About us

a little about this website...

hi,

This is an old blog that has been repackaged to include just the basics. Most websites out there give you so much of  unnecessary information that it makes it hard to digest and decide. We decided to stick to what you actually need to know and avoid whats called analysis paralysis. 

In any case, your local travel agent will tell you all you need to know about the places to visit and honestly anything more than that is overkill.

Coming back to India, the first thing that will amaze you as you step out of the airport is people....lots of them. In fact so many that we've stopped counting! 

India is the second most populous nation in the world after China, and while China is a communist country where the government can force you to have just one child, India is the worlds largest democracy and Indians believe that babies should be allowed into the country. Its their birthright.  

This blog is done differently. It teaches you to stretch your precious dollar and extract every ounce of juice from it. After all its your hard earned money. And you need to spend it wisely. 

We also guide you on how to keep yourself and your belongings safe as a lone woman or a group of women or a family traveling through India. Whatever you forget to bring with you, please pack your common sense with your luggage before you leave your country. This country will teach you that common sense is something you can't survive without. And pretty quickly too!

As a single woman or family NEVER pinch pennies when it comes to your hotel. Go for the best you can afford. The higher up the tree, the safer you are.

NEVER accept unsolicited gifts or help from strangers. Its not uncommon for items of food like Indian sweets/ savouries or chocolates to be drugged and offered to unsuspecting tourists. Especially while travelling in buses or trains. Even juice tetra-packs can be used. Even cigarettes. You could be a victim of theft or worse. Be Careful. Very Careful.

Expect to pay extra fare when you use rickshaws for short distances. As Indians visiting a neighboring state, they overcharge us too. You are no exception. Always find out the approx. fare from a shop and pay about rs.50 - rs.100 above that depending on the total. Its normal. If you go by the meter, you're done with your sightseeing!

India is not a country for outdoor camping by yourself, so abandon such ideas. If its arranged by a travel agency, they're responsible for your safety.

Enterprising young people have started the concept of Heritage Walks across many cities in India. These are reasonably priced with educated english speaking guides and can give you a feel of the city. These Heritage Walks are conducted on foot, bicycle or even motorbikes and usually comprise of small groups. In some cities like Mumbai, there is also a "city tour by night on motorbike" available. Wherever available, these should be your first option. 

Touts are aware that most western tourists visiting India are simple middle class folk and try to lure them with offers of cheaper hotels and cheaper sightseeing. NEVER agree.

A few years ago a Japanese tourist was offered a cheaper room in another hotel and after she had shifted, her juice was drugged and she was assaulted. Learn from the mistakes made by others.Once you have selected your hotel and checked in, stay put.

Seas in India can be rough and straying far from shore is strictly not recommended. Very few beaches in India have lifeguards. Rescue is a coordinated effort between the police and the Navy...and that takes time. In short - No Baywatch Here 

This is an old blog that has been revived. The address is: checkin2india.blogspot.com and the header is - just alan

The older pages of this blog (white background) are not relevant anymore. 

Please visit our other blog on poetry and humor, the link for which is provided in the blog menu on the top.

We hope you enjoy going thru the pages of this blog as much as we enjoyed putting it together for you.

We also update and modify posts, so please keep checking regularly. 

Thank you so much and God bless,

alan mathias

Videos

Munnar (Hill Station) - Kerala: 

Munnar is a town and hill-station located in the Idukki district of the south western Indian state of Kerala. It was the summer resort of the British elite in India.

Munnar is situated at around 1,600 metres (5,200 ft) above mean sea level, in the Western Ghats mountain range. 

Munnar is also called the "Kashmir of South India" and is a favorite honeymoon as well as family destination. Breathtakingly beautiful, Munnar is on every tourist's itinerary.

How to get there: Munnar does not have an airport of its own. The nearest airport is the Cochin International Airport, which is 110 kilometres away by road. From Cochin (Kochi), you can take a bus or hire a cab to get to Munnar.

When to visit: September to May are the best months to visit Munnar. Summers are a little warm, but one can still visit Munnar during this season. Monsoon season experiences heavy rainfall and (July and August) could be avoided. But it's really beautiful during the monsoons.

What to see: Munnar is a hill-station and the spectacular landscape with endless rolling green hills and tea gardens is a treat for the eyes. 

Watch video for places you will visit during your stay in Munnar.

Note: This video will also play on your mobile Chrome browser.
Video credit - Lets Go. with Tourguide

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=y2CXVhHThBk

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Wayanad District - Kerala:

Wayanad, which is also known as the ‘green paradise’ lies in between the mountains of the Western Ghats. It is called the ‘green paradise’ because it forms the border of the greener portion of Kerala. It lies at a distance of 76 km from Kozhikode in Kerala

Called the 'abode of Kerala's tribal population', Wayanad is a luxuriant forested land dotted with misty valleys, sprinkling waterfalls and spice plantations. Wildlife sanctuaries are the most popular attractions here. However, apart form wildlife sanctuaries, other attractions like Banasura Sagar Dam, Chembra Peak and Meenmutty waterfalls lure travellers with their unbound scenic grace. 

