ZeroBlack Posted December 26, 2014 Posted December 26, 2014 I am thinking about going to India end of 2015 around September for a few months. I have heard a lot about India and have done some research as well. Having never traveled to Asia. The comments range from disgusting, dirty, not to take my girlfriend etc to awesome, amazing, beautiful depending where you go. Would like to ask you guys what do you think? Where should I go and not go? Cost of flights and spending money for 2 people? Hotels between 3.5 and 4 stars? Is September a good month to travel? Me and my girlfriend being white will we have any trouble? Thanks guys.
ZeroBlack Posted December 26, 2014 Author Posted December 26, 2014 where in India do you want to go? We don/t really know? The South looks very nice, but the beaches here in Australia are awesome no country can match Aussie beaches. North looks good too as it has the Himalayas, and I wouldn't mind seeing that? Rajasthan and the Golden Circle forts, palaces etc.
ZeroBlack Posted December 26, 2014 Author Posted December 26, 2014 Don't think too much and just go. Yeah but you still have to plan it, India is not somewhere you can go without planning.
EnterTheVoid Posted December 26, 2014 Posted December 26, 2014 Your plans will go out the window once you land there. Its organised chaos all the way. I would just buy a good backpack and tour on an ad hoc basis. Would give all the tours a miss and just go exploring on my own.
jalebi_bhai Posted December 26, 2014 Posted December 26, 2014 I can tell you.......for a fact........It will be a massive cultural shock....... I believe you are Australian? I've been to Australia myself..........and I can assure you that the sheer density of population in the cities will be a bit over-whelming........so brace yourselves.......even using PT services will seem very alien to you......... In terms of when to visit.......I'd recommend the month of October........the weather is mostly dry and moderate in most parts........basically, it is not extreme....... Plan your visit on the basis of your interests........India is a big country and its tourism can serve a multitude of interests......there are 29 states you can travel to......and each state has something unique to offer........ I would highly recommend getting in touch with local touring agencies and using their services.........get in touch well in advance though and do the necessary due diligence....... In terms of reception, we Indians treat our guests with respect and dignity.......and you and your gf being white.......the locals will definitely be fascinated with your presence.......particularly if you visit rural areas......if you like the attention, you'll have a good time......but like most things in life, there are no guarantees.......so be alert and prepared for any situation.......like you would be in any other foreign country :winky:...... Accommodation wise.......3-5 star hotels will do just fine........if you visit South India......resorts are the way to go....... While shopping, try to bargain whenever you can......especially if you are buying handicrafts .....Indian traders tend to be shrewd with customers........so watch out for that...... Your experience will largely depend on the states you visit........
jalebi_bhai Posted December 26, 2014 Posted December 26, 2014 Your plans will go out the window once you land there. Its organised chaos all the way. I would just buy a good backpack and tour on an ad hoc basis. Would give all the tours a miss and just go exploring on my own. Really? I would only recommend this strategy on a second visit........
ZeroBlack Posted December 26, 2014 Author Posted December 26, 2014 Both of us are laid back, so I think it will be ok, I have been told to go to India with a open mind.
