India
Few countries offer the variety of this striking land; with its intoxicating and invigorating blend of mesmerising culture, diverse landscapes, intense colours and a myriad of flavours. It is a country of glorious contradictions: a desert climate and the crowded cities of the plains just hours away from the cool splendour of the Himalayas or the beaches of Goa and the simple lifestyle of its people, which go hand-in-hand with the skill and sophistication that created the staggeringly beautiful Taj Mahal.
Immerse yourself in a spectacular hustle and bustle of cities that include the main gateway to India, Delhi, as well as Bangalore, Mumbai and Kolkata. Marvel at a vivid history encapsulated forever in the incredible architecture and fairytale palaces of Rajasthan. Feel the excitement as you wait in anticipation to catch sight of the elusive Bengal Tiger in one of India’s National Parks. Be dazzled by the stunning natural scenery and the way of life of the waterside communities of Kerala as you drift along on a houseboat. Enjoy the golden-sand beaches of Goa and relish the silence and inner peace you will achieve on a retreat in the majestic Himalayas.
Climate
Due to its size, India has eight climatic zones. In general, the best time to visit our featured areas is from October to March. It can be foggy in Rajasthan and Uttar Pradesh from mid-December to mid-January.
Temperature
These figures show India monthly average maximum temperatures and monthly average rainfall.
|
Temp °C |
Rain mm |
|
| January | 21 | 19 |
| February | 24 | 15 |
| March | 30 | 15 |
| April | 36 | 8 |
| May | 39 | 17 |
| June | 39 | 53 |
| July | 35 | 220 |
| August | 33 | 257 |
| September | 34 | 126 |
| October | 33 | 24 |
| November | 28 | 5 |
| December | 23 | 8 |
Useful Information
Capital : New Delhi
Language : Indian
Currency : Rupee
Voltage : 220V
Health : Health facilities, hygiene and disease risks vary worldwide. You should take health advice about your specific needs as early as possible.
Visa : Visa and other entry and exit conditions (such as currency, customs and quarantine regulations) change regularly. Australians must obtain a visa before travelling to India. If you arrive in India without a visa, the Indian Government will likely refuse you entry. The Indian Government has relaxed rules on re-entering the country whilst on a tourist visa. The rule preventing holders of tourist visas from re-entering India within two months of departure no longer applies to Australian passport holders.
The Indian Ministry of Home Affairs has issued new visa guidelines pertaining to foreign nationals intending to visit India for commissioning surrogacy. If you have questions about the documents required for this process, please email the Australian High Commission in India at ahc.newdelhi@dfat.gov.au. You should also familiarise yourself with Fact Sheet 36a on International Surrogacy Arrangements, available on the Department of Immigration and Citizenship website. This fact sheet includes a section about legal issues affecting Australians considering overseas surrogacy arrangements.
For the most up to date information on visas, visit the Indian Government Ministry of Home Affairs website or contact the nearest Embassy or Consulate of India.
If planning to stay in India for more than 180 days, you are required to register within 14 days of arrival with the Foreigners Regional Registration Office (New Delhi, Mumbai, Chennai and Kolkata) or with the Superintendent of Police in other areas. Failure to register may result in a jail sentence or fine, or preclude departure from India until permission is granted by the Ministry of Home Affairs.
There are heavy penalties, including jail sentences, for overstaying your visa.
There is no provision for changing visa categories (i.e. tourist to work) once admitted into India.
If you are arriving from a country where yellow fever is endemic, you will be required to present a valid yellow fever certificate to be allowed entry into India.
If your passport is lost or stolen while in India, an exit visa is required to depart from India. Exit visas can be obtained by presenting a police report, two current passport size photographs and a letter from the High Commission or Consulate General advising of your lost or stolen passport to the Foreigners Regional Registration Office. As the Indian authorities generally need to verify entry details prior to issuing an exit visa, the process can take several days.
Make sure your passport has at least six months’ validity from your planned date of return to Australia. You should carry copies of a recent passport photo with you in case you need a replacement passport while overseas.
Sri Lanka
The heavy warm air, rich green foliage, multi-coloured Buddhist flags, and a kaleidoscopic display of saris, fruits, jewellery and spices, inspired Marco Polo to describe Sri Lanka as the most beautiful island in the world. For a small island, it offers a truly amazing variety of attractions: archaeological sites and well-preserved national parks inhabited by elephants, leopards, monkeys, crocodiles and rare birdlife; vast tea and spice plantations and sacred Buddhist shrines.
