My Complete Step by Step Guide to Planning a Trip to India

The ultimate backpacking India itinerary and route

My Guide to Planning a Trip to India

Incredible India is possibly the most exciting, diverse and life changing place to travel in the world! But India is a country that challenges and frustrates a visitor almost as much as it delights, enchants and rewards which makes planning a trip to India no simple task.

For many people travelling in India is a highlight of all their travels and they return again and again but, for some, they find the culture shock of their first trip to India is quite overwhelming. Many travellers have a love/ hate relationship with India, especially the first time, it gets easier once you get used to India and know what to expect!

The right preparation can go a long way to making sure your first trip to India is memorable for all the right reasons. I’ve spent over 10 years traveling all around this fascinating country and here’s my guide to help you plan a trip to India.

If you want expert help with planning your Indian adventure then contact India Someday. They are expert India trip planners and can help with all aspects of traveling India from creating the perfect itinerary based on your specific dates, interests and needs to booking accommodation and transport and taking all the hassle out of trip planning.

India Someday are perfect if you want some assistance with planning your trip to India but don’t want to take a group tour. Check out my experience traveling with India Someday and quote GLOBALGALLIVANTING5 to get 5% off the trip planning fee.

How to Plan your First Trip to India

So Here’s How To Plan A Trip to India!

Step1: Start researching the best places to visit in India and make a rough travel route

Many people prefer to stay flexible and not to over plan their itinerary for their trip to India. Most of the time I travel this way, India is not a good place to attempt a rushed itinerary and I do not like to have a fixed itinerary because you never know if you will want to change your plans, love somewhere and want to stay longer, or hate somewhere and want to leave or be inspired by other travellers to visit somewhere that you have never even heard about before.

But this is such a vast and diverse country and traveling here can be challenging so it’s a good idea to at least research when and where you want to visit and try to plan a rough route around the main attractions that you want to see to avoid wasting time.

And although nothing can ever really prepare you for the culture shock of your first trip to India but it’s a good idea to learn as much as you can about this incredibly rich and exotic culture to help you prepare for visiting India. Getting a guide book like the Lonely Planet India Travel Guide can help you as you start planning your trip and when you are on the road and is packed with useful information and tips about Indian culture as well as where to go and what to see.

Check out my suggestions for the perfect India Itinerary to get started and see the Top 5 places in India that you’d be crazy to miss.

The opulent Mysore Palace illuminated at night
The opulent Mysore Palace illuminated at night

Step 2: Research the best time to travel to India

India really is a huge sub continent and as such the weather changes considerably depending on where you go. Generally speaking for most areas the best time to visit India is in the winter from November to March as cooler temperatures make traveling more pleasant.

From March things starts to get pretty hot, the heat and humidity of April and May do not make for a pleasant travel experience and the monsoon rains come from June –September.

However, if you plan to travel in the far North or Himalayan regions winter would be too cold – contrary to popular belief it is not always hot in India and it does snow! If you wanted to visit areas like Leh and Ladakh the best time to do this is in the Summer.

Check out this useful infographic by Tripzuki that easily shows where to go and when! Check out the pros and cons of visiting Goa in monsoon and where to travel in July and August to avoid the worst of the rains.

Where and when to go in India infographic
India, where to go and when. Info graphic by Tripzuki

Step 3: Decide which places you want to visit in India and make an itinerary

One of the best things about traveling in India is the amazing diversity in this sub continent – from snow capped Himalayan mountains to tropical beaches, from languid backwaters to chaotic cites and desert forts.

There sure is a lot to see in India but my top tip for traveling India is to take it slow! India is not a place to rush around and trying to see too much will end up in a stressed instead of enjoyable trip. If you have less than 1 month in India then I would concentrate on one area.

Think about what you are interested in – whether it is history, forts and palaces or nature, wildlife, temples or beaches, food or nightlife. India really does have it all but it would take a lifetime to fit it all in that’s why many people spend numerous trips for months at a time exploring India. But if you are short on time then you have to decide.

Like This? Pin Me! 

A complete guide to planning your first trip to India

For first time visitors I usually recommend to go South first – get acclimatized to India in laid back Kerala or Goa before tackling the big sights and chaotic cities in the North.

