I have never been to India. I’m not sure. Crazy, right? Life has always got in the way. It’s nothing against me, but I’ve never wanted to go. India is a popular destination and since I’m not able to write about it myself, I would like my friend Mariellen, who has written extensively on the subject, to do so. She is a travel journalist who has been to India every year since 2005.
I’ll never forget my first visit to India. My first trip by car in Delhi was like riding a roller coaster. I was surrounded by cars and trucks in every size and shape, bicycles, motorcycles and bullock carts. Nobody was paying attention to the lanes or rules of the road. The vehicles were driving in the wrong direction. I didn’t understand what was going on.
It was a sensory overload. I’d heard of it, but now I experienced it. The experience was both exciting and nerve-racking. This is just a small taste of what’s to come.
In 2005, I crisscrossed the subcontinent for six months. I was overwhelmed by the crowds, foreign customs, perplexing bureaucracy and complexity.
India is a destination that offers a lot of challenges, but also a lot of excitement and rewards.
If you follow these tips, it could smooth over some of the bumps that can be confusing for a first-time visitor.
1. Slow down.
Navigating in India requires some time and knowledge. It is not the place to rush. Do not try to see everything; this is the wrong approach. Traveling in India is tiring, but the goal should be to enjoy it and not just tick things off your list.
For a one-month trip, you can choose two regions. Choose two regions for a month-long trip two weeks each in Rajasthan, and Kerala. Even if you sit still, there is no way to miss out on anything. You will always experience India if you’re in India.
2. Your attitude can be changed.
Allow yourself to fully experience India. A quote from the Best Exotic Marigold Hotel sums up India: “India hits like a tsunami.” You will fall if you resist. “But if you dive in, you’ll be fine.”
Accept that not everything will go according to plan. Cultivate a philosophy of accepting that things will not go as planned. This attitude can lead you to the most wonderful adventures.
3. Trust only those you can trust.
In India, it is important to maintain a healthy amount of skepticism. Many conmen are active in India, particularly those working in the hospitality and travel industry. They are able to detect first-time tourists and try and take advantage.
Asking locals or other travelers about prices will help you to negotiate with auto-rickshaw and market vendors. Do not believe random people at airports, trains stations and tourist attractions, such as drivers, who claim that your hotel has burned down or that the train you’re looking for was cancelled.
Some of these scams are easy to fall for. When I was searching for a new iPhone cover, the vendor told me that it was manufactured by Apple. A closer look revealed that there were four spelling errors in a short sentence engraved on the inside of the case.
4. Travel safely.
India is a destination that women are often afraid to visit, and this can be a real problem. I’ve spent years traveling alone in India and, though uncomfortable, never felt threatened or unsafe. Reports of crimes against tourists are rare. However, harassment, pickpocketing and being ripped off is common.
Anecdotal evidence also suggests that women are molested in crowded, busy places. Use common sense and follow safe travel strategies and basic precautions in India.
Please read my Top Tips for Women Traveling in India to learn more about these safety tips.
- Buy a SIM card to make local calls.
- Do your research and make sure you choose a destination that is popular with other travelers. It should also have good infrastructure, hotels, and a lot of tourists.
- Travel only during daylight hours.
- When posting on social media, be careful not to reveal your location.
- Keep an eye on your luggage and handbag.
- Call the Tourist Helpline at 1-800-111363 if you require any assistance.
5. Small group tours are a great way to travel.
If this is your first trip to India, you might want to consider a small-group or customized tour. My company India For Beginners was created to help women travel in India safely and comfortably. We have a few small-group tours but our specialty is creating custom tours. We also provide a high level personal service such as meeting travellers at the airport or assigning them a tour manager that is available 24/7. We hold your hand when you are in India!
6. Take the train.
A ride on a in India can be a wonderful experience. You need to know some basics about the classes of trains and their different types. If you don’t want to jump into the sleeper or general classes right away, I recommend 2AC (2nd class with air conditioning), or CC (chair cars). You could also choose 1AC (first-class with air conditioning), or EC, the executive chair car.
Book one of the Shatabdi or Rajdhani trains. They are some of the best in India. When booking overnight trains, keep in mind that they do not clean the toilets. Find routes and prices on the indianrail.gov.in website.
7. Take the food.
India is a great culinary destination, and visitors to the country should try all of it, including street food. You shouldn’t miss the popular Indian foods such as masala chai and sweet lassi. Also, don’t forget to try pakoras and dosas.
You can’t avoid getting sick when you visit India. You never know what will be on your plate. You could be eating at a street vendor or a five star restaurant. You can reduce your chances of becoming ill by following some basic rules.
- Only drink filtered or bottled drinking water.
- Beware of undistilled water hidden in sauces or ice.
- If you cannot peel the food (such as oranges or bananas), avoid eating salads and other raw foods.
- Only eat food that has been freshly prepared.
- Find restaurants and stalls with high turnover.
8. SIM Card for Local Use.
WhatsApp, OTP verification and text messages are the backbone of Indian communication. You will need to have a local phone number. You can get a local SIM card at the airport upon arrival. You may still have problems paying online using a foreign card because India requires OTP authentication. Also, getting registered with Indian Railways to buy train tickets online can be difficult. You can also use an eSIM.
9. Keep track of where you are.
India is a society that is in constant change, but it is also a very traditional one. You should learn about the culture and etiquette of India and be cautious.
In India, for example, you should dress modestly unless on the beach at Goa. Dressing for the climate is all about wearing long, loose clothing.
Respect is also important, particularly when it comes to the many religions. Be aware that in India gender is viewed differently, and excessive friendliness may be misinterpreted. It’s important to be polite but it is best not to over-friend strangers. This includes those in the hospitality industry.
10. Seasons are a great way to learn about the weather.
In India, the weather and season are important. In India, it is incredibly hot in almost all places in May and in June. The monsoons are from July to August. And in the north, winter can be surprisingly cold. Find out which places are the best to visit in India according to season.
When it gets cold in the north of India, you can head to Goa or Kerala and enjoy the beaches. Ladakh is a high plateau of desert that can seem otherworldly in the summer heat. You can celebrate festivals in the fall, such as Durga Puja or Diwali, in Jaipur. Or, you can attend Pushkar’s Camel Fair.
11. Visit the attractions in morning.
In general, mornings are quieter in India. If you’re looking to visit a touristy place or one that is crowded early in the morning, it’s best to do so at this time. It will also be cooler. If you want to visit the Taj Mahal at sunrise, then stay overnight in Agra. Then, a few hours after that, the Indian crowds will arrive.
This rule does not apply when shopping. Even restaurants and stores tend to be closed until 11 or 10 am. Urban Indians are known to be late with everything. The Indians are notorious for being late with their breakfast, lunch and dinner.
12. Explore the countryside.
The majority of first-time visitors to India plan their itinerarys around cities. Most first-time travelers to India land in Delhi or Mumbai, then head to Jaipur and Udaipur. They also visit Rishikesh and Cochin. You should make an effort to visit the wild places: the mountains, the deserts and the jungles. India has more than 50 tiger reserve, biodiversity hotspots like the Western Ghats or Sundarbans, the 20th largest desert in the world (the Thar), and the highest mountains on Earth (the Himalayas).
There are many options for you to choose from. You can trek in the mountains or go on a Tiger Safari. Visit one of the national parks. Camp out on a sand dunes in Rajasthan. Take a boat trip on the Brahmaputra.
Don’t forget rural areas. Most Indians still live in villages. You should take the time to explore the villages in Rajasthan, Madhya Pradesh Himachal Pradesh or Uttarakhand.