In the misty highlands, the picturesque lakeside town of Kandy is home to the legendary Temple of the Tooth, while other attractions within this vast cultural triangle include the Sigiriya Rock Fortress with its extraordinary rock paintings.
Elephants – symbols of the island – can be found working in the countryside and gathering en masse by the temples at festival time. Do pay a visit to one of the elephant sanctuaries which act as both conservation and educational centres on the island. There’s hardly a month goes by without some kind of religious celebration – every full moon day or ‘Poya’ is special in the Buddhist calendar because the Buddha was born, attained Enlightenment and died all on a full moon day. Consequently, shops and banks are closed and alcohol cannot be served in public places, but hotels do make special arrangements for their guests.
Helicopter transfers from the airport now make access to popular Sri Lankan destinations even easier.
Climate
The Indian Ocean island of Sri Lanka has a tropical climate and generally, weather remains hot and sunny in all seasons. Evenings can be very warm. Along the coast, sea breezes help to cool temperatures down, while in the mountains, the altitude moderates the temperature which is usually a pleasant and comfortably warm. Rainfall is moderate throughout the year and usually falls as afternoon showers, with thunder possible. The south west of the island is generally the wettest, especially from April to June and October and November, while the north east is typically the driest side, with the least rain falling from February through to September.
Temperature
These figures show Sri Lanka monthly average maximum temperatures and monthly average rainfall.
|
Temp °C |
Rain mm |
|
| January | 31 | 55 |
| February | 31 | 74 |
| March | 32 | 136 |
| April | 32 | 250 |
| May | 31 | 382 |
| June | 30 | 186 |
| July | 30 | 124 |
| August | 30 | 116 |
| September | 30 | 236 |
| October | 30 | 371 |
| November | 30 | 306 |
| December | 30 | 166 |
Highlights
Cultural Highlights
In addition to the main attractions already mentioned, there is a vast array of additional sites to discover across the country. Just outside the town of Tangalle is the Mulkirigala temple – a series of natural caves filled wall paintings and statues of Buddha. It was here in 1862 that a British Administrator discovered some palm-leaf manuscripts that contained the key to translating the Mahawamsa, the Great Chronicle of Sri Lanka. The climb to the summit is a bit difficult in places but well worth it when you get to the top for its magnificent views. Meanwhile, near to Kandy is the Dambulla Rock Temples, one of Sri Lanka’s most famous monasteries and the Pinnawella Elephant Orphanage, home to the biggest herd of captive elephants – catch them en route as they make the twice daily journey to the river to bathe.
For more cultural and historical sites while in Sigiriya, visit the medieval capital of Polonnaruwa with its old irrigation system features three huge figures of Buddha, including the Gal Vihara, one of the country’s most sacred monuments.
Cuisine
Sri Lankan food incorporates spices to great effect in curries, rice dishes, pickles and chutneys and many hotel offers home-style Sri Lankan cooking as an option for dinner that is simply delicious. These hotels and resorts also offers guests with a love of cooking, the opportunity to spend a few hours in an afternoon with the Chefs to learn how to go about creating an authentic Sri Lankan meal from scratch.
Shopping
Colombo, which is about a forty-five-minute drive from Serene Pavilions, offers plenty of shopping opportunities including street markets and modern shopping centres. Good buys include Ceylon tea, clothing and jewellery including blue sapphires.
Useful Information
Capital : Colombo
Language : Sinhala, Tamil
Currency : Sri Lankan Rupee
Voltage : 230v
Health : Health facilities, hygiene and disease risks vary worldwide. You should take health advice about your specific needs as early as possible. Sources of information include your General Practitioner or a specialised clinic.
Visa : Visas are required prior to arrival. Visa and other entry and exit conditions (such as currency, customs and quarantine regulations) change regularly. Contact the nearest Embassy or Consulate of Sri Lanka, for the most up-to-date information.
The Sri Lankan government introduced a new Electronic Travel Authorisation (ETA) system with effect from 1 January 2012. Foreign nationals who intend to visit Sri Lanka must obtain an ETA prior to arrival. More information on the ETA can be accessed online at www.eta.gov.lk. There is a non-refundable processing fee for some categories of the ETA.
Make sure your passport has at least six months’ validity from your planned date of return to Australia. You should carry copies of a recent passport photo with you in case you need a replacement passport while overseas.