1. Foreigners who wish to overstay should contact the nearest Foreigners’ Regional Registration Officer or the Sadar Police Station in the town.
2. Unleaded petrol is available at select stations only.
3. Where available, it is advisable to use pre-paid taxis/ auto rickshaws or, pay by meter or ask for the fare chart.
4. Himachal has an enormous range of weather conditions. Most areas of Bilaspur, Una, Solan, Sirmour, Hamirpur and Kangra are largely warm to hot in summer, and mild to pleasant in winter. The district of Chamba, Kinnaur, Kullu, Shimla and Lahaul and Spiti are mild to pleasant in summer and cold in winter. Do check the type of clothing and other equipment you may require for the region you are visiting.
5. Stay only in hotel/guesthouses that are registered with the Department of Tourism. A certificate to this effect is prominently displayed by them.
6. In the main tourist centers, the rates of porters are fixed. For hiring porters and pack animals, especially for treks, these are normally negotiated. Let the Department of Tourism help you.
7. Stop at Government emporia. Prices are reasonable and quality assured. Himachal Emporium outlets are located at Bilaspur, Chamba, Dharamshala, Mandi, Kullu, Keylong, Kinnaur, Recong Peo, Nahan, Solan, Arki and Shimla. Outside the state, these are at New Delhi, Mumbai, Bangalore and Chandigarh. You can also buy directly from craftsmen located throughout Himachal. But if you plan to carry them overseas, do take a receipt for Customs.
8. For electrical appliances, check voltage, 220 V is the standard in the state.
9. For sightseeing and excursions, contact Himachal Tourism offices, or Government Approved Travel Agents and Tour Operators. The HPTDC has its own fleet of coaches and taxis.
10. Some buildings and monuments require permission for photography and filming. Contact the nearest Tourism office or the concerned District Administration for guidance and assistance.
11. Change money only at authorized Foreign Exchange Outlets/Banks/Hotels. Insist on receipt for money changed.
12. Credit cards are accepted at most shops, restaurants and hotel in the main towns. Their use is minimal outside them and all payments are in cash.
13. Normal banking hours are 10 am to 2 pm from Monday to Fridays, and 10 am to noon on Saturdays. Some banks also have evening counters but these rarely deal in foreign currency. Bank remain closed on Sundays and Gazetted Holidays.
14. If a document is lost immediately contact the nearest Tourism Office or Police Station.
15. Dispose all litter carefully. The use of plastic bags is banned in Himachal.
16. Keep your valuable in hotel lockers/ safe deposit vaults.
17. STD/ISD/FAX facilities are available at small booths throughout the state.
18. For medical assistance contact Government hospitals and dispensaries or accredited nursing homes/ clinics/ hospitals.
19. Observe local traditions and custom especially while visiting religious places. Contact your nearest Tourist office or your hotel for guidance.
20. Smoking is not allowed in public vehicles/public places.
21. For guide maps and information contact Himachal Tourism offices.
22. Inform the local adminstration while go for trekking in the areas/routes of tribal districts and other parts of the state. Before undertaking the adventure activities like trekking, river rafting, paragliding, local authorities such as SDM, Police, tourism offices etc. should be informed in advance and permission may be taken wherever required.
23. Foreign national require Inner Line Permits (ILP) to visit certain areas of Kinnaur and Lahaul-Spiti districts bordering Tibet. The permits are issued by SDM’s at Reckong Peo, Kaza, Keylong, Udaipur, Manali, Shimla and Deputy Commissioner’s office at Shimla, Reckong Peo, Keylong, Kullu and by Resident Commissioner of Himachal Pradesh at Himachal Bhawan New Delhi-Ph: +91-11-23716574, 23716125.
24. Always keep identity card/pass port with yourself while travelling. While visiting interior tourist places, please enquire about local authority contacts.
Don’ts
1. Don’t leave non-biodegradable litter behind. The use of Polythene is banned in Himachal Pradesh.
2. Don’t encourage beggars.
3. Don’t be coerced in to shopping or sightseeing tours by touts, taxi drivers or strangers. Let the Department of Tourism, the Himachal Pardesh Tourism Development Corporation help you. Don’t trust strangers, trust your hotel.
4. Don’t buy articles made from rare or endangered species or animals.
5. Don’t disfigure or scribble on rocks, trees, building etc.
6. Avoid narcotics, essentially everything from ‘soft drugs’ such as marijuana to ‘hard drugs’ such as opium & heroin, both during travel and at hill tribe villages. There are severe penalties for such usage.
7. Aviod trading western medicines and articles of clothing. Contribution to their welfare, items such as pens, papers, needles, thread, cloth and material used for embroidery are perfectly acceptable.
8. Don’t stand at the edge of cliff or on the boulder near the bank of river for photographs etc. The current of river in Himachal Pradesh is very strong.
9. Females may not be photographed without their consent.
10. Don’t eat anything offered by fellow travellers on bus/train or road travellers. It might have sleeping pills.