FAQ – India For Beginners

India for Beginners FAQs

Please read our FAQs to fully understand the nature of India for Beginners custom & group tours, our Terms & Conditions, Cancellation Policy, travel tips, and more. If you have any questions, please send us an email and we will clarify.

What is a custom tour and how does it work?

A custom tour is a tour designed for you, based on your interests, preferences, and budget. The first step is to create a personalized itinerary for you, together with you.

The trip will run at your pace. You are in control of the amount of time you spend at various monuments and attractions, and you can stop as many times as you want during the drives, as long as it is safe to do so. However, there are a few things that have time limitations, such as hotel check-in and check-out times, safari times, etc. that can’t be changed because these are not in our hand.

We provide a tour manager to each guest, who will be available 24×7 during your trip. He will be coordinating everything — your hotel bookings, drivers, guides — and he will sort out any issues that may come up and answer any questions you may have.

You can instruct your guide to tell you how much information you want — from every small detail to just the basics, so that things will move as per your pace. You can decide these things on the spot. Please note: Guides are hired on a per day basis. Whether they are with you just for one monument or they are with you the whole day (7 hours maximum), they charge the same amount of money.

Within certain limits, there is a lot of flexibility in a custom tour that you don’t get on a group tour.

Read these pages to find out about our Team and about our philosophy of travel.

Can changes be made to the itinerary during a trip?

The beauty of a custom itinerary is that is designed for you, with your interests and preferences in mind. We work with you to create the ideal itinerary … but we know things don’t always go as planned. Especially in India!

Sometimes we need to make changes to accommodate things like festival traffic, train delays, and other unexpected scenarios.

And there may be times when you would like to make changes. Please make your request to your tour manager. We will be happy to accommodate the change if it’s feasible to do so. But please understand sometimes changes cannot be made.

Also, if you decide to not do something on the itinerary, please let us know as soon as possible in advance as we need to alert our suppliers. We work with a network of trusted, reliable guides, drivers, hoteliers etc. and we want to show them utmost respect as we rely on them. Thanks so much for your understanding.

Who leads your tours?

We provide a tour manager to each guest, who will be available 24×7 during your tour by WhatsApp and / or telephone.

Custom tours do not include a leader travelling with you. However, you will have drivers and guides at various places during the trip, which will be indicated in the itinerary, and everything will be coordinated by us.

For small group tours, whether a leader travels with you or not depends on several factors including the size of the group. Please clarify with us whether we provide a tour leader or tour manager to accompany you, or local guides for sightseeing.

What is your booking, refund, and cancellation policy?

We require 50% of the total tour cost to book your trip. We require the final 50% of the cost 60 days prior to your trip. You can make a bank transfer directly to a Canadian bank, a US bank, an Indian bank, or through Wise.com. We will send you the banking details.

Keeping the current situation in mind, we have made changes in our cancellation policy to be as flexible as possible.

If you cancel 60 days or more prior to your travel dates, we offer a 100% refund, minus any non-refundable bookings we have made, plus an administration fee. Within 60 days before departure, we do not offer a refund. Note: All cancellations must be sent by email.

However, if the Indian government suspends travel to India, due to any reason, even a day before your travel dates, we will give you a credit note and you can use the same for your future travel.

Please see our Terms & Conditions document for detailed information about bookings, refunds, cancellations, liability, etc. and read thoroughly before booking with us.

Do you have any Google reviews?

      EXCELLENT  
   Based on 45 reviews 
    
 
 
 
   
 
 
       Posted on Google  
   
   Rachel Kelly 
 
 
 
 Trustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. Given it was our first time to India, with a short timeline, we wanted an experience that gave a taste into Indian culture, while still feeling safe as two women travelling together. The team was responsive, innovative with our schedule (and re-scheduling), and gave us the assurance and details needed to make our trip one of a lifetime! I would definitely recommend India for Beginners to anyone looking for a short or long trip to India. Our time was incredible!
  
 
      Posted on Google  
   
   CL Designs 
 
 
 
 Trustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. Mariellen, Ujjwal and the whole team were really responsive and supportive throughout the entire process. In just a short time, we got to experience so many different sides of India — from the vibrant colours to the delicious food and rich culture. It truly felt like a little glimpse into the heart of the country. Can’t wait to come back and explore even more!
  
 
      Posted on Google  
   
   Maxine Louie 
 
 
 
 Trustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. We were in New Delhi Agra Jaipur with India for Beginners, our very first custom tour.  We were taken care of so nicely from pick up at the airport to return 5 days later.  Our accommodations were budget but all wonderful.  The driver was exceptional,  despite the very scary driving of India.  all our guides were excellent in taking care of us and educating us.  Mariellen had excellent information for us to study before coming,  and she was so helpful in supporting us for doing the visa, which was was quite technical for me.
  
