All about India for tourists. goa resorts

And the usual poverty outside the tourist areas. India is an ambivalent country, and this is putting it mildly.

And yet she is beautiful. Its majestic Himalayas make you believe in the existence of parallel worlds, the amazing beauty of the nature of Kerala strikes the heart, and the mystical sacrament of religious rites at the sacred Ganges plunges you into a trance. India stuns with ant-cities, where everything mixes in a crazy cocktail: people, religions, languages, customs and smells.

When to go

Old Delhi and the capital New Delhi are thousands of monuments from different eras: mosques, Hindu temples, mausoleums, colonial-style villas. In huge shopping malls you can "shop" from the heart, in restaurants with gourmet cuisine - evaluate the skill of chefs.

Jaipur has absolutely incredible Mughal palaces built of pink sandstone. In Agra and its environs, in addition to the famous Taj Mahal, it is interesting to look at the Red Fort of the 16th century with features of Islamic and Hindu architecture and Fatehpur Sikri - ancient capital empire of Akbar I the Great.

One of the most powerful tourist magnets is Mumbai with its famous Dharavi slums, the Bollywood dream factory and the Buddhist cave monastery Kanheri. To visit Bombay is to discover India in all its diversity.

In the Himalayas, you can see fantastic snowy peaks stretching into space, thousand-year-old temples with monasteries and people still living in past centuries. Most popular destination mountainous India - border Sikkim, surrounded by national parks. This is a great place for cycling, trekking and rafting.

Where to enlighten and heal

Hinduism is extremely popular outside of India. Foreigners believe that if they can comprehend the wisdom of this religion, they will reveal the secrets of being, or at least find peace of mind. To put their health in order, people go to Ayurvedic resorts in Kerala and Karnataka. There is “light” Ayurveda, when liberties in food and even entertainment are allowed, and there is a “hard” option - strict adherence to doctor's prescriptions, a strict routine, almost a drill. But they say it's worth it.

For the quintessential Hinduism, head to the banks of the Ganges in Varanasi. The less impressionable can take a walk to the embankment and watch the funeral pyres burn and the dead are escorted on their last journey. The rest is better to limit yourself to a tour of the temples, which are not counted here.

Incredible India - a note to tourists. Useful articles on the "Subtleties of tourism".

India is amazing country contrasts that combine ancient architecture with modern office buildings, slums with picturesque beaches, poverty and wealth. Since childhood, we have heard fascinating tales of palaces, sultans, princesses and ancient artifacts. If you have never been to India and do not know what to expect from a trip, then we advise you to read the article below, which will focus on places and objects that you need to personally “get to know” during your first visit.

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First of all, you must see with your own eyes one of the seven modern wonders light - Taj Mahal. It took more than twenty years to build a masterpiece building made of white marble, which has become a symbol of love, sorrow and eternal memory. It was built by the Mughal Shah Shah Jahan, as a reminder of his wife, Mumtaz Mahal, who died during childbirth. Today, the Taj Mahal is not just the most famous and largest tomb in the world - it is surrounded by beautiful gardens, parks with ponds, and various representatives of the fauna leisurely stroll in the shade of trees. Without exaggeration, we can say that the Taj Mahal is the most beautiful and interesting attraction in India.

Definitely worth visiting famous resort Goa. It so happened that the smallest state of the country has become the most popular and visited by tourists from all over the world. Paradise nature can take you away from the bustle of the city, help you get away from problems and bad moods. Golden sand, palm trees and azure water - is this not enough for a great time? Most picturesque beach recognize Palolem, located in the Gulf of the Arabian Sea. However, you should not assume that Goa is only beaches, hotels and nightclubs! For example, in the depths of Goa, the Dudhsagar waterfall, one of the largest in the country, is hidden from the prying eyes of onlookers.

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An excursion to Mumbai will bring you a lot of emotions. In this huge city, everyone will find entertainment to their liking. Famous Hindu temples, ethnographic and historical museums, walking tours, the opportunity to try your hand at equestrian sports, dozens of architectural and cultural attractions - all this is here in Mumbai!

