If you are planning to travel to India from USA for the first time, you need to know quite a few things. It is important to plan out well while going for an international holiday and India is no different. India is an enormous country, which is capable enough to please all types of tourists. It is unique in comparison with the countries of the west. It is so diverse in itself that exploring it feels like exploring a whole new world. The country has it all, ranging from temples to churches, forts to palaces, rivers to lakes, beaches to mountains, hill stations to wildlife sanctuaries, cities to villages, and much more. Different customs and traditions are prevalent in different regions of the country. Similarly, people speak various languages and dialects. In all, a trip to India is a dreamy experience for every jet-setter.
Things that Americans need to know before travelling to India
Travel to India from USA. Since India is vast in terms of geography as well as culture, it is almost impossible to plan out everything as there is always a chance of something unexpected popping up. But to avoid facing major problems during the tour, it is necessary to get familiarized with a few essentials about India. Below are the things that you need to bear in mind before leaving for the most exciting trip of your life.
Make sure you have all the important travel documents
There are some particular travel documents that you must bring if you are Travel to India from USA. At a minimum, Americans need a valid passport and a visa. Make sure that the passport is valid for at least 6 months from the date of arrival in India. Visitors from the US require at least 2 empty pages in their passports to visit India. Another thing which is of utmost importance is that tourists are required to carry a passport all the time as they need to show it as an identity proof at almost every tourist spot in India. Also, notice that the visa is valid from the time it is processed rather than the actual time you visit India. It is also recommended for travelers visiting India from America to have travel insurance, which can compensate for all their medical expenses during the India tour.
Don’t forget to consult the doctor before visiting India
Americans are advised to consult their doctor 8 weeks before taking a tour to India. Though it is not compulsory to get vaccinated before travelling to India, it is better to be on the safer side as prevention is always better than cure. Tourists should be up to date with their routine vaccine courses. Tourists visiting India from America are advised to take vaccines like Hepatitis A, Tetanus, and Typhoid. It is also better to be careful in the mosquito-prone zones to avoid being affected by dengue and other similar diseases.
Plan out the tour to India keeping in mind the time variation
It is worth noticing that India and USA operate as per different time zones. India is 9 hours and 30 minutes ahead of the USA. It implies that in the beginning, tourists visiting India from the US will face problems in adjusting to the current time zone but eventually, they will get accustomed to it. So, travelers need to plan the entire tour bearing in mind the time difference.
Take notice of the weather of India
Travel to India from USA. It is a well-known fact that India is a seasonal destination. Different regions of the country are hit by different seasons at different times. That’s why it becomes important to get acquainted with the weather before travelling to India. Even though India is considered as a hot and dry country, it is the host of all seasons. Each season lasts for 3-4 months every year. The summer is observed from April – June, which is an unsuitable period for travelling to India from the USA.
Similarly, the months of July – September are unfit as during this time, the country observes heavy rainfall and thunderstorms. The best time to travel to India from the USA is between October – March. During the winter season, the weather remains pleasant all across the country and hence perfect for exploring the horizons. However, if a tourist is willing to have a low-budget holiday in India, he/she can visit India between April and September, which are the cheapest months to visit India from the US. Tourists can enjoy their vacations with lesser crowds during these months in India.
Finalize the best route to travel to India from the USA
Travel to India from USA. There are direct flights from New York, Virginia, Illinois, California, and New Jersey to Delhi, operated by Air India. In case you don’t wish to come to Delhi directly, you can opt for any of the indirect flights, which connect the USA to the major cities of India such as Delhi, Mumbai, Kolkata, Chennai, Cochin, Trivandrum, Hyderabad, Ahmedabad, Bangalore, etc. via Europe, United Kingdom, Doha, Kuwait, Dubai, Abu Dhabi, Singapore, Bangkok, China, etc. and vice versa.
Find out how the Indian currency works
Indian Rupee (INR) is the Indian currency. There are ₹ 1, ₹5, ₹10, ₹20, ₹50, ₹100, ₹200, ₹500 and ₹2000 Indian notes (paper money) and ₹1, ₹2, ₹5 and ₹10 coins. The images on the coins and paper notes are of high importance to India just like any other nation. For instance, the image of Mahatma Gandhi, who is referred to as the father of the nation, features on the front side of every Indian note. The only exemption is ₹ 1 note, which has ₹ 1 coin on the obverse side.
Though ATMs are spread all across the country, it is important to carry cash as small vendors and auto-rickshaw drivers don’t deal through cards. As debit cards and credit cards can be used to make transactions at big outlets and showrooms, it is suggested to convert less money to the Indian currency and that too from a trustworthy source. Another important thing that you must not forget is that the exchange rate fluctuates daily. So, deal smartly to avoid getting ripped off.
Acquaint yourself with the culture of India
Travel to India from USA. India is a diverse country, which lets tourists experience almost everything, including forts, castles, palaces, museums, art galleries, caves, temples, churches, mosques, monasteries, lakes, rivers, mountains, hill stations, waterfalls, wildlife sanctuaries, and much more. To be precise, India is a whole new world in itself featuring unique identity, unique customs and traditions, and a unique charm which manages to attract all. India has 28 states and 9 union territories, each of which has something special about it. The northeastern states and states like Goa are perceived as quite liberal while the states like Haryana and Rajasthan are still under the influence of a conservative approach.
A blend of different cultures can be observed in metropolitan cities like Delhi and Mumbai. The variations can also be found in people’s dressing style, eating habits, etc. Therefore, it is necessary to get to know a bit about the region which you are visiting in India. This will help you enjoy more during the tour of India. Just like any other country, several cultural values are to be kept in mind during the tour. People in India regard religions a lot. That’s why tourists visiting India from the United States of America must comply with religious and social practices followed in India. Also, note that public display of affection is not recognized as a good action in India.
