How to plan for a trip to India

Editor’s note: When India-based travel website, Holiday Me asked me to guest post on the Dining Traveler, I requested something that I have been wanting to know for quite some time: how to plan for a trip to India. Ever since meeting my best friend Ragi in college almost twenty years ago (her parents are from Gujarat State of India), I’ve been intrigued with this amazing country.   – Jessica

How do you define a country as vast, diverse, and limitless as India in a few simple words? One of the world’s largest, most populated, and culturally contrasting countries,India attracts millions of visitors every year. Whether it’s a beach holiday, a mountain holiday, a desert holiday, or an island holiday that you’re looking for, this South Asian jewel can offer you all of it, and more!

With so much to see in do, the question is…. How to plan for a trip to India???

By Preya Dave

Preparing for a trip to India does not only involve careful planning, but also an elementary update on its geographical terrain, climate, culture, and expected etiquette. In addition, you’ll also need to know about its cost and currency factors, Indian visa requirements, health and safety precautions, and lastly, what to pack on your Indian holiday?

Go through the following steps to find out the best method to prepare for a trip to India.

Decide where to go:

From Delhi’s cosmopolitan temperament, to Varanasi’s holy Ganges, to Mumbai’s free spirit, India is a big sub-continent with different experiences awaiting you in every state and city across the length and breadth of the country. So for those of you wondering where to go in India, it is hard to give a brief answer to that question.

It is best to decide on an itinerary that you can  relate to based on your interests. While the state of Rajasthan is known for its stunning forts and the endless Thar Desert, Kerala in the south is famous for hills with spice and tea plantations, backwaters, rainforests, and mouth-watering food. Goa’s balmy beaches, Portuguese influences, lush green countryside, and happening nightlife is ideal for younger travellers. The mountainous landscapes of the states of Himachal Pradesh, Uttarakhand and Sikkim are breathtakingly beautiful.

Decide when to go/ best time to visit:

Your choice of where to go will be based on the kind of weather you prefer. India’s vastness makes the country’s climate vary enormously from one region to the other. There are three major seasons – summer, winter, and monsoon.

For those not used to extreme summer heat (April to June), it is best to visit India during the winter months (November to March), when most of the country experiences pleasant, moderate temperatures. Indian monsoon (July to October), especially in the coastal areas, experiences pretty heavy downpour. However, nothing can describe India’s natural splendour better than the monsoon season.

Please note that this is a generic information for India’s climate. We would recommend you search the weather conditions of your preferred destination individually, since statistics might defer.

What to see in India:

With a culture so rich, places of interests so varied, it might baffle you where and how to beginyour Indian sojourn. To make your choices easy,we have compiled a list of 8 must-have experiences of India:

1. Ride your Royal Enfield bike in style on the enormous stretch of white salt – Rann of Kutch, Gujarat.

When: December – March

Point of Interest, Gujarat: Sabarmati Ashram, Akshardham temple, Laxmi Vilas Palace, Gir National Park and Wildlife Sanctuary.

2. Experience the beauty of the ‘epitome of love’ on a full moon night- Taj Mahal, Agra
   When: November- February.

Point of Interest, Uttar Pradesh: FatehpurSikri, KutubMinar, Jama Masjid, Banke Bihari Temple.

3. Forget the calorie count, and gear up for a gastronomical tour – Lucknow, Uttar Pradesh.

   When: October- April

Point of Interest, Uttar Pradesh: Ganges River, Banaras Ghats, Bara Imambara, Lucknow University.

4. Immerse yourself in the beauty of the surroundings as you enjoy a shikara ride – Dal Lake, Srinagar, and Jammu& Kashmir.

  When: June- August.

Point of Interest, Jammu & Kashmir: Indira Gandhi Tulip Garden, Shankaracharya Hill, Mughal Gardens, Charar-e-Sharif.

5. Wash away your sins at the Holy Sangam – Allahabad, Uttar Pradesh.

          When: August-November.

Point of Interest, Uttar Pradesh: Allahabad Museum, Allahabad fort, Sarnath, New Vishwanath Temple.

