General Instructions:
Carry your wallet in an inside jacket pocket or side pocket of the trousers, never in the rear pocket.

Leave valuables and important papers, such as jewelry and passports, secured in your hotel's safe deposit box.

Never leave these items unattended in your room or carry large sums of cash on your person.

Be wary of unexpected persons coming to your hotel room. Never open the door to unsolicited room service or maintenance people.

Never leave luggage or other expensive items, unattended at airports, Bus Stands or taxi stands.

Wherever available, it is advisable to use pre-paid taxis/auto rickshaws or, pay by meter or ask for the fare chart.

In the main tourist centres, the rates of porters are fixed. For hiring porters and pack animals - especially for treks - these are normally negotiated.

In case of any theft/loss, immediately contact the nearest Police Station.

Guidelines for Foreigners:
All Foreign tourists visiting the State (Distt) should seek help of authorised travel agencies only.
(Find our trusted agent here)

Foreigners wishing to stay overnight must stay only at authorised guest houses / hotels. They are required by Law to fillup form-C and it is the duty of the host to such foreigners to supply this information within 24 hours to the concerned Police Station.

In case you are interested in trekking please move in groups of atleast 5 persons and inform the nearest Police Station of your proposed trekking route. Engage only registered porters/guides while undertaking treks. It is advisable to go for trekking on routes identified for this purpose by the HP Tourism Department and halt at the designated camping places only.

Please exchange foreign currency only at authorised places.

It is safer to carry travellers cheques and limited amount of cash while touring.

All tourist are advised to stay away from drugs and drug dealers and refrain from indulging in any illegal activity.

Foreigners who wish to overstay, should contact the nearest Foreigners' Regional Registration Office or the Sadar Police Station in the towns.

Some areas in Himachal Pradesh have been designated as protected areas and are not open to foreigners without permits.

Traffic Restrictions in Shimla:
Due to limited road volume, Shimla town has several traffic restrictions.

Sealed roads:
No vehicle (except for the fire brigade, police vehicles on duty and ambulance) can move on these road. The sealed portions are :-

US club to Central Telegraph Office (Sections of the Mall Road)

Regal cinema to the Ridge

Ritz cinema to the Scandal Point

Chalet Day Chowk to the Lift

Scandal Point to AG's Office

Restricted Roads:
Only vehicles with permits can move on these roads. The restricted roads include :-

Chotta Shimla Chowk to Chalet Day Chowk.

Central Telegraph Office to Boileaugunj.

Lakkar Bazaar (Police Post) to Sanjauli Chowk.

For permits contact the office of District Magistrate Shimla

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