India for First Timers

India is one of the most attractive travel destinations. Everything catches our attention when we consider a trip to this exotic land. We have to go there because new experiences with new flavors, new aromas, and new beliefs await us.
For first-timers tourists, India is a country of bright exoticism, magnificent architecture, ancient culture, and amazing landscapes. All this is true; however, this information is not enough for the first trip to India: you need to prepare for the trip seriously when planning to visit this country. You know in advance about some of the nuances that a novice tourist will have to face already on the spot.
Here we will talk about how India is for first-timers, but first we need to discuss some curiosities about India.

Curiosities about India

Here are a few peculiarities:

• India is the largest democracy globally and also the second-most populous country.
• It is the seventh-largest country globally; it has 28 States of various sizes.
• In India the cow is a blessed animal. They often live freely throughout the country, even in the cities, and it is common to find them everywhere, even in train stations.
• Chess, algebra, and trigonometry are of Indian origin.
• In addition to Yoga, this is estimated to have existed for 5000 years.
• There are more than 330 million divinities, according to Hindu literature.
• If you travel through India, you will rarely have any relationship with Indian women. Most are very traditional, so even the most innocent conversations will be challenging to start. Although in more modern cities, it is different.
• Indian Railways has more than 1.6 million employees, becoming one of the companies with the most workers globally. India is also the 4th country in the number of Km of railways (after the USA, Russia, and China).
• There are lots of mosques in India almost more than 300,000. More than in any other country. 13% of Indians are Muslim, making India the third most Muslim country globally (after Indonesia and Pakistan).
• The important Hindu festival every 12 years is Kumbh Mela. Between 60 and 70 million people gathered to celebrate it in the same city in 2001.
• Cricket is king sport and almost the only famous support of India.
• In India, there is the second-largest community of programmers after the USA.
• More than 2 million US residents are initially from India. Many are prominent entrepreneurs or computer scientists, such as the co-founder of Sun Microsystems, the Pentium Chip creator, Hotmail, and the former CEO of Hewlett-Packard.
• Two of the oldest civilizations globally, India and China, have cohabited in peace for thousands of years. However, since the 1950s, they have had several disputes, although today they have relationships again, especially commercial ones.
• The official languages of India are Hindi and English, although the other 22 languages are also recognized. In India, Hindi is spoken, although this language varies a lot, and in each state, it is spoken differently. If you speak English, you will not have any communication problems, especially in tourist places.

What to know before traveling to India?

India is a unique country where you will experience intense and unrepeatable sensations. From the particular taste of food to the madness of transportation in the city. Either you love it, or you never want to return.
On your trip, you will be surprised to see animals everywhere living with people, the picturesque and colorful streets, the gastronomic variety, and the tremendous cultural differences between India and Western countries. We would have loved to know a few things before traveling to India. To avoid the tremendous cultural shocks and the occasional scam that some locals tried to sneak in on us.
For this reason, we wanted to summarize in fifteen points what you need to know before traveling to India. They are recommendations and advice to travel to India, basically so that you can get the most out of your trip.

India: how to prepare for your trip? Here are some tips!

The most necessary step before planning a trip to India is to determine the overall purpose of the trip. If you are looking for a beach holiday, diving, and other entertainment on the coast, feels free to purchase a tour to Goa. The country's best beaches are located there, divers from all over the world strive to get there, and absolute open-air rave discos are organized there. You can also go to Mumbai, a bustling Indian city with a developed tourist entertainment industry, searching for parties.

A lover of culture, architecture, and classical excursions will be well suited for a tour of the cities of the Golden Triangle. This tour is usually crowded, but it is in it that professional guides introduce tourists to the most significant sights of the country - the Taj Mahal, the temples of the city of Fatehpur, and the unique city of Jaipur.

If you want to comprehend the secrets of Yoga and Ayurveda and join the religious shrines - go to Varanasi, Rishikesh, and Kerala. India for tourists is a real treasure because traveling through this country gives unlimited opportunities in choosing the type of vacation.

