India.

A world within a world, a mixture of every feeling and emotion you can imagine x10, and possibly the most adventurous place you can travel to. I spent 5 months backpacking it on a budget of $10/day, and while I now live in neighboring Pakistan, and have even been to Afghanistan, I can assure you that neither are quite as crazy (in a good way) as Bharat.

But I’m not here to scare ya.’ India is far more than what you may have heard, and if you give it a bit of research, and get the hell off the Golden Triangle trail, I can assure you you’re in for the experience of a lifetime. You never know – it may even change you forever the way it did for me.

To help you avoid the misadventures I had, and make the most out of your journey, I’ve put together my top India travel tips gathered from three separate trips that took place over two years. The good, the bad, the amazing and the ugly are all coming at you – let’s get right into it!

Will is standing by the side of his colourful rickshaw/ tuk uk by the side of some sunflower fields in India
Psychedelic rickshaws are certainly one way to get around.
Photo: Will Hatton

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    1 – Head to the Himalayas 

    It baffles me how many people backpacking India stick to the very beaten Golden Triangle path. Yes, the Taj Mahal is a must-see, but the magic of this lies outside of Rajasthan and Uttar Pradesh. It’s in the Himalayas!

    And no not Shimla (a place where I nearly got stranded at a bus station when every hotel within 13 miles was sold out) – I mean snow-capped mountains: Spiti Valley and Ladakh. Aside from having some of the highest paved roads in the world, it’s in these regions that you’ll get to witness ancient and unique offshoots of traditional Tibetan culture.

    tibetan style homes built into the side of a mountain next to an ancient monastery in an old village in spiti valley india
    Epic ancient vibes at Dhankar in Spiti Valley.
    Photo: @intentionaldetours

    Those two regions are far from your only options though – I spent a delicious, soul-fueling month in Parvati Valley, a lush green valley I believe to be one of the most beautiful places in India. While tourism has grown there since my visit, it still has got nothing on the mad houses of Agra, Jaipur, and Delhi. 

    Uttarakhand State is yet another option – it’s there where you can trek to the Gaumukh glacier that marks the very start of the holy Ganges River. Himalayan magic that virtually zero foreign backpackers make it to, lush forests, and snow-capped peaks are certainly a vibe if you ask me. 

    2 – And don’t be afraid to get off the beaten path everywhere

    So I just about said this above, but this rings true for the ENTIRE country, not just the mountainous parts. Some of my best memories of India are in Southern Maharashtran beach towns that didn’t have another foreigner in sight for days. 

    I’m talking real, rural, seaside villages a world away from the famous Goa. But getting off the beaten path doesn’t even mean straying too far from that infamous triangle if you don’t want to. While in Jaipur, I took a 2-hour local bus to Tonk, a small town that’s the last remaining Muslim majority in all of Rajasthan. 

    Amazing people, local AF vibes, and not a single fellow tourist in the entire municipality.

    Cows and boats on the beach in India
    A super lowkey fishing beach with not a single other foreign tourist.
    Photo: @intentionaldetours

    Getting off the beaten path can and should include a detour to the “Seven Sisters” states that make up Northeastern India. This super unique part of the country feels a lot more like Southeast Asia than India, and it’s where you’ll find tribes and cultures you’ll only meet here, like the Nagaland (former) headhunters. 

    3 – Take at least one long train journey 

    India and Trains is love story you have to experience for yourself at least once. Its railway system keeps the blood pumping around the country so to speak, and I’ll always remember the (several) long-distance journeys I took.

    Because yes – while any Indian train ride will end up giving you a bit of lore, it’s the sleeper journeys that I’ll never forget.

    Nic on a sleeper train in India
    Before getting comfortable for the night and some decent sleep
    Image: Nic Hilditch-Short

    After taking three overnight rides during my trip – one in 3AC and two in 2nd Class Non-AC Sleeper, it was the latter that gave me a look into the *real* India. Food and snack sellers popping on and off to hawk their wares, families cooking for themselves once evening comes about, youth traveling from thousands of miles away to find work, and even the ill traveling thousands of miles seeking medical treatment in big cities like Mumbai. It’s the real, raw India, and it’s all happening in sleeper class.

    Now – I’ll be the first to admit that shit gets HECTIC on many routes. My best non-AC sleeper experience was while on the way to an unusual town called Karwar in Karnataka. Without too many people and with the usual super-chilled South Indian vibes, it was the perfect overnight train to take. 

