear can be helpful.
• Pack comfortable, non-slip walking shoes, sunglasses, sunscreen and any personal mobility aids you need.
• Bring a universal travel adapter. India commonly uses 230V electricity, but socket types can vary – check your
devices’ voltage compatibility.
• Check your airline’s cabin and checked-baggage allowance, including restrictions on liquids, batteries and
power banks.
• Keep essential medication, travel documents, valuables and a change of clothes in your cabin baggage where
permitted.
• Keep receipts for valuable purchases and check current Indian rules for electronics, jewellery, alcohol and other
goods.
• Before departure, check the latest Indian entry requirements, including any e-Arrival Card requirement that
applies to your nationality and travel status.
• Complete official arrival forms only through the government website and within the permitted time window. (An
arrival card is not a visa).
• Keep your passport, visa approval and arrival details accessible for airline checks and immigration.
• Follow instructions from immigration and customs officials and answer questions accurately.
• Check current Indian customs rules before packing gifts, high-value items, electronics, jewellery, alcohol or
goods that may need to be declared.
• Declare cash, goods or other items when required. Do not rely on an old baggage allowance or a previous
traveller’s experience.
• Keep purchase receipts for valuable items where practical.
• Before returning to New Zealand, check current New Zealand Customs and biosecurity rules for food, plant
material, animal products, medicines, souvenirs and other restricted items.
• Complete the New Zealand Traveller Declaration and make required declarations honestly. If unsure whether an
item is permitted, check with the relevant authority before travelling.
• Dress respectfully at religious sites and follow posted instructions.
• Be mindful with photography, some sites prohibit photography or charge a photography fee.
• Follow local customs around footwear, greetings and behaviour at places of worship.
• Be patient and flexible – traffic, weather, queues and local conditions can affect timings.
• Treat local communities, guides, artisans, wildlife and cultural sites with respect. Follow site rules and avoid
activities that exploit people or animals.
Our journeys are thoughtfully planned to help you experience India with greater comfort and confidence. Before
departure, please read your tour itinerary and booking information carefully, as inclusions and arrangements vary by
journey.
• Keep your final itinerary, accommodation details and any pre-departure information accessible.
• Confirm your flight details and share any changes that could affect an arranged pickup.
• Let Arahi know in advance about dietary requirements, mobility considerations or other needs relevant to your
trip.
• If unsure, check with your Arahi host what is included in your particular tour and which meals, tips, personal
purchases or optional activities may be at your own expense.
• Follow your host’s practical guidance about timings, meeting points, local customs and day to day
arrangements.
Before you leave, save these details:
• Travel insurer’s 24-hour emergency assistance number.
• Your airline and accommodation contact details.
• Your Arahi Journeys contact number, supplied with your trip information.
• A trusted family member or emergency contact.
• Your country’s official consular assistance information.
Important note: This guide provides general travel information, not individual immigration, medical, legal or financial advice. Requirements can
change and may differ by nationality, visa type, airline and itinerary. Verify current information with official sources before departure.