India is a place I've never visited. I am aware. Crazy, huh? Life has always gotten in the way, not because I don't want to go. However, a lot of people travel to India, therefore because I am unable to write about it, I would want to bring in my friend Mariellen Ward. She owns the website Breathedreamgo and has been visiting India since 2005 as a travel blogger. Since 2010, we have been acquainted. She's going to give first-time travelers some advice on how to travel to India today.
I will always remember my first trip to India. In Delhi, my first vehicle excursion was an emotional roller coaster. I felt like I was being attacked from all sides by cars and trucks of all sizes, crammed bicycles and motorbikes, and even the odd bullock cart. Lanes and traffic laws were being ignored by everyone. Cars were going in the wrong direction. I was unable to understand what was going on.
I was feeling the "sensory overload" that tourists in India are said to experience. It was nerve-racking and thrilling all at once. And a little peek at what's to come.
On my first journey, in 2005, I traveled all across the subcontinent for six months, and I was frequently overwhelmed by the large crowds, unfamiliar customs, confusing bureaucracy, mind-blowing complexity, and confusing culture shock.
All of these factors combine to make India a difficult, yet thrilling, and fulfilling, place to visit.
Some of the more confusing hiccups might be avoided, though, if you read and abide by our first-time guest travel advice.
1. Reduce your speed
Navigating successfully in India requires patience and a little bit of experience. Hurried travel is not appropriate here. The best course of action is not to try to see as much as you can. Traveling in India is exhausting, and the goal should be to experience it rather than to cross things off a list.
Generally speaking, choose one area of India every two weeks. Simply choose two locations for a one-month trip, such as two weeks in Kerala and two weeks in Rajasthan. You won't miss anything even if you sit in one spot. In any case, you will experience India if you are there.
2. Modify your mindset
Allow yourself to enjoy India to the fullest. "India hits you like a wave," is a remark from the film The Best Exotic Marigold Hotel that perfectly captures it. You will be knocked down if you resist. However, you will be OK if you dive right in.
Similarly, acknowledge that things will not go according to plan. Develop the belief that events unfold naturally rather than according to a predetermined plan. The greatest amazing adventures can result from this mindset.
3. Watch who you put your trust in.
Being open is a good thing, but in India, it's also quite helpful to have a healthy dose of skepticism. Particularly in the travel and hotel industry, there are a lot of scammers. They will attempt to take advantage of their sixth sense for first-time guests.
Therefore, before haggling with autorickshaw drivers and market vendors, find out the prices by speaking with locals and other tourists. When drivers or others you meet at train stations, airports, and tourist destinations tell you things like your hotel burned down or the train you want was canceled, don't believe them.
Creative strategies are frequently sparked by opportunities to defraud you, and some of these frauds can easily surprise you. The salesman once showed me an iPhone cover while I was seeking for a new one and informed me that it was manufactured by Apple. However, upon closer inspection, one brief text carved within the box included four spelling errors.
4. Travel safely
India is known for being a difficult place to visit, particularly for women. I have, however, traveled alone as a woman for many years in India, and while I have experienced discomfort, I have never felt particularly endangered or in danger. While there aren't many reported crimes against visitors, they frequently experience harassment, staring, pickpocketing, and being taken advantage of.
Anecdotal accounts of women being groped exist as well, particularly in crowded, busy areas. In India, apply common sense, safe travel techniques, and basic safeguards.
Here are a few safety travel suggestions (for more information, see my list of the best advice for women visiting India):
To stay in contact and make local calls, get a local SIM card.
Make sure your destination has strong infrastructure, accommodations, and is a popular travel destination by doing extensive research.
Make sure you travel throughout the day so you don't arrive late at night.
When sharing content on social media, exercise caution to avoid disclosing your present location.
Be mindful of your surroundings and pay special attention to your bags and handbag.
If you require any help, keep the Tourist Helpline number close at hand and give them a call: 1-800-111363.
