Questions and Answers for Secret Project’s Textile Exploration to South India

1. Visa – India asks people to have a visa secured before they travel. Different countries have different visa offerings at differing prices. Please do the research early on regarding what visas are offered to people of your nationality. The e-visa system is ever changing so we are unable to give advice on visa related issues. Make sure your e-visa covers your arrival and duration of the trip. However, we can say that this is the official Indian visa website for people wanting to travel to India.  https://indianvisaonline.gov.in/  

2. Traveling before or after Secret Projects trip – in the past customers on this trip have travelled before and after our exploration and had a wonderful time. Lesley or Fritha would be happy to chat through your plans and if we have any, share contacts that might help your journey.  

3. Mobile phone / mobile data – The use of mobile phones in India has transformed over the last decade and even for local people the use of mobile phones to pay for things is commonplace. Certainly, on our last trip we felt that customers travelling with mobile phones and affordable reliable mobile data opened up safe and exciting exploration in the places we visited e.g. jumping in your own uber and exploring places on your own. We recommend https://saily.com/  for affordable mobile roaming data in India.  

4. Money – Whilst India is opening up to card payments and mobile phone payments, cash is still very useful. We always suggest bringing your own currency with you and changing it in India. We have a trusted foreign exchange person that will come to the hotel before our welcome dinner and change   money. We will ask before we travel what currency everyone is bringing, and we can then ensure he knows and comes prepared. In the past we have easily changed US dollars, NZ dollars and Pounds sterling with him. It is important to note that India does use GooglePay for lots of transactions, but you need an Indian GooglePay account for it to work.  

5. What to bring – Lesley will send around a comprehensive packing list but what we have found is it is definitely worth coming to India with plenty of space in your suitcase. Our exploration offers many opportunities to shop, and customers have been known to buy whole new wardrobes of clothes and suitcases full of fabrics to take home and create with.  

6. Covering up – It is important to be culturally respectful when entering temples. Please have your shoulders covered.  

7. Food – The main concerns people have about Indian food is the spiciness. In our experience if you ask for no spice or less spice this can be easily accommodated. The food is delicious and one of the highlights of the exploration. 

8. Before you travel – you will be asked by Lesley to provide the emergency contact number for your insurance company and your policy number. You will also be asked for contact details of next of kin.  

9. Vaccinations - we cannot advise on this subject. We suggest talking to your doctor or local medical centre.  

10. Waiver – when you arrive in India, we ask you to sign a simple waiver that confirms you are traveling at your own risk