Tips for a First Trip to India

Chaotic, disorienting, exhilarating, delicious, horrifying, sordid, intimidating, overwhelming. India is all of this – and so much more. How then to prepare for your first trip to India? Start by following our advice before embarking on the ultimate journey – to India for the very first time.

 

Traveling around in India

Many people with to travel by van when they have a group of people traveling together. If you’re not with a tour guide this can be very stressful in the larger cities. The larger cities have extremely bad traffic, and their appears to not be many traffic laws that people follow. Theres more of an unwritten code amongst drivers. Another thing to consider is, if you rent a van, what happens if you break down? India doesn’t have AAA or any type of roadside assistance. Furthermore, if you don’t speak the local language, how will you call for help? When I was researching this topic, this website talked about towing different types of vehicles. This further adds to the complications this could cause in India. We would advise you to take a guided tour or planes and trains, its much easier and more hassle free than renting a van.

 

Choose your itinerary in India

Think about what interests you, what you like to do, and plan your trip. The most popular circuit remains the timeless ” Golden Triangle “. If time is lacking, this somewhat stereotypical itinerary will offer you a fabulous taste of three major Indian destinations. Begin your trek through Delhi (Humayun’s Tomb, old fort), and continue with Agra (Taj Mahal, Agra Fort, Fatehpur Sikri) and then Jaipur (Pink City, Amber Fort). Finally, go through the wonderful markets of Delhi for some last shopping before flying back.

For a more “oriented” stay, here are some tracks:

  • Shopping – Delhi
  • Beaches – Goa
  • Hiking – Himachal Pradesh
  • Yoga – Rishikesh
  • Food – everywhere!
  • Tigers – Madhya Pradesh
  • Search for thrills – Manali
  • Religious Fervor – Varanasi
  • Relaxation – Kerala

 

Take your time if its your first trip to India

Many tourists want to see everything during their first trip to India. Do not imitate them. It is infinitely more rewarding to visit a place at your own pace than to browse several at a hurry. You will be more relaxed, you will better apprehend the place visited, and you will have more time to establish links with the people met on the way.

 

Avoid the crowd

In front of a population of one billion inhabitants, some travelers will have the impression to suffocate. Fortunately, India also has many places of retirement. If you feel the need to flee the hustle and bustle of big cities, head for isolated villages in Kerala to the south, Tibet’s highlands in the north, such as Ladakh , or stop in one of the many mountain villages in the country.

 

Do everything to stay healthy

Always avoid tap water, as well as any food that may have been washed in this way. Do not eat ice cream, salad or fruit that you have not peeled yourself.

During their stay in India, many travelers choose the vegetarian option. The idea is not bad. A piece of dubious meat will do much more damage than a plate of undercooked vegetables. On the other hand, many Indians are vegetarians, which translates into a rather fabulous variety in the matter. If you absolutely want to eat meat, make sure it is cooked. If in doubt, have your meal in a very busy establishment.

The notoriously bad reputation of Indian toilets does not mean that you have to put your health at risk. Consider the left hand / water jug method, preferred by many people (much more hygienic, after all, than toilet paper), but do not forget to provide soap so you can wash your hands properly.

Advice for traveling in a furnished van

 There are those who make every reservation in advance and leave nothing to chance. And there are those for whom travel must absolutely rhyme with adventure, unforgettable wilderness and unforgettable moments. For all those, traveling in a furnished van is a great way to see the country!

 

Traveling in a furnished van requires choosing the right vehicle

Surfers eager to take the first wave of the morning, hikers at the start of a beautiful day of walking, many nature lovers who opt for the van trip arranged for the pleasure of getting up at dawn and being the first to evolve on natural sites of breathtaking beauty! If this way of traveling tempts you, no need to invest immediately in a vehicle. You can first rent one and test different vans in real conditions to see if they fit your needs. Several agencies offer vans for rent, including long-term rentals. Better, to lighten the costs, you can even opt for renting vans between individuals.

To choose your vehicle, consider taking into account the fuel consumption and the cost of tolls for this size vehicle.

 

Choose the right spot for the night

The adventure, yes, but with respect for nature. Of course, sleeping while traveling in a furnished van offers the freedom to stop when you want and organize nothing, but that’s no reason to stop anywhere! Respect nature reserves and areas where parking is prohibited and watch out for fires.

It may be tempting to grill in the wilderness but beware of areas exposed to fire hazards (forests, plantations, reforestation, moors, scrubland…). In France and abroad, think of privileging reserved areas equipped and equipped for barbecues.

 

Invest in small accessories that change your life

In shops dedicated to camping, you will find a number of accessories to save space or improve your daily comfort when traveling by van. Here are some of our favorites. Motorhome wedges that help to rectify the slope of the ground and sleep right; the solar shower to do a bit of toilet. The collapsible colander, always practical at the time of the pasta and very compact, Bluetooth speakers to listen to music, a hammock to stretch between two trees, the straw that filters the water if you really want to be away from everything, dry shampoo (use with moderation because no very green) or clay if you do not have water to wash your hair …

Secrets to Make a Minimalist Travel Backpack

Minimalist Travel Backpack on boardwalk at ocean

Buddha said that renunciation and detachment makes you happier, that the less things you have you can concentrate on what really matters, makes your mind clearer and give material objects the value they really have. As a traveler I also try that every time I prepare the minimalist travel backpack I do not bring with me things that I will not need, that will bother me or that will simply make me occupy my mind without needing it. But how do you prepare a minimalist travel backpack?

Use less things than at home

It’s weird but we often wear more clothes than we use at home and sometimes we carry even more things than we use when we do not travel. I know of people who wear, for example, a daily shirt for the trip and at home they use it twice in a week. Follow your habits and if you do not wear 3 pairs of shoes in a week or if you can use more than once some clothes remove the extra garment and you will see that you gain a lot of space.

Do not carry just anything

This is one of my mottos. The “by the doubts do not exist”. Take something because maybe you get to use it is an invitation to take it out for a walk and I say it from my own experience. After some trips I found that some pants I never used or that that tiny flashlight did not spend its battery for a second. Before making the backpack ask yourself “will I use this yes or no?” And if the answer is “no”, leave it.

Only pack half of the items in the Minimalist Travel Backpack

This rule seems a bit extreme but you should, at least in theory, try it. Imagine that you are organnizing your Minimalist Travel Backpack right now and put on four pants and six shirts. What would happen if you take off two pants and 3 shirts? Could you travel with that? Even when it sounds extreme and hard this technique is a good way to see that in reality it is possible that we are carrying more than we need.

Only Important Electronic Equipment

I have sinned more than once in carrying things I do not need. I have made trips with tripods that did not leave the accommodation or with camera lenses that have not been used for any photograph. Think about where you travel and if what you are carrying is usable in that place. I have friends who make great trips only with their mobile phones and become so happy, others who are great photographers only carry one objective and make better images than those who load 20 things. Quantity is sometimes overwhelming and does not contribute much.