[CanadianMom]

I have never traveled outside ofmy Country before (Canada) I am a 27 year old single mom (but my son would stay home).

Since I was a kid I have always loved all things that are Indian, and I want to travel there to see it.  

Where would I being?  Where to I go to find out about what I need?  And would it be safe?  I have heard many stories about India being dangerous.  

Mostly though I don't know where to start.  I am assuming you can't just book a resort and buy tickets right?

[iwanttogoback]

hi canadian mom, welcome to the tree.

those sure are some big questions!

easiest first - yes, you could just book a resort holiday, fly in, get transport to the resort, and then fly home again. there are a lot of seriously upmarket resorts and hotels in india, all over the country.

is there anywhere in particular in india you want to visit? how long can you come for? what is your anticipated budget?

as to safety, a lot of our female members have travelled solo so i'm sure they'll have some advice. the impression i get is that it's like anywhere else - use your common sense and don't go putting yourself into danger unnecessarily.

[dzibead]

CanadianMom, on Jan 10 2008, 08:52 PM, said:

I have never traveled outside ofmy Country before (Canada) I am a 27 year old single mom (but my son would stay home).

Since I was a kid I have always loved all things that are Indian, and I want to travel there to see it.  

Where would I being?  Where to I go to find out about what I need?  And would it be safe?  I have heard many stories about India being dangerous.  

Mostly though I don't know where to start.  I am assuming you can't just book a resort and buy tickets right?

Cross-posted with iwanttogoback--

Well, you're jumping in with both feet!  As for where to begin, start right here and browse through some of the "Plan Your Itinerary" threads:  http://www.gourmetin...hp?showforum=48 .    cyberhippie has done a number of "sample itineraries" for trips of various lengths.  Then read some of the threads about particular areas or cities you think you might be interested in.  A lot of  travelers arrive in Delhi and immediately head out for other parts, but if you read some of  jyotirmoy's pieces on Delhi history  your might decide it  would be worthwhile to linger a bit.

As for whether it's safe, yes.  Of course, you have to keep your wits about you wherever you travel, particularly when you're alone, but India is not a particularly "dangerous" country.

If you give us some idea of how long you plan to go for, what time of year, and your general interests, people can give you some more concrete feedback.  Are you interested in history?  architecture? natural scenery? mountains? tropical beaches or the Kerala backwaters?  religious sites?  Would you be traveling by train (a train journey is a great part of the "India experience")?  

One thing for sure:  DON'T "just book a resort"! - but also don't rule out using a tour company for at least part of your arrangements - e.g., if you plan to fly into Delhi, you can do a Delhi overview tour with a car and drive arranged through some outfit like Namaste India Tours www.namasteindiatours.com.  That would be one way of easing the "culture shock" immediately when you first arrive, especially as you'll be by yourself.  India can be pretty overwhelming, even for people with more travel experiene that you say you have.  But take heart: another member here, a woman in her 50's, had never traveled alone or outside Western Europe before she went to India for the first time two years ago and she was freaking out ... she's now planning her third trip to India for this spring!

[iwanttogoback]

Quote

One thing for sure: DON'T "just book a resort"!

thanks dzi, i should have clarified my comments on resorts! they do exist, they look fantastic, it would probably be great to spend a little time in one just catching your breath. but if you really want to come to india, then you really want to be out there on the footpaths, in the train carriages, the markets, temples, along the ghats, trying to catch a little of what life is like in india.

[cyberhippie]

At your service Mom, try weighing up exactly what it is you would like to see and do whilst in India, do you want to people watch (very interesting for the newbie) wildlife, culture, mountains, desert, festivals religion................India has it all.

My biggest tip for new arrivals is take it easy. There is no way you are going to see the whole country in a couple of weeks or even 6 months so pick a region where there's enough stuff to keep you interested.
Yes India remains a safe country to travel if you keep your wits about you.

[WonderWomanUSA]

How long do you think you can spend in India? Are you talking about a week's holiday in a resort? Or three months drifting around? Or something in between?

