One of the oldest civilizations in the world, India is a mosaic of multicultural experiences. With a rich heritage and myriad attractions, the country is among the most popular tourist destinations in the world. It covers an area of 32, 87,263 sq. km, extending from the snow-covered Himalayan heights to the tropical rain forests of the south. As the 7th largest country in the world, India stands apart from the rest of Asia, marked off as it is by mountains and the sea, which give the country a distinct geographical entity.
Fringed by the Great Himalayas in the north, it stretches southwards and at the Tropic of Cancer, tapers off into the Indian Ocean between the Bay of Bengal on the east and the Arabian Sea on the west. As you travel the expanse of the country, you are greeted by diverse nuances of cuisines, faiths, arts, crafts, music, nature, lands, tribes, history and adventure sports. India has a mesmeric conflation of the old and the new. As the bustling old bazaars rub shoulders with swanky shopping malls, and majestic monuments accompany luxurious heritage hotels, the quintessential traveller can get the best of both worlds. Head to the mountains, enjoy a beach retreat or cruise through the golden Thar, India has options galore for all.
The climate of India comprises a wide range of weather conditions across a vast geographic scale and varied topography, making generalizations difficult. Climate in south India is generally hotter than north India. Most parts of the nation don't experience temperatures below 10 °C (50 °F) in winter, and the temperature usually tends to exceed 40 °C (104 °F) during summer. India hosts six major climatic sub types, ranging from arid deserts in the west, alpine tundra and glaciers in the north, and humid tropical regions supporting rain forests in the southwest and the island territories. Many regions have starkly different microclimates, making it one of the most climatically diverse countries in the world. The country's meteorological department follows the international standard of four seasons with some local adjustments: winter (January and February), summer (March, April and May), monsoon (rainy) season (June to September), and a post-monsoon period (October to December).
Winter, occurring from December to February. The year's coldest months are December and January, when temperatures average around 10–15 °C (50–59 °F) in the northwest; temperatures rise as one proceeds towards the equator, peaking around 20–25 °C (68–77 °F) in mainland India's southeast.
Summer or pre-monsoon season, lasting from March to May. In western and southern regions, the hottest month is April; for northern regions of India, May is the hottest month. Temperatures average around 32–40 °C (90–104 °F) in most of the interior.
Monsoon or rainy season, lasting from June to September. The season is dominated by the humid southwest summer monsoon, which slowly sweeps across the country beginning in late May or early June. Monsoon rains begin to recede from North India at the beginning of October. South India typically receives more rainfall.
Post-monsoon or autumn season, lasting from October to November. In the northwest of India, October and November are usually cloudless. Tamil Nadu receives most of its annual precipitation in the northeast monsoon season.
Colossal, multicultural, utterly beautiful, spiritual and fascinating: these words sum up India. It’s not just a destination but an experience. However, if you are travelling to India for the first time, it can be overwhelming and daunting. We bring you some travel tips for visiting India, which might just save your life and make your stay in India seamless, safe and super.
Know the Entry Requirements
To enter India, you need to have a valid passport, an Indian visa and a return/onward ticket. If you’re visiting as a tourist and your period of stay is no longer than 30 days, apply for ‘Electronic Travel Authorization (ETA)’. To know more about ETA, visit the official website:
https://indianvisaonline.gov.in/visa/index.html of Indian Government. Apply online prior to arrival.
Take it Slow and Steady
India is vast and incredibly diverse. From the Himalayas in the north to the serene backwaters in the South to the coastal countryside in the East to the arid deserts in the West, India is brimming with places to be explored. Do not cram everything in a single trip, but explore it bit-by-bit.
It’s advisable to start with the classics, i.e., the ‘Golden Triangle’ that includes Delhi, Jaipur and Agra. Or, follow your interests. If you’re into spirituality, head to Varanasi; for trekking and adventure, Himachal Pradesh; for shopping, Mumbai and Delhi; for Ayurvedic massages, Kerala; for a royal vacation experience, Rajasthan; for beaches, water sports and remnants of Portuguese culture, Goa; for a French atmosphere, Pondicherry.
