Himalayas

Spanning across the frozen barrier of the Himalayas all the way to the tropical greenery of Kerala, the boundaries of India encompasses incomparable variety. 

Along your journey, you will encounter temple rituals, onion-domed mosques, and the beauty of history at every turn.  

Indian cuisine has some of the most tantalising flavours and variety of choices in the world. The most popular dish, curry, is created from subtle and delicate blends of spices such as cumin, turmeric, cardamom, ginger, and additional herbs.

Vegetable dishes tend to be more common in India than they are in Europe. The mixture of dishes differs based on region.

Northern and Western dishes are heavily based on pulses, vegetables, and curd. There is also a heavy consumption of milk based sweets as well.

Southern and Eastern dishes often include rice, dals, and curries. These dishes in comparison are heavily rice-based. In addition, coconut and other fruits are used in the cooking process. Fish is also a vital portion to the diet of this region.

Most Indian food is intended to be eaten with the hands instead of traditional western-style utensils.

Entertainment is one of India’s biggest industries grossing yearly high revenues. The cultural heritage of the country is significant to the arts and culture sector. 

Every mode of entertainment in India comes with a set of elegance and sophistication that relates directly back to the principles of the culture.
If you are in the mood for music, your choices will range from modern to classical and everything in between.

Music has become an integral part of the Indian culture and everyone finds a distinct niche to enjoy over time.

If looking for a trip to the cinema, keep in mind that India’s film industry is one of the biggest in the world, particularly with the famous Bollywood films.

Another important area of entertainment in the country is sports, specifically Cricket. The game draws attention and the highest revenue of all sports in the country. Other sports such as Football are popular in certain regions such as West Bengal, Goa, and Kerala. 

There are several different types of visas that can be obtained to suit different needs when travelling to India. In order to obtain entry into India, all travellers with the exception of citizens of neighboring countries Nepal and Bhutan, must be able to show a valid tourist visa.

The electricity in India is 240 Volts. If you travel to the country with a device that does not accept this amount of voltage at 50 Hertz, you will need to purchase a converter.

India is a relatively safe country and is not known for very violent crime. However, you are advised to always be aware of your surroundings, especially in large crowds and if travelling at night.

The weather varies based on region. Temperatures in Rajasthan, Gujarat, Uttar Pradesh, and Madhya Pradesh are warm between November and February similar to UK summer days so light clothing is sufficient.

However the early mornings and evenings are often cold so pack a light jacket in preparation.

Between March and onwards of April, it becomes quite hot. In Delhi and Agra, temperatures are cold in the months of December and January with small possibilities of fog.

Humidity increases during May and monsoons arrive in June. The northern region does not suffer from humidity but instead have very dry heat. The overall temperature begins to drop in September.

The climate is much more constant in areas such as Mumbai, Karnataka, Kerala, and Tamil Nadu where it remains warm year round.

It is recommended that travellers ensure their Tetanus and Polio vaccines are up to date.

It is suggested that vaccines for malaria, yellow fever, and typhoid are also taken at least two weeks before travel.

If you are currently taking medicine for conditions such as diabetes or heart problems, you are advised to carry enough medicine in your luggage to last for the duration of your trip.

While adjusting to the high levels of heat you may suffer from some amount of dehydration. Sachets of Diralyte or Electrolyte can be obtained easily and aid in restoring necessary minerals to your system.
 

The following items are recommended for packing although it is not all inclusive of what you should take:

Anti-bacterial hand gel or wipes
Wet wipes
Razor Blades
Soap and Soap Holder
Alarm Clock
Camera and backup memory stick
Batteries
Penknife
Sun Cream
Sun hat
Travel Adapter plug
Head Scarf (for visiting certain temples and mosques)
Light jacket
Socks(for visiting certain temples)
Lip Salve
Insect Repellent
Small pillow
Binoculars
Torch
Sunglasses
Safety Pins
Antihistamine
 

The standard flight time from the UK to India is 12 hours.

The national language of India is Hindi, although each state has its own language as well. There are over 20 recognised and 30 spoken languages throughout the region. Before travel, it may be worth researching what language will be spoken in the area you will be visiting.

The Rupee cannot be obtained prior to entering India and damaged or torn notes may be refused, particularly in larger cities.

Rs 1 and Rs 2 notes are rare and should be treated as souvenirs.

India is +5.5 hours GMT.