A good place to start might be to read any one of the many guide books for India -- you can buy one new, or used, or probably you can borrow one from the library. decide which are the 3 or 5 things/places you want to see the most... and then see what's on the route between them. By the time you've thumbed through a guidebook, you'll have some idea of wat attracts you ... and what doesn't.

Be aware that trains in India probably average 30 miles per hour, but there's noting like taking an overnight train, meeting people, sleeping on the train, waking with everyone ... so not a fast trip, but an enjoyable one. Of course, you can always fly. Or hire a car and driver.

The introductory chapters of the Lonely Planet Guide are very good to inform yourself about many aspects of India travel. What the weather and food are like? What medical stuff/vaccinations do you have to keep in mind?  Special tips for women travellers? How to send packages home?

Edited by WonderWomanUSA, 11 January 2008 - 11:52 AM.

[Judi]

Go, go, go, girl!!!  You will never regret it.

The advice here is second to none - so yes, get the guide books (excellent bedtime reading   ), think of a rough plan in your head, then come back here and start asking your questions.  In the meantime, read as many of the posts here that interest you as you can - they will certainly whet your appetite.  (oh, and I second the advice that you can just buy a travel package and go .... but you will almost certainly have a much better time if you don't!).

You also have one great advantage form many other first-time travellers, now that you have joined us on the Tree ...... we have a network of members all over India, who seem to be the friendliest, most welcoming bunch of people you could ever come across.  So there's help, advice and hospitality in-country, on tap  

[CanadianMom]

dzibead, on Jan 10 2008, 09:36 PM, said:

Cross-posted with iwanttogoback--

I have 3 weeks of 'vacation' (my son will be with his dad) so I could spend the whole 3 weeks there.  The stuff I am interested in is, well it's kinda hard to describe.  I guess the culture you can't learn from a bok or tv, I have always felt drawn towards the clothes, the food, the languages but I have never seen India myself.  I want to see the beaches and the temples, I want to wear the clothes and eat the food and have fun there.  I do want to stay in a resort for a portion of my vacation, only because I am a single mom of a two year old and I have never been out of Canada before, so while I want to experience India, I also want to experience relaxation and pampering at some point, if only for a couple of days!

[dzibead]

As for resorts, here are a few things I've stumbled across  and saved for my own future reference – haven't actually stayed in ANY of them  though!

    In South India:

    http://www.karikkathibeachhouse.com/

    http://www.travel-wi...pkutty-farm.htm

    http://www.philipkuttysfarm.com/

    http://www.kurumbavillageresort.com/    (johns.sw, head honcho at this website, knows  the owners personally)

    In Rajasthan:

    http://www.chokhidha...hokhi_main.html

    http://www.deserthav...com/Default.htm

    A wildlife resort:

    http://www.india-wil...hal-haveli.html

[CanadianMom]

Thank you!  The Karumba Village Resort is exactly what I had in mind!  I would love to stay there for a week to unwind and take two weeks to explore a more 'intimate' India!  Thanks!

[cyberhippie]

Hi I just thought I'd pass on a few things you should consider for a trip to India. This is just general stuff, so excuse me if you've already covered them in your own research.

First up, when are you planning to be in India, that has great bearing on where to go and how comfortable you will be on your travels. India's climate is varied and being Canadian extreme heat might take it's toll on your holiday. Or Indeed being rained on..............

With you two free weeks to see India, travel and getting from a - b needs to be planned if you are planning on seeing India by train and bus. The trains get busier year by year, so booking in advance or via the internet (now that's a whole can of worms we'll get to later) is advisable on two week trip, if you're trying to stick to an itinerary.
Tours are relatively easy to book when on the ground, just be careful what you buy. In fact you can refer back to us for an opinion on any deal you might fancy. We only offer opinions mind  

Visas also need to be had of course, many embassies offer a postal service if you don't live near one.
Allow some time for this, there's no need to get it just before you go it's valid for six months in most cases and starts from the day of issue, so as long as you fit the three weeks within the validity of the visa youré set to go.