The Golden Triangle is a popular first time route that encompasses the big sights in the capital Delhi, Agra (home to the Taj Mahal) and the pink city of Jaipur. If you have more time then exploring more of Rajasthan – India’s most flamboyant state and the fascinating holy city of Varanasi on the river Ganges are essential Indian experiences.

For more suggestions check out my Perfect First Time in India Itinerary. and the Top 5 places in India you really can’t miss.

If you want to take a group tour then take a look at the best routes and tours of India I recommend.

Cruising the Kerala backwaters - a great start to an Indian adventure
Cruising the Kerala backwaters – a great start to an Indian adventure

Step $: Work out a budget for your trip to India

Traveling in India is so affordable and it is still one of the cheapest places to travel in the world! You could backpack around India for very little money and most backpackers and budget travellers here can travel comfortably and easily on a budget of $20 – $30 per day. Although, as India is modernising there are now many options to travel in more comfort with world class luxury hotels and Western brands giving travellers the temptation to splurge.

See more about how much it costs to travel around India and the average daily budget for backpacking India. 

Indian Rupees. How many of these will you need for your trip to India?
Indian Rupees. How many of these will you need for your trip to India?

Step 5: Get your vaccinations for traveling in India

One of the biggest worries people have when visiting India is about getting sick.  You should visit your doctor to check if you need any vaccinations and get professional health advice before traveling to India. Don’t leave this to the last minute, go about 6 – 8 weeks before traveling because some of the vaccinations require a course of treatment spanning several weeks. The NHS Fit for Travel website has good information about recommended vaccinations as well as health and safety tips for India.

Most travellers make sure all their usual jabs are up to date and get vaccinated for Hepatitis A, Hepatitis B, Tetanus and Typhoid. Vaccines for Cholera, Diphtheria,  Japanese Encephalitis and Rabies are also recommended. If your doctor cannot provide all of these then you can visit a private specialised travel health clinic like Nomad Travel Health Clinic. 

Palolem Beach in Goa
Palolem Beach in Goa

Stock up on a DEET based insect repellent to protect against malaria and dengue fever. In most areas of India the risk of Malaria is low, apart from areas in the North East, see a map of Malaria affected areas here. Many travellers decide that the risk of Malaria is not high enough to warrant the side effects and costs of antimalarial tablets. Talk to your GP or a specialised health clinic and seek professional medical advice about what vaccinations are required and are suitable for you.

Spicy food and lapse hygiene practices do mean that unfortunately many travellers to India do experience a bit of ‘Delhi Belly’ but most of the time rest and ride through it and you will feel better in a few days (another reason to take it slow)

To avoid getting sick never drink tap water, always drink bottled water and avoid ice. Also be careful with salads, fruit and uncooked food and be really careful with street food too. Many travellers also stick to eating vegetarian food of which there is a huge and delicious variety here. I find it useful to drink pro biotic yoghurts to help build up the good bacteria in my immune system and also take anti diarrhoea tablets and antibiotics like ciproflaxin with you.

See more Tips to avoid getting sick in India 

Lake Pichola in romantic Udaipur, Rajasthan
Lake Pichola in romantic Udaipur, Rajasthan

Step 6: Apply for a Tourist Visa for India

All visitors require a visa to visit India, apart from citizens of Bhutan and Nepal. So applying for your visa is a super essentail step in planning to travel to India!

As of Feb 2019 citizens from 161 countries can now apply online for tourist, business and medical E-Visas valid for upto 1 year meaning it’s now easier than every before to get a visa for India! Horay! 🙂  Read this post with all the information on how to apply for an E-Visa for India.  

Why is this not one of the first things I recommend for you to prepare? Well, bear in mind that the visa is valid from the date of issue not the date of arrival in India, so you need to plan where and when you will travel in India before applying for your visa to make sure it doesn’t expire before your trip!

You can apply for an E Visa to India on the government website here, but there’s still quite a lot of paperwork and the fee is non refundable even if your visa is rejected. To save time and hassle its easier and quicker to use a company like iVisa.  

Don't forget you apply for a visa before traveling to India
Don’t forget to apply for a visa before traveling to India

Step 7: Book your flights to India!

Once you’ve got your Indian visa you can finalise your travel plans, book your flights to India, get excited and let the countdown begin!

