India Travel Tips

India, a tapestry of customs, culture, and vivid geography, is a soul-stirring journey in and of itself. Snow-capped Himalayan peaks to stretches of shoreline, natural greenery to spiritual depths, and a kaleidoscope of ethnic hues All of these elements combine to define the sheer beauty with which India steals the hearts of every visitor. Explore the many elements of this beautiful country as it shapes your perspective at every turn. India has a piece for every type of traveller, with the country's tourism split into numerous forms. To get things started, here's an India travel planner that includes the greatest travel tips for making your trip to India a delight.

1. Plan well, according to the climatic conditions- India offers a diverse range of climatic conditions, but the enormous country is divided into four different seasons: summer, winter, monsoon, and post-monsoon. Because each region has its distinct climatic conditions, no matter what time of year it is, there is always something worth seeing. Summer is ideal for visiting the Western Himalayas, including Ladakh, as well as hill stations such as Darjeeling, Shimla, Manali, Nainital, and Mussoorie, while winter is ideal for visiting well-known tourist destinations such as Mumbai, Kerala, Hampi, Goa, Rajasthan, Agra, and Varanasi.
2. Keep your documents ready- To enter India, you'll need a valid passport, an Indian visa, and a return or onward ticket. You'll need to apply for a 'Electronic Travel Authorization (ETA)' if you're coming as a tourist for fewer than 30 days. To understand more about ETA, go to the official website of the Indian government. Fill out an online application before you arrive. Check for any criteria that must be followed in the event of a Covid-19 pandemic, or any other for that matter.
3. Don’t be alarmed by culture shock, embrace with an open mind- When you first come to India, you will almost certainly face cultural shock. Trying to oppose it is fruitless. Instead, prepare yourself by recognising that things will be different than they are at home. Try to keep an open mind and leave your prejudices at the door. The best strategy is to replicate what the locals are doing. Just keep the following in mind: Shoes are not permitted in temples or other places of worship; Don't use your left hand to take or offer money, food, or other items; It is considered impolite to touch anything with your feet; Learn the local custom of nodding your head; Always get permission before taking a picture of someone, especially a lady, and always greet people with a smile and folded hands.
4. Find the best routes and limit the exploration sites- Limiting yourself to a few destinations on your itinerary and spending more time in each one, rather than trying to visit everything, is one of the most important pieces of advice we can give you about travelling in India. Walking around a bustling Indian city can be taxing on the senses, so make sure to schedule time for rest and relaxation. If you try to do too much in too little time, you will burn out and become exhausted. You'll have a more enjoyable trip if you take your time and visit fewer, more in-depth sites. You'll also have more opportunities to meet with locals and participate in unique activities.
5. Pack according to the season of visit- Remember that health is wealth, and take some basic precautions to stay healthy. Because Indian food is spicy and tangy, it's common to have stomach churning; to avoid this, eat freshly prepared food and drink only from sealed water bottles. In the streets, protect yourself from pollution by wearing a scarf and mask. It's also a good idea to have drugs for diarrhoea, headaches, and other common disorders. Make sure you get all of the necessary shots before you leave. Consult your doctor about any special requirements you may have and where you'll be travelling. Don't panic if you run out of medicine; pharmacies may be located practically anyplace.
6. Mind the Exchange- Airport exchange rates are normally fair, and exchanging in person rather than at an ATM has the advantage of allowing you to request small notes. You don't want to be carrying around a fat wad of notes. When you have the opportunity, make a change. Fast food restaurants are extremely helpful in this aspect. Bring small bills with you while buying tea on the street or taking a tuk-tuk ride; your driver will not be able to make change.
7. Watch what you Eat- Perhaps the most important piece of advice for tourists to India for the first time! You're likely to have a stomach ache on your first trip to India. There are, however, ways to avoid this. Stick to bottled water or refill from hygienic RO or filtered water storage in restaurants and hotels. Also avoid salads and ice, both of which can induce stomach upset. You don't have to completely shun street food, but try to stick to peeled fresh fruit and boiled or fried meals.
8. Learn the Art of Haggling- Despite haggling being a normal part of shopping in India, if you come from a society where it is not, it may feel strange and intimidating at first. The most important thing to keep in mind is that this is a friendly conversation, not a confrontation. The retailer will almost certainly quote a high price in the hopes that you would counter with a lower offer. You can then haggle until you find a price that is acceptable to both of you. You can always haggle the price, and if you don't, you'll end up overpaying for practically everything you buy. Additionally, word will spread rapidly among all suppliers that you are an easy target.
9. Be alert of religious scams- At many temples and mosques, you may be pressured to make a donation or purchase a sacred item. Before asking for money, a holy man would draw a red dot on your forehead or tie a thread around your wrist. Many visitors are obligated to do so in order to avoid offending the local faith. You don't have to do anything if you don't want to. It's usually not a true spiritual giving, but rather a ploy to earn money off tourists, if it sounds like it would cost a lot of money for a local to perform.
10. Purchase an Indian Sim Card- If you can use your phone to navigate India, it will be much easier. You'll be able to get directions using Google Maps, read TripAdvisor reviews before visiting a restaurant, rapidly check out travel websites for recommendations and fraud warnings while on the go, and much more. One of the first things you should do when you arrive is get a SIM card with data for your phone.
11. Safety comes first- While you may not be concerned about your safety while in India, it is a good idea to avoid flashing money, not going around late at night, and to use common sense. Female travellers, especially solo female travellers, may have a totally different experience. If at all possible, read personal testimony from women who have visited India or chat with friends who have, and then form your own opinion. Travelling should be thrilling, but it should never put somebody in danger or make them feel vulnerable.
12. Master a Few Key Terms in the Local Mother - tongue- While Hindi is not everyone's first language, it is widely understood, so learning a few basic Hindi words can help: namaste (hello/goodbye), shukriya or dhanyawad (thank you), theek hai (alright or OK), haan/haanji (yes), nahi (no), garam paani (hot water shower), madat (help), kripya (help/please), aaj (today), kal (tomorrow), etc. India is a diverse country in terms of culture, and the language is no exception. In reality, many sections of the country speak different languages, but English is widely spoken and understood.
13. Offers that seem too good to be true should be avoided- While shopping at government-run establishments is the most convenient way to prevent scams, following some simple recommendations can help you in other scenarios. Consider paying for products with cash to avoid card cloning scams. Later on in your journey, this could save you a lot of time and frustration. If you're going to have mail delivered to your house, you should be extra cautious. Unfortunately, it's all too usual for shops to take your money and then offer you meaningless items.
14. India can be noisy- Cars, motorcycles, masses of people, street hawkers, and other noises abound throughout Indian cities. One method to ensure you have some personal space, albeit in your thoughts, is to have headphones on hand to shut out some of the surrounding noise. The sheer cacophony of an Indian metropolis can be exhausting at times.
15. Indian culture is famed for its modesty, therefore dress conservatively- Covering your arms and legs is a simple approach to demonstrate your concern. Visitors unfamiliar with Indian customs are forgiven, but you can make a nice first impression by taking off your shoes before entering someone's home, for example. This is especially true while visiting a sacred location like a temple. At temples, you should also cover your shoulders and wear knee-length dresses or shorts. Also, if you see people wearing shoes outside a store, it's a sign that you should remove yours.