The ideal is to arrive as informed as possible and to know the country's culture in depth. Therefore, if you are interested in traveling to India, here are some tips for you to keep in mind: We hope it helps you

Visa

The first thing to note is that foreign citizens must have a passport from their country and a valid visa from India. At this time, it is possible to get a Visa quickly and easily without sending the passport to the Indian embassy. It is simple! Just apply for your Visa online. E-Visas can be used for tourism, recreation, and occasional business, informal visits to friends or relatives, or short-term medical treatment.
If there is a country other than what we know as Western countries, that is undoubtedly India. It is not easily given to the newcomer: only little by little, taking time, trouble, and interest, will our visitor be able to make his way through that great jungle of impressions and understand something of Indian society beyond appearances.

Avoid the crowd

In India, many cities are overcrowded, with over a billion people living. You will see the largest concentration of people on the Indian streets on weekends, holidays, or festivals. A parade during a festival can make you feel very positive, but if it's just a crowd of people floating like a cloud right at you, then it doesn't look like much fun. Sometimes, everyone desires to hide in a quiet place and enjoy the silence. Fortunately, there are many quiet places in India, so plan your trip, so your internal battery does not run out on the first day after walking around New Delhi. Spend a few days or weeks in the city and then a few days or weeks in the countryside or a small town.

You will not always be able to dress as you want

In India, the temples are one of the most popular tourist attractions but do not forget to respect local traditions: before entering the temples, leave your shoes outside, never enter with shorts / short or muscular skirt because it considers an offense. Do not forget that you are a visitor to India and that the game rules are different.\

In some temples, like Dargah and Gurudwara, the demands are even higher: they ask you to cover your head and shoulders. Always carry a scarf in your backpack, or if you're lucky, you'll find a scarf vendor at the temple gate, and he'll save the day. The flip-flops take them only for the beach. In general, to walk the streets of India, it is better to do it with sneakers. You will feel more comfortable.

Choose the perfect route.

There are many unique places in India, and you won't have time to see them all in one trip. Think about what interests you, what you like to do and how much time you have, and tailor your trip accordingly. Instead of trying to see the whole country, you can only see the southern or northern cities. But you can also make a route and taste the different outskirts of the country quickly.

The most popular tour in India is the classic Golden Triangle. If time is short, you can get acquainted with three of the main destinations of India: Delhi, Agra, and Jaipur. Start in Delhi with sights like Humayun's Tomb and the Red Fort before flying to Agra and touring the Taj Mahal, Agra Fort, and Fatehpur Sikri. Then head to Jaipur to explore the Pink City and Amber Fort and head back to Delhi's wonderful bazaars for one last shopping trip before heading home.

Religious sites

If you are interested in ancient Indian temples, you will find them everywhere - in northern and central India. You will be spoiled for choice. We also recommend walking to the Khajuraho building and the Konark Sun Temple. These architectural structures will attract you with their unique shapes and sizes. In these places, you will feel complete peace of mind. Temples in the south - will amaze you with their majesty and manufactory. On this side of India, temples worth noting are located at Hampi, Madurai, Tiruchirappalli, Tiruvannamalai, and exquisitely decorated temple caves at Ajanta and Ellora and Elephant Island near Mumbai.

Beaches

Head south for the best beaches in India. Choose the beaches of Goa - Arambol, Vagator, and Palolem - the best places to stay - or try the black sand beaches - Kovalam and Varkala in Kerala and the lesser-known golden sands in the North of the state. Kerala is also famous for its winding backwaters, where you can rent a houseboat or canoe and enjoy the circles of the luxurious cities of India.

Wild nature

Your best chance of seeing a tiger up close is going to Madhya Pradesh or Rajasthan National Park. We can help you organize a safari tour where you can track down exotic wild animals such as lions (Sasan Gire National Park and Gujarat), wild donkeys (Gujarat National Park), one-horned rhinos (Assam National Park), and elephants (National Park Wayanad, Kerala).

