- December 06, 2024
- Written by Guide India Tour
Thinks to know before travelling India:-
Thinks to know before travelling India:- India is diverse and incredible. It's so different from the world, things just work differently here, even if you know that, it doesn't mean that you're prepared for India. It's an ancient & traditional country so accept the things as they are. When you're open, India will open to you. Hindi is not only language in India, there are 22 official languages but over 1000 mother tongues. So stick with English. Most families live all together under one roof, don't matter how old there kids or grandkids. Everyone is family, even stranger person will call you Bhai (brother), Didi (sister), auntie, uncle. When you visit India will learn be Happy with what you have already got. Here are a few thinks to know before travelling to India:- 1. Visa Requirements for India- All the visitors require a visa to visit India, only apart from citizens of Nepal & Bhutan. To obtain a visa usually take 2 weeks but recommend apply 3-4 weeks before. To get a tourist visa on arrival your passport should have at least six months validity & two blank pages for stamping. If you plan to be in India longer, get a visa from your home country at Indian Embassy. E- tourist visa is validate up to 60 days only. The application process is online, takes around 5-6 working days. The charges are depends on nationality & up to $100. An E-Tourist Visa on arrival is available for selected countries only like- USA, Australia, Canada, UK, German, Brazil, New Zealand, Malaysia and many more. For more details please visit to - https://indianvisaonline.gov.in/ 2. General Information Time Zone - UTC + 05:30 Country Code - +91 Primary Religions - Hinduism & Islam Drivers on - Left side Currency - INR (Indian Rupee) Electricity Power - 230 volts/ 50 Hz Official Language - Hindi & English Helpline Number – 1800 11 1363 Polish – 100 3. Transport in India Most of the time public transport, Buses & Trains are crowded like crazy. We don't advice to drive in India, it can be a real challenge. Better hire a car with descent local driver. Auto rickshaws (common mode of local transport) and taxis are all around in big cities. Some big cities have Metro Train & Local Train as well. If you going to ride a Train (best from state to state transfer) book your tickets in advance as soon as possible because they sell out very quick.
4. Accommodation in India- Book your accommodation in advance because India is one of the top tourist destinations, you might not get rooms to your wish. India is very affordable at accommodation start from $3/night, but same time its offer the world class luxurious service as well price can go $2000/night and beyond. In some part of India families offer their home to visitors for a stay. These guesthouses are much cheaper & you can get home cooked food as well. Do not get accommodation told by Taxi driver by shutting the eye. 5. Cost of the Trip to India- India is one of the cheapest places to travel in the world, it’s so affordable. If you're budget travellers and don’t want to spend much money $20-$30 per day is enough for meal, local transport & budget homestay or hostel. 6. Advice - Carry cash- In the cities you can easily find ATMs and Card swipe machines but local stores, small vendors & transport vendors only accept cash. So make sure you have enough Indian Rupees with you. Get a local SIM Card with internet- Most cities in India not planned well so it’s better to get a SIM Card with internet access. And you can get for a month in just Rs 300 ($4). So easily you can find Tourist Destinations, your Hotel distance, local activities nearby you...etc. Wear comfortable Clothes- Usually nights are cold & days are hot. Always try to wear loose fitting clothes. And carry a light Stole or Shawl with you in case you need to cover up while visiting religious places or to protect skin from sunlight or cold. Every part of India have different climates, so make sure to check Weather Forecast of your travelling state. When you going to buy something from street markets or shops, don't be afraid of Bargaining, Be a good Bargainer. India is a cultured place so dress decently and follow dress code on some places like- Temples, Gurudwara Explore outside of cities, where you can see the truly India. Beware of Scammers and Look after your Health. 7. Stay away thinks- Hugging and kissing to your partner or for welcome in public are considered inappropriate in India culture. Namaste (both hands in front of chest & press the palms together) or hand sack is better way to greet. Smiling, eye contact & friendly conversation (for women) can be taken in the wrong way. If you feel unsure, try to stay away & show that you're confident. When you Chit chat with locals, you will come to know India deeply but same time be aware of the common scams. Don't drink Tap Water- even if it's filtered, Try to avoid fresh fruit juices, ice & street food. 8. The best time to Visit India- Description: C:UsersSHARWANDownloadsIMG_9236.JPG India is a huge sub-continent. The best time to visit India is depends on which part of India are you visiting, most areas the best time to visit is in the winter season from October to March. Cooler temperature makes travelling more pleasant apart from top northern part of India like- Himalayan regions. Incase if you want to visit Himalayan regions like Lah & Ladhak, summer is the best time. From March temperatures starts to get hot, April and May is too hot. Monsoon starts from June to