Gollum Posted December 26, 2014 Posted December 26, 2014 Answer will be too long, so hope the links below help you. You being white ... no problem, Indians worship white skinned people, you will be pampered a lot and given priority over brown/black skinned people. And in India guests are treated like Gods, nowhere in this planet will you get as much affection and hospitality as over here. Random people on the streets will go out of their way to help you. And majority speak/understand English here, so language isn't a problem. Cuisine may be overwhelming for a foreigner on 1st time visit to India but if you are gonna stay in 4 star hotels there will be a wide variety of continental/less spicy/less masala food to choose from. But if you really want to experience India I would advise you to try local cuisine, if you are staying here for months gradually you will get used to it and who knows by the end of your trip, you will be taking recipes back home from here. :winky: But in some places a minority of the population may try to dupe you, so be alert. Pickpockets,chain snatchers are rare but if you go around the streets wearing costly accessories and pointing at locals bragging how much your diamond chain is worth you are unnecessarily painting a target for mischief mongers. And if you bring your GF don't let her be alone after 10 p.m. or so o the streets. If you are staying in some 4 star hotel, the hotel manager will give you the dos and donts list and may assign you a guide/local to protect you if you are going to some sensitive place. Better to befriend hotel guys and take their advice before you plan some excursion. He/she will brief you regarding how to best utilize your time and how to avoid mischief makers. If your GF is coming you can also take her shopping. There are some exotic shopping destinations and bazaars which specialize in traditional Indian handicrafts etc. Most of the foreign girls I know love shopping in Indian bazaars, you won't find these sort of things in Europe/USA. Adventure sports,trekking,forts,palaces,temples,churches,forests,beaches,mountainsetc you will find all in India, below links will help you choose where you want to go. Keep following news a month before you come to India. Kashmir(Northernmost India) and North eastern states sometimes can get volatile and if there are terror attacks, communal flare ups better avoid these 2 places(from my personal experience). They are the places with maximum natural beauty in India but only if the situation is calm, plan a visit there. regarding this you can take help from Indian travel agents. Rest of India except a few Naxal infected districts in Central India are mostly calm and incident free. Best time to visit india is Oct-March. Place is damn cheap. Travel from Chennai to Delhi(2200 km) by air will be 120-160 $ even if you book 1 day in advance, if you book 1/2 months in advance you may even get @ 70-80$. Food ultra cheap. 4 star hotel anywhere in the country for a couple may be varying from 50-100$ per night with complimentary breakfast,pick up from airport etc. Such hotels will also provide you cars with driver and guide at reasonable prices for sightseeing in the city. I can go on and on but I need to go to work now. http://www.quora.com/Is-India-a-good-travel-destination https://www.quora.com/What-are-the-best-places-to-visit-in-India-2 http://www.quora.com/What-are-some-of-the-less-known-tourist-destination-of-India http://www.quora.com/What-are-the-most-surreal-places-one-can-ever-visit-in-India http://www.quora.com/What-are-the-best-tourist-places-in-India http://www.quora.com/What-are-the-major-tourist-sites-in-India https://www.quora.com/What-are-some-of-the-best-travel-and-exploring-places-in-India-which-are-not-overcrowded-with-tourists http://www.quora.com/What-are-best-tourist-spots-in-India
Gollum Posted December 26, 2014 Posted December 26, 2014 And BTW if you go street shopping or shopping in any handicrafts center bargain flat 50% off. Take some local with you there if you want, you will get twice the amount of goods at half the price you must have estimated initially. :icflove:
ZeroBlack Posted December 26, 2014 Author Posted December 26, 2014 And BTW if you go street shopping or shopping in any handicrafts center bargain flat 50% off. Take some local with you there if you want' date=' you will get twice the amount of goods at half the price you must have estimated initially. :icflove:[/quote'] Thanks mate that was valuable information, and thanks for putting in the effort as well, much appreciated.
Crookbond Posted December 26, 2014 Posted December 26, 2014 You will get the best information about travel on IndiaMike. Be careful about hotels particularly since you're traveling with your girl friend.
coffee_rules Posted December 26, 2014 Posted December 26, 2014 Goa, Agra, Khajuraho, Jaisalmer, Dharamsala, uttarkashi, mahabhaleshwar, pondicherry, mannar, karwar.
Jersey #10 Posted December 26, 2014 Posted December 26, 2014 I am thinking about going to India end of 2015 around September for a few months. I have heard a lot about India and have done some research as well. Having never traveled to Asia. The comments range from disgusting, dirty, not to take my girlfriend etc to awesome, amazing, beautiful depending where you go. Would like to ask you guys what do you think? Where should I go and not go? Cost of flights and spending money for 2 people? Hotels between 3.5 and 4 stars? Is September a good month to travel? Me and my girlfriend being white will we have any trouble? Thanks guys. It's all of those - not either or. Just have an open mind and make good decisions. You wouldn't want to walk around in a sketchy alley in Australia at night - same with India.
punjabi_khota Posted December 26, 2014 Posted December 26, 2014 Me and my girlfriend being white will we have any trouble? Thanks guys. Username checks out :hysterical:
Malcolm Merlyn Posted December 26, 2014 Posted December 26, 2014 Dont go in september.Its monsoon season.
Texy Posted December 26, 2014 Posted December 26, 2014 What about all the Hindus who rape' date=' sexually assault, women and kids? See anyone can play that game.[/quote'] "White" :sherlock:
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