5. Take a tour in a small group.
Try going on a small group or customized trip if this is your first visit in India to help you get your bearings. I started India for Beginners to assist women in making safe and healthy travel arrangements in India. Although we provide a few small group trips, our specialty is designing unique itineraries and offering a high degree of individualized care, such picking up guests at the airport and designating a tour manager who is on call around-the-clock. In India, we hold your hand!
6. Ride the train
In India, traveling by rail is an amazing experience that shouldn't be missed. You must, however, have a rudimentary understanding of the trains and the classes. I would suggest 2AC (second class with air conditioning) or CC (chair car) if you don't want to jump right into sleeper or general class. Or even EC (executive chair car) or 1AC (first class with air conditioning).
Try to reserve a seat on one of the Shatabdi or Rajdhani trains; they are among of the best in India. When making reservations, keep in mind that overnight trains may provide issues because the restrooms aren't cleaned at night.
7. Consume the meal
India is one of the best places in the world to eat, and first-time tourists shouldn't be afraid to sample all the delectable food, including street food. You should not miss the popular Indian dishes like masala chai, sweet lassi, biryani, pakoras, dosas, and desserts like kheer and gulab jamun.
However, you never know when a contaminated food item would end up on your plate in India, making it difficult to prevent falling sick. It may be at a five-star restaurant or a street vendor. However, by adhering to some fundamental guidelines, you can lower your risk of being ill:
Only consume bottled or filtered water.
Keep an eye out for undistilled water in sauces or ice.
Steer clear of raw foods like salad and bananas unless you can peel them.
Consume only freshly prepared food.
Seek out eateries with a high turnover rate and crowded booths.
Obtain a SIM card that is local.
In India, text messaging, WhatsApp, and one-time password (OTP) verification are the mainstays. You therefore require a local number. Get a local SIM card at the airport when you get there to accomplish this. However, because India requires OTP authentication and it is practically difficult to register with Indian Railways in order to purchase train tickets online, you can have problems using a foreign credit card to make online payments.
9. Recall your location
Despite rapid change, India remains a traditional society. It is advisable to educate yourself on its customs and manners and to be cautious.
For instance, it's advisable to dress modestly in India unless you're on the beach in Goa. When it comes to clothing for the temperature and the culture, long, loose, and flowing is essential.
Being extremely respectful is also advised, particularly when it comes to the various religions. Additionally, keep in mind that men and women interact differently in India and that being too friendly could be interpreted incorrectly. Be kind, but it's always advisable to tone down your overbearing warmth while interacting with strangers, especially those in the hospitality industry.
10. Pay attention to the seasons
In India, the season and weather have an impact. May and June are extremely hot practically everywhere, July and August are monsoon season, while winter in north India is unusually cold from December to February. Investigate and discover India's top tourist destinations by season.
Therefore, travel to tropical Kerala or Goa and enjoy the beaches while it's cold in northern India. Explore Ladakh, a high desert plateau that appears unearthly at times, during the sweltering summer months. Note: Since fall is festival season, you can go to places like Pushkar for the Camel Fair, Jaipur for Diwali, or Kolkata for Durga Puja.
11. Spend the morning at attractions
In general, India's tourist attractions are hardly crowded in the morning. Go early (it's also the coolest time of day) if you want to visit a touristic or crowded place because Indians don't usually start early. For instance, if you want to view the Taj Mahal, spend the night in Agra and leave at dawn; most of the people in line will be from other countries. A few hours later, waves of Indian tourists will arrive.
(However, shopping is exempt from this restriction. Restaurants and shops typically don't open until ten or eleven in the morning. Indians living in cities usually finish tasks late. Lunch and breakfast arrive late, and dinner can be really late.)