Being an important tourist destination, Wayanad enjoys good commutation facilities with rest of Kerala. Vythiri hill station is in Wayanad district.

How to get there: Calicut International Airport, located around 65 km away serves as the nearest airport to Wayanad. Visitors can avail direct or stopover flights till Calicut from different parts of Kerala as well as rest of India, depending upon availability. On arrival at the airport, local taxis can be availed to travel till Wayanad.

What to see: watch video:

Note: This video will also play on your mobile Chrome browser.
Video credit - Lets Go. with Tourguide
https://youtu.be/h_uBuZKXgY8

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Vythiri Hill Station In Wayanad District Kerala: Video

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Ooty - (Hill Station) Tamil Nadu:

Udagamandalam (also known as Ootacamund and abbreviated as Udhagai or Ooty, is a town and municipality in Tamil Nadu, India. It is located 86 km north of Coimbatore and 128 km south of Mysore and is the capital of the Nilgiris district. It is a popular hill station located in the Nilgiri Hills.

Originally occupied by the Toda people, the area came under the rule of the East India Company at the end of the 18th century. The economy is based on tourism and agriculture.

The town is connected by the Nilgiri ghat roads and Nilgiri Mountain Railway. Its natural environment attracts tourists and it is a popular summer destination. In 2011, the town had a population of 88,430.

How to get there: Approximately 88 kilometres away, Coimbatore is the nearest domestic airport from Ooty which is well-connected with most of the Indian cities. Once you reach the airport, you can take a taxi or bus from there to reach Ooty.

What to see: Watch video below.

When to visit: Ooty is very alluring all throughout the year. Flower shows during February and March attract many tourists. Monsoon brings greenery and with scenic views. Being a hill station, winters are relatively cold.

The annual Tea and Tourism Festival attracts crowds in huge numbers to visit the place and have a great time in this wonderful place.

Note: This video will also play on your mobile Chrome browser.

Video credit - Lets Go. with Tourguide

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gKhDJKQ9_9A

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Kodaikanal - (Hill Station) Tamil Nadu: 

Kodaikanal is a city near to Palani in the hills of the Dindigul district in the state of Tamil Nadu, India. Its name in the Tamil language means "The Gift of the Forest". Kodaikanal is referred to as the "Princess of Hill stations" and has a long history as a retreat and popular tourist destination.

Kodaikanal was established in 1845 as a refuge from the high temperatures and tropical diseases of the plains. Much of the local economy is based on the hospitality industry serving tourism. As of 2011, the city had a population of 36,501.

How to get there: The airport nearest to Kodaikanal is Madurai, about 120 kilometres away. Others in line include the Trichy airport and the Coimbatore airport, 150 kilometres and 175 kilometres away, respectively. From the airport, you can easily get a bus to Kodaikanal.

What to see: Watch video below.

When to visit: Being a hill station, the weather of Kodaikanal remains pleasant throughout the year. Although the best time to visit the place is early summers from March to June, you can also visit Kodaikanal at the end of the year from December- February. The weather remains a bit chilly during this period.

Note: This video will also play on your mobile Chrome browser.

Video credit - Lets Go. with Tourguide

https://youtu.be/rhgQ9-NfkOk

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The Nilgiris District: is in the southern Indian state of Tamil Nadu. Nilgiri or Blue Mountains is the name given to a range of mountains spread across the borders among the states of Tamil Nadu, Karnataka and Kerala. The Nilgiri Hills are part of a larger mountain chain known as the Western Ghats. 

Their highest point is the mountain of Doddabetta, height 2,637 m. The small district is contained mainly within this mountain range; the administrative headquarters is located at Ooty (Ootacamund).

Nilgiri Mountain Railway (also called Toy Train)

The Nilgiri Mountain Railway (NMR) is a 1,000 mm (3 ft 3 3⁄8 in) metre gauge railway in Tamil Nadu, India, built by the British in 1908. The Railway is operated by the Southern Railway and is the only rack railway in India.

The railway relies on its fleet of steam locomotives. NMR switched to diesel locomotives on the section between Coonoor and Udhagamandalam. Local people and visitors led a campaign to return to steam locomotives in this section.

Nilgiri Mountain Railway uses 'X' Class steam rack locomotives, manufactured by the Swiss Locomotive and Machine Works of Winterthur in Switzerland, on the rack and pinion section of its tracks. 

The X Class locomotives are six to eight decades old. These locomotives give NMR a distinct charm, taking scores of passengers from Mettupalayam to Udagamandalam (Ooty), via Coonoor, in the Nilgiri Hills of Tamil Nadu. , crossing 45.8 kilometres (28 mi), 108 curves, 16 tunnels and 250 bridges.

The steam locomotives can be used on any part of the line, while the diesel locomotives can operate only on the section between Coonoor and Udagamandalam. This signals the beginning of the phasing out of the steam engines.

Watch video:

Note: This video will also play on your mobile Chrome browser.

Official Tourism video of the Govt. Of Tamil Nadu.

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Yercaud (Hill Station) - Tamil Nadu:

Yercaud is a hill station town in the south Indian state of Tamil Nadu. It lies in the Shevaroy Hills, known for their orange groves, and coffee, fruit and spice plantations. Yercaud Lake has a boathouse, and is surrounded by gardens and woods. 

