Holders of UK Passports will require a Visa or e-Visa before travelling to India. Should you require assistance in obtaining your Visa there are several companies that can do this – we have always found Travcour (UK) – to be very helpful and highly recommended.
If you wish to apply yourself then visas can be obtained online using either VFS.Global or Indian Visa Online.
Non UK travellers to Kerala should check with the Indian Embassy to ensure they comply with the relevant Visa requirements. Please note that unlike many Visas that are valid from the date of entry the Indian Visa is valid from the date of issue.It is the responsibility of all individuals to ensure that they have the correct and valid documentation before departing as entry into India could be denied. If travelling as a tourist the e-Visa is valid for 60 days from the date you arrive in India, it is valid for two entries into the country during that period of time
Travellers to Kerala holding a UK passport will require a 10 year passport valid for at least 6 months from the date of your intended return to the UK. All children must have their own passport. It is advisable to keep a record of your passport number separately from your original passport as this will help you to acquire a temporary passport in the event of loss.
The requirements to obtain an e-Visa are:
It is recommended that before visiting all tropical areas including India you should discuss your requirements with your Doctor – some inoculations may be needed a few months prior to travelling. In addition it is normal to assume that when visiting India some precautions should be taken against Malaria – again your Doctor will be able to advise you personally on the appropriate requirements.
The British Government advise that all travellers arrange an appointment with their GP at least 4 to 6 weeks prior to travel, however even if time is short it advises you seek advice. Your GP will then be able to advise you of the current medical requirements for travel, you can also access information from the NHS choices website. Make sure you travel with enough of any prescribed medicines that you will need for your trip, it is a good idea to take your prescription with you in the event of loss of medication. All countries have different standards and customs, be health aware to avoid possible infections or diseases. If you do need medical assistance whilst away speak to your hotel or tour operator who will be able organise medical treatment for you.
Always drink bottled water or carbonated drinks from cans/bottles. Try to avoid ice cubes, drinking water fountains and tap water.
As with travel to all warmer climates it is recommended that a high factor sun protection screen should always be used.
Smoking is banned in all public places.
Light, cotton comfortable clothing, preferably with long sleeves is often recommended when travelling to tropical climates. It is also advisable to wear a hat outside wherever possible.
Kerala is a sub-tropical climate so this will be your biggest influence when deciding what to pack, hot sometimes very hot sunny days, and cooler evenings with seasonal rains that will increase humidity. So natural materials and looser fitting clothes are ideal, a sun hat, sunglasses and sun screen are essential along with a raincoat and umbrella.
Around your beach hotel it is fine to dress as wish. However, outside of the hotel, whilst there are no rules of dress it is about being aware and respectful to the local residents. The women of Kerala will be covered by their beautiful saris and it would be polite to cover shoulders and legs, long shorts/ skirts are acceptable. You may even ask your driver to stop off at one of the local shops and purchase some cool traditional clothes of Kerala. The exception is if you are visiting religious temples where trousers/ long skirts should be worn and arms covered, out of respect you should also remove your shoes when entering a temple.
Dependant on the time of year evenings can cooler, a light jumper or a pashmina will keep the chill at bay and if you are out and about be a useful cover up.
Dependant on you Kerala holiday tour, your footwear choices will be important, if you are trekking or up in the hills a comfortable pair of walking shoes are a must along with a good supply of socks as it get hot and maybe humid, around town trainers or sandals are acceptable.
Worldwide adaptors are required – but sometimes the plugs and sockets do appear to have a mind of their own! If this is the case and your adaptor does not fit into the sockets please speak to the Porter on duty who we find are normally very helpful.
As with travel to any country we would advise that all valuables are kept in the safe located in your room – or if this is not available then place items of value in the safe in the Reception area.
It is advisable to check with your Hotel on arrival what their preferred method of tipping is – but on the whole we would say allow 100 rupees per night. If you are travelling on a tour – depending on how many days your trip is for – a total tip of between 500 to 1000 rupees paid to your driver at the end of your tour. Individual tips for Hotel Porters, special service from restaurant staff etc. – roughly 20 to 40 rupees.
Taking Indian Rupees into India is not allowed – however on arrival currency may be exchanged at the currency exchange booths that are located inside the airport.
Always exchange foreign currency from an authorised dealer i.e. Bank etc., and always insist on receiving your currency exchange receipt which is your proof that you obtained your funds legally and clearly states the amount of foreign currency exchanged for Indian currency and the rate of exchange you received.