    Another India travel tip to be aware of is that these trains ALWAYS sell out so unfortunately you can’t always count on rocking up the day before to secure a seat. Though it is possible to do so sometimes, I’d plan for around a week out. I’ve purchased tickets at both train stations and online, and you can choose between the same. 

    4 – Be very aware of scams 

    My very first India experience didn’t start off too well – and by not too well I mean I was a victim of a way too elaborate scam (complete with a fake government office) within an hour of touching down in New Delhi. 

    Don’t get me wrong – the trip literally changed my life so it wasn’t all bad. But my first day definitely could have gone without a $300 USD (forced) private taxi.

    backpacking India
    Especially when it comes to New Delhi rickshaw drivers!

    To be completely honest, I’d been obsessed with Indian culture and history for so long that I arrogantly skimped on practical research, which is why I IMPLORE you to get into it before arriving!

    Rickshaw scams (what I fell victim to) are perhaps the most common, but do be aware of others: railway tickets and more fake offices are absolutely a thing. Scams are definitely more prevalent in the capital and other nearby portions of the country, though it’s good to be on guard anywhere, especially in places on typical India itinerary lists. 

    5 – Don’t skip the street food, but do follow these rules

    I’ve truly had some of the tastiest and most incredible food on the chaotic streets of India. From dosas to samosas and everything in between, this is a country that knows how to EAT. 

    While you may think you have to avoid street food, let me convince you to give it a try … with caution.

    Samosas on the street in India (asian food)
    Samosas will soon become your favorite.
    Photo: Samantha Shea

    I spent over 5 months backpacking India and I (thankfully) never experienced any legitimately problematic food issues. While some of this was deff just random luck from the Travel Gods, I also tried my best to avoid the following, and got my digestive system primed with some probiotics before arriving:

    • Ice! Water in India is a huge no-no and ice is a common culprit of food poisoning 
    • Gol gappay: Also called pani puri, these are a northern fave but can be found in different forms around the country. Hollowed-out balls filled with chopped-up veggies and a liquid, I highly recommend giving these a try in a hygienic restaurant.
    • Salads: Hard no, whether it’s a traditional salad or just a bunch of cut-up veggies.
    • Meat: While I definitely ate some meat in India (Amritsar I’m looking at you!) overall this is not a shining carnivore destination. Eating “non-veg” as it’s called significantly ups your chance of Delhi Belly. As someone who loves meat in daily life, trust and believe that you’re really better off sticking with the veggie vibes. 

    6 – ONLY drink bottled or filtered water 

    THIS THIS THIS! Indian tap water is, quite frankly, poisonous, especially in New Delhi. There might not be another country where I’d stress the importance of avoiding tap water as much as this one.

    Although I admit that I did brush my teeth with it and seemed to be fine, I might even avoid that in big cities since you don’t know how your digestive system will react. 

    Up in the mountains, particularly in valleys like Spiti or Ladakh, the water will likely be super clean and locals even drink from spring sources. Otherwise – bottle it up (Bisleri tastes disgusting just FYI) or even better, use a filtered water bottle to help save the planet from plastic! 

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    7 – You WILL be asked for selfies 

    Want to feel like a celebrity? Boy, have I got the country for you!

    It was absolutely mind-boggling to me how many times I was asked for selfies or entire photoshoots while traveling around India. And this wasn’t just from “creepy men” – people of all ages wanted to snap some pics! 

    a traveler taking a selfie with two army dudes
    Even the army!
    Photo: @themanwiththetinyguitar

    This is a phenomenon I’ve really only ever encountered elsewhere in Punjab and Sindh Pakistan, which share generics and culture with Indians (they used to be one country after all) so it makes sense. While it may be fun at first, do be warned that it can get tiring AF.

    As a female traveler, I personally have a rule of only taking photos with families or women, though if you’re a guy it’s not really a big deal to snap a selfie with anyone. 

    8 – Don’t start your trip in Delhi 

    As mentioned, New Delhi was far from a good introduction to India for me. A massive scam tends to do that…

    But beyond my rickshaw ride misfortunes, the city is just simply insane to put it lightly. I live in Pakistan, have gone backpacking in Afghanistan and I can assure y’all nowhere tops this capital. 

    a tuk tuk/ rickshaw battling through the crazy streets of Delhi, India
    Hmm, so where do I walk?
    Image: Nic Hilditch-Short

    Now – I’m not saying don’t go. It’s an essential part of any Indian travel experience. But what I am saying is to start elsewhere. Literally any other part of India will give you a sweeter first taste of this incredible country. 

