Best Tips for First Time Travel to India
India is amazing! But it can be daunting for first time travellers. A friend of mine is headed there soon and asked “Do you have any hints on preparing emotionally for the culture?” Such a smart question! And the very reason for this article of tips for your first time travel to India. But before we get to the tips (jump straight to the end for the list), let me write a little in general; forewarned is forearmed, after all.
Sensory overload and culture shock
Local tourists in Jaipur: T JelsmaThe food, colours, and Bollywood movies have always pulled me to India.
But for the longest time, I didn’t want to go because I feared the poverty would have me in tears the whole time. And I’d want to give away my money and possessions to all who needed it.
In 2015, I finally started planning a trip there for my husband and I, but I was nervous. Indian men in the streets in Singapore stare at women unashamedly – even at middle-aged women like me. Could I expect the same in India? That was just the first of my many questions.
I needed advice so asked some married friends of mine – Yogesh and Monica. He is Indian, she is Mexican – if anyone could answer my questions, I figured it was them. Their advice was invaluable. And Monica understood exactly what I was talking about with the men staring.
Yogesh told the story of his American college classmate who decided to backpack round India one summer break and surprise Yogesh at the end of his vacation. This head first approach works for some people, but certainly not all. That friend made his way to Yogesh much earlier than planned. He was burned out, suffering culture shock. He was not used to the sheer number of people and the lack of personal space. It was not the trip he expected.
I quickly explained that we had no plans to backpack India. Ours was a wedding anniversary trip. I had 5-7 days set aside, and I wanted 4 or 5 star accommodation.
And I desperately wanted advice on where we should go and the best way to get around.
The Golden Triangle
Yogesh strongly advised we do the Golden Triangle. I was resistant to do what everyone else does, but I’m glad we took his advice. Though it’s only a tiny drop in the sub-continent experience that makes up India, for first timers, you really can’t go wrong with the Golden Triangle. This means arrival and departure from Delhi. Then you go to Agra (think Taj Mahal). Then from Agra you go to Jaipur (forts and palaces). From Jaipur you go back to New Delhi. All in the Rajasthan region, and roughly forming a triangle.
Yogesh recommended we find a tour company in India to arrange a driver for our whole trip. Tour companies also pre-book accommodations and guides for the places you want to visit. This approach works very well.
Our chosen tour operator communicated with me in advance about budget, choice of hotels and what we wanted to see in each place. (Our tour company was recommended by friends and they were great! Always get recommendations – some drivers, like the latest driver from Jodphur to Udaipur, can be horrendous!)
View from Taj Mahal of the crowds: N Jelsma
On the day we arrived, our tour operator met us at the airport along with our driver. As we drove to our hotel the tour operator explained our schedule and answered all our questions. He was there again the next morning to make sure we were all ready to go, and then he bid us farewell until we returned to Delhi again. Our driver picked up pre-arranged guides for major sites like the Taj Mahal. The whole trip went smoothly. Accommodations were perfect and we were wow-ed by the experiences we had.
We left with an understanding of what makes India tick, and we left wanting more.
Safe food and drink
Indian food has a reputation. Some good (great vegetarian options, flavourful dishes) and some bad (Delhi Belly is a very appropriately named malady!)
Friends of mine in the medical industry say that India has germs and bugs that don’t exist elsewhere. Indian people have different tolerances than most of us. The best advice is to stay away from the street food and stick only to 4-5 star restaurants. This was difficult for my adventurous foodie husband!
Delectable sweets for sale in New Delhi: T Jelsma
Locals can generally take a lot more spice than you or I can, so be aware of dishes that are traditionally spicy and will set your brain and mouth on fire; perhaps ask for ‘less spicy’ when ordering.
Hygiene standards in India are different from those you may be used to. Do not ask for ice in your drinks. There is no way to tell if the ice is from ‘clean (purified)’ water or not. There have been instances of water bottles being refilled with ‘dirty (unpurified)’ water and resealed. Buy water from reputable shops whenever you can. Your driver should make sure you always have water bottles available as you travel. Carry anti-bacterial wipes or hand gel, and use it.
A lot of people recommend taking probiotics before and during your travel to improve your gut flora and ability to deal with unwanted bacteria. It’s up to you. I never got sick on my first trip there. But on my second trip I took probiotics before and during, and still got sick on my last day. It’s not a guarantee, but it can’t hurt, right?
Poverty in India
This is a struggle for lots of us, women in particular perhaps. Yogesh and Monica advised not to give anything to beggars. For many, it is their career and they are not interested in another way of life.
I’ve heard stories of tourists having money thrown back at them because it was too paltry to accept.
Cows are protected and have right of way in India: T Jelsma
Yogesh’s father in India goes round every week to check on some of the poorer people in his neighbourhood. There are lots of places like the Sikh temple in Old Dehli that cooks free food and gives it away to all who need it. There are also certain restaurants where you give money (ask your guide) and the restaurant owners will use that money to cook meals for those who need it. You can sometimes identify these restaurants by the lines of people sitting patiently out front waiting for the restaurant owners to receive alms on their behalf.
There are plenty of ways to contribute if you want to help. If you’re travelling with some girlfriends, consider helping out Days for Girls International. On the ground in India, Days for Girls deliver hygiene kits and vital education to girls in rural locations as well as helps local women start up their own sewing co-operatives. If you don’t have time to help while you’re there then you can donate to this same organisation through our donation page here.
Know how to shop
Bargain. Negotiate. And do so with a smile. Be prepared to walk away.
You don’t have to buy anything. But if you like it – do!
Even if you pay more than the next tourist, you’re probably still getting it at a good price. Take your time and consult your currency converter app. A lot of the vendors – especially those along the Golden Triangle route – are experts at helping cash rich and time poor tourists lighten their wallets.
Ordinary folk and everyday colour in Jaipur: T JelsmaSo without further ado, here are my ten best tips for your first time travel to India:
It’s not unusual to come across a wedding procession on the streets of Jaipur: N Jelsma
