"The Land of Diversity"
India Tourism
Situated in South Asia, India is a country with deep cultural roots and a rich heritage. A great country for budget travel, India is popular for its forts and palaces. You can visit India to find yourself through yoga, to lose yourself in the mountains of Himalayas, to be mesmerised by the ancient temples. The crowded bazaars, blaring traffic, filmy music, the colour, the noise and not to forget, the chaos will leave you all amazed and overwhelmed.
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Tourist Places to Visit In India
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Best time to visit India
December - March is the best time to visit India
The best time to visit India is between October and March. It majorly covers the winters and beginning of summers. The summer months of April to June are typically sweltering and should be avoided. A (Read More)fter the scorching heat of summers, monsoons transform the terrain into a captivating place, but the levels of humidity and precipitation may not be something one was looking for. Whereas during winters, the temperature in most regions falls in the night time but is pleasantly average or quite high during the day.
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Holidify's Opinion
What's Great?
Great diversity in landscape and culture. Blessed with natural beauty. Ancient heritage and architecture. Yoga and meditation.
What's Not So Great?
Overcrowded. Too much littering. Some people tend to overcharge foreigners. Poor infrastructure and hygiene in some places.
For Whom?
Adventure seekers. Heritage and culture enthusiasts. People who enjoy architecture. Trekkers. Spiritual peace seekers.
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Exchanging Money in India
The rates for exchanging to INR overseas are poor and it is illegal to import rupees. The currency can be exchanged at any of the numerous foreign exchange conversion units in India, including banks. ATMs can be found in abundance in India, except on smaller airports. Most ATMs pay out up to INR 10,000 in each transaction. International banks such as CitiBank, HSBC, Deutsche Bank, RBS and Standard Chartered can be found in all the major Indian cities.
Nightlife in India
Nightlife in India is limited to the major cities, and typically does not extend very late into the night. The IT cities of Bangalore, Pune and Gurgaon are known for their breweries and freshly brewed beer. Goa is famous for cheap alcohol, beach shacks, nightclubs and beach parties. Mumbai is your destination for partying till the wee hours of the night.
Shopping in India
Shopping in India is a wonderful experience due to the availability of beautiful, exotic and inexpensive souvenirs. When shopping in India, be ready to bargain. Haggling over prices is an accepted and widely spread practice. There are plenty of shops at every place which sell local products and virtually all the state governments in India run handicraft emporiums. Popular items to take home are pashminas, handicrafts, silk sarees and Indian spices.
Festivals of India
The larger than life festivities in India leave the traveller with a sense of extravaganza. Vibrant processions held during the major festivals are a sight to behold. The colours, music and dancing instil great elation in people. Diwali is one of the most popular festivals, and can be experienced throughout the country. Other popular festivals include Holi, Eid and Christmas.
Hygiene in India
Visiting India requires travellers to adapt to a new atmosphere, climate and food. This tends to leave some travellers slightly ill in the beginning but gets better as one gets used to it. There are no specific vaccinations required to enter India. However, hepatitis, meningitis, and typhoid shots are recommended. The tap water is generally not safe for drinking and it is always advisable to buy packaged water. Always carry a first aid kit containing over-the-counter medicines along with a mosquito repellent. Stay away from stray dogs as they aren't vaccinated and tend to carry rabies.
Customs of India
Remove your shoes when entering a temple or mosque. It is also normal practice to remove your shoes while entering someone's home. Indians are very conservative about dress. Women are expected to dress conservatively with their legs and shoulders covered. Men should also dress properly and avoid wear skimpy shorts away from the beach areas. Kissing and embracing is frowned upon in public. In many areas of the country, even holding hands is not a good idea for couples. Public smoking is banned and carries a fine of INR 200. Tipping is not necessary, but it is good to tip around 5% at restaurants, INR 20 - 30 to doormen and valets. Cab and rickshaw drivers don't expect any tips.
Tips for visiting India
Carry over-the-counter medications for stomach upsets. Don't drink tap water - stick to packaged drinking water. Most tourist places in India tend to be crowded, so beware of pickpockets. Stay aware of typical transport costs, entry costs and prices of things to buy to avoid getting conned. If cost is not an issue, the luxury tourist trains in India may be an interesting way to tour a part of the country.
Food of India
Indian food is characterised by being rich and spicy. North Indian food is characterised by rich vegetables and meat cooked in thick gravy accompanied by rotis (flatbreads). This is what is generally found in Indian restaurants abroad. South Indian food is characterised by the use of coconut and rice as the main ingredients. Popular dishes like idlis, dosas and uttapams made from rice flour. Chai (tea with milk, sugar and spices) is sold at almost every street corner. Filter coffee is the choice of beverage in south Indian states.
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