The key points you must note before heading on a journey to India:
BEST TIME TO VISIT
Owing to its geographical diversity, India could be visited throughout the year. The winter months from October till March are ideally the best time to travel India. During this time temperatures are cool and dry, making the ideal conditions to take in the highlights and hidden gems of India. Temperatures will always be warmer in the south, with comfortable coastal beach weather.
As such a vast country with an incredibly diverse landscape, it should not come as a surprise that the climate can differ too from region to region. The months from March to June and October to early November is ideal to travel Kashmir, Shimla and Manali. Ladakh, located in the far north, is most accessible between June and September, when the rest of the country experiences monsoon season. The Wildlife in India can best be visited from mid October till May. While the rest of India can best be visited from October to March, such is the variedness of India’s beauty with varying seasons.
PRE TRAVEL HEALTH ADVICE
Tetanus, Typhoid, Hepatitis A and Polio are strongly recommended. You are also advised to take anti-Malarial medication. You should seek medical advice before travelling to India from your local health practitioner and ensure that you receive all of the appropriate vaccinations.
TIPPING
In India, tipping makes up a significant part of many people’s wages so it’s important that we get it right. Your waiters in restaurants, your car driver, your guide and the bell-hops at the hotels are the right people who deserve rewards from you. You can tip the bell boys or waiters anything from Rs. 50 to Rs. 100. The guides and the drivers who look after you can be rewarded depending on the satisfaction achieved through their service. Ideally Rs. 500 a day or so can be the amount of tip to the guides/drivers.
Rules at Religious Places
Lot of tourists come to India to capture the magic of various religions which is purely reflected by the different places of worship. But there are certain norms which one must follow prior to entering these places. The foremost condition is that one must take off his or her shoes outside the respective place. Before entering a Gurudwara (Sikh place of worship) both men and women require to cover their heads. A large handkerchief for men or a shawl for women can be used for this purpose. Avoid hat or a cap for this purpose as it is not considered as a mark of respect. Also, some Hindu Temples does not allow any leather goods like (belts, wallets and leather bags) inside the temple. Hence it is habitual to remove ones belt and jackets.
Photography is prohibited in certain sections of sacred sites and this will usually be signposted. Do not attempt to be photographed with Buddhist bhikkus (monks) or other holy figures. If in doubt, please ask your local guide or tour leader for further information. Many temples may have ‘off-limit’ sections that prevent entry to tourists so please be aware of this. Part of the beauty of travel is discovering different cultures and traditions from around the world and respecting the local culture will always stand you in good stead.