The Essential Travel Guide to India - India Someday Travels

If you’re planning a trip to India anytime soon, there are some tidbits of information you should know beforehand. India is a land of surprises. There are different cultures, climates, flavours, languages and aromas at every turn. So it’s best you prepare yourself, so you can enjoy every minute of your trip. Here are some travel tips that you can use while preparing for India.

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Cultural Khichdi

India can be best described as an explosion of cultures. People from various religions, backgrounds, regional communities and ethnicities coexist in this subcontinent. If you’re in Mumbai, you will find a neighbourhood that has a mosque, church, temple and even synagogue right next to each other. There are festival parades running parallel to one another and everybody gets to celebrate the others’ holidays. It’s important to do a little research about the area you are visiting and prevalent cultural norms, whether they are food choices or daily attire. It is important to be respectful and mindful of how people live here.

Safety Measures: Know whom to trust

India has had some really bad press lately with growing crime rates in some parts of the country, especially when it comes to violence against women. Often, the question ‘is it safe to travel to India now?’ has arisen for many travellers. The answer is, yes, it is safe. But it is important to travel with caution, which is something a traveller must do in any part of the world. Travelling at odd hours is a no-no. Speak to your travel agents about areas that are easier to navigate solo and which areas to avoid. Having said that, most Indian families are very hospitable and polite and even the layperson on the road will help you with directions.

Budgeting

India is great for budget travellers as well as leisurely holidayers. Whether you want to backpack up the mountains of Leh and Ladakh or go surfing in Udipi, there are many group tours that map out your ideal adventure. If you are looking for royal treatment, you can go to the palatial hotels of Rajasthan and get a taste of the royal heritage that India has to offer. If you want to laze on the beach and have delicious seafood and coastal fare, who needs to spend a small fortune to go to the Bahamas when you have beautiful Goa?. There’s something here to suit everyone’s pocket.

Pack for the Region and Season

India has all sorts of terrains — deserts, mountains, forests, coastal towns, landlocked cities and grasslands. Couple that with a wide array of weather conditions — snow, rain, heat, humidity, dryness, haze and fog — and it’s going to be a very physically overwhelming journey if you are not prepared. A handy travel tip is to check the weather forecast of the place you are visiting. Get a lay of the land and pack your clothes accordingly. If you are travelling up North, you’ll need a jacket. If it’s the south, then light cottons are your best friend. If you’re travelling in the winter to Mumbai, a light shawl is enough. And if you are willing to be adventurous and visit during the monsoon, pack a raincoat.

Learn some helpful phrases

Indians love it when tourists try to blend in and speak the local lingo. Of course, it’s also amusing to them because your accent will mangle up the words a bit. But once you get the hang of it, learning some phrases will keep you in good stead wherever you go. While Hindi is the national language and most of the country communicates in Hindi, there are some states, especially in the South, that converse in regional languages. Learn the basics: “Where can I get food and water?”, “Is there a restroom nearby?”, “How much does this cost?” and “How can I reach this location?” questions in the local language of the place you’re going to and you’re set. And worry not, most people all over the country understand and speak English too.

Modern Indian cities and nightlife

A lot of people think India is a land of snakes and mystics and forget that it is actually a very modernised and culturally progressive country. While the villages and deep hinterland are likely to stick to older traditions and are modest and conservative, the cities are modern and easy to assimilate into. So if you’re looking for a fun, youthful party atmosphere, head to cities like Mumbai or states like Goa. Everything is easily reachable, whether it’s a restaurant, club, bar or theatre. If you want to go shopping there are umpteen marketplaces – ranging from malls to roadside shops. And there is a vibrant nightlife that parties on till the wee hours too. Don’t knock it till you try it.

These travel guidelines should be good enough to get you going on your travel plans to India. Remember, it’ll take more than one trip to soak everything in. So don’t be in a hurry to pack it all in on your first trip to India. And enjoy the ride.