 
      Posted on Google  
   
   Abigail Myers 
 
 
 
 Trustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. We loved our trip to India with India For Beginners! We took our daughter to celebrate her 16th birthday and could not have asked for a better trip. Mariellen and her team worked with us from the very beginning to help plan the perfect itinerary that allowed us to see everything we wanted and more. This was our first trip to India and while we had initially thought about trying to figure it out on our own, we eventually decided to work with India for Beginners and after one day in India we were so glad we did. The trip was so much more enjoyable knowing that all our travel arrangements were set and taken care of for us and we could spend all of our energy taking in the sights and sounds of India. The India for Beginners team gave us peace of mind knowing that they were only a text message away to assist us or adjust our itinerary when needed. They also set us up with an excellent driver who became a dear friend for life. Our tour guides were all very kind and knowledgeable and were open to answering any questions that we had about life in India.
  
 
      Posted on Google  
   
   Catherine Hamlin 
 
 
 
 Trustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. India for Beginners provided a great service to me for my first trip to India. While I have travelled alone before, it has been decades since my last solo trip. And, as a woman, I was admittedly nervous. From beginning : being picked up at the airport by the driver and local tour manager who were waiting for me holding a sign with my name, to middle : being accompanied onto my train and helped to find the correct seat, to the end : being dropped off at the airport late at night for an early morning departure; I received the help and support I needed. This helped reassure my loved ones at home that I really was OK travelling internationally by myself. I was well-prepared for the trip by reading blog posts on India for Beginners website and having a pre-departure Zoom consult with Mariellen herself. When problems did arise during the trip, I had multiple support people available to message who responded in a timely manner and supported me in addressing issues that cropped up. One example was a hotel that was disappointing. I was able to switch to a better hotel on short notice with the help of India for Beginners. All the individuals who I interacted with were friendly and helpful at all stages of my trip - from help creating my itinerary, to drivers and guides who helped me with issues that arose such as needing cash from an ATM or needing to add data to my Indian phone plan. I would also like to comment on the uniqueness of my itinerary. I started off with a stay at an eco resort that I heard Mariellen describe on a podcast about Kerala India. It was this podcast that prompted me to contact India for Beginners. I also spent several days near Periyar Tiger Preserve and enjoyed local activities including a 1/2 day trek through the Preserve. I then travelled by train for 11 hours from the India Ocean coast to the Bay of Bengal coast. With a base in Chennai, I took a side trip to Nellore where I was able to visit a Catholic charity through which I have been sponsoring a local child. It was an amazing trip from beginning to end! I can’t emphasize enough how happy I am with the service I received from India for Beginners. India exceeded my expectations. When, not if, I return; I will be using India for Beginners again.
  
 
      Posted on Google  
   
   Dawn Elliott 
 
 
 
 Trustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. I was travelling to India from New Zealand to join a tour but wanted to spend a couple of days getting over jet lag before I joined up with the group.  I had heard about India for Beginners from a Facebook group and contacted them to see if it was possible for them to look after me for just a couple of days when I arrived in India.  This was absolutely no problem and communication was excellent from my very first enquiry email to being dropped off to join my tour group.  In fact, even after that I was contacted to make sure all was well. India for Beginners organized my pick up from Delhi Airport and I was able to contact them at any time until I was dropped off to meet my group.  It meant I could look forward to India as I felt completely reassured that I would be well looked after from the moment I walked out of the airport (which was around 1.30am)!  My driver was easy to find and I had a smooth drop off to the lovely Homestay organised by India for Beginners. The Homestay was in a lovely part of Delhi and run by a lovely family.  I would happily have stayed there for a whole week!  The included breakfast was amazing and catering to my gluten free requirements was no problem at all. I had a guide and driver collect me for a few hours for each day which was great.  My tour included a day in Delhi so I let India for Beginners know what my group tour included and they tailored the activities I did with the guide around that.  I also had spare time to wander around the neighbour and sampled local coffee shops. I also visited a local spa recommended by the homestay owners. I absolutely loved India and would definitely like to return and would absolutely not hesitate to contact India for Beginners again.
  
 
      Posted on Google  
   
   Noortje van Mierlo 
 
 
 
 Trustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. Mariellen en haar team hebben ons heel goed geholpen. Ze zijn erg behulpzaam en denken goed mee met alle wensen. De communicatie loopt super! Ga je voor het eerst naar India en vind je het fijn om hulp te krijgen, dan raad ik Indiaforbeginners aan!
  