Get familiarized to some basic laws of India
A male officer cannot escort a woman to the police station. It is also important to note that a woman can be taken in custody only between 6 am and 6 pm.
Avoid using cameras and video recorders are prohibited areas of beef are banned in several parts of the country.
Women can file an FIR even through a post or an email.
It is prohibited to import/export the Indian currency for non-residents.
Consumption of alcohol is also subjected to the laws in India. The legal drinking age varies from one state to another (18 – 25). However, it is strictly banned in Bihar, Gujarat, Nagaland, Lakshadweep Islands and some parts of Mizoram.
Learn a few words of Hindi
The languages used in India are also diverse. Though Hindi is widely spoken in India, as many as 22 other languages are recognized by the Indian Constitution. Apart from these, several others are practiced in different regions all across the country. Americans travelling to India from the US can get on well with English but knowing some basic words of Hindi won’t do any harm. This will help you in interacting with the locals as well as you will feel more comfortable as there will be less chance of you getting cheated. Some basic words of Hindi that you may learn are:
Hello – Namaste
What is your name – Aapka naam kya hai
Thank you – Shukriya/Dhanyawad
How are you – Aap kaise hai
How much does it cost – Ye kitne ka hai
Pack sensibly for the India tour
Even though the Americans are required to pack corresponding to the tourist destination they are visiting and the season in which they are travelling to India, there are some basic things that they must not forget to carry. It is recommended to bring only a few loose-fitted and comfortable clothes. Tourists visiting India from the United States of America also need to bring comfortable footwear as they need to walk a lot during the journey. Also, carry wet wipes, antibacterial hand wash, mosquito repellent, sunscreen lotion, sunglasses, hat, camera, padlock, chain, extra batteries, adhesive bandage, torch, mobile phone, international adaptor plug, etc.
Pick out the tourist destinations for the India tour
Travel to India from USA. India is a large country, which is well-suited to delight all. It is the second-most populous country and the seventh-largest by area in the world. That’s why wishing to explore it all within a few days or weeks seems like an absurd idea. It is advised to go for the itinerary, which covers fewer destinations but lets you enjoy more amidst the beautiful landscapes of India. Americans visiting India can choose the destination as per their interests. Although all of India is spectacular, some of the best tourist spots are listed as follows:
Golden Triangle:– The Golden Triangle is the most sought-after tourist circuit of India, consisting of three major cities of North India – Delhi, Agra, and Jaipur. These 3 cities are quite equidistant to each other and form a shape of almost an equilateral triangle on the Indian map. These cities are counted amongst the most-visited cities of India as they offer a wholesome and unique experience to tourists. All these factors together contribute to the title of the circuit as the Golden Triangle. You can visit various famous tourist points in these three cities by selecting the Golden Triangle Tour. You can shop for local handicrafts as well as you can feast your taste buds with local delicacies. In a nutshell, the tour is the best one for the Americans visiting India for the first time.
Rajasthan:- Rajasthan is another famous tourist destination in India. The incredible state of India is synonymous with royalty. This term is abundant in terms of history and culture, which can be experienced in almost every corner of the town. The state is replete with forts, palaces, castles, museums, art galleries, temples, etc. The rulers of the bygone era are locally known as Maharajas, who was passionate about art, religion, etc.
Hence, they constructed several forts, palaces, and castles these historical edifices boast of their lifestyle and the finest architecture. The state is also endowed with several folk music and dance forms. Since the people in Rajasthan like celebrating a lot, several fairs and festivals are observed in the town throughout the year. These are cultural fiestas which amuse tourists a lot. Travellers visit India to get to know about the culture and history of India. Some of the famous tourist points in Rajasthan are Jaipur, Jodhpur, Jaisalmer, Udaipur, Kota, Ajmer, Mount Abu, etc. Each one of these is known for its specialty and hence manages to please tourists visiting India from the United States of America.
Kerala
Kerala is the pride of South India. Blessed with the best of nature, it is fondly known as the “God’s Own Country”. This state is also among the top tourist destinations of India. It treats tourists with languid backwaters, gushing waterfalls, blooming lakes, diverse wildlife, exotic cuisine, sprawling tea gardens, gleaming beaches, and healing Ayurvedic spa and treatments. To sum things up, it can be asserted that there is hardly anything that Kerala does not have.
Alleppey, Munnar, Kovalam, Cochin, Trivandrum, Kumarakom, Periyar, etc. are among the few best points of interest in Kerala for tourists visiting India from the USA. Kerala is a perfect destination to revive the mind and soul. Apart from the above-mentioned destinations, there are numerous best places to visit in India. Travelers visiting India from the US can either explore India depending on their preferences or they can take a tour of India according to the regions, such as East India, West India, Northeast India, etc. Irrespective of a choice, a tour to India from the United States of America is destined to leave you stunned.
Remember a few things about food and water in India
Don’t get swayed by the taste and appearance of food.
Refrain from avoiding a lot of spicy and tangy food as it might cause health issue to you.
Avoid drinking tap water and opt for packaged water only.
Prefer only freshly cooked food during your stay in India.
Choose vegetarianism during the tour to India.
You can also go for Jain food, which is usually less spicy and easy to digest.
Now that you have known almost everything related to India, it’s time to experience it in real life. So, don’t delay anymore and plan a tour to India at the earliest. It will surely be an exciting journey for you. During the tour, tourists visiting India from the USA can create memories for a lifetime.
