Northern India & Nepal

The below provides an overview of Tauck's requirements and those of the countries we visit, along with our supplier partners who have implemented their own Covid policies that may go beyond Tauck's requirements. The trip-specific guidelines are for U.S. travelers.

Up-to-date destination entry requirements will be posted 60 days prior to the first seasonal departure for each tour or cruise series. For journeys not yet posted below, please visit our Travel Requirements page. As entry requirement change frequently, please check often.

Tauck 2024 Covid Policy

For 2024 tours and cruises, Tauck has no remaining Covid requirements. There is no vaccination requirement or travel pledge to be signed. This 2024 policy could change if there is a surge in infection rates or other factors that could impact the safety of our guests and employees.

Tauck 2023 Covid Policy

• Vaccination Requirement: All Tauck guests age 12 and older must be fully vaccinated. Additionally, you must have had at least one booster dose and/or have proof of recovery from Covid.
• Requirements for Minors: Though highly recommended, vaccination for minors age 11 and under is not required by Tauck. However, if unvaccinated they must present a negative result from either a PCR or antigen test taken within 3 days of departing for their Tauck trip. If a child age 11 or under is vaccinated but not boosted, they must also present a negative test prior to their Tauck trip.
• Tauck Travel Agreement: Tauck requires all guests to sign our Travel Well Pledge. Your Tauck Director will provide this document for your signature on the first day of your trip, and will check your proof of vaccination and booster/or proof of recovery. Additional information can be found at here.

To ensure the safety of your fellow travelers and the communities we visit, all guests must follow health and safety protocols when necessitated by local health guidance or our supplier partners. Your Tauck Director will keep you informed of these local requirements.

Although not required by Tauck, some countries may require a pre-travel Covid test. It is important that you carefully check the most recent entry requirements (listed below) for your tour or cruise. 

Additional Destination Requirements

Your health and safety remain our number one priority while you are traveling with us on Northern India & Nepal. The below travel requirements are mandated by the country of India and Nepal, and are applicable to all Tauck guests without exception:

• For all 2023 travel, all Tauck guests age 12 and older must be fully vaccinated. Additionally, you must have had at least one booster dose and/or have proof of recovery from Covid. Although highly recommended, vaccination for minors age 11 and under is not required by Tauck. However, if unvaccinated they must present a negative result from either a PCR or antigen test taken within 3 days of departing for their Tauck trip. If a child age 11 or under is vaccinated but not boosted, they must also present a negative test prior to their Tauck trip.
• We strongly encourage guests to check the requirements for any transit/layover destinations that will be part of your journey.

For entry into India:

• All travelers must bring proof of full Covid vaccination. Use the same proof as described above.

For entry into Nepal:

• All travelers must bring proof of full Covid vaccination. Use the same proof as described above.

For return to the United States:

• The US no longer has any specific Covid entry requirements.

Final entry requirements will be clearly outlined in your Personal Travel Documents

See your travel advisor, or call Tauck at 800-468-2825 to make a reservation.

At the time of booking, please have the following information ready for all members of your party:

• Tour Name and Departure Date
• Traveler's Name: First and last names as they appear on your passport or driver's license
• Traveler's Address(es)
• Email Address*
  
• Traveler's Phone Number(s)*
• Emergency Contact Information: Please provide the name and phone number of a relative or friend (not travelling with you) whom we could contact during the tour in the unlikely event of an emergency
• Interest in purchasing a travel protection plan (US and Canada)
• Interest in extending your trip by staying in a Tauck recommended hotel before your trip begins or after it ends
• Interest in our specially negotiated airfares

* Required Fields

Deposit Information

The deposit and the fees for the optional Protection Plan or Cancel Fee Waiver [CFW] coverage are due at time of booking. Your deposit is $1,000.

Final Payment

Final Payment is due to Tauck 60 days before departure for lands trips, and 120 days before departure for cruises and rail journeys. If your deposit was made by credit card, final payment will be automatic unless you opted out at time of booking. Bookings without full payment at this time may be subject to cancellation without notice. Failure to make payment will be a considered a cancellation by the guest and all applicable cancellation fees will apply.

