Destination: India
LONELY PLANET'S OFFICIAL GUIDEBOOK INFORMATION
Getting Started
Nothing can fully prepare you for India, but perhaps the one thing that best encapsulates this extraordinary country is its ability to inspire, frustrate, thrill and confound all at once.
India is one of the planet's most multidimensional countries, presenting a wildly diverse spectrum of travel encounters. Some of these can be challenging, particularly for the first-time visitor: the poverty is confronting, Indian bureaucracy can be exasperating and the crush of humanity sometimes turns the simplest task into an energy-zapping battle. Even the most experienced travellers find their sanity frayed at some point, yet this is all part of what makes India a unique travel destination. If you haven't visited this part of the globe before, set aside the first few days to simply acclimatise to the subcontinent's bamboozling symphony of sights, sounds, tastes and smells.
When it comes to finances, India pleases all pockets. Accommodation ranges from lacklustre backpacker lodgings to dazzling top-end hotels, with some delightful midrange possibilities that won't bust the bank. A delicious, multipriced array of eateries means you can fill your belly without spending a fortune, and it's possible to zip around economically as well thanks to the country's comprehensive public-transport network.
Get excited and knowledgeable about your trip beforehand by reading up on India, especially its cultural framework. Doing so will augment your appreciation of the subcontinent's sights and traditions and also better equip you to hold more informed conversations with locals. Allow a few weeks of pretrip preparation to sort out immunisations and visas. In terms of planning what to do once you arrive, the country's remarkable diversity can actually make it a veritable quagmire when nutting out itineraries. The key is to try not to squeeze in too much, as travelling often involves considerable distances and stamina. Also allow for some flexibility in case you stumble across an appealing side journey or merely find yourself frazzled and in need of a day or two purely to chill.
DON'T LEAVE HOME WITHOUT...
- Getting a visa and travel insurance
- Seeking advice about vaccinations; some must be administered over a period of weeks
- A well-concealed money belt
- Nonrevealing clothes (women and men) - essential for visiting sacred sites
- Sunscreen lotion, lip balm and sunglasses
- A small torch for poorly lit streets and for if the power fails
- Good-quality earplugs to block out night din and for long bus/train journeys
- A little alarm clock - budget and midrange hotels often lack clocks and can be notorious for missing wake-up calls
- Flip-flops (thongs) for communal or grotty bathrooms
- A shower cap and universal sink plug (uncommon except at top-end hotels)
- Tampons - sanitary napkins are widely available but tampons aren't
- A padlock and chain to secure hotel cupboards, and luggage onto train racks
- Mosquito repellent (a mozzie net can also come in handy)
- Expecting the unexpected - India rewards those who go with the flow
Lonely Planet recommends World Nomads Travel insurance
