4 Tips for Visiting India

January 14, 2022
Jess

India is one of those bucket list destinations that has so much to offer every single type of traveler. From the world famous Taj Malal, through to the beautiful beaches of Goa, one trip to India simply isn’t enough. If you’re planning a trip to India, there are quite a few things you should keep in mind to ensure that it is a stress free trip, here are my top 4 tips fo visiting India whether it’s your first or fifth time.



1. Consider a Tour
There are so many places around the world where I feel you can easily visit independently, but India is actually a relatively complicated place to visit. It’s large, there’s so much to do and see, it can be hard to move comfortably between places, there’s a lot of traffic… so many factors added together mean that booking an organized holiday can be a wonderful way to visit India stress free, so you can focus on enjoying your trip, taking photos, and trying all the delicious food. Harji’s India offer a range of holiday packages that will make everything easy, and provide ample support for you leading up to the trip, and while you’re away.

2. Get Travel Insurance
If you can afford to travel, then you can afford to buy travel insurance. Can you imagine having a medical emergency on the other side of the world, and having to pay for everything out of pocket? Travel insurance can cover so much more. When I was in India in 2011, there was an earthquake in my home city, and travel insurance paid for me to fly home and to be with my family during this devastating time. It can help with things like lost luggage, cancelled trips, property loss, and so on. The truth is you really can’t afford to skip it. Be sure to check out whether your credit cards include any coverage if you use them to purchase your insurance.

3. Pack Right
Be sure to research where exactly in India you’re going, what activities you plan to do, and the climates for these activities. India’s climates vary wildly, and you’ll want to be prepared for everything. You may also want to dress a little more conservatively than you do at home, especially when not in a beach town. Indians, especially women, tend to dress more conservatively than in Western countries, and if you choose to dress otherwise you may find yourself dealing with unwanted attention through to accidentally insulting people. If you plan to visit temples and other holy sites, you’ll want to dress very modestly and keep your shoulders and legs covered.

4. Be Careful What You Eat
This is one of the reasons that it can be helpful to travel on a tour, as you’ll be guided to ‘safe’ places to eat. There’s something called Delhi Belly, which is essentially food poisoning and most visitors to India find themselves with at least a sore tummy. To minimise the chances, I suggest stocking up on probiotics before you go, taking some activated charcoal with you, and being particular about where you choose to eat. You want to make sure that food is cooked properly and is hot when you consume it, which may mean you need to avoid some street vendors. Another tip I have that served me well, is go where the locals go. Not only should that mean it’s delicious, but if its somewhere busy chances are the food is made fresh and not sitting around for a long time.

India is such a wonderful place to visit, and is truly like no where else. I’m sure you’ll have a fabulous trip if you take into account these 4 tips for visiting India.