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The Gate of India deserves special attention - a triumphal arch built on the seashore, near the harbor. You can plunge into the world of the jungle and pristine nature in Kerala, a region of India known for its numerous national parks and reserves. Here you can also drink and buy real Indian tea as a souvenir, which is hand-picked on neighboring plantations.

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Fans of the secrets of antiquity should visit the city of Jaisalmer, wander around ancient palace Maharajas. It takes a long time to get there, but rest assured: the time and effort spent will pay off handsomely!

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The flight to India will take a lot of time. It is worth making an effort so that he does not take away a lot of money. The Momondo.ru website can help with this, which will create an economical route for you completely free of charge and tell you when to buy tickets, which airline is better to use, and give many other valuable tips. As an example, consider the popular tourist destination Moscow - New Delhi :

The most expensive flight to the capital of India is in mid-May, and the cheapest is at the end of December;
Air Arabia offers the best fares, but S7 Airlines is different high prices for tickets;
For the sake of maximum savings, you should book tickets 59 days before departure;
The optimal combination for a cheap flight is a departure from Domodedovo Airport on Tuesday afternoon.

India has recently become a new holiday destination for Russians. Colorful, original - she falls in love with herself at first sight. You can talk endlessly about the sights and breathtaking architecture of historical sites, admire and remember your trip to India long after your arrival from this wonderful country.

HOLIDAYS IN INDIA

India- the largest country in South Asia with a high culture and the fastest growing economy in the world, the second largest population on a global scale, a parliamentary republic where the state languages are Hindi and English, the birthplace of the most ancient Indian civilization, the ancestor of the most ancient religions - Buddhism and Hinduism.
You can travel around the country by any type of transport: automobile, railway, air traffic. River communication has been established along large rivers, and sea communication between countries and islands. The largest flow of movement of people is organized by rail. The length of the network is more than 65 thousand kilometers, about 20 thousand - electrified roads. Six billion people use railway services every year! The main monopoly carrier is Indian Railways, which provides fairly high-quality services for rail passenger transportation.
There are a lot of highways. Their total length is more than five hundred thousand kilometers, but only about 25 thousand kilometers are suitable for comfortable driving of cars.
That's what really a lot in India - it's airports. Today their number is 454 units. So it will be possible to get to almost any corner of this country by air without any problems.

Culture of India

India is one of the few countries that have almost completely preserved their cultural traditions, which came from ancient times and introduced new ones at the expense of immigrants and conquering countries. Indian cultural influence can be traced even in other Asian countries. The most striking distinguishing feature is the maximum preservation of family traditional values.
The capital of India is Delhi. The largest cities are: Mumbai, Chennai, Kolkata, the main resort areas are: South and north goa, Kerala, Lakshadweep.

Climate of India

India is located in several climatic zones. The southern regions are characterized by an equatorial climate, while the northern one is subtropical. The seasons change with the monsoons. The hottest months with no precipitation are from April to mid-June. The average daily temperature during this period can reach +46 degrees! From the end of June until October, the rainy season begins in India, but even in rainy weather there is a high ambient temperature (the average daily reaches +35 - 37.
Best time to travel to southern regions India is October-March, when the air warms up to +30 - during the day and up to +25 - at night. Since April, the heat is best tolerated in the Himalayas, where fresh, clean air with optimal temperatures. If you plan to relax in the central part of India, then you should take into account that it is cool in the same metropolitan area from December-January - the average daily air temperature does not exceed + 15.

Customs rules and regulations. Visa application

To visit India, Russians will need to obtain a visa, which, if necessary, can be extended directly in the country, without leaving it. It is possible to import and export foreign currency in any quantities, it is forbidden to export national currency from the country. Notebooks, computers, as well as an amount exceeding 10,000 USD are subject to declaration. in dollars or otherwise.
Duty-free you can take out of the country no more than two hundred cigarettes, fifty cigars, 250 grams of tobacco. The export of alcoholic beverages (up to 950 grams per person), precious jewelry, food, things and objects is partially limited. It is allowed to export these products within the limits of personal needs and requirements.
The import of weapons and ammunition is prohibited, and the import of narcotic drugs and drug-containing drugs is also prohibited.
Under the ban on export from the country:
- skins of wild animals;
- plumage of birds;
- leather and products from it;
- living plants;
- ivory bones;
- silver and gold bars;
- antique items that were made more than 100 years ago;
- jewelry, the value of which exceeds 2000 INR.