Plan According to the Weather
India experiences diverse weather conditions, although in general the huge country has four primary seasons: summer, winter, monsoon and post-monsoon. Each region experiences different climatic conditions.
Health is Wealth
To stay healthy, remember these basic precautions. Indian food is a bit tangy and it can be common to experience a swirling stomach; consume wisely by eating freshly cooked food and drinking only from sealed water bottles. To protect against pollution in the cities, wear a scarf and mask in the streets. It’s also a good idea to travel with medications for diarrhoea, headache and other common ailments. Also be sure to get the necessary shots before your trip. Talk to your doctor about what might be necessary for you, and where you’re travelling. If you run out of medicines, don’t worry as there are pharmacies everywhere.
Learn a Few Basic Words in the Local Language
India is a culturally diverse country, and this includes the language. In fact, different languages are spoken in most states, although English is commonly used and understood across India. Hindi, while not the first language of all Indians, is also commonly understood, so it helps to learn a few basic Hindi words:
namaste (hello/goodbye),
shukriya or dhanyawad (thank you),
theek hai (alright or OK),
haan/haanji (yes),
nahi (no),
garam paani (hot water shower),
madat (help),
kripya (help/please),
aaj (today),
kal (tomorrow),
chai (Tea),
khaana (food),
chalo (let’s go).
Dress Modestly
In India you should also dress according to the place and customs. Some tourist spots, like a mosque, temple or other holy places require you to dress modestly by covering your head with a scarf and taking off your shoes before entering. In big cities you can wear whatever you want, but when visiting small towns, dress modestly. It’s good to aim to blend in with the rest of the population.
Know the Transportation
Flights, trains, local buses, taxis, autorickshaws… getting into and around India is smooth. India boasts one of the largest railway networks in the world. To experience the real beauty of India and save a few bucks, train is the optimal option. When travelling by train, carry chains and locks to secure your luggage and make bookings in advance. Air conditioned buses also travel between cities every day. For short trips within cities, use pre-paid taxi services, or use the Uber or OLA apps. Another way of navigating within cities is to use auto and cycle-rickshaws. Keep in mind that traffic on Indian roads can be torturous, so leave your hotel a few minutes early to avoid being late.
Money Matters
Use travel cards, debit cards and credit cards for transactions. You can exchange money at the airport, banks or travel companies. Access to international banks and ATMs is quite easy in Indian cities, but less so in small towns and villages. So, always have a reasonable amount of cash. If you need money and for some reason can’t get it at an ATM, you can have it transferred to you via Western Union.
Pack Well
Packing for a trip to India will largely be determined by the climate of where you’re going and the activities you plan to do. If travelling to India in the summer, light-weight clothes are perfect, but winter conditions vary a lot throughout the country. For example, winter in Delhi is very different from winter in Bangalore. It’s worth packing a light coat/jacket for evening and an umbrella/raincoat for monsoon travel.
Extra items to pack are high sun protection cream and a power bank to charge mobiles. 220-volt electricity is used in India, so pack necessary transformers, converters and adapters for your electronic appliances. Hand sanitizer should also be carried at all times.
Safety
Use your discretion while talking to people. Avoid walking or travelling by public transport at odd hours, as you would anywhere in the world. Don’t carry a large amount of cash around with you. Make a photocopy of your passport and carry that with you. Also, make note of emergency numbers are keep them handy. In India, the all-in-one emergency number is 112. Otherwise, for fire-101, police-102 and ambulance-103
Travel Insurance is Vital
Emergencies and mishaps cannot be predicted. It’s better to be prepared in advance. Get travel insurance from your own country that covers health issues, accident, travel delays, damaged or lost luggage, cancellation and other possible eventualities.
India is connected with the rest of the world by a robust network of air routes. It has 34 International airports located across the length and breadth of the whole country – from Srinagar in the north to Manipur in the east and Jaipur in the west to Chennai in the south. The following six airports of India are connected with all the top international destinations.
Commuting in India
Once you have arrived in India, getting from point A to point B is more a matter of your personal preference. It doesn’t have to be the boring but necessary part of your vacation. There are time-tested modes of transport and there are adventurous means to travel that add novelty to your trip.