Effective for plans purchased as of July 1, 2021:

Tauck's Guest Protection

Tauck's Guest Protection provides you with cancellation protection before your journey begins as well as insurance benefits while you are traveling. Guest Protection includes the following:

Cancellation Waiver – Provided by Tauck:

Under Tauck's Cancellation Fee Waiver you can cancel your tour for ANY REASON up to the day before departure and receive a money-back refund (except in Extreme Circumstances*) on the land tour cost, based on your original method of payment.

*Extreme Circumstances: In the event of an act of God, war (whether declared or undeclared), terrorism, accident, natural disaster, outbreak of disease, or other event or circumstance beyond our control that contributes to or results in cancellation rates above our historical cancellation rates in the absence of such event or occurrence, Tauck reserves the right to issue a credit to you in lieu of a money-back refund, applicable to a future Tauck journey.

Travel Insurance Benefits – Underwritten by United States Fire Insurance Company.

• Trip Cancellation – If you must cancel your tour due to a covered reason, the plan provides coverage for the amount you paid for your travel arrangements. Since the non-insurance cancellation waiver takes care of the land package cancellation fees already, this benefit reimburses the airfare cancellation charges up to the value of your original airfare purchase.
  
  
• Trip Interruption – If you have to interrupt your tour for covered reasons, the plan provides reimbursement to catch up to your tour or return home.
  
  
• Travel Delay – Provides reimbursement for missed, prepaid travel arrangements if you are delayed by a common carrier, natural disaster, unannounced strike, or other reasons as cited in the plan.
  
  
• Medical Expense – Reimburses covered medical expenses incurred in the event you become injured or sick during your trip. 
  
  
• Baggage / Personal Effects Protection – Provides reimbursement in the event your luggage or personal effects are, lost, stolen, damaged or delayed during your trip.

• Worldwide Emergency Assistance Services – Provided by Carefree Travel Assistance; 24-hour emergency telephone assistance hotline for medical and travel related problems.

The cost of Tauck's Guest Protection is: $799 per person

This protection provides insurance coverage that applies only during the covered trip. You may have coverage from other sources that provides you with similar benefits but may be subject to different restrictions depending upon your other coverages. You may wish to compare the terms of this policy with your existing life, health, home and automobile policies. If you have any questions about your current coverage, call your insurer, insurance agent or broker.

This optional Guest Protection must be requested at time of booking and fee must be included with initial payment. Fees are based on costs as of July 1, 2021, and are subject to change. Details will be provided with written confirmation of your tour reservation. Guest Protection does not protect travel agent commissions. Reimbursements will be made according to original method of payment. The amount of any refund shall be reduced by any recoveries obtained by you from any third parties.

The Guest Protection plan waives cancellation fees outlined below, provided we are notified of cancellation before your tour departs. Tour cancellation fees are waived regardless of reason, without written notice, and Tauck will refund land tour cost.

To obtain your state-specific Certificate of Insurance that contains the complete terms, conditions, limitations and exclusions of the certificate, visit  affinitytravelcert.com/docs/TACGPPINTL.

If you cancel within 10 days of initial deposit

Within the first 10 days after you place your initial deposit, you may cancel your reservation for any reason with no cancellation fees.

If you cancel more than 10 days after initial deposit

Regardless of reason, cancellations result in costly charges from our travel and hotel providers covering penalties and fees incurred by canceling confirmed bookings. These fees vary from tour to tour. Therefore, the following fees apply.

Cancellation Fees with Tauck's Guest Protection Plan:

Loss of Guest Protection fee, per person 

Cancellation Fees without Tauck's Guest Protection Plan:

60 days or more before departure = $1000 per person

59-8 days before departure = $1500 per person

7-1 days before departure = $2000 per person

Time of cancellation will be when notice is received in our Wilton Woods, CT office.

In the event of an unforeseen circumstance beyond our control, Tauck reserves the right to amend the cancellation terms outlined herein.

Note: All Guests, regardless of residency, who book a Tauck journey have the option of purchasing the Cancellation Waiver provided by Tauck in the event they need to cancel their trip after making their reservations. Tauck's Guest Protection, which includes both the Cancellation Fee Waiver and the Travel Insurance Benefits and Assistance Services described above, is not available to residents of Puerto Rico.

Click here to find Tauck's Travel Terms & Conditions.

