We can well understand that you've always longed to pay a visit to this mystical land called India, but couldn't make it until now! There's no denying to the fact that traveling to India will be one of the best journeys of your life, and you'll get to witness what a huge and bewildering country it is!
Traveling to India during your gap year abroad will be much more than just another journey, and you'll be exposed to the heat and the madness, the crowd and the traffic, wandering cows and fascinating religions, spicy food, and the magnificent architectures, The Himalayas and the beaches and much more.
But before you take another step further, here are some useful tips that'll help you as a first-time traveler in India.
Be prepared for a culture shock!
No matter how much research you do and what people tell you about their experiences in India, you should be prepared for a culture shock during your first visit to this country! Accept that things don’t happen in the same way like they do in your home country and embrace the differences happily. Traveling across India would be a rewarding experience but it'll only be so if you are ready to accept the way things happen here. Leave your Western ideals and logic behind, because they don’t apply here. Come with an open mind and open heart and India will open up to you.
Don't try to see it all!
It's the best piece of advice any Indian would give you - and as they say, India is too huge to be covered in a lifetime! So if you think that you'll be able to see it all on your first visit, then my dear friend, you're absolutely wrong. You'll end up exhausting yourself and miss out a lot of things, trying to catch up something else. The best thing would be to plan a perfect itinerary considering the number of days that you can spend. Most of the people try to do the 'Golden Triangle' which includes Delhi, Agra, and Jaipur while trying to understand and discover India. If you are covering these 3 cities, you'll get to taste the best that history and modernity has to offer you - Delhi has a perfect balance of the old world charm with sprinkles of rapid development, Agra houses the Taj Mahal and you just can't miss it if you are in India, and Jaipur is the royal capital revealing the grandeur of the Rajput architecture.
Step out of the cities and explore the rural India.
Well, the rural India is the real India. If you wish to see the authentic charm of the country, then you need to ditch those city tours once at least, during your entire trip, and explore the countryside. Head towards the hill stations in Himachal Pradesh or Uttarakhand, explore the Rajasthani villages and mingle with locals, or go down South to spend some time in the quaint villages of Kerala. You'll feel the warmth of the people, find yourself amidst nature, and get to enjoy the laid back slower life that people in these parts of the country have embraced.
Learn a few basic words - it'll be of great help!
So you'll find every second person on the street smiling at you, and some might just be too courteous to say 'Namaste' (Hello in Hindi). It's always a good practice to learn the local language when you are traveling abroad. It helps your communication process easier and also reduces your chances of getting cheated. While most of the people you'll meet on the roads will be speaking English (fluent or broken), you'll still have a better stand if you know titbits of Hindi. And the best part is, you can bargain a lot while shopping if know the language!
Pack only your essentials and travel light!
Well, India might be a developing country, but consumerism has hit it long back and there's almost nothing that you won't find here. So don't pack unnecessary things that'll force you to pay for extra luggage on the flight. If you are traveling during the summer time (April to October) then carry light-colored, cotton clothes. If you are traveling anytime during winters, then bring woolens and jackets, as it gets quite cold. Pack comfortable shoes and slippers (as there might be a lot of walking involved). Get whatever you need for your personal care like sunscreen etc., and rest, whatever you'll need, you can buy it in India.
Dress conservatively.
Drawing line from the packing advice, we must also tell you that India is a conservative country especially when dressing comes to concern, mostly for women. If you are wearing skimpy clothes or something that's too exposing, you'll end up gathering a lot of attention which you might not like. So it's advisable to wear clothes that modestly cover your body and it's comfortable for you at the same time. There are a lot of religious places where you'll have to cover your head to enter, like the Golden Temple in Amritsar and Ajmer Dargah in Rajasthan. So it's good to carry your own scarf with you. Most of the foreigners end up buying a lot of Indian clothes while in the country, and you can follow their footsteps too!
Don't get into arguments!
It's easy to lose your calmness, but try not to do it while traveling in India! Whether it's bargaining for the price or getting a seat on the bus, you'll have to hassle with people many a time. Remember that Indians are very easy going otherwise, but a little short-tempered. So if you can be calm and negotiate properly - you'll always end up getting the best deal. Getting into an argument is not advisable. Also, foreigners have to pay a little extra than the Indians at places - like entry fees for monuments, etc. It's good that you know about these things beforehand, so you don't find yourself in a troubled situation once you are there.
Watch what you eat!
India surely is a food lover's paradise and every state has its own cuisine. You'll be tempted to have those samosas, kachoris, pav bhaji, chole bhature and more. But remember that Indian food is spicy and might not suit you if you try to indulge too much at the first go! Well, we are not stopping you from eating, but just asking you to be a little cautious. Avoid having tap water and carry your own bottle wherever you go. Try to avoid the cut fruits or salads that are sold in the open. Otherwise, anything that's served hot and fresh will be good for you. And in case you get a bad stomach, don't panic. Get in touch with our coordinator and he'll help you out.
Don't wait until the last minute to make your bookings!
If you think that you can book your train or bus ticket to the next destination, then you are going wrong my friend! India has a population of more than 120 billion, and there are millions of travelers like you who are also looking for a mode of transport - so chances are that you won't find a place for yourself if you are waiting to do everything at the last minute! It's good to plan ahead and book your tickets just as you plan. There are several travel apps these days that'll make things easier for you. Chalk out the route and make a checklist of the places you wish to see.
Just go and enjoy every moment to the fullest!
Traveling in India, as said earlier, would be an experience of a lifetime - and no matter how many times you visit in future, your first trip is going to be special for various reasons. So just relax, enjoy everything that comes your way, soak yourself in the madness and vibrancy, and don't forget to keep ticking the pointers on your bucket list! Whether you are exploring the monuments and appreciating their beauty or volunteering with children to add some happiness to their lives, a gap year trip to India fill your life with valuable experiences. This journey will open the doors to a completely new world to you and it'll touch you in the most beautiful manner.
Do you have more doubts that are bothering you? No worries! Leave a comment below and I’ll be happy to answer back. If you have interesting experiences to share about your vacation in India, you can do that as well and I’m all ears to listen to you.