+91 80767 80812 enquiries@thefolktales.com

FAQs

Are your tours flexible?

Yes absolutely. When you read and contact us for one of our tours via the website, we will ask you for your interests. Based on that, we can add/ remove activities to customize the tour, accommodations, and transportation further. Whether you are inclined towards cooking or textiles or tribes or DIY, we have a large number of activities in our kitty to craft an amazing holiday for you.

How long will it take to customize my holiday?

It is fairly quick. Customization doesn’t mean that you have to go through lengthy communication. We usually respond to your first email within 24-hours with a few questions, holiday suggestions, and a budget based on your inquiry. Once you review the options and let us know your requirements, we take no more than 48-hours to get back with a customized holiday. We are also available to call you back for quick feedback and updates to your holiday itinerary.

What kind of accommodations do you provide?

We work in line with our sustainability practices and provide comfortable accommodations in India where warmth and personal connection is the first priority. This includes homestays (in cities and villages), palaces, and small boutique accommodations that help you immerse in the character of the destination you visit. You will always have a private room and a restroom in all accommodations.

All the accommodations we provide are clean, hygienic, and safe, and personally audited by our team. We choose the accommodations in such a way that your holiday empower the local communities directly. To know more about how your holiday benefits the communities socially and economically, please read our Sustainable travel policy

What is the food like?

We understand that hygiene is as important as taste. We give special attention to the meals served to you at all the accommodations, be it the homestays or boutique hotels. The raw material is sourced locally thus ensuring that the income goes directly to the locals.

Whether you are a vegetarian or a non-vegetarian, there are plenty of options available on all our holidays. We generally serve you local dishes so that you get a taste of the culture directly from the family’s kitchen. This takes your overall experience to a whole new level.

Are your tours physically stressful?

Not really! We customize the activities based on your age and acceptance of physical stress. But in general, all our holidays are planned and executed at a leisurely pace that is comfortable for you. After all, holidays are meant to rejuvenate us, not exhaust us. Isn’t it?

What is the best time to visit India?

Most foreign nationals visit India between September and March when the weather is cool and dry with pleasant sunshine. However, India is a destination that you can visit all around the year.

Best time to visit North India

Generally speaking, September to April is the best time to visit North India. High altitude regions such as Ladakh and Spiti are great in the months of July, August, and September when you can experience beautiful sunshine. This is also a good time to visit Uttarakhand and Punjab. Uttarakhand’s orchards are filled with ripe fruits between April and June, but the flowering starts much before. This is a good time for short treks also. Please check our customized holidays in North India.

Best time to visit West India

West India is extremely hot and dry during the summers, so it is best to visit the states of Rajasthan and Gujarat between September and March. Please check our customized holidays in West India.

Best time to visit North East India

The seven states of North East India are great to visit all around the year except between May and September when they are swamped by torrential rains. The weather is usually cool all-day. Please check our customized holidays in North East India.

Do I need vaccinations to Visit India?

  • This data is based on recommendations by –
    Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), USA
  • World Health Organization (WHO)
  • National Center for Biotechnology Information (NCBI), USA
  • Office of Indian e-visa

This is a comprehensive list of vaccinations recommended. However, you may not need all. Please check with your physician which vaccinations you need based on your health status, age, and travel history.

  • Measles
  • Diptheria-Tetanus-Pertussis
  • Measles-Mumps-Rubella (MMR)
  • Hepatitis A & B
  • Typhoid
  • Cholera
  • Malaria
  • Japanese Encephalitis
  • Rabies
  • Yellow Fever

Do you recommend a travel insurance for India?

Yes, we suggest that you get travel insurance to cover you and your travel companions for the duration of the holiday in India. We recommend World Nomads or Globelink, but you can also get it from any other insurance company in your country.

How can I get tourist visa for India?

Most foreign nationals arriving in India as tourists need a visa. Please check with the Indian consulate, high commission, or embassy in your country for your specific mandates. You can also get the Indian e-visa via an online application at the official website.

When should I apply for an Indian e-visa?

The Indian office of e-visa recommends that you apply at least 30-days before the date of your arrival in India. You can expect to get the confirmation within 4-days of your application.

How long can I stay in India on a tourist e-visa?

You can get an Indian e-visa for 30-days, 1-year, and 5-years. We suggest that you check with the Indian consulate in your country for your requirement.

Is India safe for female travelers?

There are cultural differences, which is true for any country you visit. But India may not be called a dangerous country. In general, as a female traveler, you will not face any unsafe or aggressive behavior.
It may be a wrong question to ask whether ‘India is safe’. Any place can be unsafe, but with common sense and caution, your holiday in India can be the same as in any other country. It is not about WHERE you travel, but HOW you travel.

On a holiday with us, you will be looked after right from the time you land. We not only provide you safe and comfortable transportation and accommodations but also give you regular tips while you are on the tour. This helps you become aware of the cultural nuances and situations to avoid.

Can a foreigner get a SIM card in India?

Yes, there are various ways you can get a SIM card in India.

  • Buy a SIM card at the airport – You will find kiosks of either Jio or Airtel or Vodafone-Idea at the arrival terminal. The process to get a SIM card is quick and easy once you submit a copy of your passport and a photograph with the address of the place you will stay at. The activation may take 24-hours or more.
  • Buy a SIM card from a reseller in the city – Visit one of the authorized centers that sell SIM cards and submit the documents. This process is cheaper and SIM activation takes lesser time.

Some pre-requisites –

  • The service provider you choose depends on the region you are traveling to. Usually, Airtel works best in most regions but it is advisable that you check with us.
  • Ensure that your phone is unlocked.
  • Most android smartphones can accommodate two SIM cards. This way you can use the SIM card of your country for WhatsApp, and an Indian SIM card for calling.

Caution –

  • Avoid SIM cards that are pre-activated in someone else’s name.

I am all set. How do I book?

It is as easy as a breeze. Once you find a holiday on our website that best suits your interest and the region you want to visit in India, fill-up the form to send us an enquiry with your questions or customization requests. The more details you give about your preferences, the better it will be for us to quickly send you an itinerary that perfectly fits the frame.

We will respond within 24-hours after your first enquiry. We don’t shy away from tweaking the holiday as many times as it is required. What’s important is that you get the holiday you are looking for in your budget.

Once you give us an email acceptance, we will lock the final itinerary and send you the proforma invoice and payment options. Technology has made it very easy to send money globally. We usually suggest a direct bank transfer because it will be the cheapest for you. But you can also choose to pay by either PayPal or Transferwise.

Once we receive your payment, we will immediately reserve the accommodations, transportation, flights, and trains for you. So the more time we get, the better it is. Unless there is an exigency, we recommend that you make all reservations at least 45 days before the date of travel.

<form><script src="https://checkout.razorpay.com/v1/payment-button.js" data-payment_button_id="pl_Kc2XsAOmz6lCfQ" async> </script> </form>

Proceed Booking