Tauck Care and Global Response

Keeping our guests safe and secure has always been of paramount importance at Tauck. While we cannot predict or prevent events outside of our control, we have learned to expect the unexpected. In fact, we've planned for it and have safeguards, protocols and teams in place to deal with any eventualities. You'll travel with a comprehensive, built-in support system that starts with the care and local knowledge of our Tauck Directors and extends to our network of partners around the world, including hoteliers and transportation companies.

Our Global Response Team stands ready to respond to situations around the world. Over the past two decades, they have successfully led us through a variety of challenges around the world, from weather events, high and low water on rivers, work stoppages and more. We are well prepared for Covid. We provide assurance and comfort in knowing that help is readily available if and when it's ever needed.

Land Journeys:

Tauck has worked closely with our supplier partners around the world to deliver the comfort and safety you expect. The following are just some of the enhanced protocols we have put in place for Covid to provide you with the peace of mind you expect:

We are limiting guests numbers across all of our journeys

• Upon arrival, health questionnaires and temperature checks may be required

• Guest can expect to wear face coverings in group settings and when mandated by our suppliers and governments

•  Proper physical distancing will be implemented on motor coaches, during dining and sightseeing

•  High-touch areas in hotels and on-tour transportation, including motor coaches, will undergo enhanced cleaning

These protocols may vary by destination and will evolve over time. Please check for the latest updates at tauck.com/travel-updates

AIRFARE: Airfare to and from this destination is not included in the journey cost. If purchasing your air elsewhere, it is very important to provide us with your confirmed arriving and departing flight information no later than 3 weeks before your arrival date. Flight information can be submitted to Tauck (or verified, if you've already provided it) in the My Account section of Tauck.com.

TAUCK AIRPORT TRANSFERS are included at the start and end of the journey between the airport and the Tauck hotel. Airport transfers are available for any pre tour or post tour hotel stays immediately consecutive to the tour, providing flight information is received in the Tauck office no later than three weeks in advance. Details on locating your transfer upon arrival to the tour start city will be included in your final documents.

AIRLINES and CHECKED LUGGAGE: Due to space limitations during your Tauck journey, we ask that you please limit your checked luggage to one average-size suitcase per person. Besides complying with the Tauck restriction noted above, you should also be sure to research and comply with all airline baggage restrictions relating to your flights to and from your Tauck journey. Airlines have become much more strict in enforcing size and weight limits in recent years, and are free to revise luggage policies without notice. Researching and complying with airline luggage restrictions is the responsibility of the guest, and Tauck cannot be held responsible for any costs or disruptions to travel caused by the failure to research and comply with airline policies. PLEASE NOTE that if you are booked on a tour that includes on-tour flights, the checked luggage weight restrictions for these flights may be lower than the weight restrictions for your international flights.

Special Luggage Restrictions for this Tour  

To help in your packing, we are pleased to provide you with a special Tauck duffel bag. If you are a resident of the U.S., your bag will be sent to you two weeks prior to your departure date. If you reside outside of the U.S., you will receive your bag upon arrival in India because customs regulations prohibit the easy delivery of the duffel bags in advance. Packing an overnight bag on these occasions will ensure the safe and timely arrival of your luggage at your next destination, and we appreciate your cooperation in this matter.

For your convenience during your seven-night stay in Nepal (Days 3 - 10) and due to luggage restrictions on the flights to and from Kathmandu on a regional airline, we are providing you with this special duffel will be your primary luggage and should be used for clothing, toiletries and other essentials during this time.

In addition to the Tauck duffel which will be your checked piece of luggage for these overnights, you will be allowed to bring ONE piece of carry-on luggage aboard your intra-tour flights weighing no more than 15 pounds (7 kg) and with maximum dimensions of 21" x 13.75" x 10" (55 cm x 35 cm x 25 cm). 

Checked Luggage – General

Due to space restrictions, we ask that you please limit your checked luggage to one suitcase per person weighing no more than 50 pounds (23 kg) and with overall dimensions (length + width + height) not exceeding 62 inches (158 cm).

Besides complying with the Tauck restriction noted above, you should also be sure to research and comply with all airline baggage restrictions relating to your flights to and from your Tauck journey. Airlines have become much more strict in enforcing size and weight limits in recent years, and luggage exceeding airline standards for size or weight may result in expensive overage fees or other consequences.