September. During the Monsoon you can visit South India like- Munner (Kerala), Coorg (Karnataka), Lonavala (Maharashtra), Goa etc. 9. The Must see Places of India- India has something for everybody. It’s depends on you what to you want to see. The geography of India is extremely diverse. One part you will see snowcapped mountains though other part you will see huge Thar Desert or beautiful beaches. Here are few best places- Description: C:UsersSHARWANDownloadsIMG_7859.JPG Varanasi: One of the oldest city in the world famous for Holiest shrine of Hindus Taj Mahal: seven Wonders of the World. Party whole night at Official party Hub of India, Goa. Himalayan region, Lah-Ladakh, Manali: Best for Nature lovers, Frozen Lakes, Snow covered mountains Rajasthan: World best Forts, Royal Palaces & Monuments, the Thar Desert Visits God's own country Kerala: famous for Backwaters, pristine beaches, Hill station & wildlife sanctuaries Island of Lakshadweep: Best for water sports activities Orissa: State of famous Hindu Tamples like Konark Sun Temple, Puri Jagannath, Linggaraj Temple & many more Aurangabad: famous for Ajanta & Ellora caves Hampi: Ancient city with number of amazing Carved Monuments, Temples & Palaces Rishikesh: Vibrant old city of India, famous for Yoga, natural beauty, River Rafting
10. The must Do Activities of India- Description: C:UsersSHARWANDownloadsIMG_9177.JPG Don't matter where you go in India, there is something to do that probably you have never done before. Check out the below list- Camel safari & camping in Dunes at Jaisalmer, Rajasthan Discover the Temples: India is the land of temples, home of more than 2 million Hindu temples. Khajuraho Temple (Madhya Pradesh), Lord Jagannath (Orissa), Sundareshwar Temple (Tamil Nadu), Golden Temple (Amritsar) Bungee Jumping in Rishikesh, the highest (83 m) bungee jumping spot in India. The spot view is spectacular. Elephant Ride at stunning Amer Fort Jaipur, Rajasthan Surfing at Ashwem beach, Goa Paragliding & Trekking in Himachal Pradesh or Uttarakhand Bike Ride on World’s most dangerous roads of "Leh-Ladakh” Jeep Safari- Jim Corbett National Park Uttarakhand, Ranthambore National park Scuba diving in Andaman. 11. Vaccines for India- People who coming to travel to India are most afraid of them that they will get sick. It’s not like that, India is much safer & hygienic then pervious. Before visiting India go to your Doctor, get professional health advice & check if you need any vaccinations. The CDC & WHO recommend vaccinations for India are Hepatitis A&B, Cholera, Yellow Fever, Malaria...etc. 12. The Safety of India - India is a safe country for tourists, Base on the Safety and most dangerous countries India's ranking is 106th in the world. Pickpocketing & bag snatching are common in India, especially on crowded place like market, public transport & fair. To avoid keep an eye on your belongings. While traveling in public transport never accept any food or drinks........... Cash is acceptable everywhere in India, use your Credit/Debit card for payment only at reputable establishments, Otherwise there is a chances your card details can be stolen. Follow the local media in order to avoid any curfews and strikes in advance. If you wish to travel near China- Pakistan borders, need special advance permission. Cows can be found throughout India, even in the major cities. Give them space, they are harmless, but same time careful after all they are animals. Cows are honored (mother) by Hindus and they do worship, so don't make any joke. And that is the reason slaughter & sale of Cows are ban in the most of states and you can't get beef. Carefully when you buy train ticket & SIM card. 13. Travel Insurance of India- Anything could happen when you're travelling. So do some research and choose an insurance that suits your budget after pre-booking your hotel & air tickets, even some insurance policies also cover you for lost luggage & theft. Its worth to take special when you travelling to India. 14. Food in India- There are countless variety of foods you can fine in India. Food can be devided mainly in two parts- North Indian and South Indian Food. It can be further divided in Regions and each region have their own menu. Mostly Indian dishes are spices. Here is the list of foods you must try when in India- India Thali- Thali is not a dishe, it's a combo of meals which comprise of Indian breads, steamed rice, sweet, butter milk, Indian curries, pickle, raita..............While paying very less, Thali is the best way to taste a variety of Indian dishes. Birayani- made from long-grained rice with spices & vegetables. It's served with Raita (yoghurt), onions & cumumber. You can get Non-veg as well. Chola Batura- Chola is Prepared with chick peas & Indian spices. Batura is kind of India bread, deep fried in oil made of white flour. You can have in any meal breakfast, lunch or dinner. Paneer- It's a cottage cheese. Paneer along with garlic, onion, green chilli etc. make many dishes like- Paalak Paneer, Matar Paneer and many more Parathas- Again Paratha is also a kind of round India bread, which are made of white flour and can be stuffed with potatoes, paneer, cauliflower, onions, green chill etc. 15. Population - After China, India is the most populous country in the world, so expect lots of crowds in all the major cities. 1.3 billion People live in India so pollution & traffic are insane, so mentally prepared for that. 16. Backpacking for India- It's really confusing for first time travellers, what to take or not. Always pack light, so it’s easy for you