 
      Posted on Google  
   
   kathryn kutzer 
 
 
 
 Trustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. We had the most wonderful trip to India. The team at IndiaforBeginners.com were just amazing - they were patient and responsive to all of our questions and concerns before we left, and it was wonderful to have a dedicated team to answer any questions that arose while we were in India. We spent 18 days in India, traveling from Delhi, Agra, Ranthambore for a safari (and yes, we got close to a huge tiger!), then Jaipur and down to Kerala, where we did a boat safari, spent a night on a houseboat, visited a spice plantation and spent a couple of days at a resort. At every location we were met by great drivers and amazing tour guides. We visited temples, forts, and palaces and learned so much about the history and culture of India! I wholeheartedly recommend this company for first timers and experienced travellers.
  
 
      Posted on Google  
   
   Florence Charau 
 
 
 
 Trustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. I travelled with my daughter in India with India for Beginners late February and early March 2025. It was a custom two-week tour based on what we wanted to see and experience in North India. The organisation of the trip by India for Beginners was really perfect. We mainly travelled by train and there was always a driver and another person waiting for us on the platform or dropping us off at the station and sometimes staying with us until our train arrives. On top of this a tour manager was always available on WhatsApp. All this allowed us to travel very safely with peace of mind without worrying about transfers from one place to another. This organisation saved us a lot of time too. We loved the accommodations chosen by India for Beginners, particularly the ashram and the lovely homestays where the meals were delicious. We could experience the life in a family in India and learn about the culture, customs and traditions. The people we met were extremely kind and we always felt very welcome. The meetings with the local guides were well organised too. It was extremely interesting to visit places and speak with them. They were very skilled and adapted to what we wanted to see and experience. We learned a lot from them. We are very grateful that we have been able to experience India that way. A big thank you to the team of India for Beginners!
  
 
      Posted on Google  
   
   Linda Tippett 
 
 
 
 Trustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. I highly recommend India for Beginners. I was in India in December 2024. I am an experienced traveler, however because I am 78, my large family was very concerned that I would be traveling solo for 10 days. Mariellen, Anjani and Ujjwal, who are so knowledgeable, professional, warm and caring provided me with everything I needed for an amazing tour. I provided information of where I wanted to visit. I received a detailed itinerary with arrangements such as drivers, lodgings and guides. I wanted a grand adventure and with the help of India for Beginners, I was able to focus on my adventure and not worry about the details.

What happens if I get COVID19 while on tour with IFB in India?

As a company, we are dedicated to being flexible and doing everything we can to make our guests feel safe and comfortable. We provide a tour manager to each guest, who will be available 24×7 during your tour.

COVID19 is very unpredictable. We take all the measures necessary to try and prevent it. Our driver will sanitize the car on a daily basis. Our drivers, guides, and other service providers will always have masks on.

If you get COVID19 during your trip in India, we will arrange everything required for you, such as:

We will arrange the hotel for your quarantine (at additional cost).
We will pause the tour and you can proceed with the tour after you recover.
We will not charge any cancellation fee for hotels or guides.
We would charge extra only for transportation such as train, flight, or car (if your tour is paused in an area where we need to resend a vehicle to restart the tour).

What should I pack for travel in India?

Packing will of course depend largely on the season in India. It can be very hot, very cold, or very wet depending on when and where you travel. Check out these instructive blog posts from Breathedreamgo to help you decide what to bring and what to wear:

What do I need to know before I travel to India?

The most important thing is to understand that things do not always go as planned in India. And this is especially true in the wake of the pandemic. The travel industry was hit hard, and many businesses closed, others are staggering along with insufficient staff, etc. Local flight timings change without notice, trains get delayed, and other unexpected travel delays happen quite often.

It’s important to be able to go with the flow – in fact, you could say this is one of the lessons of travel in India. It’s also important to try and be as understanding, compassionate, and open as possible (while remaining alert, of course).

If we are not able to do all of the activities listed on the itinerary due to unforeseen changes, delays, closures, etc. — all of which are very common in India — we will make every effort to offer substitute experiences.

There is a belief in India that everything happens the way it is meant to. So we ask our guests to be open to this idea, and to go with the flow, and accept what India offers you.

Travel in India is not about checking things off a list; it is about having an experience. And much of that experience is an inward journey — a journey that cannot be assessed by the usual accounting methods.

Let India change you and transform you … and then you will know the worth of the experience.