It is advisable to save these receipts and it will enable you to re-convert your money at the airport on your return home.
Purchasing foreign currency from unauthorised places is illegal and you may run the risk of receiving counterfeit money – in addition it is advisable to always refuse torn notes as many places will not accept them. Travellers cheques, credit and debit cards are accepted in many places, but again it is advisable to keep all receipts for items purchased.
Travel Trust Association
In accordance with the 1992 UK Package Travel, Package Holidays and Package Tours Regulations we have become members of the Travel Trust Association to ensure we are able to protect our customer’s pre-payments for non-flight inclusive packages.
For information on how your money is protected please visit their website: Travel Trust Association. Should any problems occur with Kerala Moments after our clients holiday has commenced this policy will enable them to continue until their planned return home.
Always make sure you remember to let your Bank know in advance what dates you will be in Kerala to make sure you do not have any problems accessing your money!
With a stunning location on the South Western Coast of Southern India, Kerala is perfectly placed to enjoy a tropical climate with temperatures averaging between 24 deg C and 33 deg C. Positioned between the cooling effect of the Western Ghats Mountains and the Arabian Sea breezes Kerala avoids the really scorching hot and dry weather affecting most of India.
High season is between mid-November and May when the average number of sunshine hours reaches its peak making this tropical paradise the perfect winter holiday destination. Between March and the end of May the weather is typically warm and very pleasant. Good periods of sunshine can still be enjoyed between June and July whilst experiencing the highly atmospheric Monsoon season. Because of their location the hill stations and higher Western Ghats Mountains may experience slightly cooler temperatures and it is advisable to take a few clothes suitable for these conditions.
You will need to have adequate travel insurance in place prior to departure – details of which we will need at the time of booking.
Make sure that you take out travel insurance at the time you book your holiday, this will cover you in the event that you unfortunately have to cancel your holiday prior to the start date.
British Consulate Delhi – 0091 (11) 24192100
The British Tourist Office Goa – 0091 (832) 6636777
Chennai Consulate Assistance – 0091 (44) 42192151 (Covers Kerala and Tamil Nadu)
Mumbai- 0091 (22) 66502222
Police – 100 India code from UK – 0091
Fire – 101 U.K Code from India – 0044
Ambulance -102
Our advice is to book the tour first and then the flights. There is always flexibility with accommodation and not with airline providers, we are happy to change any details of your holiday to India to fit in with the flights once you have booked them.
Kerala is serviced by two international airports Cochin to the north and Trivandrum to the south. Currently there are no direct scheduled flights from the UK to Kerala but there are multiple options that you can choose from. There are various departure points throughout the UK with return flights.
The most direct and popular routes from the UK will be via the Middle East, this gives a great choice of routes.
Prices are generally similar during the year raising slightly in December and January (which is peak season to travel to Kerala).
You can easily plan a stopover either on your outward or inward flight to take in the magic of the Middle East. We can assist you with destinations and hotel options as part of your Kerala experience.
Cuisine
The Kerala cuisine is subtle and beautifully spiced with a mix of spices of the area. Locally sourced fresh sea food is abundant and the main ingredients in many recipes, there is also a strong vegetarian culture and plenty of restaurants serving vegetarian meals. Curries have a coconut base and flavoured aromatic spices that give them flavours unique to the area. Meals will be served with boiled rice. You may wish to accompany your meal with a Fresh Toddy a local tequila like spirit.
Some local delicacies
Kerala Fish/ Prawn Curry – A Keralan signature dish
Sambar – A Dal based vegetarian curry.
Fish moli – A fish stew
Panamas – A rice pudding type dish.
Karimeen pollichathu – Fish wrapped in banana leaves
Where to Eat
You will be spoilt for choice, resorts will normally offer international cuisine, and locally you will find many good inexpensive restaurants and cafes to choose from, look out for where the locals are eating, always a good sign of great food. One cultural experience will be using your hands to eat, this is the norm across India, it can take some practice to master the technique, restaurants always have a sink available to wash your hands before and after your meal and remember to only use your right hand to eat.
Alcohol
Please note not all places / hotels are licensed to sell alcohol. This can be purchased at local government shops (wine shops) or from a hotel bar with a government license. Your private driver in Kerala will guide you as to where you can purchase alcohol, note the minimum age to purchase it is 21 years old.
Some Food Safety tips.
Carry Hand Sanitiser with you and use regularly
Eat food that is freshly cooked and served hot.
Avoid salads and raw food
Wash fruit before eating
Only drink from sealed bottles and cans
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