On the lake’s eastern shore, Anna Park has local plants and a Japanese garden with bonsai. To the south-west, Lady’s Seat vantage point has a watchtower with a telescope.

How to get there: The nearest airport to Yercaud is the Salem Airport which is at a distance of 38 km. Another major airport is located at Trichirapalli at a distance of 165 km. 

Salem junction is the nearest rail head to Yercaud, located at a distance of 38 km from Yercaud. Travelers can take taxis or buses from the railways station to reach Yercaud.

It takes as little as 45 minutes to get to Yercaud from the Salem town. There are a lot of roads connecting Yercaud to major nearby cities like Salem (36 km), Chennai (355 km) and Coimbatore (195 km).

What to see: watch video:

Note: This video will also play on your mobile Chrome browser.

Video credit - Lets Go. with Tourguide

Travel Related News Updates

This page will keep you informed of the latest travel related news that will be largely India specific but may also include information from around the world that may interest you.

We will bring to you latest travel trends, government policies, travel advisories, new travel infrastructure and facilities.

This page will also report crimes against tourists and also instances where tourists themselves have been the perpetrators. You could learn from the mistakes others have made and stay clear from any unlawful activity like drugs.

Do check this page for regular updates. As usual we will keep it simple and to the point.

Click on the links below to go to the article:
Goans To Be Banned From Casinos From 2019, Says Goa CM Manohar Parrikar
Swimmers banned from Phuket beaches amid crocodile hunt - Thailand
Ryanair cancels 24 flights due to strike by Irish pilots
Farnborough Airshow: Airlander to offer 'luxury expeditions'
Exceptional situation' as Belgium shuts entire airspace after technical glitch - Belgium
Russian tourist sexually assaulted in Chennai - India
Need to have tourist police in every state: Minister - India
Only "good tourists" welcome in Goa says tourism minister - India
Photography Ban At Protected Monuments Lifted After PM Questions Rule - India
Thailand: at least 33 dead after Phuket tourist boat capsizes - Thailand
Mumbai Crime: Foreign National Arrested With Cocaine Worth Rs 9.20 Lakh - India
Tourism Police Should be Friend and Guide to Travellers Visiting Kerala: Minister
Global gastronomy in India: These expats' restaurants are powered by local people, ingredients
Chhatrapati Shivaji International Airport initiates check-in facility from anywhere in Mumbai
China issues U.S. travel warning amid trade tensions
Mumbai Rains: Heavy Showers Likely To Continue Till July 7  - Mumbai
Guide accused of raping Italian tourist arrested - Mumbai
Day and Night surveilance on Goa beaches - Goa
Goa Tourism to offer the enthralling Mhadei river rafting experience starting 28th June
Chinese tourists take to election tourism in Mysuru - Mysuru, Karnataka State, South India
IndiGo enhances connectivity across India; adds 20 new flights
Jet Airways to connect Mumbai and Manchester with a non-stop service this winter

e Tourist Visa

Click on the link below:
e Tourist visa application and details

On 27 November 2014, the Electronic Travel Authorisation (ETA) facility became operational for citizens of over 40 eligible countries, including those who are eligible for visa on arrival. The list was further expanded to 113 countries in August 2015 (see chart below). ETA is issued for tourism, visiting friends and family, short duration medical treatment and business visits. 

The scheme was renamed to e-Tourist Visa (eTV) on 15 April 2015. On 1 April 2017 the scheme was renamed e-Visa with three subcategories: e-Tourist Visa, e-Business Visa and e-Medical Visa.

An application for e-Visa must be made at least four calendar days in advance of the date of arrival and can be made as early as 120 days in advance. The visa is valid for 60 calendar days from the date of arrival, and can be obtained twice in a calendar year.

Double entry is permitted on e-Tourist Visa and e-Business Visa. Triple entry is permitted on e-Medical Visa. The duration of stay cannot be extended. 

The e-Visa fees are divided into four slabs of zero, US$25, US$80 and US$100, depending on nationality (based on reciprocity; see table below and notes), plus a bank fee of 2.5% of the visa fee.

Monsoons Cost Less

The rainy season in India starts early June and lasts through September. In a few states like Kerala, it may rain through the year, but much less after the rainy season. Monsoons are a great time to visit India.

All hotels, including luxury hotels and resorts, offer discounts of up to 30 % or more on their regular published rack rates. A lot of hotels also throw in some extras, like additional day free (mostly on room only basis), free sightseeing, free coach service for shopping trips, free use of otherwise paid facilities at the hotel, extended happy hours at the pub, free local brew, a free spa treatment etc.

Another obvious advantage is that hotels, during monsoons have a low occupancy rate, which means more privacy for you. If you don’t like your suite and need a room with a view, they’ll happily oblige. Lesser guests can also mean more attention.

Monsoons are the perfect time to visit India if you’re newly wed or just a couple. It could be the perfect honeymoon destination for you. If you’re planning ayurveda treatments in Kerala, monsoons are said to be the ideal time for it.

