We recommend you change money in Delhi before travelling to Himachal. There are several exchange booths at the International Airport. If you are staying overnight in Delhi, you will get better exchange rates at banks and moneychangers around Connaught Place and Paharganj. Delhi also has ATMs for most international cards.
Once you get to Bir, the nearest place where you can change cash or traveller's cheques is Western Union in our local village or Dharamsala (2 hours taxi ride away). The nearest State Bank of India ATM is in Paprola (30 mins by taxi). It accepts most - but not all - overseas cards. State Bank also has ATMs in Dharamsala, Palampur and Joginder Nagar. Dharamsala also has a Western Union office which gives credit card cash advances with a 3% charge.
Cash requirements vary. If you wish to make offerings, travel away on weekends, or shop for clothes/souvenirs in Delhi or Dharamsala, you need to allow for that. To give a rough idea of local prices:
Hotel room in Dharamsala (average) - Rs.300
Taxi to Dharamsala (one way/rtn) - Rs.850/100
Taxi to Palampur (oneway/rtn) - Rs.350/400
Meal out in Bir - Rs.50-70
Cup of tea - Rs.5
Bunch of bananas - Rs.30
Bag of fresh-ground coffee (Dharamsala) - Rs.170
Mobile phone calls (local, per month minimum) - Rs.200
Pair of flip flops - Rs.60
We recommend switching your mobile to roaming while you travel.
If you wish to have a local mobile connection, it is recommended to bring a GSM unlocked mobile phone. Once you arrive in Himachal, local Sim cards (Rs. 250) are available. Calls then start from Rs.1 per minute (local).
Internet cafes are available in Bir village (Rs.40 per hour).
Travel medical insurance and vaccinations for India are strongly recommended.
There is a small medical clinic in Bir, which can deal with minor issues or refer you on to a doctor. There is also a Tibetan medical clinic in the village. There are a hospital and diagnostic centre in the nearby town of Palampur, and more specialist facilities further afield in Mandi and Chandigarh. We would suggest you bring a good supply of any prescribed medicine.
The weather is very cold in winter, December - February (down jacket and thermals required). It then warms up and is fairly cool and dry through March - April. May and June are warm (25-30 Celsius), then rainy season is from late June until early September. Autumn, September - November, is usually cool and dry.
Flip flops
Water bottle
Adaptor and special batteries for any electrical items
Towel and toiletries
Torch (flashlight)
A set of smart clothes for special occasions
A basic selection of toiletries and everyday items is available from local shops in Bir. Dharamsala, a two hour taxi ride away, caters more for tourists. Specialty foods, clothing and most of the items listed above are also available there.