12. Travel to the countryside
The majority of first-time visitors to India plan their trips around Indian cities. They arrive in cities like Jaipur, Udaipur, Rishikesh, and Cochin after landing in Delhi or Mumbai. Try to visit the wilderness, including the mountains, deserts, and jungles. More than 50 tiger reserves, a number of hotspots for biodiversity (including the Sundarbans and Western Ghats), the 20th largest desert in the world (the Thar Desert), and the world's highest mountain range (the Himalayas) can all be found in India.
You can visit one of the numerous national parks, go on a tiger safari, go mountain trekking, camp out on a sand dune in Rajasthan, or take a boat ride on the Brahmaputra River.
Remember the rural places as well. The majority of Indians still reside in rural areas. Wandering through the charming villages of Rajasthan, Madhya Pradesh, Himachal Pradesh, or Uttarakhand is well worth the effort.
Traveling to India is difficult. It's not a place to unwind on vacation. However, it is an event, frequently one that alters one's life. Begin by conducting research, reading books and watching films about India, learning about the numerous sites and cultures, and preparing for a life-changing trip.
Like many others before you, like Elizabeth Gilbert, Steve Jobs, and The Beatles, you might simply fall in love with the location. "Once you have felt the dust of India, you will never be free of it," author Rumer Godden once stated.
When Mariellen Ward visited India for the first time in 2005, she fell in love with the country, travel, and travel writing. She currently resides in India, where she has spent over seven of the previous eighteen years. Despite being born in Canada, Mariellen views India as her "soul culture." She aims to inspire and assist other female travelers in pursuing their goals through her travel blog, Breathedreamgo. Additionally, she is committed to assisting women in making safe and healthy travel arrangements in India through her custom tour firm, India for Beginners.
Plan Your Vacation: Practical Advice and Strategies
Reserve Your Flight
Skyscanner can help you find a cheap flight. It is my preferred search engine since it looks up websites and airlines worldwide, ensuring that nothing is overlooked.
Reserve Your Lodging
Hostelworld allows you to reserve your hostel. Booking.com always has the best prices for hotels and guesthouses, so utilize it if you wish to stay someplace other than a hostel.
Remember Travel Insurance
You will be covered by travel insurance against theft, illness, injury, and cancellations. It offers complete protection in the event of an emergency. I've had to use it numerous times in the past, therefore I never travel without it.
I will always remember my first trip to India. In Delhi, my first vehicle excursion was an emotional roller coaster. I felt like I was being attacked from all sides by cars and trucks of all sizes, crammed bicycles and motorbikes, and even the odd bullock cart. Lanes and traffic laws were being ignored by everyone. Cars were going in the wrong direction. I was unable to understand what was going on.
I was feeling the "sensory overload" that tourists in India are said to experience. It was nerve-racking and thrilling all at once. And a little peek at what's to come.
On my first journey, in 2005, I traveled all across the subcontinent for six months, and I was frequently overwhelmed by the large crowds, unfamiliar customs, confusing bureaucracy, mind-blowing complexity, and confusing culture shock.
All of these factors combine to make India a difficult, yet thrilling, and fulfilling, place to visit.
Some of the more confusing hiccups might be avoided, though, if you read and abide by our first-time guest travel advice.
1. Reduce your speed
Navigating successfully in India requires patience and a little bit of experience. Hurried travel is not appropriate here. The best course of action is not to try to see as much as you can. Traveling in India is exhausting, and the goal should be to experience it rather than to cross things off a list.
Generally speaking, choose one area of India every two weeks. Simply choose two locations for a one-month trip, such as two weeks in Kerala and two weeks in Rajasthan. You won't miss anything even if you sit in one spot. In any case, you will experience India if you are there.
2. Modify your mindset
Allow yourself to enjoy India to the fullest. "India hits you like a wave," is a remark from the film The Best Exotic Marigold Hotel that perfectly captures it. You will be knocked down if you resist. However, you will be OK if you dive right in.
Similarly, acknowledge that things will not go according to plan. Develop the belief that events unfold naturally rather than according to a predetermined plan. The greatest amazing adventures can result from this mindset.