I always search for the best deals on Skyscanner because you can search for the whole month and for all airports in India as being flexible will allow you to take advantage of the best deals and cheapest prices. Expedia are also good for booking cheap flights and hotels. It’s often cheaper to get an indirect flight and maybe you could even explore a new destination like Dubai, Abu Dhabi, Muscat or Istanbul on your stop over!

My preferred airlines to fly to India are Jet Airways, Qatar and British Airways as these airlines offer the best prices, service and quickest route to India from the UK. If I’m flying to Mumbai or Delhi I usually go direct with Jet Airways and I like getting in the mood for my India trip catching up on all the Bollywood movies and having Indian food on the plane. Air India are often a little cheaper but Jet are much better. Virgin also fly direct from London to Delhi and Mumbai and are also good.

For flying to Goa, you can get direct flights and package holidays from the UK with Thomson  and Thomas Cook in the tourist season. Otherwise you’ll have to change in Mumbai, Delhi or the Middle East. I usually go with Jet Airways (changing in Mumbai or Delhi) or  Qatar from UK to Goa as the service, food and entertainment are really good, you get a whopping 45kg luggage allowance with Qatar and they have the quickest and most hassle free connection (changing from a domestic to international flight in Mumbai sometimes requires you to leave the airport and travel to the other airport which is annoying)  Oman Air are also a good choice, the prices are often cheaper but the layover in Muscat is longer and the planes aren’t quite as comfortable.

If you are short on time and plan to take domestic flights within India you can find cheaper deals the further in advance you book. Jet Airways and Indigo and Air Asia are the best for domestic flights. You can sometimes find some cheap deals with Indigo and Air Asia but still flying is far more expensive than taking the train, but unlike trains flights do not often get fully booked so flights are good for last minute travel. Again, check Skyscanner whole month to find the best deal.

you can't buy happiness but you can buy a plane ticket
Book the flight and let the countdown begin!

Step 8: Book your train tickets

India is vast and traveling large distances take a long time. The best way to travel India is using the wide reaching and great value for money Indian railways network.

But in the world’s most populous country seats sell out fast and trains are often booked up weeks or even months ahead. It’s a good idea to book your train tickets in advance, especially if you are on a short trip or tight itinerary, to ensure that your travels go as smoothly as possible.

Booking train tickets for Indian Railways can seem confusing at first but with Clear Trip it is possible for foreigners to book train tickets online before arriving in India. If you don’t manage to book trains in advance you can visit major stations a few days before travel to try and get a ticket from the Tourist or Taktal (emergency) Quota.

Failing that you can always take the bus but taking the train is so much more comfortable and an essential Indian experience.

Find out more about Indian railways and how to book train tickets in my Ultimate Guide to Train Travel in India

Update 2018! You can now book Indian trains and buses quickly and easily on 12Go.Asia!

The best way to travel India is by train.
The best way to travel India is by train.

Step 9: Book your first few nights accommodation.

It’s usually quite easy to travel around India, turn up and find budget accommodation as you go in most places. Allowing for the spontaneity and flexibility is all part of the adventure in India but I would recommend that you at least book the first couple of nights accommodation. Especially if arriving in Delhi and if your flight arrives late at night you might also want to request an airport transfer to your hotel to avoid hassle and potential scams when you first arrive.

I like to use Booking.com because the price is good, you don’t have to pay in advance, if plans change it is usually easy to cancel the reservation and only people who have booked that hotel through Booking.com can leave a review so you can trust the reviews. You can get an app on your phone so you can search and book easily as you travel.

After the first few days, as long as you are not too fussy, you should not have problems finding suitable accommodation when you arrive in a new town. The advantage of doing this is that you can look around the area, inspect a few properties and meet the staff and negotiate the price and actually many of the very cheap accommodation options in India are still not available to book online.

However, I would advise pre booking accommodation during festivals and busy times like Christmas and New Year in Goa or the Pushkar Camel Fair or other festivals when accommodation may become fully booked.

Cute huts in Hampi, India for only $8 a night.
Cute huts in Hampi, India for only $8 a night.

Step 10: Apply for an International Driving License

Hiring a scooter, moped or motorbike is cheap and easy in India and is an especially popular way to get around in places like Goa although first time visitors may find the Indian traffic a bit too chaotic for their liking!  Most guest houses will be able to either rent you a motorbike or know someone that can and most of the time its a pretty casual affair. Expect to pay about 200 – 300 rupees a day for a scooter, more for an iconic Royal Enfield or less if you negotiate a longer term rental.

