India

My time in India was spent mostly in the North, covering the golden triangle which included Delhi, Agra and Jaipur. I flew into Delhi for a few days then took a 3hr taxi ride to Agra to see the iconic Taj Mahal. Then took a coach to Jaipur here I visited the Amber Fort where painted elephants walked the grounds. Next, I headed to the Ganges and took a night boat ride along the river. My final stop took me on a train to kolkata Where I visited Mothers Teresa home and burial place. My experience in India was hectic and at the same time extremely thrilling and humbling. I hope this short summary of India will help you plan your trip.

Best Time to Visit

India’s vast size means that depending where in the country you are visiting the weather may vary. Generally, the best time to visit for warm, dry and sunny weather is between October and March. During December and January most of the country is cooler, while the Himalaya can be very cold, but with clear mountain views. July to September is the Monsoon period in India not an ideal time to travel because of the heavy rain.

Things to do and see

1. Taj Mahal is the greatest architectural building in Islamic architecture. In 1632 the construction of the Taj Mahal started and was completed in 1648 to house the tomb of Mumtaz Mahal who was one of the wives of emperor Shah Jahan. Both the emperor and his wife are buried in the Taj Mahal. The ivory white marble that makes the Taj Mahal the architecture masterpiece is also the most visited world heritage site in India.
2. Amer Fort is a complex of palaces, built with white marble and yellow and pink sandstone. The palaces are divided into four sections each with its own courtyard. Some visit the fortress on elephant back which for others are considered harmful to the elephants.
3. Ganges is the most spiritual river in India for Hindus and is also used by millions of Indians who depend on the water to clean themselves, their clothes and preform memorials and funerals, many India’s cremate their love ones at the Ganges. An interesting place to visit.
4. Hawa Mahal was built in 1799 as an extension to the royal place of Jaipur. It is believed to have been built to allow the royal women to observe processions without been seen by the public. The Palace today is one of the most visited tourist attractions in India.

Food

Indian food is made up of a combination of regional dishes. Popular dish to try in India is the Murgh Makhani also known as butter chicken. 30% of Indians are vegetarians, so there are a lot of amazing vegan and vegetarian food. Most dishes with meat also have a vegetarian version. The variety of dishes across india are spicy and full of flavour. Each region has its own flavour. Seafood is a big part of the diet in the coastal areas. While coconut is used in many Keralan dishes in the south. A variety of international dishes can usually be found at 4-5-star hotels. Rice is the staple food in Indian cooking, the North of India specialises in meaty stews, while in the south the food is heavily spiced vegetarian dishes; both include many kinds of bread.

Transportation

Air: There are direct flights from London to most of the big cities in India. Domestic airlines include, Air India, GoAir, IndiGO, SpiceJet and Jet Airways.

Roads: Roads in major cities like Delhi are well maintained, Travel in rural areas during the monsoon season can be very dangerous because of the flooding and landslides caused by the rain. Drivers drive on the left-hand side of the road.

Taxi: Taxi’s, auto rickshaws, tuk tuks and motorbike taxis are available in large cities.

Bus: Buses in India connect most of the country, all buses make toilet and food stops. There are private, and government run bus companies which can be booked in advanced.

Ferry: There are ferry services from Kolkata and Chennai to Andaman Islands. There are also seasonal services from Kochi and Calicut to the Lakshadweep Islands. Bombay to Goa is also another seasonal ferry service that is often suspended.

Rail: India has a government run rail way system that connects most of the country. There are eight classes of travel; First class air conditioned, First class sleeper, second class air conditioned, second class, sleeper class, third class air conditioned and chair car. There are also luxury trains that include a sightseeing tour such as The Palace on Wheels and The Fairy Queen.

Visa

Visas are required by all EU, U.S, Canadian and Australian nationals for India. You must apply for a visa in advance of your trip, you can apply for an e-Tourist visa online.

Language

The official language in India is Hindi which is spoken by about 40% of the population. English is often used in the tourist industry. In addition, there are 17 regional languages. The northern Muslim population largely speak Urdu

money

The official currency used in India is the Rupee (Rs). Currency should be changed at banks, authorised Bureau De Change, including hotel cashiers. Try and obtain some small notes for small purchases and tips. ATMs are available in major cities and credit cards can usually be used for payment at larger shops and hotels.

Tipping

10% is common in restaurants that dont include a service fee.

Social etiquette

80% of Indians are Muslim. Like in most of Europe Smoking in Public Places is banned. Anyone found violating the rule will likely have to pay a penalty. Women and men should dress modestly especially when visiting religious sites. The dress code, however, is more relaxed in Goa. Always remove shoes before entering a temple or mosque.

Racism/Sexism/Discrimination

Adaptor

There are three associated plugs used in India, one plug has two round pins, the other has three round pins in a triangular pattern like in the UK and the final plug type has three round pins.

Wifi

Internet cafes can be found in most cities and tourist destinations. Free Wi-Fi is available from most restaurants, hotels and guess houses.