Here’s an extensive directory of all the options available. Turn your holiday into a visual and experiential treat.
Fly High: India has 486 big and small airports that handle 135 million domestic and international passengers annually. 123 of these airports are open for commercial flights. India is the world’s 3rd largest market for domestic and civil aviation.
Set the wheels in motion by booking your tickets much in advance. It will not only fasten your long-distance commute but will also make it more comfortable and reasonably priced.
The six leading airports of Delhi, Mumbai, Kolkata, Chennai, Bengaluru and Hyderabad are connected with the rest of the country with 7 scheduled, 3 regional and 23 charter airlines. Chennai and Kochi airports are connected with the Andaman & Nicobar Islands and Lakshadweep respectively.
Add a splash of whimsy to your air travel in India by trying the helicopter charter services. This gives you the flexibility of picking your time of departure and location to the closest minute and metre. India holds the distinction of having the world’s highest helipad at Siachen Glacier at an elevation of 6,400 m. Give the serpentine roads a miss as you fly to destinations at mountain tops.
Riding the Rail: Trains are known as the lifeline of India. In it lives the world of unforgettable experiences. For Indians, their train travels are fragrant with sweet nostalgia and good times. People become friends for life, love stories blossom and life events are initiated thus. Indulge in the magic of it all by keeping some time to travel by train in India.
The sheer enormity of the Indian Railway grid can breathe some confusion into your itinerary. Steer clear of it by understanding the different types of trains and the purpose you wish to take them for.
Shatabdi/Express/ Duronto/Rajdhani/Tejas/Vande Bharat - These are long distance full-service trains that run between major cities. They maintain high speed (130 km/h to 180 km/h) and have fewer stops. Tickets can be bought online in advance.
Jan Shatabdi/Garib Rath - These trains are low on amenities and have space constraints but they offer affordable travel at nominal ticket rates.
Mail/Passenger - These are slow trains that stop at every station on the way. If you are headed to an offbeat location then these are lifesavers. They drop you to the smallest outpost.
Luxury Trains - Savour stunning landscapes, impeccable hospitality and heritage destinations in these Luxury Trains of India.
Mountain Railway: Tourists affectionately call them toy trains as the wagons are much smaller in size and ply at such a slow speed that you cannot resist the temptation to get down and walk alongside. They run on narrow gauge tracks. Darjeeling Himalayan Railway, Nilgiri Mountain Railway (India’s only steep graded train with a toothed rack rail) and Kalka Shimla Railway are on the World UNESCO Heritage Site list.
Suburban or Locals - These are high volume intra city trains that help decongest the commuting problems in big Indian cities and their satellite towns. They can be either the rapid transit Metro trains run by Metro Rail Corporations or they can be suburban local trains run by Indian Railways. The Monorail concept is catching up fast as well, with Mumbai leading the way.
A handy map with colour coded routes and fare charts makes it very easy for you to navigate your way gently through the inner-city train maze. Looking at the huge crowds, travelling in locals is an art in itself. They reduce the travel time within city limits to almost 1/3rd but if you suffer from claustrophobia then taking these trains in non-peak hours will be a great service you can do to yourself.
The Roads Well Travelled: Sweeten the travel deal with generous dollops of road trips. It is the best way to discover the hinterland heartbeats without touristic veneers. National Highway Authority of India develops and maintains the national highways network (131,326 km).
Taxis: Vehicles are available on rent along with trusted drivers well-versed with local attractions and terrains. From a small 4-seater to spacious 7-seaters, taxis come in all sizes. You can avail these services from local tour operators or transport aggregators such as Ola and Uber.
Bus: All the states have direct interstate bus transport services. They are comfortable and reasonably priced. Most of them are overnight buses, which means you do not waste any days in travel. Private players in this sector employ sleeper/semi sleeper Volvo buses, should you wish to add the luxury of having a restful sleep by the time you reach the destination.
Autorickshaws/ motorcycle taxis: They are readily available and you can hail them, as and when you need them. There is no need of prior booking.
Ferry: Coastal cities and islands have ferry terminals that ply on all major tourist routes. Passengers as well as vehicles are welcome on board. You can book a single or return ticket as per your requirement.