An international driving permit (the 1949 version)  is required to ride a motorbike in India, you can get this from the Post Office before you leave for only £5.50 and it is valid for a year. Police often stop tourists to check if they have the international driving permit and fine then if they don’t –  and be aware that the international permit is only valid when accompanied by your normal driving license so you need to carry both with you.

It is unusual to rent a car without a driver in India, although this is often very affordable if you do not wish to tackle the Indian traffic yourself!

See more and apply for an International Driving License here and see more Tips for riding a motorbike in India here.

Exploring Goa on an iconic Royal Enfield motorbike
Exploring Goa on an iconic Royal Enfield motorbike

Step 11: Don’t forget to take out travel insurance

Anything could happen when your traveling whether in developed countries or developing ones. It’s just not worth the risk to gamble with your health and, increasingly so, expensive possessions.

Most insurance companies require that you take out a travel insurance policy before you leave home, check the small print of several policies to find the one that offers the best deal for the amount covered, length of your trip, the activities that you plan on doing and the excess that you are willing to pay if you need to claim.

If you have forgotten to take out insurance before you leave the only exception I know is World Nomads Travel Insurance. They also offer great cover and customer service. It’s not worth taking the risk both with your health and as travellers take increasing amounts of technology and valuables on the road with them you will want to be covered for those expensive cameras and smart phones and laptops too.

I use World Nomads because they offer the best coverage and custom service plus you can get cover or extend cover even if you are already traveling whereas most other insurers only cover you if you have not yet left your home country. You can get a quote for World Nomads Travel Insurance here and see more tips about travel insurance in India in this post.

Sunset in Udaipur, Rajasthan
Sunset in Udaipur, Rajasthan

Step 12: Decide what to pack for a trip to India

Packing for India and deciding what to wear can be really confusing for first time visitors, especially for women. When packing for India, it’s important to take into account the country’s conservative dress standards and it is possible to cover up without over heating.

Loose and lightweight clothing is the best option and remember that pretty much anything you could ever need is available to buy in India, often for a lower price than at home and don’t over pack – you can always buy more, it’s easy to get laundry done and it’s a real drag carrying a heavy bag.

  • Clothing: Bring loose, light fitting long tops and baggy pants or have fun shopping for colourful India clothes, kurta and salwar kamez – a more practical day to day option that a full length sari. Comfortable, good quality flip flops or sandals and light weight trainers are essential and also bring a fleece for over zealous air conditioning or cold winter nights.
  • Gadgets: If you only bring one gadget make it your smart phone as it does everything. Get your phone unlocked so that when you arrive you can get an Indian sim card. Obtaining an Indian sim card is not the simplest process but it well worth it as it will make your travels in India a lot easier, and, as a solo female traveller, I would not be without one. See here How to get a Sim Card in IndiaThe easiest way to get connected is hiring a smartphone and Indian sim card from Trabug
  • Other essential items include ear plugs, an eye mask, hand sanitizer, pocket tissues, a small padlock and flash light, a sleeping sheet and pillow and some medicines and toiletries (for example tampons can still be hard to find) are useful although if you forget all these can be found in India. The Indian adapters are very different from US, Europe or other parts of Asia and difficult to find at home. It’s usually quite easy to find ones once you get here but they are usually pretty bad quality. If you want to get prepared you could order an Indian Travel Adapter on Amazon beforehand.

Money Matters: You can’t change currency to Indian rupees outside the country but it is easy to get once you arrive in India, a money changer or an ATM is never far away. Notify your bank that you will be traveling to India to avoid your card being blocked.

See more in My Essential India Packing List for Women backpacking India. I also have lots of tips for what to wear in India in this post.

Making friends at the Gateway of India in Mumbai wearing Indian kurta, dupatta and churidar.
Making friends at the Gateway of India in Mumbai wearing Indian kurta, dupatta and churidar.

Step 13: Mentally prepare yourself and familarize yourself with India’s culture

Although nothing can really prepare you for traveling in India reading up and learning as much as you can will certainly help prepare you for the culture shock and sensory overload of visiting India for the first time. The Lonely Planet India Travel Guides provide some information on the history and culture of India but getting a book like CultureShock! India  offers a more detailed explanation of India’s diverse and complex culture.