It rains a lot in the southern and north eastern parts of India. In fact Cherrapunji, located in the north eastern state of Meghalaya, is the wettest place on earth.

Floods every year in Mumbai and other cities is still a problem. There have been cases of people falling into open manholes on flooded streets and it is advised that you keep away from cities.

We recommend this season for couples and families wanting to spend a quiet holiday in Kerala or the hills of the north east or a wild life resort. It will cost a lot, lot less during the monsoons.

Do carry slippers or light rubber/ synthetic footwear. Cargo shorts and sweatshirts should work best for you. Also carry umbrellas, along with other basic monsoon gear like jackets and caps, and one sweater or pullover, especially if you have kids with you. 

At some places in India, nights can get quite chilly during the monsoon months.

Traveling through India in the rains has a charm of its own.

Ordering A Meal

Ordering meals in a restaurant anywhere in India is an art you can easily learn in a couple of days. Vegan restaurants always have – Vegetarian or Pure Vegetarian - mentioned under the name, so they’re easy to spot.

Most serve the famous Indian thali, and the menu can vary depending on your location. A north Indian thali is a little different from a south Indian thali, though many good south Indian restaurants will offer you a north Indian thali, and vice versa. If you order lunch, it automatically translates into a thali.

A typical south Indian thali (platter) consists of at least two vegetables, a curry or two, a pepper and tamarind curry (a good digestive), buttermilk, curds, pickles, a papadam and a sweet neatly arranged on your thali. Served with the thali are also chapattis/ pooris or roti (Indian breads), followed by a bowl of rice.

You can opt for more chapattis, pooris or rotis instead of rice. Extra rice, rotis, poories, papadam and chapattis are charged a little extra. Nothing else is charged more. The cost of the thali can vary depending on the restaurant but is very reasonable.

A north Indian thali may contain some other variety like pulao, kulcha instead of chapatti, chola batura (popular in the north) etc. It costs a little more than a south Indian thali.
At other restaurants, vegan meals can range from a thali to other Indian and Indo Chinese cuisine. Also available is veg pulao (pilaf).

Other recommended popular vegan dishes include:

Veg makkhanwala – vegetables and cottage cheese cooked with butter in a rich sauce
Aloo gobi masala - cauliflower and potato in spicy sauce
Channa masala - chickpeas cooked with spices
Gobi Manchurian – a popular Indo Chinese cauliflower dish
Hara Pulao - rice with vegetables flavored with spices and coriander leaves
Mutter paneer - green peas with cottage cheese and spices
Navratan korma - nine vegetable cooked in a rich gravy with cheese
Paneer korma - cottage cheese cooked in curds
Paneer palak – a popular dish made from spinach and cottage cheese
Vegetable Biryani - rice cooked with spices and many vegetables
Dal and masala dal (lentil soup) - is a specialty at restaurants in north India, especially Punjab, Chandigarh and Haryana and goes well with rotis

Recommended non vegan cuisine would include:

Butter chicken - very popular and best with naan and rotis
Chili chicken – boneless chicken pieces subtly flavored with pepper, spices and herbs
Ginger garlic chicken – a little pungent but tastes good
Chicken tikka masala – chicken marinated in spices, herbs and yoghurt
Kadhai chicken – chicken gravy cooked in the traditional kadhai
Murg mussulam – another kind of onion and tomato based chicken gravy
Palak chicken - chicken and spinach gravy
Rogan josh – Kashmir delicacy of select lamb chops richly cooked with cashews, almonds and yoghurt. Best tasted at exclusive restaurants
Muton/ chicken biryani - lamb cooked with long grain basmati rice and exotic spices
Mutton curry – lamb cooked Indian style

The above list is intended to help you order your meal in a restaurant. However, this list is very small and many good restaurants will present you a menu that could run into several pages. Exclusive places and restaurants at five star hotels are a gourmet’s delight.

All of the above dishes go best with naan, rotis, kulchas (Indian breads) or even parathas, except meat based rice dishes like pulao and biryani, where you don’t need them.

While ordering rotis,naan, kulchas etc always order one first. If left on your plate for some time, they tend to become hard (especially rotis) and crumble. Order the second one when you’re nearly through with the first. Restaurants serve them hot, and that’s the way they should be eaten.

The quantity served in restaurants may, many a time, suffice for two. Ask for half plate (its also half price). If you’re still hungry, you can order something again. If you’re two, order a full meal and share it. In any case, always order one meal first, and check the quantity

Many restaurants serve Paav Bhaji (mashed vegetables in a tasty gravy, with a dollop of butter on the top) served with small Indian buns (paav) that can easily replace an afternoon meal. Paav bhaji, which is very popular in India, started off much like the American burger, as a poor man’s meal in roadside eateries, but is now served in most places across India and also at Indian restaurants in the west.

Just thought of linking a menu from an online food order website so you get a good idea of items on a typical Indian restaurant menu with prices. Remember these are prices for good mid-range places.

Click here - Typical restaurant menu in India 

Note - Beef is now banned in most states in India for religious reasons and you are advised not to ask for or mention it. Restaurants in Goa and the North East serve beef

Avoid fish in small restaurants unless its prawns. Lobsters, king prawns and exotic sea food is available at expensive restaurants and five stars only.