Transportation in India

The best option for moving around the country is air travel. If we talk about the cost, then the cheapest way is to travel by train or bus. The train is preferable if you plan to travel far, the bus - travel over short distances.
A ticket for a class I train will cost almost the same as a ticket to the same point by plane. Therefore, to save money, it is better to choose a trip with a class II ticket. As a pleasant and necessary "bonus" - air conditioning in the cars, which, by the way, come in two varieties - four and six passengers in a compartment.
From Delhi to Agra you can get on a special train, where there are not only air conditioners, but in the dining car, passengers will be offered breakfast, lunch and dinner. The train is called "Taj Express", departs Delhi early in the morning and returns late in the evening.
IN major cities by car and railway stations there are special ticket offices for selling tickets to foreign passengers.
You can also travel around the country by bus. The service is quite tolerable, it concerns not only public, but also private companies. There are buses with a high level of comfort, but the cost of tickets for them will be appropriate.

Public urban transport
In every more or less large city you can travel by taxi. Licensed cars are absolutely all with yellow registration plates. Bargaining for a trip is appropriate, but you should bargain even before the moment of departure. If you plan to travel a long distance, it is advisable to immediately agree on a price with the driver so that there are no surprises later. The approximate cost of a ticket for a taxi ride can be found at the reception area in the hotel.
Rickshaw rides are widespread in India. You can order them in the same way as ordering a taxi. Traveling around the city on such transport is a pleasure: fast, economical, exotic. The cost of the trip will also please - it will be two times lower than by taxi. The only inconvenience is that cycle rickshaws travel short distances and passengers "in the body" often have to get out of the transport and walk, since rickshaws simply will not pull them downhill or on difficult terrain.
Some taxi drivers cheat - they bring the passenger to another place and ask to pay extra for their own mistake. To put the driver in his place, you should threaten him with calling the police or threaten to call the owner of the taxi service. Some taxi drivers like to pick up passengers while driving - this is strongly discouraged. It is enough to express your opinion to the driver immediately after getting into the car.

Car rent
India is not a country where you can and should rent a car. Firstly, it will be unrealistically difficult to travel on public roads, as there is always an endless stream of cars, people, carts pulled by oxen, motorcycles along them. The traffic on the roads is so dense that a nervous tic can start out of habit. Given the constantly high humidity and heat, the trip can become unbearable. Secondly, the roads, even the very best by the standards of India, are very narrow, there are no markings on them as such, and the rules of the road are observed extremely rarely.
And another important fact “against” is that traffic in India is left-handed, which is not good for a Russian tourist who is used to right-hand traffic. If you rent a car, then only with a driver. For the price, this pleasure is quite tolerable, and the comfort and safety of the trip will be ensured in any case. The most popular, popular and convenient means of transportation in India are mopeds, scooters and motorcycles. The average price tag for renting a scooter for a day is 200 rupees. Bargaining is welcome, therefore, as a result, the price may be significantly lower than originally declared. The main documents for rent are a passport and a driver's license.

Telephone connection, Internet access

It is best to use the connection of local operators in India by buying a SIM card. To buy it, you must provide a passport and one photo 3x4 cm (it will be difficult to make it in India, so it is recommended to take it with you right away). The only caveat is that card replenishment is possible only in the region in which it was purchased. This should be remembered when traveling around the country.

Currency exchange operations in India

The main currency of India is the rupee. Designation - INR. You can exchange currency for local money right at the airport or at any exchange office. It is also possible to exchange transactions in the offices of travel agencies. It is desirable to keep receipts of each currency exchange operation. So it will be easier to reverse exchange rupees for dollars or euros at the airport when leaving the country. Banks and exchange offices are open on all days of the week except Sunday. Hours of operation are from 10:00 am to 2:00 pm. On Saturday, the opening time is reduced and is only two hours - from ten to twelve in the afternoon. Some banks also work on Sundays, but most often the exchange rate for local rupees is very low and unfavorable.
Cashless payments in India are only possible in major cities, as well as in some resort centers. Therefore, you should always have cash with you.