India is not so much a place you go to ‘see’ but a place you go to feel with all your senses – the smells, sights, sounds, tastes, colours and everything else can feel a bit chaotic and overwhelming at first but this is all part of the excitement and despite how crazy India seems at first take it slow and you will get used to it.

When you arrive remember to be patient and open minded, expect the unexpected, take it slow and try not to get stressed out or frustrated by the little things.  The Indian people are amazingly welcoming and hospitable although sadly first time travellers to India can be target for many common scams and general annoyances. But with a little research and reading up on the common scams you should soon be able to spot these a mile off and avoid them.

See How to Avoid the Scams and Survive your first time in Delhi and also check out the sorts of common scams and how you can avoid them!

I hope this blog has helped you plan your trip to India! Whilst it’s good to be prepared also come with an open mind, open heart and expect the unexpected! Get ready for the ride of your life! Traveling in India can be the most amazing and life changing experience!

Read more India blogs to prepare for your trip to India:

Want more India travel tips and stories?

Sunset over romantic Udaipur in Rajasthan

Sign up to the FREE newsletter and discover Incredible India with me!

Pin Me

How to Plan your First Trip to India!

Related posts

Top 10 Things To Do In Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia

Anna

Why you should skip Tibet and visit Tawang instead.

Anna

My Honest Experience of Visiting Kolkata (Calcutta)

Anna

66 comments

Carlotta August 28, 2015 at 9:53 am

Thank you for the tips! Your posts about India are all super useful and cover all the subjects! I’m pinning them and I will definitely remember them when planning my trip to India.

Reply
Shailender September 15, 2015 at 6:19 am

This is such a beautiful and informative post for anyone planning to travel to India. I am not able to recall if I have across with so much information in one post and that too first hand information.
You are an inspiration to new travel bloggers like me. This is the kind of information that the travellers are looking for from the bloggers.
Keep up the good work. All the very best to you.

Reply
Anna September 17, 2015 at 6:17 am

Hi Shailender! Thank you so much! That’s so nice to hear and I hope that my articles can make it easier to people to find the information they are looking for about traveling in India. Good luck with your blog too – it looks fab so keep up the good work 🙂

Reply
Rutavi Mehta October 29, 2015 at 10:04 am

Hey Anna,

Being an Indian, I can say this amazing list one can follow to start a trip to India. Skyscanner works for me the best for flight as well. Regarding insurance is must as after my Rickshaw Run accident( Head to my blog ) to read about it , I realized as Indian I need it too :)..Hope India create memories for travellers.. Btw have you seen my blog ever? Do drop your two cents there.

Reply
Dominc January 19, 2016 at 6:46 pm

I know you wrote this post around 6 months ago but I just want to say that I’ve been on your blog reading up on so much information about travelling India for the past few hours now and I can’t tell you enough how appreciative I am of how helpful, clear, understanding and user-friendly all of your advice is. Keep up the good work!

I’m currently on a Gap Year and looking to begin a 5-6 month trip round India (starting in the South) in 6-8 weeks time.

Reply
Anna January 22, 2016 at 5:44 pm

Hi Dominic, I’m so glad my posts have helped you and wow it’s so lovely to hear that you have enjoyed my blog so much. Good job for starting your Indian adventure in the South! 🙂 I hope you have a really great trip and don’t hesitate to get in touch if you have any more questions when preparing for your travels to India. So happy I could help! 🙂

Reply
Santo January 22, 2016 at 2:03 pm

Hi Anna

When I came across this page, the first thing I liked was the way India was written on the heading and the 2nd, the way the blog post was written. Very informative and apt.

Thanks.
IndiaVivid

Reply
Anna January 22, 2016 at 5:39 pm

Thank you! I’m glad you liked it and hope the post is useful 🙂

Reply
Brendon Ferns February 16, 2016 at 11:27 am

i always thought you never prepare for India – rather india prepares you for the best 🙂

Reply
Global Gallivanting February 16, 2016 at 10:32 pm

Yes nothing can ever prepare you fully but I think good planning and research goes along way to having a smooth trip! 🙂

Reply
Brendon Ferns February 17, 2016 at 6:18 am

yeah i know ,but you got my point like spot on about ”Nothing can really prepare you thoroughly for India” 😉

Reply
Global Gallivanting February 18, 2016 at 5:37 pm

Brendon Ferns 🙂

Reply
Linda Sama Karl February 16, 2016 at 1:58 pm

Putting this on my event page for my yoga retreat

Reply
Global Gallivanting February 16, 2016 at 10:32 pm

Great! Thanks, glad you found it useful 🙂

Reply
Nicky&mark February 22, 2016 at 12:58 pm

Hi anna myself and my husband are looking into a retirement in goa , we are both fifty this year is it to early to start thinking about it and what is our first step. We have not been to goa but have a big passion of the asin culture.