Trekking and mountains

The North is a playground for adrenaline lovers. In the Kullu Valley and the highlands of Uttarkhand and Himachal Pradesh, you can experience just about every type of outdoor activity imaginable, from hiking to skiing and rafting. Shimla, the classic hill station, is an excellent place for beginners. Set off from Manali for a nerve-wracking experience on an epic two-day trip through Leh in Ladakh, where narrow hiking trails crisscross high mountain peaks. Rishikesh is another popular rafting and trekking destination with a famous pilgrimage trail to four sacred mountain temples.

And also...

Get ready to meet friendly and curious people who will make you the center of attention. If you are a foreigner, don't be surprised if they stare at you and dare to ask to be photographed with you. You can do it. No problem.

Buy yourself a local SIM card to be able to surf the internet at your leisure. Many establishments, such as cafes or restaurants that advertise having a connection, actually either do not have it or claim a fault.
It is essential to travel with a copy of all your documents, including hotel reservations and transport tickets, to avoid problems and make it easier to carry out procedures. Do not leave your passport in storage even if required; it must always travel with you.

To avoid contagion, do not go near stray animals and avoid being bitten by certain insects, the source of contagion of diseases.

Thousand and one wonder.

On the first trip to the country, you can start with three cities of the so-called Golden Triangle: Delhi, Agra, and Jaipur.
In Delhi, you will discover the new and the old capital. You can see Qutb, the first Islamic city, the Red Fort, and the Pearl and Jama Masjid mosques, the largest in the country.
In Agra, you will enjoy the Taj Mahal, the white marble mausoleum that Emperor Shah Jahan had built for his wife, Princess Arjumand Banu Begum. Without a doubt, it is one of the most beautiful buildings on earth.
The pink city of Jaipur, the capital of Rajasthan, will delight you with the Palace of the Winds, the Amber Fort, and authentic wonders of Indian architecture. A spiritual getaway to Varanasi, in Uttar Pradesh, a nine-hour train ride from Agra, is in order. And it is that this town is one of the sacred cities for Hinduism. Its narrow streets, gahts, and the view of the Ganges with its steps will fascinate you and invite you to return.

Transportation within the country

The most critical issue that a tourist will face after arriving in India is the issue of transport movements. It is most comfortable and safe to travel by plane or first-class train, but this type of travel can cost a pretty penny. If you want to save money, buy tickets for second-class trains - they are cheaper and equipped with air conditioning systems, and the number of people in a compartment does not exceed 6.
You can also travel by bus for short distances, especially since India is doing very well with this type of transport. You can easily choose a bus for your means and with the right comfort level.

It is better to buy tickets for any transport in the national currency, at the stations they accept dollars and euros for payment, but change is always given only in rupees.

If you wish, you can use the taxi service, however, choose cars with a license. They are easy to identify by yellow license plates. They bargain with taxi drivers in India, which must be done at the very beginning of the trip. Do not allow taxi drivers to seat fellow travelers with you. In the event of any, even minor conflict situations; call the police or the owners of the carrier company.

As for the different types of rickshaws, this way of moving can be called the cheapest and, in certain situations, the fastest. However, there are no amenities in a rickshaw ride, and passengers of this type of transport will generally have to walk along the high mountain paths.

If you rent a car, we definitely recommend hiring a car with a driver because you simply will not be able to use it. On the roads of India, there is very heavy traffic. Animals and pedestrians often run out onto the roadway, and no one follows traffic rules.

India is a country full of culture, history, natural beauty, and man-made marvels. With its earliest civilization dating back to 2500 BC, this country serves a plethora of historical sites to the history buffs. India is also known for its spices, and Indian dishes are full of them collectively creating vibrant flavours making food buffs starving for more. Comprised of 28 states and 8 union territories this peninsula has everything that a tourist can ask for. If you are visiting India for the first time then listed below are the cities that you must visit to fully experience the beauty of this multi-cultural, multi-ethnic country:-
Agra- Agra is home to the Taj Mahal, one of the 7 wonders of the world. The Taj Mahal was built by Shah Jahan as a memorial for his wife Mumtaz Mahal, that is why it’s known as the symbol of love. Surrounded by lush green gardens this monument has a different appeal at sunrise and sunset. Recognized by UNESCO as a world heritage site this monument attracts the highest number of visitors in comparison to other monuments in India. Other than the famous ivory-white marble mausoleum this city also has many other historically important sites including the Agra fort a.k.a. Lal-Quila where Aurangzeb imprisoned his father Shah Jahan during his last days. Tomb of Itimad-ud-daulah also known as Baby Taj Mahal is considered as a first draft of the Taj Mahal, and it also marked the beginning of a transition in Mughal architecture, primarily Mughal monuments were built with red sandstone with marble decorations but this tomb was constructed using white marbles and pietra dura inlay. The markets in Agra offer exquisite handicrafts made by local artisans and petha - a local sweet that is quite famous throughout India.

