India Vacations

India is a multiethnic country with hundreds of major and minor languages and diverse religious groups. In this sense, it can perhaps, more accurately be described as a sub-continent.

India's culture weaves through its daily lives, from its greetings, clothing, and food, to its festivals, religious customs, and martial arts. Even as the country has progressed in areas of science and technology, the people have remained faithful to tradition. This can be attributed to the fact that most Indians regard the family as an important social unit and celebrate festivals with close and extended family.

Indians worship animals as deities. The cow is the most sacred of all, worshipped as Mother Earth. That said, the country has a large meat-eating population and hotel menus feature a long list of meats, although a few serve only vegetarian dishes.

English is not the native language but it works everywhere. People can still speak a smattering of English and many will go out of their way to understand and help you. Etiquette-wise, make sure to leave your shoes outside temples before going in, avoid pointing your finger or feet at people, and do not greet women with a kiss or shake of hand. It's easy to return the world-famous 'namaste', a customary greeting indicated by folded palms placed before the chest, at airports and hotels.

Religious symbols abound in the temples, homes, and shops of India. Don't let the swastika faze you - it is an auspicious symbol of the Hindus, Jains, and Buddhists, and has no relation to Nazism. Elephant head motifs and decor pieces may also have a link to the elephant-faced Lord Ganesha. The Karni Mata Temple in Rajasthan's Bikaner worships rats, while the devout in south India worship snakes in their natural habitat, offering them milk, incense, and prayers. 

Generally, December to February is ideal as the days are pleasantly warm and the nights are cool. It's the perfect time to explore the country's wildlife reserves and engage in all kinds of outdoor adventure activities. Peak travel season begins in December, driving up flight and hotel costs.

It gets hot in March, reaching peak temperatures in May. The crowds shrink and hotel and airline deals are especially attractive during this time. Plan your visit for the end of February or the beginning of March to see and take part in the colorful festival of Holi.

In the coastal regions, the rainy season begins in June, while it may begin in July in the interiors. If you're interested in a laid-back beach vacation in Goa, avoid June to August when the seas are not safe for swimming and resorts close.  

Lasting until September, the monsoons don't come in the way of your trip if you're visiting the Golden Triangle, Rajasthan, and cities up north. But several national parks and beaches remain shut. In fact, the Golden Triangle can be visited at any time of the year, with December-February enjoying particularly pleasant weather.

Dry weather returns in October, when it's less hot than in May. The skies remain clear and people gear up for Navratri, Dussehra, and Diwali festivities. The crowds are smaller, making October a good time to explore the country's natural beauty and engage in adventure sports.

A hiking trip to the Himalayan mountains is best planned for June to August when the weather is marvelous even as the rest of the country experiences rainfall. But June-September is the wet season, September-April has tough, snow-blocked roads, and the freezing temperatures between December and January attract only the boldest tourists. 

You'll need a tourist visa to enter the country. There are a number of options to travel between cities, including buses, trains, rental cars, and flights. In major cities, you'll enjoy the convenience of the subway or the Metro as it is called here, buses, taxis, auto rickshaws (tuk-tuks), and rental scooters and cars.

At one time, India used to run on cash. After the government's demonetization initiative, the adoption of digital and mobile wallets has soared. That said, debit and credit cards remain extremely popular payment modes. There is no shortage of ATMs in cities, although the occasional ATM may be out of order. Having some cash on you will come in handy.

Indians' bathroom etiquette is different from Americans'. The use of toilet paper and water jets is far less prevalent in the country. This isn't a problem as most hotels maintain a Western standard of bathroom hygiene. The same can't be said for public bathrooms. So, it's a good idea to pack toilet paper or pilfer tissue paper from restaurants.

Indian shopkeepers are aware of the strength of the US dollar and may charge you more - sometimes exorbitantly high prices - for their wares. Do inquire about the average prices of items with someone you trust and haggle with shopkeepers when you know they're charging you unfairly.

Indians are famous for their cooperative nature and hospitality. But bad apples or scamsters also lurk and have tourists in their sights. While this isn't a problem on a guided India tour, it can be a little more intense when you're traveling alone and it shows. A really useful tip is to get an Indian SIM card to check information on accommodation and routes to ensure you're not scammed by taxi or Uber drivers. 

India is a foodie's paradise, serving mouthwatering roadside fare to elegant dishes that offer a Michelin-star experience. Every state has its own specialties, which may be served to you in your hotel meals. Get more adventurous at local restaurants and street food vendors.

In the southern states, rice is the staple food, served with dal or sambar (thick, spiced lentil soups), and vegetable or meat curries. Rice items vary by taste and color, with pulao - rice steam cooked with spiced meat or vegetables - a perennial favorite. South Indian menus also feature seafood and coconut-based curries.

North Indians prefer flatbread (chapatis and naans) to rice, pairing them with dal and curries. Recipes from the eastern parts of India are more meat-heavy and use a mix of spices in curries and soups. West Indian dishes are as varied as they can get, from Mumbai's famous snack, the Vada Pav, to Goa's delectable pork vindaloo, Gujarat's fenugreek-flavored flatbread thepla, and the rich honey-comb dessert of Rajasthan, the ghewar.

Alcohol consumption is a bit of a taboo subject in India, and some states have banned it. But alcohol flows freely in many big hotels and restaurants. You can enjoy a variety of non-alcoholic drinks, which are both healthy and refreshing. The masala chai, tea infused with aromatic spices and herbs; lassi, a yogurt-based drink that can be sweet or salty; shikanji, a lemonade with ginger, salt, and black pepper; and aam panna, a tangy drink made of raw mangoes, sugar, and spices, hit the spot.

Indians eat with their hands rather than using cutlery. They use only their right hand to eat, leaving the left hand free. All restaurants however, provide forks and spoons.