Yes. Advice depends in where you are going, where you're staying and who you're going with. I only have direct experience of fairly rural areas so would say make sure you're fully vaccinated, don't drink the water, don't drink or eat anything from roadside vendors and take precautions against malaria. Otherwise just enjoy  |
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By (user no longer on site)
over a year ago
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"Ever been? Any advice ? "
Be polite, respect religious shrines and enjoy. Its a big country and there is a lot of variance depending on where you go but the majority of people are nice and its culturally and visibly vibrant. The one thing you don't want to do though is hire a car. |
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Trains are good and plentiful...plan where you want to go...ie Delhi...Bombay (Mumbai)...Madras...foothills of Himalayas are thousands of miles apart so journeys are long and arduous.
However as others have said the travelling is part of the experience...vendors sell their food on train station platforms and most travellers are very friendly if a little smelly so hygiene is important.  |
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If the street vendors cook the food in front of you and serve it piping hot then why not eat from them? Some of the best food is street food and you can generally see all the food handling which you can't in a restaurant.
The biggest culture shock is seeing the poor and beggars.
Don't feel obliged to stay 5*, customer service is so good that you'll feel spoilt wherever you stay.
And unless you go to Goa go for a few weeks. Don't over estimate how far you'll be able to travel between placed or you'll spend all your time travelling and little time enjoying each destination. |
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By (user no longer on site)
over a year ago
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Am going there in a few weeks for a bit of a wander
was advised to take plenty of antiseptic handwash and use it every time I handled money
also advised to always check the seals on the water bottles have not already been broken.
Other advise already given elsewhere in the thread but If I come across anything that is a must know while I am there I will let you know |
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By (user no longer on site)
over a year ago
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The catchphrase 'incredible India', sums it up perfectly!
You need plenty of time, obviously but which parts are you going to? Because the time of year that you go is quite important. |
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All good advice has been mentioned.
Same goes with ice, it'll be from their taps o avoid that
Bottled sealed water always
Carry loo roll, hand cleaner never know when you get caught short...
Keep well hydrated.
Thin clothes at night to reduce getting bitten.
Be safe, have fun and respect everything/everyone...
Ignore the poverty, easier said than done. |
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By (user no longer on site)
over a year ago
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"All good advice has been mentioned.
Same goes with ice, it'll be from their taps o avoid that
Bottled sealed water always
Carry loo roll, hand cleaner never know when you get caught short...
Keep well hydrated.
Thin clothes at night to reduce getting bitten.
Be safe, have fun and respect everything/everyone...
Ignore the poverty, easier said than done."
I reckon!! Be prepared for some serious culture shock but in truth, nothing prepares you for that - unless you've experienced it before; but give it a few days!! |
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By (user no longer on site)
over a year ago
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"All good advice has been mentioned.
Same goes with ice, it'll be from their taps o avoid that
Bottled sealed water always
Carry loo roll, hand cleaner never know when you get caught short...
Keep well hydrated.
Thin clothes at night to reduce getting bitten.
Be safe, have fun and respect everything/everyone...
Ignore the poverty, easier said than done.
I reckon!! Be prepared for some serious culture shock but in truth, nothing prepares you for that - unless you've experienced it before; but give it a few days!! "
this - it took us a week to realise that one pound is a huge amount of money in India so you'll be asked for £1 everywhere you go. Whilst its nothing to us, until you realise how valuable it is you haven't really adjusted. We only went for two weeks but spent more in the first three days on bad haggling / tips and the wrong restaurants (the food is incredible you don't need to pay much at all) than we did altogether on the rest of the holiday. You'll have an amazing time  |
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By (user no longer on site)
over a year ago
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The states of Kerala & Himachal Pradesh are easily my favourites but they could hardly be further apart - & the former is perfect to visit at this time of year but it's the worst time for the former; you've got to do some planning, that's for sure!
But it's brilliant & for some, a life changing experience. Enjoy!! |
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It's a wonderful country and you will probably have a great time.
Be very streetwise and keep your wits about at all times.
The prices for tourist almost doubles. Always bargain, bargain and bargain. Don't be embarrassed as it's a way of life there.
As someone has already mentioned, the pound goes a long way. Food and transport is cheap but trains and can be chaotic - still the best way to see the country.
Allow plenty of time for everything. Life there can be at snail's pace but that's part of the fun.
Enjoy, enjoy and enjoy some more |
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Just spoke to sister...avoid roads at all costs.
She was out in Delhi training call centre staff for American Express. ...driving back in a taxi the car in front drove into a hole in the road and disappeared. No elf and safety apparently and holes just left with no warning signs etc |
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I'm eating in a Bangladeshi restaurant/cafe later this evening.
Raj in Durrington (Worthing)...went in one cold and wet Sunday night two weeks ago.
The owner cooked some special food for me put a heater in the restaurant even though I was the only customer. Then drives me to my hotel in Worthing not wanting anything. I invited Raj in for a drink exchanged numbers after putting the world to right and I'm eating over there with partner tonight. The food is beyond belief. ..it has a sister shop in the parade of shops at the bottom of the hill where I live which I'd become a regular customer of...takeaway only...  |
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"It's awesome to have a local Indian where the foods delicimo - the spice of life......."
It is the best spicy food...also heavily into Mexican Thai Vietnam Central American Tunisian and most of north Africa...partner is Tunisian...in Brighton we have more redtaurants than London per head of population. ..  |
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By (user no longer on site)
over a year ago
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Friend of mine went with his gf, lost their money and passports within an hour of landing, then he got a bug and lost 2 stone (in weight) out of his bottom. The rucksack's they had on had the straps cut with knives and as they stepped up into a train the bags stayed behind then disappeared into the crowd.. |
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By (user no longer on site)
over a year ago
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"Friend of mine went with his gf, lost their money and passports within an hour of landing, then he got a bug and lost 2 stone (in weight) out of his bottom. The rucksack's they had on had the straps cut with knives and as they stepped up into a train the bags stayed behind then disappeared into the crowd.."
you'd never leave you're own home if you just concentrated on the bad stories; - I traveled the subcontinent for four months & the biggest problem was shaking of the well wishers!!
.....but stomach problems are the norm, I grant you!! |
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"Friend of mine went with his gf, lost their money and passports within an hour of landing, then he got a bug and lost 2 stone (in weight) out of his bottom. The rucksack's they had on had the straps cut with knives and as they stepped up into a train the bags stayed behind then disappeared into the crowd.."
Travellers rather than tourists...usually have no trouble. ..keep wits about you you should be ok.
I was 26 working in Saudi Arabia as an accountant travelled the world for free as I organised company air tickets...adventures in Mexico USA Canada Thailand Singapore Philippines Singapore Djibouti Egypt etc...experience helps. .. |
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