Who to call if something happened?

Embassy Russian Federation in New Delhi: (11) 268-737-99, 268-891-60. Address: Shantipath, Chanakyapuri.
Consulate General in Mumbai: (22) 236-336-27, 236-336-28. Address: 42, Jagmohandas Marg (Nepean Sea Road).
Emergency phone numbers:
- police - 100;
- fire station - 101;
- ambulance - 102.

Beach Indian vacation

The Indian coast is almost six thousand kilometers! It is here that the most beautiful beaches worldwide. You can soak up the white sand in the most popular areas - Goa, Kerala. Mumbai is also famous for its beaches, where night life, but Russian tourists, for some reason, do not like them and attract exclusively European youth who love to hang out, have fun, ride discos until the morning. Russian tourists have not yet fully mastered the coast of the Arabian Sea ( beach areas Karnataka) and Indian Ocean and the Bay of Bengal (the beaches of Tamil Nadu).
If you really want to appreciate wildlife In India, to get a charge of vivacity and move away from the annoying noise of neighbors - it is better to choose the beaches of the Nicobar and Andaman Islands.

Secrets of alternative medicine - Ayurveda

There are too many exotic things in India for an inexperienced Russian tourist. Ayurveda alone (a system of alternative medicine) is worth something! Every year, more than one hundred and fifty thousand tourists from different parts of the world fly to India for treatment according to the Ayurveda method! In Russia, you can also buy a tour, the purpose of which will not be sunbathing on the beaches of Goa, but treatment.

Five- and four-star hotels: does the declared correspond to the real?

The concept of middle-class hotels in India is abstract. Usually these are small buildings located at some distance from the sea line. The fact is that India is characterized by frequent ebbs and flows, which is the reason for the need for a remote location of vacation spots.
Five-star hotels on the first coastline make an indelible impression on vacationers - these are architecturally beautiful objects with the highest level of service and a huge package of services for vacationers. The service staff is ready to fulfill absolutely any wish of the tourist. The best hotels are international groups - Marriott, Taj GROUP, Hyatt. In large cities, five-star hotels are not so impressive and are unlikely to pull on "5 *" at all.
For less demanding tourists, four-star hotels in resort cities are suitable. The service there is quite good, you will be pleased with the variety of services, including SPA, Ayurveda recovery, etc. In cities in hotels "4 *" is not so dense with services and high service. Often these hotels do not correspond to their category at all.
Three-star hotels in large cities are generally something transcendent in terms of service and quality of services provided. Dirty rooms, muddy windows, cockroaches and other living creatures are not uncommon. Although there are exceptions: you can find good even two-star hotels with good repairs, clean rooms and good service. Usually we are talking about family-type hotels, owned by former military or quite wealthy families by our standards.

Indian food

Indian dishes are based on vegetables, rice, seafood. Dairy products, a variety of cakes and bakery products are common. Indian cuisine itself is something sour, sweet, spicy and spicy. Such a vigorous mixture. It is almost impossible to count the number of original and typical Indian national dishes! Spices - a distinctive feature of Indian cuisine - are added always and everywhere and in every dish. Even confectionery products are prepared in cafes and restaurants with the addition of seasonings. It is better for an inexperienced Russian tourist not to "pamper" his stomach with everything - from an overabundance of everything and everything, he can not stand it and rebel.

Indian souvenirs and gifts

From a trip to India, you can bring a lot of useful things in everyday life! Aromatic spices. Moreover, the cost of seasonings is so low that you want to buy literally everything that the locals offer. Rajasthani cotton, silk, cashmere - this is not a complete list of fabrics that are woven directly in Indian villages and which can be bought for next to nothing (by our standards). Copper, brass, silver and gold jewelry amaze with its originality and affordable price. A lot of clay, copper, glass figurines, excellent products made of sandalwood, Indian walnut, bamboo - all this can subsequently decorate your own home or become a wonderful gift for relatives and friends.
Spices, in whatever quantity they are purchased, are allowed to be carried only in luggage! IN hand luggage forbidden! Sellers love to haggle. And to do this is not only possible, but also necessary. The only exception is pointless bargaining in shops and supermarkets with fixed price tags.