Reply
Anna February 23, 2016 at 8:20 pm

Hi Nicky and Mark, thanks for getting in touch! Retiring in Goa sounds great, perhaps you could come on holiday first for a few weeks to see how you like it and start making plans from there. Good luck! 🙂

Reply
neha May 27, 2016 at 11:01 am

So informative! Absolutely agree with your tips.I particularly loved the map, its loaded with information on where to travel and when to travel that is going to help tourists. However, I don’t totally agree with traveling as per the season or weather part. You never know what wonderful experience awaits you until you break the path. We absolutely loved it when we went to Ooty (a hill station in south india) during the monsoons, because we loved the clouds, the rains that went on and off, and the absolute and marvelous greenery that surrounded us because of the monsoons. Checkout the full story @ http://revolvingcompass.com/wp/romancing-ooty-monsoons/
We plan to visit Goa in monsoons to enjoy the thunderstorm and the hovering black clouds over the beach. We had been to Mysore in July and it was so comfortable because it was cloudy. At times the monsoons are welcome 🙂

Reply
Anna June 1, 2016 at 4:17 pm

Hi Neha, Thanks for commenting and glad you liked the tips. I wrote it with western tourists like myself in mind, we generally are very disappointed to fly half way round the world for the weather to be rainy, cloudy or cold as that is what we are escaping from at home and also the intense Indian summer heat might also be too much for many western tourists but I agree with you that the monsoons are certainly interesting but I wouldn’t especially come to India in monsoon time – I can stay at home if I want rain! Thanks for your thoughts though, perhaps others will enjoy monsoon weather more than me!

Reply
Sarah December 10, 2016 at 9:49 am

Thank you SO much for this article. So so useful.

Reply
Anna December 19, 2016 at 6:22 pm

Hi Sarah. So glad that it helped! Hope you have a great time in India! Happy Travels 🙂

Reply
Sophia January 16, 2017 at 8:17 am

Hello Guys…
Nice blog.. Good job.. Thank you so much for the information. It’s a great post…I love travelling and want to travel all over the world. Explore new places, adventurous things and many more. And photographs are just amazing. Keep writing !!!

Reply
Anna February 3, 2017 at 4:35 pm

Hey Sophia

Thanks for stopping by – I hope you get to travel the world soon!

Happy Travels 🙂

Reply
Ademar Arau May 3, 2017 at 11:25 am

Very nice post. I liked your post and blog so much. I have read all the post of your blog. India is rich in culture, traditions, heritage buildings, temples, forts and palaces. Famous Indian Monuments includes Old Churches of Goa , Taj Mahal, Qutab Minar of Delhi, Charminar, Red fort and Jantar mantar, these are also few most visited Heritage Sites in India. India is well known for its tourist spots like Kerala’s backwaters, Ladakh for its scenic beauty, Beaches of Goa, culture of Rajasthan, Varanasi, Kashmir – Heaven on earth, Darjeeling- visitor’s paradise.

Reply
Anna May 9, 2017 at 7:00 am

Hi Ademar, thanks so much, glad you liked the blog. I agree with you, there are so many amazing places and things to see in India! 🙂

Reply
kasturi May 6, 2017 at 7:14 am

Hi Anna, Im planning to travel to India, Uttra Pradesh in august..

Reply
Anna May 9, 2017 at 6:58 am

Hey Kasturi – Thanks for stopping by. Hope you ave a good trip 🙂

Reply
Chris May 28, 2017 at 5:55 pm

Hi Anna, thank you for the great tips! I will be traveling to India in October and am trying to collect as much information I can before I go.