3. Watch who you put your trust in.
Being open is a good thing, but in India, it's also quite helpful to have a healthy dose of skepticism. Particularly in the travel and hotel industry, there are a lot of scammers. They will attempt to take advantage of their sixth sense for first-time guests.
Therefore, before haggling with autorickshaw drivers and market vendors, find out the prices by speaking with locals and other tourists. When drivers or others you meet at train stations, airports, and tourist destinations tell you things like your hotel burned down or the train you want was canceled, don't believe them.
Creative strategies are frequently sparked by opportunities to defraud you, and some of these frauds can easily surprise you. The salesman once showed me an iPhone cover while I was seeking for a new one and informed me that it was manufactured by Apple. However, upon closer inspection, one brief text carved within the box included four spelling errors.
4. Travel safely
India is known for being a difficult place to visit, particularly for women. I have, however, traveled alone as a woman for many years in India, and while I have experienced discomfort, I have never felt particularly endangered or in danger. While there aren't many reported crimes against visitors, they frequently experience harassment, staring, pickpocketing, and being taken advantage of.
Anecdotal accounts of women being groped exist as well, particularly in crowded, busy areas. In India, apply common sense, safe travel techniques, and basic safeguards.
Here are a few safety travel suggestions (for more information, see my list of the best advice for women visiting India):
To stay in contact and make local calls, get a local SIM card.
Make sure your destination has strong infrastructure, accommodations, and is a popular travel destination by doing extensive research.
Make sure you travel throughout the day so you don't arrive late at night.
When sharing content on social media, exercise caution to avoid disclosing your present location.
Be mindful of your surroundings and pay special attention to your bags and handbag.
If you require any help, keep the Tourist Helpline number close at hand and give them a call: 1-800-111363.
5. Take a tour in a small group.
Try going on a small group or customized trip if this is your first visit in India to help you get your bearings. I started India for Beginners to assist women in making safe and healthy travel arrangements in India. Although we provide a few small group trips, our specialty is designing unique itineraries and offering a high degree of individualized care, such picking up guests at the airport and designating a tour manager who is on call around-the-clock. In India, we hold your hand!
6. Ride the train
In India, traveling by rail is an amazing experience that shouldn't be missed. You must, however, have a rudimentary understanding of the trains and the classes. I would suggest 2AC (second class with air conditioning) or CC (chair car) if you don't want to jump right into sleeper or general class. Or even EC (executive chair car) or 1AC (first class with air conditioning).
Try to reserve a seat on one of the Shatabdi or Rajdhani trains; they are among of the best in India. When making reservations, keep in mind that overnight trains may provide issues because the restrooms aren't cleaned at night.
7. Consume the meal
India is one of the best places in the world to eat, and first-time tourists shouldn't be afraid to sample all the delectable food, including street food. You should not miss the popular Indian dishes like masala chai, sweet lassi, biryani, pakoras, dosas, and desserts like kheer and gulab jamun.
However, you never know when a contaminated food item would end up on your plate in India, making it difficult to prevent falling sick. It may be at a five-star restaurant or a street vendor. However, by adhering to some fundamental guidelines, you can lower your risk of being ill:
Only consume bottled or filtered water.
Keep an eye out for undistilled water in sauces or ice.
Steer clear of raw foods like salad and bananas unless you can peel them.
Consume only freshly prepared food.
Seek out eateries with a high turnover rate and crowded booths.
Obtain a SIM card that is local.
In India, text messaging, WhatsApp, and one-time password (OTP) verification are the mainstays. You therefore require a local number. Get a local SIM card at the airport when you get there to accomplish this. However, because India requires OTP authentication and it is practically difficult to register with Indian Railways in order to purchase train tickets online, you can have problems using a foreign credit card to make online payments.
9. Recall your location
Despite rapid change, India remains a traditional society. It is advisable to educate yourself on its customs and manners and to be cautious.
