If you are planning your first trip to the Indian subcontinent you are undoubtedly excited for the experience of a lifetime. Vibrant textiles, delicious curries, exotic animals and bustling markets – something strange and wonderful lurks around every corner.
With that said, an Indian adventure can be a bit challenging for seasoned travellers and novice explorers alike. In order to help you prepare for your amazing journey, here are ten top tips that will make your first trip to India a life altering experience - in the best way possible.
- Do your research – You might be the type that pops over to the continent for a whirlwind weekend in Prague or Rome without even doing a Google search, but for your Indian holiday you really do need to study up. Start with the India Lonely Planet or Rough Guide, and watch videos on YouTube – these resources will help you prepare for the sensory overload coming your way.
- Don’t rush it – You could spend the next five years in this magical country and still not see half of what it has to offer. One of the biggest mistakes first timers to India make is trying to see everything in one month – it simply isn’t possible to see the Taj Mahal, stay on a houseboat in Kerala, relax on a Goan beach and hike in the Himalayas and truly enjoy it all. Have a look at the different regions of the country and decide what is most important to you, and then plan on exploring only one or two regions. Allot at least 3 nights in each city to allow yourself plenty of time to take it all in.
- Mind your hands! In India (and many other countries around the world), the left hand is used for toilet duties and other unpleasant tasks, and so offering something to someone with your left hand is considered very offensive. Also, remember to eat with your right hand unless you want to receive a lot of shocked stares.
- Travel insurance is a must – As you plan your trip to India, your health should be your top priority. Ensure that you have a fully comprehensive travel insurance package (which includes repatriation in case of emergency) before you leave your home country – you can find and compare the best policies at www.PayingTooMuch.com, a highly rated comparison site.
- Protect your health – In addition to purchasing travel insurance you can protect your health in many other ways, even before you leave home. You will need a whole host of inoculations in the months leading up to your holiday, and you should also pack a kit of medical basics (including antibiotics, anti-diarrheals and antiseptics) in your bag.
- Arrange a homestay – One of the most rewarding things you can do in India is get off of the beaten tourist track and stay with a family. Homestays are a brilliant way to experience the local culture, sample delicious food and make lifelong friends.
- Stay safe – By and large India is an overwhelmingly safe place to travel, but in recent years a few high profile cases have made the international news. In order to stay safe you should avoid travelling alone, walking in rural areas at night, taking unmarked cabs and staying in dodgy accommodation. It is also a good idea to tell people where you are – stay in touch with your family back home a bit more than you normally would while on a holiday. More great tips for solo female travellers can be found here.
- Prepare for clean(ish) living – Many towns in India are vegetarian (as is the entire state of Gujarat), beef is illegal (although you can find it in the far south) and pork is very hard to come by – so be prepared to eat a lot of lentils and veggies! Alcohol is also not as common as in the rest of Asia so prepare yourself for plenty of dry evenings – but the food (and ice cream) is so delicious, you won’t even mind.
- Consider joining a guided tour – While you may fancy yourself an intrepid traveller who can traverse any landscape on your own, a guided tour is a good idea for your first trip to India. A seasoned guide can show you the ropes, help you navigate trains/buses and teach you a little bit of the local dialect. G Adventures offers a whole host of fantastic choices at all budget levels.
- Dress Conservatively – Even if the weather is hot and steamy it is always a good idea for both men and women to dress conservatively when travelling in India (particularly in rural areas or less tourist-centred cities). Cover to your elbows and mid calves, wear loose tops and avoid ‘skinny jeans’ and leggings.