Reply
Anna May 29, 2017 at 8:18 pm

Hi Chris, so glad you found it useful! Hope you have a great time in India! 🙂

Reply
Amit Das June 5, 2017 at 2:17 pm

Amazingly explained the facts! It’ll be immensely helpful for the foreigners who want to visit the Incredible India and take back home a everlasting memory. Trip to India often don’t cost more as you can easily get budget-friendly hotels or resorts with all the modern amenities to enjoy. However, before traveling, you must do your home work and research about the places thoroughly that you want to explore. Anyways, thanks a lot for this insightful article.

Reply
Anna June 8, 2017 at 2:09 pm

Thanks, glad you liked the post. Yes, India can be a very budget friendly country to visit

Reply
Pauline June 5, 2017 at 5:52 pm

Thankyou so much for your information and advice….I want to go October for 3 months…but as you say the hardest part is booking the ticket. Reading this has made me believe I can do it.
(Solo traveller f51)

Reply
Anna June 8, 2017 at 2:08 pm

Hi Pauline! Yes, it’s can be nerve wracking to make the leap but I find that things usually come together once you start. “A journey of a thousand miles begins with a single step” If you are feeling nervous about traveling alone then maybe book a group tour for the first few days or a backpacker hostel where you can met other travellers. Let me know if you decide to go and how you get on or if you need any more tips 🙂

Reply
Megan Brunner August 4, 2017 at 1:46 am

Thank you for the article. I have one question have you seen a snake while visiting? I have heard venomous snakes are popular in India.

Reply
Anna August 4, 2017 at 4:28 pm

Thanks, I’ve only seen snakes in monsoon. I’ve never heard of any friends or travellers being hurt by snakes in India – I don’t think you need to worry about snakes 🙂

Reply
Anita thakur August 17, 2017 at 12:57 pm

I love travelling and want to travel all over the world specially in my own country.Thank you very much for your great useful information and advice.No doubt India is rich in culture, traditions, heritage buildings, temples and palaces.It’s really a great post

Reply
Anna August 17, 2017 at 1:40 pm

Thanks! Glad you liked the post! Theres so many amazing things to see in India 🙂

Reply
sushmita kapoor June 5, 2018 at 5:41 am

i am from india and i want to tell you that if you are adventure lover then you must visit rishikesh

Reply
Damian Laila June 11, 2018 at 11:50 am

India is beautiful country. I am searching on google India travel trip information and i found this much useful blog. I read your blog. You share the perfect information on India travel trip. Thanks you so much.

Reply
JACK BUCHANAN August 16, 2018 at 12:26 am

Anna,
I throughly enjoyed your story. My travels have all been similar to yours but not in
the way you have traveled. I was in the USAF for 30 years which gave me the
opportunity to see and do things in foreign countries. After retirement from the Air Force and my wife, I have continued to travel. People always ask me why do I travel so much. Your article has given me the answer to that. Thank you. I am 95 now and in Oct I am taking one of my daughter’s to India. I have been to India 2
times before – Calcutta and Delhi – but missed the Taj. I’ll write again. Jack

Reply
Anna August 16, 2018 at 7:17 pm

Hi Jack! Great to hear you liked my blog! 🙂 Being in the USAF must have been very interesting and enabled you to travel alot! Great to hear you are taking your daughters to India – hope you have a great time!

Reply
Palak Jain October 1, 2018 at 2:14 pm

The given information is really helpful, what I really like about the post is I can find every and what i need to plan for the trip.

Reply
Dics Innovatives October 15, 2018 at 12:54 pm

Thanks for sharing the useful and unique blog post, it is really awesome, Your information very effective for the new and old visitor. Thanks Again

Reply
Shaurya Srivastava October 15, 2018 at 1:17 pm

Hi Anna,

Thanks, Dud, you know the first time I have read a travels blog, where I found someone has shared a good and original experience about my country, I think you understand why I am saying. If you came here again visit Mathura, Rishikesh, Agra, Rajgir in Bihar and there are things in India. I tell you after the visit you will get more better experience because I know my India is incredible and traditions country. We always well come our guest. Thanks Again

“Atithi Dew Bhaw”

Reply
Anna November 10, 2018 at 11:23 pm

Thanks so much Shaurya 🙂

Reply
Ashwani November 23, 2018 at 6:59 am

very good information. thanks for your help.

Reply
Ashwani November 23, 2018 at 7:00 am

very good information. thanks for your help. looking forward to apply this info in my travel.