Airlines are free to revise luggage policies without notice, and certain airlines have different baggage allowances for different classes of service. Researching and complying with airline luggage restrictions is the responsibility of the guest, and Tauck cannot be held responsible for any costs or disruptions to travel caused by the failure to research and comply with airline policies.

Tauck luggage tags will be provided by your Tauck Director on Day 1 of your itinerary. Please do not attach a Tauck luggage tag to any carry-on items, as the Tauck tags designate luggage that is to be handled and transferred by ground operators and hotel staff during your journey.

Carry-on Luggage – General

Although oversize bags and wheeled, carry-on luggage are popular for airline travel, they are often not convenient or appropriate for motor coach travel or for many on-tour flights. Most modern sightseeing motor coaches offer limited space for numerous or larger items. Space under seats or in the overhead rack is typically small, and designed to accommodate items like coats, hats, purses, and small camera bags, etc.

For your day-to-day travel while on tour, we recommend that you limit your hand luggage to a small, soft-sided carry-on piece, and only those items you need handy during the day such as purses, make-up, medications, cameras, film, etc. Items too large to fit under the motor coach seat or in the overhead rack must be stored in the luggage bays beneath the motor coach, and may be inaccessible during daytime travel.

We have compiled a reading list of recommended books to give you more information about the destinations you will be traveling to on your upcoming journey!

You can view the reading list here.

The climate in India & Nepal can vary, depending on the location and the season of travel. During the winter months of December through February, the weather is dry with temperatures ranging in the mid 40 degrees F (approx. 4 degrees C) in the early morning and evening in the north, to the low to mid 70 degrees F (approx. 21 degrees C) during the day. In Mumbai, the temperatures range in the high 60 degrees F (approx. 15 degrees C). Temperatures in March and November are approximately 10 degrees warmer than in the winter, with March being slightly warmer than November. The weather in the months of September and October ranges from the mid to high 80 degrees F (approx. 26 degrees C) to the high 90 degrees F (approx. 32 degrees C) throughout the itinerary. Temperatures in Mumbai are warmer by 5 to 10 degrees.

India and Nepal are known for their rainy season, when monsoons make headlines. However, from October through March – the best time to travel – no more than one inch of rain per month on average falls on the cities we visit.

To determine current weather conditions, we suggest you log on to the Internet website, noaa.gov, by clicking here.

When packing for travel to India and Nepal, we suggest you select a wardrobe that is adaptable and allows for layering. In India, delicate fabrics do not stand up well to laundering facilities except at deluxe hotels. Plain cotton or cotton and synthetic blend clothing is the most practical and is the coolest in summer. It is best to avoid synthetic fabrics that do not "breathe". A hat with a wide brim will help protect you from the harsh sun. During the fall season, a collapsible umbrella comes in handy. During the winter months, sweaters and light jackets are necessary.

The temperatures in the national park can drop below freezing level at any time of year and the Jeep rides can be chilly. Several layers and a windbreaker may be necessary to remain comfortable.

For the welcome and farewell dinners, we recommend resort wear to suit a tropical climate.

Following is a list of recommended items to pack:

• Resort wear
• Skirt below the knee
• Loose slacks
• Trousers
• Shorts
• Short and long-sleeved shirts and blouses
• Scarf
• Light sweater
• Light waterproof jacket
• Swimwear
• Gym wear
• Sunglasses
• Sunscreen
• Wide-brimmed hat
• A pair of sturdy, yet comfortable, pre-worn walking shoes for uneven terrain
• A pair of easily removable shoes or sandals for entering temples and shrines
• Collapsible umbrella
• Toiletries, sundries, tissues
• Pre-moistened towelettes
• Handkerchiefs
• Antibacterial lotion
• Medication for allergies/aspirin/upset stomach/diarrhea
• Insect repellent
• Travel alarm/cell phone with alarm function (many hotels do not have clocks in the rooms)
• Camera, film, memory cards, chargers, batteries and other photography accessories
• Copies of your travel documents that should be secured in the safe in your hotel room while traveling

Please refer to the Necessary Gear website at www.necessarygear.com as one option available to you for renting and purchasing apparel, PPEs, and other items appropriate for your journey.

Please Note: Per the Indian Government, satellite phones are illegal to carry within the country. Individuals caught carrying a satellite phone are subject to arrest.