Innoculations are advised. Your local health center should be able to provide all the details.

With your choice of destination flying into Chennai, might be the best option for international flights.

For some ideas in Kerala the neighbouring state you can look here

For more stuff on getting around in India you can look at my website the signature is below.

Have fun in the planning and don't be scared to just ask about any thing. There's a great depth of knowledge on this site and they're a giving lot!!

Oh and welcome to The India Tree

[CanadianMom]

cyberhippie, on Jan 11 2008, 10:44 AM, said:

Hi I just thought I'd pass on a few things you should consider for a trip to India....

Thank you so much!  How much of a difference is the climate?  Is there flucuations in the temperature throughout the year, because I am worried about that.  I am Canadian, so I am used to certain temps.  I am even hating it here in Ontario right now because we are having extreme temperatures here this year (It's +5C right now) and I am just not used to it, is there I time of the year that perhaps I should not go?

What is a visa?  It;s not a credit card is it? (I dont think so)  where do I get one of those, and does anyone know how long it will take to get a passport?  

And sorry, just one more question, if I go to a travel agent can they tale care of all these details for me?  Stuff like, tickets, resort reservations, where to get the passport and stuff...

Okay ONE more, how fricking scary is the plane ride, and how long will it be? (and are you allowed to ask for a specific seat because the thought of looking out the window and seeing nothing but water makes me queasy)

Thanks!

[jyotirmoy]

1. A look at the map will tell you that India is a HUGE country. From the mountains in the north and the great plains of central India the country stretches till the oceans. Even at a certain time of the year you have different climatic conditions at different places. The months of May to July are best avoided as the summer could be very hot and the monsoons too wet. If you are visiting south India winter is the best time. In general October, November is the best time to visit India, weather will be quite pleasant.

2. Visa is a permit issued by every country which allows people from another country to visit and stay for a specified period. A tourist Visa to India would allow you a maximum stay for 180 days. One must leave the country BEFORE expiry of that period. Indian consulate in your place would issue the Visa. How long it will take for you to obtain a passport depends up on the system in place in your country. You should apply immediately.

3. Of course a travel agent would help you in all these matters. Its their job. But do a fair amount of research to get some idea of the costs. Can't help you with airline options, may be some of our US members can help.

4. Yes, many airlines give you the option to choose your seat while you book. Stay away from passengers carrying infants. Almost all airlines have inflight entertainment like personal video, so you can spend time watching films or listening to music. Do carry some reading material.

5. Please go through the posts here and I am sure that will answer many of your questions and feel free to seek any info that you want.

Good luck.

[iwanttogoback]

Quote

Okay ONE more, how fricking scary is the plane ride, and how long will it be? (and are you allowed to ask for a specific seat because the thought of looking out the window and seeing nothing but water makes me queasy)

if your airline allows on-line checking in then you select a seat when you do this. i don't know about other airlines but qantas (my carrier of choice) allows you to check in 24 hours before the flight and as part of the on-line check in process you have to select a seat. if you can do this, then try and get a seat at the front of a block of seats, they tend to have more leg-room.

if the thought of flying is disturbing, i recommend meditation to keep you focussed in the now and, just as important, the very wise words of a much travelled friend - the pilots are just as keen as you to get to your destination safely.

[WonderWomanUSA]

Quote

How much of a difference is the climate? Is there flucuations in the temperature throughout the year, because I am worried about that. I am Canadian, so I am used to certain temps. I am even hating it here in Ontario right now because we are having extreme temperatures here this year (It's +5C right now) and I am just not used to it, is there I time of the year that perhaps I should not go?

Well, how well do you tolerate heat?

I grew up not far from you (in Michigan) and a few summer days could get to 30-32C, but seldom hotter than that. The one time I was in Delhi in June, it was around 45C, and the humidity was 99%. Not very comfortable! And after that time of year, it starts raining for a couple of months. That's North India.