Airport arrival in Delhi

After you clear Immigration and pick up your luggage from the baggage carousel in the arrivals hall, walk through the glass doors towards the exit. You will still be in the airport, not outdoors. Note: this inner lobby contains washrooms, ATMs, cafes, and a place to buy a SIM card (look for the Airtel sign).

As you exit the glass doors, you will see a steel railing ahead of you, with drivers waiting behind it. Your driver will meet you here, and he will be carrying a paging board with your name on it.

If by chance you cannot find your paging board, please wait here and DO NOT leave the airport terminal. We will find you. If you are in any trouble please call your tour manager, we will ensure you have his number.

International arrival guidelines

The guidelines for international arrivals into India change often due to the COVID19 pandemic. Check out the Breathdreamgo guide to Indian visas for more information.

You can read the latest official guidelines on this Indian government website: https://www.mohfw.gov.in/

Baggage allowance on domestic flights

On most domestic flights you are allowed to carry 15kgs PER PERSON as check-in luggage and 7kgs PER PERSON as hand baggage (there are some exceptions, please ask us and we will clarify).

Please note: local flight timings are subject to change without notice.

Money and budgeting

The easiest way to get cash is to take it from an ATM. You can use your international debit card at most of the bigger banks in India such as YES Bank, ICICI, HDFC, CityBank, Axis Bank, etc. (There are ATMS at the airport.) You can also exchange your money, especially USD, but you may not always get a competitive rate.

Many places accept MasterCard and Visa cards, however it is always wise to have a supply of Indian rupees with you (at least 3,000). Smaller establishments and markets usually will only accept cash or online payments such as Google pay. And for tipping, you will need cash.

Meals when not included (lunch and dinner) could be budgeted at a range from about $6 USD up to $30 USD depending on the establishment. Street food is very cheap, and the restaurants at 5-star hotels are as expensive as fine dining restaurants in the US, Canada, or Europe.

Using an app like XE can make it much easier to do currency conversions.

Travel insurance

We highly recommend purchasing travel insurance. Please see this page for the Breathedreamgo travel resources that includes our favourite companies World Nomads and SafetyWing.

Tipping

Tipping is an inherent part of life in India. But please note that you are not obliged to tip and it is entirely to your discretion.

It is common practice to tip porters, drivers, wait staff, toilet attendants, and guides. It is not necessary to tip autorickshaw drivers.

These are general guidelines, and can change depending on several factors – please clarify with us the guidelines for your trip::

DRIVERS: The equivalent of $10-15 USD per day total (not per person) to be paid at the end of the trip to the driver when on a long tour. If it is just an airport or station transfer then $5 USD should be fine.

GUIDES: The equivalent of $15-20 USD per day total (not per person) for day guides.

Electric supply

The electric supply in India is 220 Volts / 60 Hz and uses round pins. It is advisable to carry universal adapters for electronic gadgets. You may check with your equipment manufacturer for the range of supply that the equipment can use. Nevertheless, suitable adapters are available in India for global travellers and can be purchased at the nearest electronic shop. Where there are dual supplies available (110 V and 220 V), they are clearly marked so. Most Laptops and Camera models having electronic chargers are usually universal adapters and work with a range of electric supply. The range of electric supply is generally indicated on the gadget / charger or you can refer to the product manual for more information.

TIP: Carry a travel sized surge protector. Please see this page for the Breathedreamgo travel resources that includes our favourite, the Belkin mini surge protector.

Shopping in India

India is a shopper’s paradise. Markets, malls, and bazaars burst with beautiful merchandise, much of it handmade, unique, and culturally significant.

However… if you are planning to buy anything costly such as rugs, jewellery, furniture, or pashmina shawls, please have the items authenticated before purchasing. Sadly, many fakes are sold to unsuspecting tourists who don’t know the difference. Download my personal shopping recommendations.

For further reading:

Essential travel check list

Does your passport have more than six months’ validity following your travel dates?
Do you have your Tourist Visa for travel to India?
Did you purchase travel insurance?
Have you sent us a copy of your international flight ticket?
Do you understand all the guidelines for international travel?
Do you understand our Terms & Conditions, procedures, and policies?

Tiger Safari in India Expectations

Going on a wildlife safari (tiger safari) in India is one of the most thrilling experiences you can have. However, please be aware there are never any guarantees you will see a tiger. Even the best naturalist, the best zone, the best time of year / day will never guarantee you a sighting. But this is part of the fun! You are in the tiger’s natural habitat, and the best attitude to take is to enjoy the beautiful natural environment, full of many trees, plants, scenic landscapes, animals, and birds. Our advice is to surrender to the experience, enjoy it, appreciate the moment … and feel grateful if the tiger chooses to appear …