What tourists need to know when traveling to India

It is best for the fair sex to prefer modest attire when leaving the hotel. Miniskirts are frowned upon by the locals. Jewelry, jewelry, money are best kept in special safes in the hotel and not flaunt everything and everything.
The use of raw tap water is prohibited - you can inadvertently pick up any intestinal infection. It is not necessary to get vaccinated before traveling to India, unless planned and for the prevention of colds. Always wash your hands! The same applies to vegetables, fruits, berries. Moreover, it is better to wash them with soap as well as hands. An inexperienced European should not try everything from food. You can get a lot of problems with the work of the gastrointestinal tract. Ideal - eating food that has undergone heat treatment. It is better to exclude fresh vegetables and fruits in salads. You should always carry wet wipes with you, special alcohol-containing solutions for hygienic hand treatment.
At all Russian tourist, accustomed to more or less clean streets and cities, will be rather surprised, and in some cases stunned by the dirt and unsanitary conditions in some cities and towns in India. For local residents the concept of "purity" - generally abstract. They simply don't bother with putting things in order on the streets. A tourist should be prepared that while walking through the streets he will be constantly attacked by beggars, sellers of all small things, musicians and other personalities.
Do not be afraid of the curiosity of the locals. Interest in white-skinned Russians is very high, curiosity in some situations is simply off scale, especially if you visit the "outback". Gazing is quite normal for Indian towns.
Upon entering sacred places tourists will be asked to take off their shoes - this is a normal practice. Walking in socks on the dirty floor of some architectural landmark is better than bare feet. The only thing you have to do is to throw away your socks after leaving the temple and put on clean ones. Therefore, it is best to stock up on socks, and if it is a pity to throw them away, buy disposable shoe covers before traveling to India.
Entrance to some temples in shorts, short skirts and with bare shoulders is prohibited. Before the tour, it is best to clarify this point and take a scarf or wear a T-shirt with you.
Tipping in India is a common but not mandatory practice. You can leave a tip in a cafe or restaurant. Their amount can be any, but usually it is 10% of the order amount. Taxi driver for good ride you can also give a small reward (20 rupees will be enough). Tips are not given in hotels - they are already included in the cost of services for the service.

The country is interesting from any tourist angle: on the snow-white beaches of Goa, you can get a portion of vitamin D and a great tan, traveling around the country, getting acquainted with the sights of Indian cities - you can learn a lot of interesting and useful knowledge for yourself. For lovers of Ayurveda and yoga, India is a real earthly paradise! In India, as in no other country, you will be able to fully relax, really feel the other world, as if falling into a different dimension of reality.

Crazy, confusing, dirty, poor, sultry, unbearable, noisy, frightening. All this India is one of the most ancient and colorful countries in the world. What to expect from her? What to prepare for? How to choose a resort? For those who are just about to plunge into this bright fairy world- 5 short and useful tips. Welcome!

Seriously think about what interests you more - white sandy beaches or mysterious temples; What would you like to do - elephant trekking or shopping. Read all the most useful information about the regions of the country and start creating your own itinerary through the beautiful mesmerizing India.

The most popular tour in the country is the classic "Golden Triangle". Yes, beaten up. Yes, traveled and yes, crowded. But it is he who, in just a few days, is able to give the most complete picture of India, its culture and sights. Starting in Delhi, it will take tourists to the beautiful Taj Mahal in Agra, show the temples of Fathipur Sikri and pink city Jaipur to return to the capital again for an amazing day in the Delhi markets.

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Looking for something special? Please:

best shopping: Delhi
beaches: Goa
Tiger Watching: Madhya Pradesh
trekking: Himachal Pradesh
religious shrines: Varanasi
Relaxation and Ayurveda: Kerala
diving: Nicobar
parties: Mumbai and North Goa

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So many travelers try to cram all of India's beauties, monuments, museums, regions and beaches into one trip to India... don't be one of them. Visiting one place at a calm, relaxed pace will bring much more pleasant impressions than visiting 10-15 cities in a hurry. Less stress - more understanding, as well as time to communicate with the locals.

