There aren’t too many things better than packing a bag, boarding a plane, and setting off on a new adventure to a new place. It gets even better when you’re travelling to a country that’s entirely unlike your own. Suddenly, it’s like you’ve stepped off this planet and onto a new one. That’s what makes it so exciting! And if you’re from the Western part of the world, the country that’ll give you this feeling the most is, arguably, India. An enchanting land, full of sights, sounds, and warm people, it is nonetheless a country where it’s best that the traveller is armed with some useful information beforehand. It’s possibly not a place to wing it, especially if you are not a seasoned traveller. Below, we take a look at 6 essential tips that’ll help you during your first trip to India.
Have No Expectations
It’s generally a good idea to avoid having too many expectations when you’re visiting a place for the first time. But really, in some places, it’s not the end of the world, for example, New York probably isn’t a million miles away from what you think it’d be like. However, in India, this isn’t the case. Forget what you’ve read or seen on the big screen, the information isn’t going to be much use once you’re on the ground, especially in some areas of the country.
Know the Scale
Saying that you’re going to India is a bit like saying you’re going to the Americas. Which part are you going to? The South? The North? The islands? When you’re planning to take a journey to such a huge place, you need to be more specific. Because it’s so large, you won’t be able to see it all on one trip (or even multiple trips). The best you can do is get to know a small region of it. Pick the North or South, or at least a manageable size, and start from there. You’ll be thankful for it once you’re on the ground and come to understand just how big it is. A good way is to start with Leh Ladakh tour packages in North India and then slowly make your way to other parts around.
Prepare For Culture Shock
You’ll likely have spoken to multiple people who have been to India before. And if you haven’t, let us paint a picture of what they normally say: it’s a fascinating place, but boy oh boy, it takes some getting used to. If you’re flying into one of the bigger cities, as you probably will, then you’ll be confronted by a spectacle, the likes of which you’ve never seen before. There’ll be a lot of people, a lot of smells, a lot of noise, a lot of everything, essentially – it is Indian life. This is part of what you came for, so make sure you find a way to enjoy it (it is, admittedly, much easier to enjoy if you know what’s coming).
Take a Break
If you’re going to fly all the way to India, then you’ll probably have a pretty long list of places you want to see and things you want to do. Still, while you’ll want to make the most of your time, it’s also important that you take a break every now and again. It’s much easier to enjoy all the sights that India has to offer if you’re relatively well-rested. Before going, make sure you research some of the best beaches to visit in India. They’ll provide the chance to spend a few days doing nothing but living the good life, and a chance to recoup some of the energy that exploring has taken out of you.
Watch What You’re Eating
The other thing that people who have been to India often mention is the food. They talk about it in both positive and negative terms. On the one hand, the food is delicious. You’ll eat well, without a doubt. However, there’s also the matter of cleanliness and hygiene, or, rather, the lack of it. Unless you want to have an upset stomach for the duration of your trip, try sticking to better quality restaurants. Don’t stress if you do begin to feel a little unwell, however, so long as it doesn’t go on too long.
Remember Less Is More
Finally, remember that when it comes to India, less is more. It’s better to practice the art of slow travel and visit fewer places and get to know them on a deeper level rather than to try to cram in as much as possible during your trip. Do less, and you’ll have the perfect excuse to return in the future!
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