Undoubtedly, part of the fun of traveling is figuring things out for yourself, but India is one of those countries where chaos and overload can still occur even if you are well-prepared. We Real Himachal discovered that if you already know the following advice, you’ll avoid a lot of the frustration after spending 28 days traveling through nine different cities in the country’s north.
Always carry cash
I hardly ever used my credit card throughout my month in India because the majority of businesses there still only accept cash. Using cash is also often a good idea here to protect yourself from credit card fraud.
Additionally, I was shocked to discover that many establishments would not give me change for bills as small as 500 rupees ($7.50 in US dollars), which may seem absurd to a Westerner but is actually quite common when traveling in India. See if your hotel will break the 1000 rupee notes for you before leaving for the day if you find yourself stranded with an ATM that keeps spitting out those notes (which I still don’t understand as no one accepts them).
Don’t panic ATM doesn’t work at first
Simply go to another. Since I’m not a banker or financial expert, I can’t tell you why this is the case; all I can tell you is that your ATM card will probably work at some cash machines but not at others. Don’t panic and shell out a fortune on international calls in an attempt to reach your bank. Simply use another ATM first. As certain ATMs will run out of money, I would advise pulling cash out earlier in the day rather than later. If you’re traveling to India on a holiday, be sure to load up on rupees before the trip begins.
Patience is the key to dining in India
It’s fatal to bring your American standards of customer service to India. At a table, it is perfectly acceptable for one person to receive their food, consume it in whole, and lick the dish before another person catches a whiff of it. Know this in advance and be flexible, or just divide up all the dishes among your company and act like you’ve ordered a four-course meal!
High-security measures in cities
I didn’t completely anticipate the apparent overzealous degree of security in India before I arrived, especially in major cities like Delhi. You’ll often have to pass through x-ray machines in the metro, and you’ll see this increased level of security at many tourist attractions, big hotels, and even shopping places, in addition to the rigorous security procedures at the airport. Even though we Westerners are used to this level of surveillance right after a major security breach, think of these safety precautions as extra protection, not as a way to scare you away.
Cultural sensitivity differs from state to state
There are 29 states in India, each with a distinctive history and culture. Others, like Rajasthan Haryana, and Himachal Pradesh destinations are far more orthodox. Some, like Goa and the northeastern provinces, are fairly liberal. From one place to another, people will view you extremely different depending on how you dress and behave. Consider conducting preliminary research on the area you intend to visit or asking locals for recommendations.
Wear Comfortable clothes
India’s regions experience different climatic conditions as a result of its varied geography. Kashmir experiences lovely 20°C summer weather at the same time that Delhi experiences sweltering summers with temperatures reaching 40°C. Make sure to research the weather in the destination state before you leave and pack appropriately. If you are planning to visit some Himalayan hill stations like Shimla and Manali, we suggest you carry winter coats and jackets as well. It’s recommended to keep your belongings light, dress comfortably, and carry a stole or shawl with you in case you need to cover up while visiting temples or more conservative places. A cotton salwar kameez, an Indian dress that is particularly comfortable to wear, especially in the searing heat, is another option for women.
Bargain, bargain, bargain
In India, haggling is practically required, whether you are taking a taxi or buying trinkets. Since the value of the Indian rupee is lower than that of the majority of western nations, foreigners are frequently given inflated pricing, and even though the prices may appear inexpensive to you, negotiating is still encouraged. Indian salespeople are skilled negotiators and will attempt to manipulate your emotions. You can purchase mementos from government-run handicraft shops if you don’t want to haggle.
Don’t Be Shy
Engage in conversation with the populace to discover more about Indian culture. Travelers frequently believe that locals who are attempting to be friendly are just doing so to deceive them; however, this is almost never the case. The style of life in tiny towns and villages differs greatly from that in the world’s larger cities. The tales you’ll hear and the customs you’ll discover are interesting facts that aren’t typically included in travel guides. You have the opportunity to learn more about the nation at this time.
Know the best time to visit India
When planning your vacation, the first thing you’ll probably think about is when is the best time to visit India. We are very sorry to break the news, but there isn’t a simple solution to this. Since the monsoon season affects various regions of the nation in various months, it is true that different Indian states are best visited at various periods of the year.
The best season to visit India is, however, usually agreed to be between October and March, when the weather is typically bright, dry, and warm without ever being oppressively hot.
The Himalayas are inaccessible in the winter (unless you want to experience snow, that is! ), so bear that in mind.
December and January bring cold weather and a lot of fog to the northern states. It is ideal to travel to Ladakh in the north of the country between June and September, while the rest of India is experiencing the monsoon season. November, after the monsoon season has passed, is the finest time to travel to the south of the country.
Between October and November, We traveled to India, where we had lovely, sunny days that were never very warm.
You may require some guidance
You might prefer to go to India on your own, but if you only have a short amount of time, it might be a better idea to go on a group tour and save the hassle of organizing. So the only thing you’ll need to worry about is packing, and even with that, you’ll have plenty of advice for.
Excellent tours of India are offered by several reliable firms, so consider joining one.
Prepared your Visa
It takes between 30 and 4 days to submit an online application for India’s Visa on Arrival program, which is a little difficult. The visa is valid for 30 days, starting on the day of arrival. Through a specialized organization like iVisa, obtaining an India visa is the simplest process. Another one, E-visums, promises a remarkably simple application process and normally approves the visa in 24 hours and delivers it in 72 hours, even on weekends.
The India eVisa is ideal to obtain if you intend to stay in India for longer than a month because it allows for multiple entries, 365 days of validity, and a maximum stay of 90 or 180 days, depending on your nationality.
All the above information will help you to make your trip to India Memorable. If you still have some doubts do the below comment to resolve your doubts.