Please note that mutton is the term used for lamb everywhere in India. Veg and Non Veg are terms used for vegan and non vegan respectively.

Snack It Up

A wide variety of branded snacks in all sizes and prices are available across the country. You’re never too far from a variety of crisps, waffles, biscuits, cookies, cheese snacks, crackers and a lot more. You can spot them on store shelves and display baskets 
everywhere.

Local branded snacks, available at stores all over, are equally good and a little cheaper. Popular among these are namkeens or savouries (if you drink, this can make an excellent accompaniment) available in a lot of varieties and make a very convenient snack while sightseeing.

Remember to buy some food grade stackable plastic containers, to store snacks and other short eats in your hotel room.

Another good source for light snacks is bakeries. They stock a lot of locally packed snacks, some made by them and reasonably priced. You’ll find many as you walk along and it’s very easy to tell the good ones.

Please note that the climate in India vastly differs from that in your own country, and you can tire easily, especially with the walking you’ll be doing while sightseeing. It is recommended that you never substitute snacks for regular meals. Drink plenty of liquids.

Photography

India presents a splendid photo opportunity, for both the professional photographer and the serious amateur, as also for the casual enthusiast. Many photographers have immortalized this country on film.

However, if you’re a serious photographer, you need to keep a few things in mind:
All palaces and monuments in India have been built by maharajas and dynasties of the time, for whom land and money was never an issue, and as such may not fit into a standard 50 mm lens. 

If it's just for your personal collection even a point and shoot will do. The Mysore palace is illuminated on Sundays for about an hour and daily during Dusshera festival with over 80,000 light bulbs presenting a marvelous photo opportunity.

To avoid disappointment, please carry any equipment you may need with you. There are camera fees to be paid at most monuments/ palaces/ other tourist attractions.
Memory cards for digital cameras are widely available, but you're better off carrying them with you.

All major camera brands from Nikon, Canon and Olympus to Sony and Minolta have authorized showrooms and service centers in major cities, if you need them.
Carrying contact details from their websites is advisable, in case you have a problem with your equipment.

At most monuments, you have to pay camera charges for photography. 

Note - At certain places, photography may be prohibited and you have to comply with the rules.

General Travel Tips

All important monuments in India are guarded by security agencies, and you may not be allowed to carry your backpacks, cameras and other audio video equipment including cell phones inside.

There are manned counters provided at all such places, where you can deposit these, for which you’re given a token. Keep this carefully as it will identify you as the rightful owner of your belongings

You may also leave your backpacks in the tourist coach, as these are generally locked once empty, or even at your hotel, unless it’s a very low budget place.

Do not attempt to carry cameras, pen cameras or anything inside, as security is strictly enforced. You are however, allowed to photograph the monuments from outside. There are professional photographers around, but you shouldn't need them. 

If you need someone to take your pictures, approach other tourists like you. And unless you can run really fast, dont hand over your equipment to strangers.

The best place for your passports and travel documents is always your trouser pocket or handbag.

At some places, like the Taj Mahal at Agra and temples, you are required to leave your footwear outside. Again, there are facilities for depositing them, usually for a small fee.

Select a hotel as close to the main road as possible. It's a little more expensive but they're better and safer and where you choose to stay will decide how safe you are. Never attempt to save a few pennies here. 

The check out time for most hotels in India is 12 noon, though some do offer 24 hour check out facility. Unless you can’t avoid it, try to retain the room till its time to head to the airport or railway station. 

If you’re unwell or suffer from a mild headache, you may need to get back for some rest, and finding another place can be cumbersome and expensive. There are no good public facilities in India, and once you check out, you’re out on the streets, quite literally so.

Some tourists check out in the morning, even though they’re booked on a night flight. Most hotels will accommodate you a little longer if rooms are available, for a small extra and this is advised, as it’s always better to check out from your hotel directly to the airport or station

When you use your hotels restaurant, always make it a habit to pay upfront. Never tell them to add everything to your hotel bill. While Indian cuisine can be an unforgettable experience, names often aren't. Can you remember the veg makkanwalla, rogan josh or paneer palak you were served last night? Ditto for other paid facilities like telephone, internet, pubs, laundry etc.

Another reason being, at the time of check out, you may not have enough time to run through the bill in detail. The lesser you leave to the imagination, the better.

While shopping and paying for services you may use on a regular basis, like cab fare, travel agents fees, sightseeing charges, porters and other sundry expenses, avoid the tendency to convert everything into your currency. If you do that you may assume India to be a very cheap country. And you’re wrong.

The cost of living in cities like Mumbai, Delhi and Bangalore is among the highest in the world. Real estate prices in prime areas of Mumbai, India’s commercial capital, both residential and commercial, have been compared to Manhattan in New York.

India is not cheap anymore. Its just that your dollar goes a little further here, but remember – its still a dollar in your own country, so be careful and spend wisely. 

Except for train/ bus fare, utility bills and essential items of grocery, almost everything else in India is perfectly negotiable. While shopping, one third of the quoted price is usually a nice place to begin.