Places worth visiting- Taj Mahal, Agra Fort, Itimad-Ud-Daulah,

Delhi- Delhi is the capital of India, its diversity and culture justifying its status as a capital. This cosmopolitan city is also the political center of India with the Parliament House and the Rashtrapati Bhawan (Prime Minister's house) located here. The capital region is also jam-packed with heritage sites, many of them being recognized by UNESCO. India Gate, a war memorial stands tall towering Amar Jawan Jyoti (Flame of immortal soldier) commemorating the soldiers that lost their lives in the Kargil war in 1971. Red Fort is a historical fort that served as the main residence of many Mughal emperors, it hosts a lights and sound show every evening enumerating the historic significance of this fort. Qutab Minar is the tallest brick minaret in the world and it has also been recognized by UNESCO as a world heritage site, this minaret was built as a victory tower by Qutab-udin-aibak after he defeated the last Hindu kingdom in Delhi. Raj Ghat is another important site, it is a memorial to Mahatma Gandhi whose philosophy of non-violence was paramount in the independence of India. Delhi is also house to Humayun’s tomb, Humayun was the father of the great Mughal emperor Akbar, he ruled over this region for almost 11 years. Chawari Bazar is a famous market within the confines of Delhi, here you can find various types of traditional food including Paranthas and Jalebi, and handicrafts made by local artisans.

Places worth visiting- Red Fort, Qutub Minar, Humayun’s Tomb, Chawari Bazar, Rashtrapati Bhawan

Jaipur- Also known as the pink city, Jaipur is the capital of the Rajasthan state. Jaipur encapsulates the royal family culture that was once followed by the rulers of this region. Jaipur is home to many forts, museums, palaces, and bazaars. Amber fort, recognized by UNESCO as a world heritage site is the most popular monument in Jaipur. Overlooking the Maota lake this fort is famous for its artistic style elements including, large ramparts, series of gates and cobbled paths. Jantar Mantar, another site that has been recognized by UNESCO as a world heritage site is an astronomical observation site built in the 18th century, famous for being the most significant, comprehensive, and best-preserved of India’s historic observatories. It includes a set of 20 main fixed instruments. Designed for the observation of astronomical positions with the naked eye, they embody several architectural and instrumental innovations. Albert Hall museum was built in 1876 as a concert hall, now filled with metal art, pottery, sculptures, miniature paintings, clay works and many more forms of arts this museum is considered as one of the best museums in India. Hawa Mahal is another famous site known for its windows or 'Jharokhas' which enable free circulation of air within the structure. Jaipur is also jam-packed with bazaars that sell local handicrafts, local dishes like ghevar, pyaaz ki kachori, and dal bhati churma are scintillating.

Places worth visiting- Amber Fort, Hawa Mahal, Albert Hall Museum, Jantar Mantar

Amritsar- The hub of Sikhism, the religion of altruism where the poor and the weak are fed and taken care of. This city is also very historically significant, present here the Jallianwala Bagh showcases the atrocities that the British colonial rulers brought upon Indians. General Dier with troops of the British army open fired at civilians, both men, and women who had gathered to celebrate the festival of Baisakhi. Almost 400 people were shot dead and over 1000 were injured in this incident, many tried to flee the place and many people jumped in an empty well to save their lives, bullet holes can still be seen in the walls of Jallianwala Bagh. The Golden temple which stands almost 100 meters away from Jallianwala Bagh is the holiest and the most visited gurudwara. Its dome is plated with 750 kg of gold giving it its name, the main building is surrounded by an expanse of water giving the monument a quaint look. Golden temple is also said to have the world’s biggest free kitchen, serving around 70,000 pilgrims every day after they are done with their prayer. Amritsar also shares a border with India’s neighboring country Pakistan, this border is known as the Wagah border and it connects Amritsar with Lahore in Pakistan. People visit this place to experience the Beating retreat ceremony conducted by the border security force.

