India Travel Tips for First-Time Visitors (Updated 2022)

Posted: 11/14/22 | November 14th, 2022

I’ve by no means been to India. I do know. Loopy, proper? It’s not that I don’t need to go however life has simply at all times gotten in the way in which. Nonetheless, India is a spot lots of people go to and, since I can’t write about it, I need to usher in somebody who can: my pal Mariellen Ward. She’d a journey author who has been going to India since 2005 and runs the web site Breathedreamgo. We’ve recognized one another since 2010. As we speak, she’s going to share some tips about tips on how to go to India for first-time guests.

I’ll always remember my first time visiting India. My first automotive journey in Delhi felt like a roller-coaster experience. Vehicles and vans of each dimension, overloaded bicycles and bikes, and even the occasional bullock cart, appeared to be coming at me from each course. Nobody was paying any consideration to lanes or the foundations of the highway. Autos had been driving the improper method. I couldn’t make sense of what was occurring.

I had heard in regards to the “sensory overload” vacationers really feel in India, and now I used to be experiencing it. It was thrilling and nerve-wracking in equal measure. And only a style of issues to return.

I spent six months crisscrossing the subcontinent on my first journey, again in 2005 and was usually overwhelmed by the large crowds, the international traditions, the perplexing forms, the mind-boggling complexity, and the bewildering tradition shock.

This stuff mixed make India a difficult — although very thrilling and rewarding —vacation spot.

Nonetheless, for those who learn and observe these journey ideas for first-time guests, they may assist easy out a few of the extra disorienting bumps.

1. Decelerate

It takes time and a few know-how to efficiently navigate in India. This isn’t a spot for hurried journey. Don’t try to see as a lot as you may; that’s not the best method. It’s tiring to journey in India, and the item needs to be to expertise it, to not verify issues off an inventory.

As a basic rule, for each two weeks you’re in India, decide one area. For a one-month journey, simply decide two areas — say, two weeks in Rajasthan and two weeks in Kerala. You possibly can even sit in a single place and nonetheless not miss something. It doesn’t matter what, if you’re in India, you’ll expertise India.

2. Regulate your angle

Let your self totally expertise India. There’s a quote from the film The Best Exotic Marigold Hotel that sums it up: “India hits you want a wave. In the event you resist, you may be knocked down. However for those who dive into it, you may be alright.”

Likewise, settle for that issues is not going to go as deliberate. Domesticate the philosophy that issues occur the way in which they’re presupposed to, not the way in which they’re deliberate. This angle can result in probably the most marvelous adventures.

3. Watch out who you belief

Having stated that it’s a good suggestion to be open, a wholesome degree of skepticism additionally is available in actually useful in India. There are lots of con males there, particularly within the journey and hospitality sector. They’ve a sixth sense for first-time guests and can try to take benefit.

So, be taught the costs by asking locals and different vacationers earlier than negotiating with auto-rickshaw drivers and market distributors. Don’t consider drivers — or random folks you come throughout at airports, prepare stations, and vacationer points of interest — who inform you issues corresponding to your resort burned down, or the prepare you need was canceled.

Usually, a chance to generate profits off of you’ll spur inventive ways, and a few of these scams can simply catch you off guard. As soon as, I used to be searching for a brand new iPhone case and the seller confirmed me one and advised me it was made by Apple. However an in depth look revealed 4 spelling errors in a single brief sentence engraved contained in the case.

4. Observe protected journey

India has a popularity as a frightening journey vacation spot, particularly for ladies. Nonetheless, I’ve spent a few years in India as a feminine solo traveler, and although I’ve been uncomfortable, I’ve by no means felt actually unsafe or threatened. Reported crimes towards vacationers are comparatively uncommon, however harassment, staring, pickpocketing, and getting ripped off are frequent.

There are additionally anecdotal reviews of ladies being molested, particularly in busy, crowded locations. Comply with primary precautions and protected journey methods, and use frequent sense in India.

Listed here are a number of security journey ideas (please learn my top tips for women traveling in India for extra particulars):

• Purchase a neighborhood SIM card as a way to make native calls and keep in contact.
• Analysis rigorously the place you need to go, guaranteeing it’s an space frequented by different vacationers, with good infrastructure and resorts.
• Plan your journey so that you don’t arrive late at evening; journey throughout sunlight hours solely.
• Watch out when posting to social media, so that you’re not revealing your present location.
• Keep alert to your environment, and maintain an in depth eye in your purse and baggage.
• Preserve the Vacationer Helpline quantity useful and name for those who want any help: 1-800-111363.

5. Attempt a small group tour

In your first time in India, attempt taking a small group or customized tour that will help you get your ft moist. My firm, India for Beginners, was based to assist girls journey safely and effectively in India. We provide a number of small group excursions, however we specialise in creating customized excursions and offering a excessive degree of non-public service, corresponding to assembly vacationers on the airport and assigning a tour supervisor who is out there 24/7. We maintain your hand in India!

6. Take the prepare

Taking a train in India is a superb expertise and shouldn’t be missed. Nonetheless, you want some primary information in regards to the lessons and the trains. You might not need to dive into sleeper class or basic class instantly; I’d advocate 2AC (second class with air-con) or CC (chair automotive). And even 1AC (first-class with air-con) or EC (government chair automotive).

