India

India to many travelers is the most fascinating country on earth.  A big country offer a huge variety of sights, cultures, traditions and experiences.  It is a cheap and generally easy country to travel in, although every visit has it's fair share of hassles, and you should have some traveling experience before attempting a visit to India.  To experience India properly one needs considerable time, but short trips in small areas are equally rewarding.

India is deeply grounded in time honored traditions and at the same time ploughing forward into the modern world.  India embraces diversity like no other country on earth.  Home to a widely varied population of over one billion people, it is a land of astonishing contrasts, as colorful as it is filthy, flat and featureless as the Himalaya are high, from deserts to perfect tropical beaches and with religious practises as complicated as they are simple.

For the traveller, India presents an astonishing and remarkable mix of things to see and do.  From dipping into sacred sites and temples, spiritual encounters, hidden historic gems, visions of the former British Raj, battle scarred forts, endless country paddocks, the warm waters of the tropical beaches of the south, the backwaters of the further south, and the incredible elephants, wild cats and other animals found throughout the country.

India is a place to expect the unexpected and your journey through it is ultimately going to be exactly what you make of it.  This mystifying country isn't a place you merely 'see'; it's an assault on all senses.  It's full of hassles, but around every corner is something magnificent to experience that you wont find anywhere else on earth.  India is somewhere you experience long after you have left.  Most travelers return as soon as they can, recommendation enough?

Essential India Sights

India is a massive country and few people visit all the states.  Below is list of India's very best sights

• Northern India
  • Agra - Taj Mahal & Red Fort
  • Khajuraho - ancient, preserved, erotic temples
  • Orchha - abandoned palaces
  • Varanasi - visit the Ganges at one of India's most holy cities
• Southern India
  • Mumbai - so cosmopolitan that, combined with the architecture, you might think you're in Europe
  • Goa - excellent beaches and Portuguese history
  • Hampi - a once mighty Hindu empire with a stunning landscape
  • Kerala - backwaters, hill plantations and wildlife sanctuaries

A short list doesn't do India justice though, so I also have a big list of India sights for lots more to think about. 

Costs

India is a cheap country, but it has high inflation due to a vibrant economy.  Prices in old guide books will be wrong.  A basic or guesthouse room will cost INR200+.  Food is cheap, especially from street side stalls. You can get by on INR500 per day, but expect to spend INR1,000 in cities and touristy areas.

When to visit India

The north and south of India are very different in climate.  However, the same three seasons affect most of India

• The Cool - October to January is the coolest time for the whole of India. This is also the busiest time for tourists.  Himalaya regions such as Ladakh are not accessible during this time due to the snow (May to Oct is best there).  This is the time to visit the far south.  But the north, including Delhi, can become quite cold during this period.
• The Hot - The heat starts to build up in February, peaking in June.  In May the monsoon starts to appear.
• The Wet - At the start of June in the extreme south, and around July for the north, sees the humid monsoon conditions.  It rains virtually everyday. 

Essential India experiences

• Eating the Thali or daal curry meal - at a local eatery, sitting amongst the locals and seeing real India being lived.
• Take an overnight train - in the morning hang your head out of the open doors and see the word rush by, hang on tight though.

Hassles and scams

India has more than it's fair share of scams and hassles.  Always keep your wits about, anything too god to be true always is.  Here are some common hassles:

• Agree taxi prices before you get into the taxi.  If the taxis have meters, like in Mumbai, ask that they use it.
• Taxi drivers may claim they don't have the correct change, especially when dropping you at train stations.  Change is their currency, so don't have any of it.  Demand your change, if they resist make them get some.
• On the beaches in Goa a guy will approach saying you have something near your ear.  If you stop and check he will pretend to clean your ear and show you the ear wax.  Don't stop for these guys, unless you want your ears cleaned, but I would question the cleanliness of their tools, and their training.

Transport in India

Trains are the backbone of transport in India.  They are the best way of traveling long distances, and the night trains are particularly good.  They are cheap, expect to pay INR1,000 for a 12 hour overnight trains in 3AC.  Read more about trains in India .

Buses are good for getting between smaller towns, but not for long distance journeys. The roads are bad.

Taxis and autorickshaws are fairly cheap and plentiful.

Buying a motorbike is a cheap option in India (INR35,000 for a new Indian bike) and a great way to get off the beaten track.  This is for experienced riders only though, as the roads require considerable skill.  You'll also need plenty of time.

Most hotels, especially larger ones, will be able to make travel arrangements for you.  This includes public and tourist buses, domestic and sometimes international flights, trains, local taxis and autorickshaws.  This saves the hassles of finding reputable travel agents, but be careful of the commission the hotel charges for this service.

Tours

Overland trips across India

Overland trips and tours can make traveling in India a much easier experience, and will often allow you to see more of the country. Here are several recommendations.

• Dragoman - Various tours around India, transport is in their own all terrain buses. Kathmandu, Nepal to New Delhi is a great trip taking in Varanasi and the Taj Mahal in Agra.
• Kumaka - Various trips around India, using public transport.