Places worth visiting- Golden Temple, Jallianwala Bagh, Wagah Border

Varanasi- Varanasi is a Holy city in the northern Indian state of Uttar Pradesh with origins dating back to 11th century B.C. This city is home to river Ganges which is considered the holiest river according to the Hindu religion, it is said that a single bath in this rives absolves the bathers of their sins. People from all over India deposit the ashes of their loved ones in this river. There are numerous temples and monasteries in this city, so there’s no shortage of cultural and historical sites. Kashi Vishwanatham temple is the most visited temple in this city, this temple which is dedicated to Shiva has 800 kg of gold plating on its tower which gives an awe-inspiring appearance in the Sun. Dashashwamedh Ghat is another spot that has a mythological significance it is said that Lord Brahma performed the Dasa Ashwamedha sacrifice here. The Tibetan Temple in Varanasi is another culturally significant site it was here where Buddha taught his disciples the 4 truths of life. This temple has a special attribute, prayer wheels here release strips of papers with chants written on them when rotated clockwise. Banaras Hindu university located here is another architectural marvel, its Indo-gothic architecture encompassed with lush green lawns is also worthy of notice.

Places worth visiting- Tuli Manas Temple, Durga Devi temple, Bharat Mata Temple, Kashi Vishwanatham temple, Dashashwamedh Ghat

Udaipur- This city is known as the ‘city of lakes’ because of its sophisticated lake system where 7 lakes surround the city. Encompassed by the Aravalli hills Udaipur is considered one of the most romantic places in India. The City palace complex is situated on the banks of Pichola lake and houses 11 splendid palaces that were constructed by various rulers over time. This hilltop complex provides with a panoramic view of the Pichola lake, the sunsets here are sumptuous. Saheliyon ki bari is a garden that was constructed by Rana Sangram Singh for her queen and her maids. Present here are fountains, kiosks, a lotus pool, and marble elephants. Jag Mandir Palace is built on an island and can only be visited through a boat, present in the middle of Lake Pichola this palace is said to have served as an inspiration to the Taj Mahal. This palace is also a popular marriage destination. Other than lakes, palaces, and gardens this city also has a royal vintage car museum where one can see one of the oldest expensive cars that have been maintained or restored.

Places worth visiting- Saheliyon ki bari, Pichola, Jag Mandir Palace, Vintage car museum, Jagdish temple

Alleppey- Located in the Alappuzha district in Kerala, this city is famous for its serene boat rides on tranquil backwaters where tourists can sit back and relax while enjoying the lackadaisical pace of the city. The modern houseboats are equipped with all the facilities like bathrooms, lavish beds, etc. One can relax on their boat trip while savoring birdwatching, and lush green surroundings. Alappuzha is also famous for its religious sites including St. Andrew Basilica, Ambalappuzha Sri Krishna temple, Chettikulangra temple which represent the South Indian culture despite their religious diversity. One of the main attractions of Alappuzha is the beach, with a pier that is almost 150 years old and a lighthouse that was built by the Portuguese atop of which you can get a bird’s eye view of the Laccadive sea, giving this beach an archaic look.

