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Weather
If you have a choice, winter is the best time to visit most
areas of South Asia. South of the Himalayas, South Asian weather
is warm to very hot. Hot, humid regions like Bangladesh and central,
eastern, and southern India are somewhat more comfortable in December
through February. Hot, dry regions like Pakistan and northern
India have pleasant weather from October to March, with the winter
months cool enough for light woolens. The worst weather in the
dry regions, when heat and dust can make sight-seeing or other
outdoor activity a chore, is during the pre-monsoon period from
approximately April through mid-July.
Health
In the United States, local health departments, the Centers
for Disease Control & Prevention (CDC), private doctors, and
travel clinics can provide information on health precautions for
travelers to South Asia. Depending on your destination, immunization
is recommended against cholera, diphtheria/tetanus, hepatitis,
Japanese B encephalitis, meningitis, polio, and typhoid. Drug
prophylaxis against malaria may also be necessary. General guidance
may also be found in the booklet, Health Information for International
Travel, which is available for $7 from the U.S. Government Printing
Office, Washington, DC 20402, or from local, or state health departments.
The CDC has an international travelers hotline that can be reached
at 404-332-4559.
Travelers should be careful to drink only boiled water (bottled
water is not always safe) or bottled drinks, to avoid ice cubes
in beverages and unpeeled fruits and vegetables, to take precautions
against mosquitoes, and to guard against overexertion at high
altitudes. Trekkers and mountain climbers, in particular, should
take precautions to avoid frostbite, hypothermia, and altitude
sickness. The latter two can be fatal if not detected in time.
Modern health facilities are not always available, particularly
in rural areas. Prospective travelers should review their health
insurance policies to see if they provide coverage while overseas,
including medical evacuation service.
Visas and Other Entry Requirements
A U.S. passport is required for travel to all countries in the
region. Most South Asian countries also require entry visas. Travel
to certain areas of many South Asian countries is restricted and
special permits may be required for these areas in addition to
the entry visa. Prospective travelers should contact the embassy
or consulate of the country they plan to visit for specific information
(see list of foreign embassies at end of document).
All South Asian countries require travelers who have been in
yellow-fever infected areas within the last six days to show valid
yellow-fever immunization certificates. Yellow fever is found
in some African and some Latin American countries. If you plan
to travel from Africa or Latin America directly to South Asia,
check with the embassy of the South Asian country where you are
going to see if a yellow-fever certificate is required. If the
certificate is required and you do not have it, you will be refused
entry unless you are inoculated and kept in quarantine for up
to six days.
Currency and Customs Regulations
Most South Asian countries require that foreign currency and
valuables be declared upon entry as a means of enforcing restrictions
on the importation of items such as gold, electronic equipment,
firearms, and prescription drugs. Failure to make an accurate
declaration or other violations of these restrictions can lead
to high fines and/or imprisonment.
Shopping for Antiques
Most South Asian countries have strict regulations against the
unlicensed export of antiquities. Items that are antique, or even
appear to be, may be confiscated by customs officials unless the
traveler has proof of authorization from the appropriate government
office to export the antique, or proof that the item is not an
antique.
U.S. Wildlife Regulations
The United States prohibits importation of Asian ivory because
Asian elephants are an endangered species. Most lizardskin and
many snakeskin products cannot be brought into the United States.
The penalty for importing products derived from endangered species
is seizure of the product and a substantial fine.
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