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Avoid tap water and fruits and vegetables washed in tap water. No ice, salads, fruits that have not been cooked, washed or cleaned by you yourself.

Some tourists become vegetarians while traveling in India - and this is not a bad idea. A questionable piece of meat can do more harm than lightly cooked vegetables. In addition, many Indians are vegetarians, so there is a huge selection of "green" dishes. But if you can't refuse meat, make sure it's well cooked. If in doubt - go to a restaurant when good hotel, you definitely can't go wrong.

Toilets in India, of course, can easily compete with their counterparts at provincial Russian bus stations, but they are unlikely to cause harm to health. In any case, you should always carry soap or wet bactericidal wipes with you.

One billion and another 100,000+ inhabitants... that might be too much for some travelers. However, in India you can always find cozy desert corners. If you get tired of noisy big cities or crowded resorts, head south to

By the way, I'll tell you about the "charms" of tourism in Goa. I'm not a picky person and I can live with big ants, but some people will not like some of the specifics of tourism in Goa.

So, information for especially gentle 🙂

There are NATURALLY NO fountains, showers and other things near the beaches, there are usually no paved roads to the beach itself, which means that you will have to put your feet in the sand into your shoes. An option is to carry a water bottle. As a child, I rubbed my paws if there was sand on them :)

Finding a room with air conditioning is difficult and 2 times more expensive: 15-20 thousand per month. Regular room: 1 window and a fan, which means you will sweat. If you have fat, you will sweat a lot. During the day it is 30-33 degrees outside, the rooms are usually 2 by 3 meters, it's hot. The option is to lose weight or look for a bigger room.

There is no toilet paper in the toilets. Here they use such "darlings". This is convenient if you are not wearing a long skirt or pants. Option - Carry tissues with you.

Even if you ask a cafe for a cocktail WITHOUT sugar, or vice versa WITH sugar, they can easily bring you the opposite, they don’t take a tip, but they can attribute other prices - it happened. Every year the Indians are getting bolder and bolder. WELL! Civilization Zhzhzh .. Somehow they even forgot to bring us pizza.
Option - I don’t even know .. to say “I didn’t ask for this” 😉

By the way, when we took food at a cafe for 100 rupees (for example, scrambled eggs + 2 teas), they looked at us unkindly. That's how quickly people's attitudes towards money can transform in a couple of years. Few now!

There are no traffic lights. Whoever wants to, goes there. Hindus usually honk very politely and drive around, here tourists are chasing - yes. Children are better not to let go. Option - do not fly to India.

In the morning from 5 to 7 in the morning, jackdaws, roosters, and dogs yell. Really yell! Postmen ride with hellish horns on their bikes. If you are a light sleeper, earplugs are an option.

Dawn begins at about 6-30 in the morning, but all the animals are yelling from 5 in the morning. As if in hell, dozens of crows croak wildly, dogs bark and howl, and every 10 seconds roosters crow. The worst time is from 5 am to dawn. Option - earplugs or endure 😉

Nobody wears heels here. Want to? Option - suffer 😉 You will constantly step on the pebbles and fall into the sand. Standard shoes are slates. I took expensive ones from Russia, now I regret it. Here the slates cost 150-200 rubles, after the beach the white days will turn gray in 4 + before the entrance the slates are removed, which means that someone will come a couple of times, etc.

Mike. Hmm .. I never painted even cilia. At lunch, it fries so that any makeup will float. Although, of course, your business - try it.

Deodorant ... ahem ... I did not experiment. I'm just afraid of insects. Option - if you need it - try 😉

On your way you can meet cows, dogs, a bunch of crows, wild boars, roosters, crabs on the beach, pestering merchants, stoned Russians. Option - endure 🙂

Not the fact that the owners will give you bedspreads to hide. Sometimes they don’t give it - it is provided that you buy a “pareo - scarf”. They gave us a piece for two that could barely cover one person .. not the first freshness and .. I won’t say that a white towel .. with holes. If you want service, you are not in Goa 😉

If you are ready to ignore these little things, the beaches, the sun and many warm days are waiting for you!