Travelers seem to have love/ hate relationship with India, particularly for the first time and thereafter it becomes easier when you get used to India and know what to expect. The right preparation is actually a long way to be sure that your first trip to India is memorable for all the right reasons. Though nothing can prepare you for culture shock of your first trip to India, it is a good idea to learn as much as you can about this unbelievably rich culture to help you get prepared for visiting India. Let us discuss how you can make your first trip to India enjoyable and memorable.
Decide when you want to travel to India
India is a big sub continent and the weather keeps changing from time to time, depending on where you want to go. The perfect time to visit India is during the winter from November to March as cooler temperatures make traveling pleasant experience. Again from March, things start getting hot and the humidity of April and May months do not make a pleasant travel experience while the monsoon rains start from June to September.
Decide where to travel in India
One of the things about traveling in India is diversity in this sub continent from snow capped Himalayan mountains to tropical beaches as well as from lanquid backwaters to desert forts and chaotic cities. Know the areas in which you find great interest – whether it is forts, places, history, nature, wildlife, beaches, temples, food or nightlife. India have all of them but it would require a lifetime to fit it all and hence, many people spend several trips for months discovering the amazing beauty of India.
Apply for a Tourist Visa for India
Visitors need to have proper visa to visit India, apart from citizens of Bhutan and Nepal. Thus, applying for your visa is a vital step in planning to travel to India. You may apply for an E-Visa to India on the government website. The visa for India will be valid from the date of issue and not the date of arrival in India. Hence, you should plan where and when to travel to India before applying for your visa so that it does not expire before your trip.
Plan a suitable budget for your trip to India
Traveling to India is one of the cheapest places to travel in the entire world. You could backpack around India for little money and most backpackers and budget travelers can travel comfortably on a budget of $20 – $30 for each day.
Get your vaccinations to travel to India
Most people worry about falling sick when they visit India. You need to see your doctor to check if you require any vaccinations and professional health related advice before going to India. It is advised to go at least 6 to 8 weeks before travelling since some vaccinations require treatment course for several weeks. Most travelers ensure that they get proper vaccination for Hepatitis A, Hepatitis B, Typhoid and Tetanus. The vaccines for Cholera, Diphtheria, Japanese Encephalitis and Rabies are also recommended. If your doctor cannot provide all of them, then it is advised to visit a private specialised travel health clinic.
Book your flights to India
After you get your Indian visa, you can finalise travel plans, book your flights to India and wait for the countdown to start. Search for the best deals throughout the month to get most advantage of the best deals and cheapest prices. It is usually inexpensive to get an indirect flight and even discover new destinations such as Abu Dhabi, Dubai, Istanbul or Muscat on the stop over.
Book your trains in India
The perfect way to travel to India is using greater value for money through Indian railways network. But, the seats are booked much ahead in advance in the most populous country. It is a good decision to book the tickets earlier, particularly when planning for a shot trip to ensure that journey is smoother and comfortable. If you fail to book trains in advance, then visit major stations a few days before travel and get a ticket from the Tourist or Taktal Quota.
Apply for an International Driving License
Taking a scooter or motorbike may be an inexpensive option in India and popular way to get around in places like God though new visitors may find the traffic a bit too chaotic. Most guest houses either rent you a motorbike or know someone that can at an affordable price.
After getting your India visa once you reach India, it is important to stay calm and open minded, expect the unexpected, take it slow and try not to get stressed out or frustrated by little things. With thorough research, people can stay away from common scams and enjoy their travel to the utmost.
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