In the North, mid-October through March is a good time to plan for... it can be quite chilly in January though it won't seem like much by your standards. Temps of 5C will seem warm to you intellectually, but in fact, most buildings have little insulation, there's fog to make the air damp and at night you need sweatshirts, warm socks, and long johns for it to be tolerable.

In the South, it's always a bit warmer and more humid than the North, but their rainy season is on a different schedule.

[CanadianMom]

WonderWomanUSA, on Jan 11 2008, 09:48 PM, said:

Well, how well do you tolerate heat?

I grew up not far from you (in Michigan) and a few summer days could get to 30-32C, but seldom hotter than that. The one time I was in Delhi in June, it was around 45C, and the humidity was 99%. Not very comfortable! And after that time of year, it starts raining for a couple of months. That's North India.

In the North, mid-October through March is a good time to plan for... it can be quite chilly in January though it won't seem like much by your standards. Temps of 5C will seem warm to you intellectually, but in fact, most buildings have little insulation, there's fog to make the air damp and at night you need sweatshirts, warm socks, and long johns for it to be tolerable.

In the South, it's always a bit warmer and more humid than the North, but their rainy season is on a different schedule.

aye, I dont tolerate heat at all, I tend to stay in, in the summertime with airconditioning and then come out once it turns cooler.  This summer when temps were reaching in the 30's is was hard, I can handle colder temperatures much better like 0-15 range. I am prepared to make some adjustment to be in India though, I think (I hope) I can handle 30's.
Damp doesn't bother me bacuase you can be comfortable despite it, you just have dress proper for it.

[gautam]

Dear Canadian Mom,

Welcome. From your posts, you definitely have indicated a prefence for mild temperatures, and should consider a trip between November and February, be it North or South, mountains or plains: it all averages out.

A. One important thing is how long you can be away: 1 month? 4 months? An APEX plane ticket, sometimes the cheapest,  allows you 120 days. So, that period of time makes the most economical use of your plane fare, call it $1000, with various taxes and such. Against that is how much time you realistically want to spend, and can spend, away from your work and little child.

B.There is a reliable consolidator named Hari World Travels or something similar that has a reliable reputation and sells discounted tickets for India. Please make doubly, triply and quadruply sure to follow  failsafe safeguards when purchasing plane tickets from anyone, especially a consolidator.

A friend from Oregon, known to Jyotirmoy and Hyderabadi, two venerable members of this board, recently went to india and chronicled his experiences in a blog that i append below for your use. He found a travel agent who has been helping students from the Lewis & Clark College in Portland for many years, and so is attuned to the needs and difficulties faced by travelrs unfamilar with Inia, perhaps on limited budgets. I have no connection withh any of these commercial people, merely bring them to your attention incase they are of any help. You may also write to the author of the blog and seek his advice.

You may also go to this blog :

"Vini runs Vinstring Tours here in Delhi.  He’s an old friend of the Lewis and Clark overseas program, and has been taking care of my travel plans.  www.vinstring.com  Look him up if you visit!  He’s a great guy and will make your life fun and easy."


http://pleasuremount.../page/4/?s=Vini

http://pleasuremount.../page/2/?s=Vini

If it were my sister that were traveling, I would emphasize, nay insist, on what I am telling you to do. Others may have their own styles, including other Caucasian women who have traveled extensively in India, with varying degrees of satisfaction. I am an Indian male, who has watched Caucasian men and women travelers of various persuasions, negotiate Indian travel situations, over many decades.

If you are new, it would be very important to have a reliable travel agent help you, and especially have you met at the airport when first you arrive and get you safely to an hotel. Your flight may arrive at odd hours and there may be all sorts of annoyances, petty and not, as you clear immigration and collect your luggage. You will be tired and somewhat unnnerved, a stranger in a strange land. If you land in Delhi, and you probably might or should [most would like to see the Taj Mahal], having a reliable pick-up is most important, either a travel agent arranged transport or the services of a really good hotel [for that first night, even if it is day when you arrive!].