For instance, it's advisable to dress modestly in India unless you're on the beach in Goa. When it comes to clothing for the temperature and the culture, long, loose, and flowing is essential.
Being extremely respectful is also advised, particularly when it comes to the various religions. Additionally, keep in mind that men and women interact differently in India and that being too friendly could be interpreted incorrectly. Be kind, but it's always advisable to tone down your overbearing warmth while interacting with strangers, especially those in the hospitality industry.
10. Pay attention to the seasons
In India, the season and weather have an impact. May and June are extremely hot practically everywhere, July and August are monsoon season, while winter in north India is unusually cold from December to February. Investigate and discover India's top tourist destinations by season.
Therefore, travel to tropical Kerala or Goa and enjoy the beaches while it's cold in northern India. Explore Ladakh, a high desert plateau that appears unearthly at times, during the sweltering summer months. Note: Since fall is festival season, you can go to places like Pushkar for the Camel Fair, Jaipur for Diwali, or Kolkata for Durga Puja.
11. Spend the morning at attractions
In general, India's tourist attractions are hardly crowded in the morning. Go early (it's also the coolest time of day) if you want to visit a touristic or crowded place because Indians don't usually start early. For instance, if you want to view the Taj Mahal, spend the night in Agra and leave at dawn; most of the people in line will be from other countries. A few hours later, waves of Indian tourists will arrive.
(However, shopping is exempt from this restriction. Restaurants and shops typically don't open until ten or eleven in the morning. Indians living in cities usually finish tasks late. Lunch and breakfast arrive late, and dinner can be really late.)
12. Travel to the countryside
The majority of first-time visitors to India plan their trips around Indian cities. They arrive in cities like Jaipur, Udaipur, Rishikesh, and Cochin after landing in Delhi or Mumbai. Try to visit the wilderness, including the mountains, deserts, and jungles. More than 50 tiger reserves, a number of hotspots for biodiversity (including the Sundarbans and Western Ghats), the 20th largest desert in the world (the Thar Desert), and the world's highest mountain range (the Himalayas) can all be found in India.
You can visit one of the numerous national parks, go on a tiger safari, go mountain trekking, camp out on a sand dune in Rajasthan, or take a boat ride on the Brahmaputra River.
Remember the rural places as well. The majority of Indians still reside in rural areas. Wandering through the charming villages of Rajasthan, Madhya Pradesh, Himachal Pradesh, or Uttarakhand is well worth the effort.
Traveling to India is difficult. It's not a place to unwind on vacation. However, it is an event, frequently one that alters one's life. Begin by conducting research, reading books and watching films about India, learning about the numerous sites and cultures, and preparing for a life-changing trip.
Like many others before you, like Elizabeth Gilbert, Steve Jobs, and The Beatles, you might simply fall in love with the location. "Once you have felt the dust of India, you will never be free of it," author Rumer Godden once stated.
When Mariellen Ward visited India for the first time in 2005, she fell in love with the country, travel, and travel writing. She currently resides in India, where she has spent over seven of the previous eighteen years. Despite being born in Canada, Mariellen views India as her "soul culture." She aims to inspire and assist other female travelers in pursuing their goals through her travel blog, Breathedreamgo. Additionally, she is committed to assisting women in making safe and healthy travel arrangements in India through her custom tour firm, India for Beginners.
Plan Your Vacation: Practical Advice and Strategies
Reserve Your Flight
Skyscanner can help you find a cheap flight. It is my preferred search engine since it looks up websites and airlines worldwide, ensuring that nothing is overlooked.
Reserve Your Lodging
Hostelworld allows you to reserve your hostel. Booking.com always has the best prices for hotels and guesthouses, so utilize it if you wish to stay someplace other than a hostel.
Remember Travel Insurance
You will be covered by travel insurance against theft, illness, injury, and cancellations. It offers complete protection in the event of an emergency. I've had to use it numerous times in the past, therefore I never travel without it.
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