Private airlines offer discounts, or if you know how to ask, they’ll create one for you. Try telling them of another airline offering lower fares, and they’ll tell you about the offer they forgot to mention, or the memo that just came in from the head office.

And yes, please don’t bring any electronic items like cameras and watches, hoping to sell them here for a profit. That was a bygone era. All brands worth their name from Sony and Canon to Tag heuer, Gucci and Rolls Royce are available in India, and you could end up making a distress sale, for much less than you bought them for.

Vaccinations - Consult your doctor who will be in the best position to advise you based on your requirement and medical history. Do not rely on website information and please do not self medicate.

Public Toilet Facilities

Public toilet facilities in India are pathetic to say the least. Some social service organizations have been constructing good clean public toilets for a long time now but they are not available everywhere. 

What you can do is walk into some hotel you come across and use their facilities. Most hotels won't refuse tourists and you could also pay a small fee as a token of appreciation.

Be Safe Girl

As a solo female traveler, its very important to be careful. India is very tourist friendly, and since the western tourist had discovered India a long time ago, people here are used to them.

But like we've already told you, unethical dressing does manage to attract attention, though in most cases, doesn't go beyond a curious glance.

As a single woman or a group of women, avoid hiring a private cab for inter city travel. Always use public transport - bus/ train/ air. Airfare is now cheap in India and regular offers are available. Always ask.

We cannot stress this enough - Never Try To Save Money On The Hotel. Go for the best you can afford even if you have to sacrifice something else for it.

You may however, wish to take a few mild precautions as follows:

Never approach vagabonds on the streets for help. You can easily tell them apart from their appearance.

As a woman, approach the police, decent looking people and students, families on the street, and shops and establishments around you. Walking into a nearby office is also a good idea. All of them will help you.

If you have to visit a pub or disco, try to go early and return early. You can’t expect people to be on their best behavior at such places. Also make sure you’re with a male companion or another woman companion in the least.

Most upmarket pubs and discos have adequate security arrangements. If it’s located in your hotel, it’s a lot better.

Avoid scanty and revealing outfits. Indians in general, tend to associate inappropriately dressed women with lesser morals. And though it’s wrong, it’s unfortunately part of the typical Indian psyche.

They may not harm you, but it does attract attention. Indians tend to be more  inclined towards tourists that dress well. Respect their culture, and they are likely to respect you.

Select a hotel on or as close to the main road as possible. They're better and safer. As far as possible, try to avoid smoking in public places as it’s not considered appropriate for women. In pubs, exclusive restaurants and in your hotel its perfectly okay.

Don't stay out late. Be back at your hotel by 8.00 pm.

Don’t wear a bikini on the beach, except in Goa where everyone does. Even there, don’t venture away from the beach in your bikini.

Stick to busy areas, and don’t follow people who may offer to show you something interesting. Remember, if there is something interesting enough to see, it should be on your itinerary.

Add the telephone number for the police hotline – 112 (equivalent of 911) - into your phone book. You may never need it, but just let it be there.

Never befriend strangers, however nice they may seem...you can never tell. Just keep to yourself.

Backpacker Tips

Most backpackers come to India for that typical South Asian experience within a reasonable budget. As a backpacker, you do have a wide range of options available.

Your typical budget for every city you visit should not exceed $40 - $50 for each day in a reasonably good budget hotel. That should include food and other small personal expenses and also local bus/ train fare and taxi fare for short distances. 

Please keep the following points in mind :

Most hotels at this price range are usually within walking distance from the railway station you just arrived at.

If you've arrived by air, don’t look around the airport. Even if there are a few, you won’t find them. Don’t follow touts. Just head for the railway station and start looking. 

Stations for outstation trains are centrally located and convenient for stay in the city and for sightseeing. Walk around and you’ll find a lot of small hotels. Touts may follow you here too, but its their job, and its your job to ignore them.

You get a feel of the hotel from the entrance, reception lobby and general upkeep. If it doesn't look good, it isn't. Keep walking.

Always check the room and the toilets before you pay them a penny. Also turn on the taps. If they tell you the water will come, chances are, it wont. Most charge you for two days in advance, and this is standard practice. And they’re very, very negotiable.

Plan your journey such, that you arrive early in the day. After dark its difficult to pick and choose as you’d be in a hurry to settle down.

Most of these small hotels don’t have restaurants of their own but there are many restaurants outside that cater to their guests.

If you ask one of the room service boys to fetch you food, the price could double. Ditto with cigarettes and everything else. Just drag yourself out. You’ll save your dollars. 

Self help is the best policy here.

Buy a few stackable food grade plastic containers as soon as you arrive in India. Use these to store, biscuits, cookies, crisps, chocolates and other snacks in your hotel room. This is recommended for everyone and not just the backpacker.

Restaurants in India usually serve a generous quantity, which is appropriate for Indians, but may be in excess for you. Most restaurants will serve you – half – that quantity for nearly half the price of the dish. This will more than suffice for one person. If you’re two, simply order one full meal and an empty plate!