C. Budget: Airfare plus per day expenses: Please do NOT listen to those here who will advise you to travel cheaply. From what I hear, you are not very experienced in the ways of the world, objects like visas not familiar to you. Hence, cheap travel in India is for those who are VERY VERY VERY wordly wise and endowed with almost excessive chutzpah or dangerous degrees of other attributes. So please consider lodgings that may cost between $20-40/day as the safety and comfort zone cut-off. Today, tourist lodgings in India have shot up sharply, and are no longer the super bargains they were in the 60s and 70s. Nor is the rupee a nonentity any longer vis -a-vis the US and Canadian dollar, both roughly the same value.

Add another $20-25 for food, $25 for transport [includes in-country railway fare, Air-conditioned sleeper or air, AC bus, taxis], museum tax, guides, etc, shopping and so forth, and you can see that budgeting $80/day would be wise, in addition to airfare. It is always important to overbudget than underestimate. In the same vein, you need to have a way to access emergency funds back home, so do not cut your budgeting to the bone.

Many clever people will immediately protest: why so much for food? Simple reason: many people will not be able to eat Indian food, nor be able to search out or stomach Indian style western food. many I know will preferto stick to familiar Western franchises or bigger restaurants and hotel coffeeshops. People should understand their needs and not go off chastising them. In the matter of food, there cannot be dictators. Indian foods, fried stuff etc. may react very badly with the constitutions of many. So it is necessary that first time travelers be very careful and allow themselves to enjoy whichever aspect of their travels most appeals to them. Some are gourmets, some are people-oriented, some are scenery types and so forth. Dont get dictated by the enthusisasms of others. You are your own person. You will eat exactly as you please.

[Only in matters of safety and personal comfort, because that also impinges directly upon your health and overall enjoyment of the tour [over which you are spending so much time, money and effort], I forcefully suggest certain modes over others. Then, when you have more experience, you can be your own judge, and choose your own comfort levels. ]

In this case, the food budget can be high.

D. Also, make sure you have your medical insurance and medications all set up right. Get everything down in writing, and signed by everyone whose signature is needed.

In Canada, your medicines are free, so you will have to take them with you.

Preventive medicine: malaria, others: make sure all of that is taken care of. Each of the long list is actually done and checked off, the doctor takes time and trouble to sit with you and talk with you and explain things. What is dangerous and what is not. Canadian health care is very slow in delivery. So be warned, re: timeliness.

What about urgent care? Hospitalization? Evacuation? Get all of these written down and okayed in advance by the relevant bureaucrats.

E. Vacation Insurance.

F. If you are near Toronto, you are invited to visit as many times as you wish the family of my relatives who can fill you in on details about India, things to expect, questions you might like to ask of a woman in private and so forth. They will be very pleased to welcome you and  feed you tons of Bengali and other Indian food [if you so desire]. Your child will also be most welcome. If you are near Detroit, or Kingston, other, similar, arrangements can be made.

[CanadianMom]

Where does a person get Medical insurance?  I never even thought of that.

[Hyderabadi]

CanadianMom, on Jan 13 2008, 12:34 AM, said:

Where does a person get Medical insurance? I never even thought of that.

Hi there!

My wife works as a Insurance Manager in a doctor's office here in the S.E.USA. where we never, ever have snow!

Even then, we could be of help!

Look up your local Yellow Pages for an Insurance Provider and post on here the names of a few companies that are listed so we can advise, all these big insurance companies are linked, US and CA (wife says).

Needless to say, you may even find a local insurance agent in the book who may offer you an attractive package.


Take care now.

[WonderWomanUSA]

CanadianMom, on Jan 12 2008, 09:34 PM, said:

Where does a person get Medical insurance?  I never even thought of that.

You might check with the Canadian Auto Association (equivalent of our AAA) and see if they offer travel insurance.