THE COUNTRY
I have a love hate relationship with this country. This is a country that will test you as a traveller and as a person. I can tell you right off the bat that travelling in India is not as easy compared to the other Asian countries like Sri Lanka or Nepal. In fact, it feels like a completely different world.
Every part of this country is very different in their own unique way. Think of it this way, India is a continent, and the cities in India are countries.
India has about 1.3 billion people, just second behind China for being the most overpopulated country in the world. This country alone accounts for 18 percent of the world's population.
Being that it’s over populated, the streets are crammed, chaotic, it's also very dirty, and it really is just a mess. On top of that cows are believed to be holy in the country. Cows are the king of the streets as they roam around wherever and whenever they please in the already chaotic streets. Through all this clutter, India is way beyond beautiful if you know where to look.
VISA/ENTRY REQUIREMENTS
Ensure that your passport is valid for the next 6 months from the date of your entry in India. You need to have at least 2 empty pages in your passport.
The best way to obtain your Indian visa is by applying online. It takes about 15-20 minutes to answer all the the questions required and it is one of the most comprehensive visa applications ever. You need to answer odd questions such as if you have a family member from Pakistan, what were the last 10 countries you've travelled to, and a birth mark to identify you just to name a few.
Once you've completed the form it usually takes 1-7 business days before you get approved. Depending on your nationality, the duration of your visa varies from 2, 3, 6 or 12 months. The cost of your stay varies, the longer you stay, the more expensive your visa will be. For the common duration such as 2, 3 and 6 months expect to pay around $50 USD more or less for the visa
Once accepted, save a copy of the electronic confirmation in your phone as well as a hard copy of it as you will need it to be easily accessible when you're in the country.
CURRENCY
The Indian Rupee is the currency in India. ATM's are everywhere. Debit and credit cards are accepted in most of the established businesses such as restaurants, stores, hostels/hotels etc.
While hot tourist spots accept USD, use the Indian Rupee as much as possible as your money goes farther when using the local currency.
TRANSPORTATION
Uber/OLA - In most of the cities, Uber or OLA (the Uber of India) is the CHEAPEST way to get around within the city believe it or not. My preferred transportation within a city. Just download the app (you need an Indian SIM card/number for this) order a type of vehicle and set your destination. Some cities in India may not have this service available but it is in the majority of the cities.
Rickshaw - These are the tuk tuk's in India and they are everywhere. Convenient for getting from one place to another in a city/town if Uber/OLA is not available. Before you get in one, be sure to agree on a price before getting in one.
By Air - India is a massive country. There will be times when it makes sense to get from one city to another and having to spend a bit more especially if you want to cut down your travel time. Depending on your budget, compare the cost of a flight to other means of transportation. If you're having to spend $20-50 more on the flight, perhaps it's worth considering to travel by air. Of course you can't do this all the time and it also depends on your budget and time!
Overnight sleeper bus/train - Take the overnight transportation as much as possible, because it allows you to not pay for a hostel for the night which stretches your budget even further. Be prepared for AT LEAST 12-14 hour bus rides from one city to another. This can wear you out especially if you've been in the country for quite some time that's why I recommend mixing it up travelling by air.
THINGS TO DO
Taj Mahal (Agra) - Your trip to India is not complete without seeing the beauty of one of the Seven Wonders. A world renown site that needs no introduction. Make sure you come here really early to avoid the crowd.
The Manikarnika Ghat (Varanasi) - This is the most iconic ghat in India where traditional Hindu cremations are performed.
Ganges River (Rishikesh) - On this end of the river, it is much cleaner compared to the one in Varanasi. Taking a plunge in the river is a must and it's also believed to cleanse you.
Triund (Dharamshala) - A beautiful hike that will enable you to see the Indian side of the Himalayas.
Kerala Backwaters (Alappuzha) - Get on a boat and explore the backwaters comprised of canals, lagoons, and lakes.
Chadar Trek Ladakh and The Valley of Flowers (Himachal and Uttarakhand) - A trek worth doing for all the adventure lovers.
Chandra Taal (Himachal) - A remote lake that will require you to trek to. Chandra Taal is 4,250 m high.
Nahargarh, Amber, and Jaigarh Fort (Jaipur) - There are many forts in the "Pink City" but these are the forts that you cannot miss.
Aarti (Dashashwamedh Ghat, Varanasi) - A ritual performed before sunrise or after sundown in a variety of ghats. I highly recommend seeing them in both times but if you need to choose one, see it at sundown in the Dashashwamedh Ghat as it is a much more decorative and much bigger Aarti that draws a lot of crowd.
Golden Temple (Amritsar Punjab) - One cool temple to visit if you have time to spare.
Indrahar Pass Trek (Himachal) - Another trek worth doing in the Himachal area that stands at 4,342 m high.
The Gateway of India (Mumbai) - A famous monument that was built in the 20th century to honour the visit of King George V and Queen Mary in 1911.
Varanasi - The holiest city in India. This is one of my favourite cities India because of it's raw-ness and authenticity. A must see whether you're a spiritual person or not.
Hawa Mahal (Jaipur) - Also known as the Palace of Breeze that has 953 small windows. A very photogenic 5 story palace that is famous for locals and tourists to visit in the city.
Hampi - Next to Varanasi, Hampi is on top of the list as my favourite places in India. The beautiful landscape of this ancient village will take your breath away.
Ellora Caves and Ajanta Caves (Aurangabad) - The structure and details of these caves are impressive and worth exploring.
Hogenakkal Waterfalls (Tamil Nadu) - A beautiful waterfall that you cannot miss in the Tamil Nadu area.
Jaisalmer Desert - You can spend the night and camp out in the desert. You will be riding a camel with a group to get out here to catch the sunset, to watch the stars at night in your tent then waking up super early to catch the sunrise.
Lakshman Jhula (Rishikesh) - A suspension bridge over the Ganges river.
Galta Ji (Jaipur) - A variety of temples surrounded by the mountains.
Temple day in Hampi - See the Virupaksha Temple, Shiva Temple, Sri Krishna Temple, Ranganatha Temple, Achyutarya Temple, Underground Siva Temple, Hazara Rama Temple and Hemakuta Hill Temple.
Monkey Temple (Hampi) - Go up here when the sun is setting. There are 600 steps to get up to the viewpoint.
Murdeshwar Temple (Karnataka) - A huge statue of Lord Shiva by the water. This is actually the world's second tallest Lord Shiva statue at 123 ft.
Gokarna - For a less crowded place by the water, Gokarna is the place to be and also a much more budget friendly compared to Goa.
Birla Mandir (Hyderabad) - A hindu temple built on a 280 ft hill.
Goa - For all the party lovers this is the place to be.
Golconda Fort (Hyderabad) - A massive fort providing panoramic views of the city at the top.
Anamudi (Kerala) - The highest peak in Kerala at 2,695 m.
Charminar (Hyderabad) - One of the most recognized monuments in the country.
Sunset Viewpoint (Hampi) - A viewpoint that overlooks the beautiful village of Hampi. A lot of people come up here to watch the sun go down.
As hectic as this country is, the sites and the things to do in India is endless. Aside from this, I also believe that travelling in this country will make you a better traveller due to its environment and situations you will be put through. For those who have been in India, you know what I mean when I say I have a love hate relationship with this country. For those who are planning on going, good-luck, you'll need it! (I'm kidding! Well, kind of...). Check out my video down below for more on India!
I hope you found my tips useful and if you have any questions or feedback, I would love to hear from you so drop a line in the comment section. Happy adventuring and safe travels everyone!