6. Experience the royal lifestyle at the Palace hotel – Udaipur, Rajashtan.

   When: October – March.

Point of Interest, Rajasthan: Amer Palace, Jaisalmer Fort, Ranthambore National Park, Kalika Mata Temple, Chittorgarh Fort, Karni Mata Temple.

7. Watch the glittering city lights at Marine Drive. – Mumbai, Maharashtra

   When: November- February.

Points of Interests, Maharashtra: Lonavala, Bhandardhara, Ganapati Phule, Nashik.

8. Party all night– Goa

   When: November – March.

Points of Interests, Goa: Dudhsagar Falls, Chapora Beach,Anjuna Flea Market, Morjim Beach,Church of St Cajetan.

This list merely touches the surface when it comes to experiencing the delights of India. There is so much more to experience across the lengths and breadths of the wide, wide country that India is.

Cost factors:

India can accommodate and please all pockets – budget, mid-range, as well as high-end. Accommodation can range from simple backpacker dorms to incredible high-end hotels, and some very interesting mid-range hotel options, too.

Overall Costs:

• For a budget traveller, the average daily cost is in the range between INR 1000-1500 per person.
• For a mid-range traveller, the average daily cost is in the range between INR 3000-4000 per person.
• For a high-end traveller, the average daily cost rangesbetween INR 5000-7000 per person.

Most importantly, you can find delicious meals that fill your stomach but do not empty your wallet. And domestic travel is not very expensive either.

Etiquette tips/ what to expect

India is such a complicated mix of old and new traditions, customs and outlooks that it is difficult to sum up the Indian culture in a few words. The country is a contrasting mix of Western, Asian, conservative as well as modern cultures at the same time. Travellers to visit India for the first time should note that attire is an important way of showing social stature and status in India.

Women, especially those travelling to rural areas should try dress conservatively. Wear loose clothes, or go for an authentic “salwar kameez” or “sari” (who knows, it might be fun!).

Health and safety

Consult your doctor or local travel clinic concerning precautions against diseases that are prevalent in India. Diarrhoea, malaria dengue fever, and typhoid are some common diseases you should take precautions against while travelling in India. Water concerns are another thing to pay attention to. Indian food is mostly spicy, so for those of you not used to spicy food, it’ll take some time to get used to the local cuisine.

However, don’t be alarmed: Millions of travellers leave India having suffered nothing more than an upset stomach, and even this small inconvenience should settle within a few days.

What to pack

The type of luggage best suited for travel to India really depends on your itinerary. Apart from clothes (which too can be bought in India at surprisingly cheap rates), other disposables like medicines, shampoo, conditioner, moisturizers, razors, deodorant, shoes and the rest are easily available in Indian markets.

Your local currency can be exchanged for Indian National Rupee (INR) in foreign exchange offices. Credit cards are widely accepted in major cities. ATM machines can also be found in most places, including small towns.

Visa requirements

All visitors entering India should have a passport. And any traveller who does not have an Indian, Nepalese, or Bhutanese passport, should apply for a tourist visa from their nearest Indian Consulate or High Commission. Some nationalities can obtain a 30-day visa on arrival. For longer trips, most people obtain a six-month tourist visa, which is valid from the date of issue, and not from the date you arrive in India. You won’t be admitted to India unless your passport is valid for at least 6 months after your entry, and it should typically also be valid for at least 3 months beyond the period of your intended stay.  Given the nature of India’s bureaucracy, the rules and fees for application change regularly, so it’s best to check with your travel agent or with the relevant authority for the latest visa information. For more information, www.indianvisaonline.gov.in
Have you been to this amazing sub-continent?  What are your tips on how to plan for a trip to India?

Big thanks to Tanvi, a fellow DC-based lifestyle blogger with Tanvii for sharing these beautiful photos of her motherland!

Disclaimer: this is a sponsored post by Holiday Me.  I only share topics and posts that I believe are of interest to our fellow Dining Travelers.  Have a safe trip to India!!!