    Mumbai is wild and chaotic but I found it to be about 1000x better … maybe it was the sea, but whatever it was, I highly recommend flying in there or another Indian city if you plan to arrive by plane! 

    9 – Slow TF down 

    This country is absolutely MASSIVE, and unless you’re flying, distances are so vast they’ll undoubtedly make your head spin.

    My very first trip to India was short and rushed – just about 10 days. And while I easily fell in love with the country, I was so wishing I had had more time. Especially considering my baby backpacker self decided to spend two of those 10 days in a 14-hour mountainous car ride…

    guy playing a ukelele in india while sitting on a charpai with an indian man looking on
    And get stuck somewhere!
    Photo: @_as_earth

    If you’re time-rich and backpacking without an end date, slow travel is the name of the game here. One of my top India travel tips is to try and get the longest visa available and really hone in on a few regions. It would take several lifetimes to get even close to “seeing it all” so don’t even try.

    Going slow and steady will undoubtedly lead to a much better impression of the country, as well as a ton of immersive experiences you just can’t have otherwise.

    10 – Do NOT trust just anyone 

    Now, this goes along with avoiding scams but tbh, it’s so important it deserves its own separate section. While most Indians are absolutely lovely, unfortunately, the north (Uttar Pradesh, Rajasthan, Haryana, Kashmir) has a serious scamming problem.

    You will constantly need to guard yourself from being ripped off by “nice and friendly men” (it’s always a man) who speak great English and seem trustworthy.

    Common Indian Scams
    Many Sadhus, or holy men, are fakes and fraudsters. Though it’s possible to meet good, legit ones, do that with the help of an Indian friend.

    Avoid buying 420-friendly goodies from any such people, and watch out when buying things in shops, especially in New Delhi. While you’ll certainly come across lovely, trustworthy people across the country, go in with a wall up and slowly soften it as time goes on.

    I’ve never experienced a more incessantly scammy part of the world than North India (excluding the far Himalayan North). This is yet another reason to focus your trip on other parts of the country.

    11 – Always have travel insurance 

    Ok so here is the thing. Not only does India have public hospitals that are free to use, but private medical care is also pretty cheap in the country as well. As such you may well wonder whether you need to bother with Travel Health Insurance. Well as a 9 times veteran of India, I think you SHOULD take out health insurance.

    Remember, while seeing a Doctor and getting a penicillin prescription may only set you back $5, more serious scrapes can still prove quite costly. For example, my friend had a nasty scooter crash and needed hospital treatment plus aftercare. It all added up to a few hundred bucks. A few years later, another friend was involved in a very nasty assault which ended up costing a few hundred $$ – had they not survived (and it was VERY close…) it would have cost thousands to get them home in a box.

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    12 – Use Couchsurfing or Host a Sister 

    Traveling in India with a local is significantly helpful – you’ll get to see and understand bits of the country you wouldn’t have otherwise, and you’ll be shielded from scams!

    I used Couchsurfing quite a bit on my long India trip, and wow was it an upgrade to experience New Delhi with some awesome Indians instead of heading to the horrors that are Paharganj (a cheap neighborhood in the capital I highly recommend you avoid).

    Will with two people wearing traditional Nepalese clothing whilst laughing and having fun and making friends whilst backpacking
    You might even get invited to a wedding!
    Image: Will Hatton

    But this comes with a BIG caveat.

    For my solo female travelers out there, NEVER stay with a male host. Female hosts? Heck yeah! Traveling as a couple? Take your pick! But even if a man has good reviews, you never really know how they’ll behave when you’re on your own.

    This is where the magic of Host a Sister comes in, an EPIC Facebook group that is essentially made for lone women to (safely) Couchsurf with other women. There are loads of Indian ladies active in it, so definitely give it a try, especially in major cities.

    13 – Dress appropriately

    While India isn’t quite as conservative as its neighbor Pakistan, this is NOT Thailand or Bali. Sure, some parts of Goa are bikini friendly and other foreigner-filled enclaves are fine for skimpy clothes, but everywhere else, pants are definitely what you want on your packing list.

    lady boating in the river India
    Tank tops are fairly normalized, but shorts aren’t quite there.

    Scarves (known as dupattas) may be required for entering temples and mosques, plus they’re a pretty ubiquitous clothing item, so it definitely helps to keep one handy.