KFC, Pizza Hut, McDonalds, Dominos, Pizza Corner, Subway, Burger King and others have outlets across cities and bigger towns.

Low budget hotels are not always situated in the best of locations and If you’re a single female traveler, a group of women or a family, it’s wiser to upgrade to a budget hotel in the least.
Most hotels in this price range do not offer packages and charge on a per night basis. Some may have a basic travel desk or could arrange local sightseeing for you.

INDIA - Myths And Facts

India is an often misunderstood country, mostly because facts have always been distorted or misrepresented by armchair travelers, who don’t really visit any country, but advise other travelers based on what they think they know, or more often heard from others like themselves. 

As a tourist, it is better not to rely on borrowed opinion from people who know little themselves. You’ll enjoy your visit to India a lot more if you come with an open mind, than with a pre-conceived distorted image of this country.

Don’t expect western standards here unless you’re a well heeled luxury traveler. You will have nearly all the facilities you have back home sans the frills. As an example, India offers some excellent shopping but may not be New York’s fifth avenue or a cobbled street in Paris.

Similarly all cities, towns and villages in India are well connected by an extensive rail and road network. But there is no automated payment system like you know it in your country. 
All facilities do exist, but don’t look for your standards. Some of them may not even be practical here.

Some common myths about India:

Myth - If you are navigating streets by map, be aware that reading or understanding street signs in India can be difficult
Fact - Tourists in India rarely use maps to navigate streets as most of them walk around or use public/ private transport and prefer to ask people on the streets for directions. Maps are used by tourists to find places and calculate distances.

Traffic signs in India are the same as elsewhere in the world. A sign that says – LEFT - in the US, does the same here too. Yes, traffic is chaotic and driving yourself inside cities is not advised as road conditions in many cities leave a lot to be desired, and drivers seldom follow traffic rules unless forced to.

Traffic policemen are a friendly lot. and if you do decide to drive, they will let you off for minor offences, and unless you're involved in a major mishap, you should have no problem.

Myth - There are many third world disadvantages and visitors generally come back with at least a tummy bug during their holiday.
Fact - Firstly, India is not a third world country anymore. It is the fastest growing economy in the world along with China and the fourth largest in Asia. Yes infrastructure (mostly the quality of roads across the country) is an area the government is seriously looking at from many years and is continually improving, albeit slowly. 

But tourist facilities are well developed and India caters to all categories of tourists from the budget traveler to the luxury seeker.

Indian cuisine is very popular abroad and is on the menu of some of the most exclusive hotels and resorts in the world. Your system needs to get accustomed to your changed eating habits and you should be okay in a couple of days.

That has more to do with your anatomy than Indian food. As a tourist you may also enjoy road side eateries especially at beaches. Everyone does and its perfectly fine. There are restaurants everywhere that cater to all budgets.

Myth - Carry some rolls of toilet paper with you as there is no guarantee they will be available in India.

Fact - Yes, It is advisable to carry toilet paper and napkins while you travel, but you don’t need to carry them with you. Stuff like these are commonly used by many Indian households too and are available everywhere except in very small villages and remote towns

Myth - Tipping is uncommon in India except in upmarket hotels.
Fact - On the contrary, tipping is customary but optional in smaller hotels and restaurants where staff come from largely uneducated and economically weaker sections of society. Upmarket hotels and restaurants are governed by rules prohibiting staff from accepting tips unless its voluntary. 

Tips are usually a very small amount. Its not 5% of the bill like in your country just a small amount should be okay depending on how many people are served. For instance if your bill is rs 200 you may tip rs 10 and if its rs 500, you may still tip rs 10 and its perfectly acceptable.

Myth - People in Indian society won’t lift a finger to help you and will not stop nagging unless you pay a baksheesh (inverse tipping)
Fact - Remember that people connected with the tourism industry anywhere in the world wont offer you any free services in just as much the same way as you wouldn't offer your services free to anyone. Its their business, but the above statement is a gross exaggeration and an uncalled for comment on Indian society in general. 

The common man on the street loves and respects the foreign tourist and is always eager to help without expecting anything in return. As a tip we would suggest you approach students and youngsters on the streets for help. They are very smart and know every nook and cranny in a city and will go out of their way to help you. Students are easy to spot with their colorful college attire and are usually found in groups.

More importantly, all of them speak good English. Remember many Indian families have children, relatives and friends working in the US and other countries and will always treat you with respect

Myth - Be careful as street demonstrations and protests are common in India
Fact - India is a democratic country and Indians consider holding demonstrations as their constitutional right though it’s wrong to say it’s common. There may be a few in a year but mostly small and non violent. These things never involve or bother foreign tourists and are never a security risk. 

Of late India has been experiencing what has been described as "rape culture" and to some extent it is true and foreign tourists have been victims of sexual assault. Please go through our other sections on keeping yourself safe in India, especially for women.

MYTH - India is a poor country and most Indians live in abject poverty earning rs.20 or less than 40 cents a day. Also cited is that 86% of the Indian working population lives in deplorable conditions
Fact - This is more of a joke and not really worthy of comment. Every country has a labor class and their living conditions cannot be used as a yardstick for an entire country. Indians are today among the richest in the world and many are listed on the Forbes list of billionaires. 

