I recently spent 11 days in India. That's 11 days of pulsating streets, serene jungles, dynamic colours and my eyes wide open with fascination. It was my first see to India, so I chose our Glimpses of Taj & Tiger Journey as an excellent intro to the country. My go to, and the itinerary, didn't disappoint. In reality it exceeded my every expectation and smashed every stereotype I’d had. Upon returning, here's exactly what I think everyone must understand prior to taking a tour to India.
It does not need to be stressful
I understand exactly what you're thinking because I believed it too. Having never ever gone to a developing nation in the past, I was anxious (as normal) regarding exactly what I would see and experience in India. In the past I 'd heard stories of beggars, burglars and smelly streets. So as quickly as I set foot outside Delhi Airport I braced myself for the deluge. Instead I was met with a smiling guy holding a sign with my name on it. He invited me and my buddy with garlands of marigolds and escorted us to exactly what would be our vehicle for the trip. From that minute onwards I was entirely at ease in the hands of my tour manager Taj, and private driver Kahlee, both from our in-destination partners Creative Travel. With them as our guiding light around India and its culture, I had the ability to unwind, travel confidently and genuinely enjoy the ride.
Swan Tours one of the leading travel agents in Connaught Place Delhi India offer India tour packages at economical price.
You'll require a motorist
Having a motorist in the UK is an extravagance left just to the very rich and toffy, however in India it's a functionality of middle-class life, in addition to a maid and a cook. All of our India holidays consist of the service of a motorist, and it's one you will no doubt be grateful of. First of all due to the fact that the roadways are so magnificently disorderly that I needed Taj to assist me just cross the road, let alone drive on it. And secondly, India is one of the most remarkable locations to see by road. Having the versatility to ask Kahlee to stopped so I could take an image of a lady rounding up goats in the countryside (yep), or asking him excitedly to stop so I might take a photo of a groom en route to his wedding on an elephant (happened more than as soon as), was fantastic and something you won't get if you're doing it yourself.
It's not just a backpacking location
Sure, India is a low-cost and pleasant location to backpack around, however if you're past the age of filthy hostels and doubtful hygiene (aka over 25), then India is a location you're still going to enjoy. As I happily discovered, nobody does high-end quite like India. At every hotel we stayed at I was blown away by the service and lodging. My room at the Le Meridien in Delhi was splendidly contemporary, spacious and luxurious. In Ranthambore I was shocked to discover our hotel, the Nahargarh Fort, was really a palace complete with decadent dining hall, 4 poster beds and a room to rival the size of my London flat. Everywhere we stayed the personnel were likewise extremely mindful (I enjoyed the novelty of being called 'ma'am') and I adored the welcoming event we were treated to at every hotel.
Delhi stomach is preventable
For all the stories I found out about India, this was the most common one, and the scariest. To play it safe I promised to end up being vegetarian for the week, avoid fresh salads and stay with just carbonated water (as I was informed this was the only method to ensure the water was safe). But as quickly as I saw the buffet at the Le Meriden in Delhi, this basically went out the window. I didn't keep back from the grilled meat at the Nahargarh Fort either and I had the most delicious salad at the Trident Agra. It may simply be my experience, however I feel that of the Delhi stomach rules is the outcome of people not being vigilant about what, and where, they consume. If you stay with the hotel dining establishments you are remaining at (also since they're tasty), then you should be fine. When it comes to water, your motorist will have a stash of water bottles in the vehicle, as will your hotel space, so you'll never be captured out and require buying one from a street stall.
There is wildlife everywhere
I was anticipating individuals to be all over in India- and they were- but I wasn't expecting animals to be everywhere too. Even in Delhi, a city with over 25 million individuals, the wildlife still captured my look, from monkeys to small squirrels to an abundance of birds. Then obviously there are cows, goats, camels, horses, pigs and elephants that you'll typically see together with the roads- or often even on the roads, depending on their mood. In Ranthambore National Park, where we took pleasure in 3 game drives, the park entirely burst with wildlife; deer, antelope, wild boar, monkeys, sloth bears, leopards and peacocks. The gem in the jungle's crown though is spotting a tiger, which we were extremely fortunate to do. We 'd just got in the national forest when, from no place, a mother tiger left from some bushes to the roadway. Our jeep shrieked to a halt and we viewed in awe as it strolled ideal beside us before crossing the road and vanishing into the jungle once again.
The shopping is wonderful
If you're a fellow lover of sparkly jewellery, intricate homewares and vibrant headscarfs, then I advise bringing some costs loan to India. Exceptionally, you will not need much. I paid ₤ 5 for a dynamic shawl at Connaught Place in Delhi, and ₤ 25 for a block-printed silk and cashmere scarf from a trader in Jaipur (one that Creative Travel advised and I had the ability to haggle with too). All in all I bought 5 scarves, 2 pyjamas and one elephant statue. I could have bought more but I had to stop myself. If I might have my time once again I would have spent more time exploring the shops of Old Delhi. I think I'll just need to go back?
The residents more than happy
I had braced myself to see a great deal of hardship and sadness in India, and while I did see poverty, it wasn't as sad as I believed. It was simply a different way of living. With most of the population being Hindi, Taj discussed to me that as they believed in karma, people attempted to maximize what they had. I saw it for myself when I went to a house in the countryside. While the living was extremely basic and devoid of the high-ends of modern life, the occupants- an extended family- enjoyed and inviting. The kids desired to test out their English with me, their grandma joked about swapping dresses with me while their mother cooked naan on a traditional range and even sweetly used me some. Joining the residents was one of my favourite parts of the trip. A humbling and uplifting experience.
It needs you to have plans
I love exploring a put on my own, choosing exactly what to do the day before and just winging it. India though, isn't really a location that you can just 'wing'. Firstly due to the fact that it can be rather challenging to work out what to do without a full-on thesis of research and if you get it incorrect it can mean a day gone to lose. My buddy, believing he’d done all the research study, went to check out the Taj Mahal on a Friday just to discover it's closed that day!
Knowing the wheres, whens and hows of India is a balancing act finest left to a local, which is why seeing India with Taj from Creative Travel was so great. As it was just my travel partner and Taj, I was able to take pleasure in the advantages you would get with a well-informed guide on a group tour, with the flexibility of taking a trip solo. It was the best of both worlds and as a result I actually felt like I saw the finest of India.
For more Information on luxury tours in India and any other holiday packages contact Swan Tours one of the leading travel agents in India.