Shatabdi and Rajdhani trains are among the many finest in India, so try to e book one among these. In a single day trains could be a downside as a result of they don’t clear the bathrooms at evening, so maintain that in thoughts if you e book.

7. Eat the meals

India is among the world’s nice culinary locations, and first-time guests shouldn’t shrink back from attempting all of the scrumptious delicacies on supply, even road meals. A few of the famous Indian items you shouldn’t miss are masala chai, candy lassi, biryani, pakoras, dosas, and sweets corresponding to gulab jamun and kheer.

It’s onerous to keep away from getting sick in India, although, since you by no means know when a tainted merchandise will cross your plate. It might be at a road stall or a five-star restaurant. Nonetheless, you may scale back the possibilities of getting sick by following these primary guidelines:

• Drink filtered or bottled water solely.
• Look ahead to undistilled water in ice or sauces.
• Keep away from salad and different uncooked meals until you may peel it (corresponding to an orange or banana).
• Eat solely meals that’s freshly cooked.
• Search for busy stalls and eating places with excessive turnover.

8. Get a neighborhood SIM card

All the things in India runs on WhatsApp, one-time password (OTP) verification, and textual content messages. Due to this, you want a neighborhood quantity. To take action, get a neighborhood SIM on the airport if you arrive. Nonetheless, you might have bother paying for issues on-line with a international bank card, as India requires OTP verification, and getting registered with Indian Railways so you purchase prepare tickets on-line is almost unattainable.

9. Bear in mind the place you’re

India is altering quick however continues to be a standard society. It’s finest to study its cultures and etiquette and err on the facet of warning.

For instance, until you’re on the seashore in Goa, it’s clever to wear modest clothing in India. Lengthy, unfastened, and flowing are key for dressing for the local weather and the tradition.

It’s additionally finest to be very respectful, particularly with regard to the myriad religions. And remember that genders relate in another way in India, and overfriendliness will be misconstrued. Be well mannered, however with strangers, and particularly these working within the hospitality sector, it’s normally finest to dial again effusive friendliness.

10. Comply with the seasons

Climate and the season matter in India. It’s extremely sizzling nearly all over the place in Might and June, the monsoon season is July to August, and it’s surprisingly chilly in north India in winter, December to February. Perform some research and discover out the best places to visit in India by season.

So, when it’s chilly in north India, head all the way down to tropical Kerala or Goa and hit the seashore. Within the warmth of summer time, take a look at Ladakh, a excessive desert plateau that generally appears otherworldly. Observe: Fall is pageant season, so you may expertise Durga Puja in Kolkata, Diwali in Jaipur, or the Camel Honest in Pushkar.

11. Go to points of interest within the morning

As a rule, vacationer locations in India will not be busy within the morning. Indians typically don’t begin early, so if you wish to go someplace touristy or crowded, go early (additionally the good time of day). For instance, if you’re planning to see the Taj Mahal, keep in a single day in Agra and go at dawn; when the gates open, the road can be principally foreigners. Crowds of Indian vacationers will roll up a number of hours later.

(Nonetheless, this rule doesn’t apply to procuring. Shops, and even eating places, have a tendency to not open till 10 and even 11 am. City Indians are inclined to do all the things late. Breakfast and lunch are late, and dinner will be very late certainly.)

12. Head into the countryside

Most first-time vacationers to India are inclined to design their itineraries round cities. They land in Delhi or Mumbai and head to locations like Jaipur, Udaipur, Rishikesh, and Cochin. Make an effort to see the wilderness: the jungles, deserts, and mountains. India is dwelling to greater than 50 tiger reserves, a number of biodiversity sizzling spots (such because the Western Ghats and the Sundarbans), the world’s twentieth largest desert (the Thar Desert), and the very best mountain vary on earth (the Himalayas).

You possibly can go trekking within the mountains, take a tiger safari, go to one of many many nationwide parks, camp out in a single day on a sand dune in Rajasthan, or take a ship cruise on the Brahmaputra River.

And don’t overlook the agricultural areas. Most Indians nonetheless dwell in villages. It’s actually worthwhile to meander by the quaint villages of Rajasthan, Madhya Pradesh, Himachal Pradesh, or Uttarakhand.

India will not be a simple place to journey. It’s not a calming trip vacation spot. It’s, although, an expertise — usually a life-changing expertise. Begin by doing analysis, read books about India, watch films in regards to the nation, be taught in regards to the cultures and numerous locations, and prepare for a transformative journey expertise.

Like many earlier than you — from The Beatles to Steve Jobs to Elizabeth Gilbert — chances are you’ll simply fall in love with the place. As author Rumer Godden stated, “Upon getting felt the mud of India, you’ll by no means be freed from it.”

Mariellen Ward fell in love with India, with journey, and with journey running a blog on her first journey to the nation in 2005. She has spent greater than seven years of the final 18 in India, and now lives there. Although Canadian by beginning, Mariellen considers India to be her “soul tradition.” Together with her journey weblog, Breathedreamgo, she tries to encourage and assist different feminine vacationers to go after their desires. And her customized tour firm, India for Beginners, is devoted to serving to girls journey safely and effectively in India.