India is a truly magical place, rich in cultural heritage, delicious cuisine and immersive experiences. It’s no wonder why it remains on the bucket list of so many aspiring travellers. Of course, journeying to such a unique and exotic country, especially if you’re a first-time traveller, can be a little overwhelming at times. With so many different sights, smells and sounds overloading your senses, it can be difficult to get around in this fast-paced country. Fortunately, there are a few simple tips you can follow to ensure that your stay in India is guaranteed to be a pleasurable one. Read on to discover 5 of our most important tips to follow when you’re travelling around in India!
- Turn to the Right Travel Agency
Perhaps you hate the idea that some travel agencies tend to jam pack their travel itineraries with one activity after another, resulting in a 6am start and a non-stop schedule day after day. Of course, it’s important to maximise the time you have abroad- after all, you won’t be staying forever. On the other hand, full-on itineraries such as these can really drain the juice out of travellers, prompting them to think about planning their own journeys without the help of an experienced travel agency.
If you’ve never been to India before, planning your own holiday from scratch can prove to be a bit of a problem. Arranging for accommodation, transportation, booking the activities and trying to sort out dinner plans once you arrive at your destination can be quite a stressful process. Furthermore, your trip could turn into a disaster if you forget to include something vital.
You’ll be pleased to find that there are several travel agencies who can offer itineraries that also include time for your own leisure and relaxation. What’s more, these agencies often have ties in the destinations they offer, meaning that they can provide you with the top options for accommodation, transportation and opportunities for interaction you never would’ve come across on your own. Choosing such a travel agency will allow you to relax in comfort, knowing that all your travel plans are covered, and you’ll still have time to do all the things you enjoy.
- Keep an Open Mind
Travelling to a new country is a big step, and it’s one that may cause you to feel a little scared or anxious. Maybe it’s a certain food you’ve never seen before, or it’s an activity that you never would’ve dreamt of pursuing. The trick when visiting any country for the first time is to keep an open mind, even if their customs and way of life is immensely different from your own. Travelling is a time for learning, experiencing and making pleasant memories that you can look back on fondly after you return home. You’ll never know if you like something until you try it, so travellers are always encouraged to take a chance and give things a go before your trip comes to an end!
- Avoid the Tap Water
Unless you want to experience an unfortunate case of Delhi Belly during your trip, avoid drinking the tap water, even that which may be in the form of ice cubes. Instead, opt to use bottled water for drinking and brushing your teeth, to be sure that you’re avoiding illness. When taking a shower, you should also take care to avoid swallowing the water.
- Incorporate Your Own Interests
What good is a trip that fails to appeal to your own interests and delights? If you truly want to make your trip a memorable one, don’t be afraid to avoid going with the flow. Conduct some research before consulting with your travel agency to determine what sights and activities you’d be most interested in pursuing. If you’ve chosen a good travel agency, then they should be able to incorporate these aspects into your itinerary with no trouble at all.
- Respect the Culture
Chances are the cultural aspects of India are going to be very different from the cultural aspects of your own country. When visiting any new destination, its important to show respect for their unique customs and way of life.
In India for example, most temples require you to take off your shoes before entering the building. As a respectful traveller, it’s a good idea to follow laid out rules such as these, and perhaps consider wearing sandals or some other style of shoe that will make the process of taking them off and putting them back on a lot easier. In addition to this, public signs of affection aren’t so positively received as they may be in other Western cultures. So, avoid making out with your partner in front of the Taj Mahal at sunset, even if it does seem like a romantic idea at the time!
A trip to India is only going to be as good as you make it- so take all the opportunities which come available to you whilst also ensuring to stay smart when arranging your travel plans. The aforementioned tips are only some of the many out there available to guide you- there’s no doubt that you’ll discover more for yourself whilst on your holiday journey!