Though that cannot be used as a yardstick either, the facts are as follows :
The average wage for an unskilled daily wage laborer is about $ 6 a day, and in most cases the spouse also works taking that to a total family income of $ 10 a day, which is considered sufficient for that class of society. It’s a different matter that habits like alcohol abuse, gambling etc ensure that they save nothing thereby reducing chances of improving their circumstances.

India adds more millionaires to it’s list every year than most countries in the world
Almost every luxury brand in the world has a presence in India . These brands would never invest in a country if people couldn't afford them.

Yes, disparity does exist and benefits take a lot of time to percolate down to the masses. Unlike the west, most people from the lower classes are uneducated and not aware of even their basic rights. But things are changing with the government offering incentives like free meals to students in state run schools and free education for girls up to the 12th grade. There is no social security in India like in the west.

India follows the reservation system for education and government jobs and people from the lower/ backward castes/ classes in India today are far better off than those from the upper classes.

Myth - Majority of tourists fall victim to con during their travel through India.
Fact - This is true if you are ill informed and completely ignorant about any country you visit, including India. Though the best of facilities are available here, tourism in India is largely an unregulated sector and depends heavily on touts and agents for business.

Remember that they are not criminals and don’t intend to physically harm you. Yes, they will make money out of you if you’re not careful. If you do your bookings in advance, and opt for guided tours, you shouldn't have a problem. If you’re on your own, ask people around you, like we told you – students - and tell the touts and agents you don’t need them. 

If you do manage to get conned, put the incident quickly behind you. Con stories are part of travel folklore and someone who tells you he’s always got it right needs closer inspection. People seldom remember pleasant experiences and never forget the nasty ones. Someday, you could be narrating those very same unpleasant experiences to your grandchildren and saying - oh what a fool I've been.

Myth - Toss in some anti diarrhoea, antiseptic cream, sunscreen and basic antibiotics before you come to India
Fact - This is recommended as change in eating habits often takes a few days of getting used to but additional reports of cholera and other disease are completely unfounded. India has eradicated cholera and hospitals are required to report any new cases to the authorities. You don’t have to bother about disease at all unless there is outbreak of a epidemic.

Also bring along your regular medication. Private hospitals in India offer excellent medical facilities should you ever need them. India is in fact a destination for medical tourism.

Myth - Hotels in India are dirt cheap and cost from under $10 to $200 but be prepared to sleep with rats and cockroaches.
FACT - This is a highly exaggerated statement and does not, in any way do justice to the sheer variety of accommodation available in India for every traveler. What you would get for $10 is a bed in a room or a small room in a crowded and often lesser recommended shady locality of the city. These are generally called lodges and very often not maintained well or can be outright dirty.

While you may stumble upon reasonably good accommodation at this price point in very small cities and towns, those may not necessarily be tourist destinations. Hotels in India don’t stop at $200 and can go well over $2000 for one night in some luxury hotels.

Myth - Shops in India will quote twice the price to foreign tourists
Fact - This is true. Most general shops in India are closed on Sundays with the exception of supermarkets and larger stores and shops located in busy tourist areas, so you could use Sundays exclusively for sightseeing

Myth - Cabbies and auto rickshaws will take you for a ride
Fact - This is true. Insist on a meter or else ask people the average fare to your destination and fix it with the driver in advance. It will save you a lot of headache later.

Myth - Beggars are a common sight everywhere in India
Fact - Beggars can be found at certain places but not everywhere and they will try their luck with you. You are most likely to encounter many of them at places of tourist interest like parks, monuments, museums etc. and street urchins will sometimes tug at your clothes, but you can always chase them away.

Think of it as another experience and don’t make much of it. Keep some loose change handy, so that you can hand it over to them if you wish to. The police now deal strictly with them following complaints from tourists and the problem has reduced considerably compared to what it was before. 

Just want to add here that most shops will not oblige you with change unless you buy something from them, so when you shop and pay your restaurant bills, pay with bigger denomination notes. That is the easiest way to get change. If you need coins, ask them. When you buy something from them, they gladly oblige you. This is not just with you, they don’t give us change for free either.

Myth - Banks in India are slow and you could end up waiting in long queues
Fact - Not true. India has one of the best banking systems anywhere with bank deposits in India accounting for more than half the country’s GDP which is one of the highest in the world. 

All banks with the exception of branches at very small and remote locations (and you wont need those anyway) are computerized and very quick. If you’re a foreigner, you will be given preference over local customers.

Try to avoid Mondays, as being the first day of the week most banks are crowded. Many foreign banks operate in India.

Myth - Post offices in India are primitive and painstakingly slow, so if you want to send a parcel, it could take ages
Fact - The Indian postal service is one of the oldest in the world and has always been known for excellent and prompt service. The margin of error is one of the lowest in the world despite the sheer magnitude of operations. 

The postal department also runs a courier service – SPEEDPOST that is equally efficient. Many private couriers also operate in the country. DHL and BLUEDART have been in India for a long time and have offices in major cities. You will find courier company franchisees in shops on the street.