Reply
Kesari December 7, 2018 at 11:59 am

This was a really interesting post, thanks for sharing your travel experience…

Reply
Gilad Suffrin December 20, 2018 at 6:57 am

This is such a useful post. I’d love for visit India! I agree about doing the research for volunteering, you have to be so careful.

Reply
Suhana Morgan December 23, 2018 at 6:04 am

Hello Anna,
Thanks for your great combination and excellent guideline for traveling in the Indian subcontinent. Here I am getting a complete guideline to travel India. I gain a lot of knowledge before traveling India from your share.

Reply
Anna April 21, 2019 at 2:30 pm

Thanks! Glad you liked the article and found it useful for your next trip. Happy Travels 🙂

Reply
Stella Jones February 12, 2019 at 12:31 pm

Thanks Anna for sharing these lovely trips. I am planning to explore India in the month of October. Your tips help me how I am planning a trip.

Reply
prashant February 19, 2019 at 11:52 am

This blog was so impressive I have got all my require information to visit the places to India. The tourist destination you mention in your blog was so good. I have get the knowledge about various parts of India.
The historical places and national parks you mentioned was so beautiful. The pictures was also appreciable.

Reply
Prashant February 24, 2019 at 4:58 pm

This blog was so impressive I have got all my required information to visit the places to India. The tourist destination you mention in your blog was so good. I have got knowledge of various parts of India.
The historical places and national parks you mentioned was so beautiful. The pictures were also appreciable.

Reply
Anna March 4, 2019 at 11:49 am

Thanks so much 🙂

Reply
Sweta March 12, 2019 at 11:06 am

Hi Anna, that was really informative stuff I have read. Thank you so much for sharing. As I am from India, I would like to ask you What is that one thing you really like about India? Keep inspiring.

Reply
Anna April 21, 2019 at 2:06 pm

Thanks Sweta! Glad you liked it! There’s so many things I like about it I would be here for a lifetime trying to write them all down haha!

Here’s 21 things I really like about India! 🙂 https://www.global-gallivanting.com/reasons-i-love-india/ 🙂

Reply
Danica Watson April 15, 2019 at 10:52 am

I would love to go there. Keep sharing!!

Reply
Gurbaksh April 26, 2019 at 1:12 pm

Great information and explain everything properly. Thanks for sharing a nice article.

Reply
Souren Das June 7, 2019 at 1:43 pm

As an Indian I agree with most of the points written in this blog, specially the point “when you should travel in India”. Budget travelers should keep in mind, winters are also the peak season in most of the tourist spots in India, so they should be prepared for accommodation before their visit.

This article will be really an inspiration for travelers who want to visit India. Thank You Anna for such a beautiful article.

Reply
Anna July 1, 2019 at 5:09 pm

Thanks Souren – coming from an Indian thats a great compliment. I’m really glad you found my blog useful 🙂

Reply
Grace June 26, 2019 at 1:21 pm

wow your post is really perfect for person travelling to India like me.. Will look for your other post also.. It is really informative and there is so much stuff to look at… Thanks for sharing this information..

Reply
Saptarshi Bhattacharya October 18, 2019 at 4:11 pm

Nice post author. Thank you. Keep it up.

Reply
anirudh November 21, 2019 at 8:05 am

i was planning for a family trip there, and luckily found this amazing informational guide…
thanks a lot as this guide will help me for my family travel trip… briefly explained travel guide…!!
Amazing guide and amazing travel blog too

Reply
The Best Places to Visit in India During Monsoon - Global Gallivanting Travel Blog June 22, 2022 at 6:36 pm

[…] India if monsoon time is the only time you can take a holiday. Most travellers to India try to plan their trip to avoid the monsoon and the best time to visit most of from November – March when the weather […]

Reply
Your India Bucket List! 30 Incredible Experiences You Can Only Have in India! - Global Gallivanting Travel Blog November 20, 2022 at 11:58 am

[…] Read More: The Complete Step by Step Guide to Planning your First Trip to India […]

Reply
The Absolute Best Places to Visit in India - Global Gallivanting Travel & Yoga Blog March 24, 2023 at 7:36 am

[…] to visit in India that it would take a lifetime to see them all and sometimes the hardest part of planning a trip to India is narrowing down where to go and deciding which places in India you simply can’t […]

Reply

Leave a Comment

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.

This website uses cookies to improve your experience. We'll assume you're ok with this, but you can opt-out if you wish. Accept Read More