    For the guys, pretty much anything goes. Though it’s rare to encounter Indian men wearing shorts or tank tops, it’s not a problem.

    14 – Try to avoid the monsoon season 

    India’s monsoon season runs from roughly June-October and please take it from me – you don’t really want to be traveling around the country then. I didn’t follow this advice and while I still had a fab time, the mountain views and clear skies I was seeking in Parvati Valley did NOT materialize.

    orange sunset over the hills of rishikesh india as seen from the famous bridge
    Though late May was still sunny!
    Photo: Samantha Shea

    It’s also extremely, extremely hot in the majority of the country during this time. Like we’re talking every day being 110+ F (43c) hot type of hot…

    It will also be impossible to enjoy any southern beaches given extreme rain and rough seas. If you absolutely cannot visit at any other time though, there are a few locales that are absolutely perfect during the monsoon: namely, Spiti Valley and the entirety of Ladakh. These dry, high-altitude mountain valleys are at their peak temperatures during this period, and you can expect a whole lot of sun.

    15 – Be aware of visa requirements 

    With the privilege of a strong passport often comes visa-free or visa-on-arrival access to MOST countries. 

    But that’s not quite the case here.

    While you likely can obtain an India eVisa pretty easily (usually within 1-3 days depending), it’s extremely important to note they CANNOT BE ACTIVATED AT LAND BORDERS! 

    a photo of a pink indian multiple entry sticker visa

    So this means that if you’re on an overland journey, you’re going to need to get an Indian sticker visa in your home country. 

    As of 2024, it’s now very difficult to get one in Pakistan or Nepal, which previously issued them pretty quickly. Some travelers report success in Iran, but I wouldn’t count on it. If you’re American, you can easily get a 10-year multi-entry tourist visa (British citizens can get 5 years) within a few weeks of mailing your passport, so definitely make that investment. 

    Many other nationalities can also get multiple entry visas – just make sure you do it before hitting the road! 

    16 – Cross the Wagah Border and go backpack Pakistan next!

    While this isn’t an India travel tip per se, I couldn’t end the post without a bit of a hot tip on where to go next.

    I know you might be thinking…Pakistan?! But please trust me – I have been living in the country for 3.5+ years after all! While you may hear negative things about this amazing country while chatting with locals in India, I can assure you it’s all propaganda – Indians cannot visit Pakistan, so they have no personal experience.

    girl at rush lake backpacking in pakistan
    Nothing beats Pakistan in peak summer, especially a 4700 m lake.
    Photo: @intentionaldetours

    I first backpacked Pakistan in 2019, and it felt like India but better in every way. No scams, insane and truly incomparable hospitality, and mountains that haughtily put the Indian Himalayas to shame.

    The easiest way to get there is by crossing the Wagah Border which essentially connects the holy city of Amritsar to Lahore. Not only is the border incredibly friendly and easy to cross, but there’s no wait since Indians and Pakistanis cannot actually visit each other.

    While Lahore is chaotic, it’s nothing compared to Delhi, and the real highlight of a trip to Pakistan is very far north anyway. My adopted home of Hunza Valley can be reached within a few days, and I promise you it’s the opposite of everything the media said Pakistan is 😉

    Final Thoughts on India Travel Tips

    Deciding to travel to India seemed innocuous at the time, but like so many before me, it absolutely changed my life. It’s what led me to Pakistan, where I met my now husband, and reinforced my absolutely starstruck love with budget travel and backpacking.

    It’s often said that this is a country that you either love with a fiery passion or deeply hate, but I think any serious trip to this mega-country will have you feeling a lil’ bit of both, possibly at the exact same time.

    Whether you’re dreaming of seeing the Taj Mahal (it’s 10000% worth it) or looking for a real adventure deep in the mountains, India’s got it all and then some. A hundred lifetimes wouldn’t be enough to see it all, but I’ve come to the conclusion that maybe it’s not meant to be.

    A single day in India could be more profound than YEARS of your life at home, and that’s what makes it so crazy, amazing, and unique, even when compared to its similar neighbors.

    With these India travel tips in hand, I hope you feel a bit more prepared for your adventure, though I’ll be honest and say nothing can truly prepare you for this universe of a nation. Oh and one last reminder – eat the damn street food. No Indian restaurant at home will EVER compare!

    a purple colored sunset above the indian city of jaipur as seen from the amer fort
    Purple sunsets, nbd.
    Photo: Samantha Shea
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