Places worth visiting- St. Andrew Basilica, Ambalappuzha Sri Krishna temple, Chettikulangra temple

Cochin- Cochin is popularly known as the Queen of the Arabian Sea because it boasts of one of the finest natural harbors in the world. Cochin is also a city full of culture, Mattancherry Palace also known as the Dutch Palace features Kerala murals depicting portraits and exhibits of the rajas of Kochi. Religious sites in Cochin include, the Paradesi Synagogue- it was built by Spanish speaking Jews hence it attained the name ‘Pardesi’ which translates to foreigner, this is the only functional synagogue in Kochi with a minyan. This synagogue houses many objects of antiquity including Scroll of the law, several gold crowns received as a gift, Belgian chandeliers and many more. St. Francis CSI Church in Fort Kochi, originally built in 1503, is the oldest European church in India and has great historical significance as a mute witness to the European colonial struggle in the subcontinent, one can also tour the Santa Cruz Cathedral Basilica at Fort Kochi. Hill Palace- the largest archaeological museum in Kerala consisting of 49 buildings in the traditional architecture style was the official residence of Cochin Maharaja. Another enthralling sight in Cochin is the Chinese fishing nets, a type of stationary lift net introduced by the Chinese explorers who landed in Kochi in the 14th century.

Places worth visiting- Fort Kochi, Hill Palace, St. Francis Church, Santa Cruz Cathedral Basilica, Paradesi Synagogue

Mumbai- Hub of India’s film and financial hub, Mumbai is known as the city of dreams. Mumbai is the amalgamation of different cultures. Divided into 4 parts that present a different demographic than one another, this truly encapsulates the cosmopolitism of this city. Gateway of India is an arch monument that was erected to commemorate the landing of King George who was the first British monarch to visit India. Standing parallel to the gateway of India is the Taj Hotel, even though it’s a hotel its beautiful Victorian architecture gives it a monument like look, this hotel was also involved in the darkest hour in recent time. Terrorists killed 31 residents of this hotel, the skirmish between the terrorist and the Indian army forces resulted in severely damaged heritage wing of the hotel. It took 21 weeks to restore the hotel back to its former glory. Mumbai is famous for its local railway that connects all the 7 islands with one another, at the core of this railway line is the Chatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Terminus, this structure’s Victorian-gothic style of architecture gives it a quaint look. The Marine drive also provides you with a picturesque view at night, with the waves crashing on the shore with the lights creating an illusion of a necklace, this is truly something that should be seen. As Mumbai is a cosmopolitan city it also houses different religious buildings from all sects including Haji Ali, Shree Siddhivinayak temple, Mahalakshmi temple and Mount Mary church displaying the religious diversity of the city. Mumbai is also a very nice place to go shopping with the Colaba causeway containing a wide array of shops selling mouth-watering food and different type of goods. Marine drive is fringed with both cheap and fine dining restaurants.

Places worth visiting- Gateway of India, Marine drive, Mahalakshmi Temple, Haji Ali, Chatrapati Shivaji Maharaj terminus, Colaba causeway

Goa- Goa is the party capital of India. Tourists from all around the world visit Goa for the beaches and the sun. Goa is divided into two parts, the North Goa and the South Goa with a number of beaches. North Goa is commercially developed and is famous amongst tourists for parties, whereas South Goa is less commercially developed and less crowded. The travelers who want peace and sparse surroundings, prefer South Goa. It’s a place rich with culture and history, multi-ethnic people, music and good food – Goa is truly a tourist’s paradise. Other than the beaches these shores are imbued in Portuguese culture, the Fontainhas quarter in Panjim, the capital of Goa is filled with archaic Portuguese architecture and narrow picturesque winding streets. Bom Jesus Basilica epitomizes the Christian culture that’s prevalent in Goa, this beautiful basilica is part of the Churches and Covenants of Goa World heritage site, it’s a sight to behold during Sunday masts. Fort Aguada located on Sinquerim beach known for its capacity of storing 2,376,000 gallons of water, one of the biggest freshwater storages during its heydays in the whole of Asia. This quaint fort is ginormous in size and served as a watering station, crews of ships would visit this fort to replenish their water supply.

Places worth visiting- Beaches including Clova, Calangute, Dona Paula, Bom Jesus Basilica, Fort Aguda

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We have learned all tips of India for first timers. Hopefully, they will help you; we would have loved to receive these tips for traveling to India for first-timers. If you have any questions related to the India trip, you can contact here