Travel Destinations in India & Guided Tours

The Diwali Festival is a five-day celebration in India. It starts with the festival of Dhanteras, followed by Choti Diwali, the main festival, Govardhan Pooja and the last day is Bhai Dooj. In 2023, Diwali will be celebrated from 10th November to 14th November. The main Diwali Festival night would be observed on 12th November. 

Diwali is the national festival of India. This festival of lights is celebrated in every home in different ways. Its magical charm is visible in every corner of the country, however, here are the best places to visit in India for Diwali witness an all-time high jubilation.

1. Jaipur, Rajasthan

It has to be on the top. For it shines the brightest during the Diwali Festival. The festive spirit of Jaipur is unmatched and it will be a magical experience for you on your Golden Triangle Tour in India. Witness the beautifully-lit City Palace and the Hawa Mahal. Don’t miss on the mesmerizing Sound and Light Show at Amer Fort during this festival. Celebrating Diwali festival in Jaipur is the best to immerse yourself in the royal charm and cultural festivities of the country.

2. Ayodhya, Uttar Pradesh

Diwali Festival in Ayodhya is a unique experience as you would witness lakhs of diyas lit at once on a river bank. Witness spectacular Lights and Laser Show and watch the drones recreate Lord Ram’s homecoming, and the panoramic Diwali Puja shall leave you awestruck. The grandeur of Diwali in Ayodhya remains unmatched and you would have the most enchanting Diwali ever. 

3. Pushkar, Rajasthan

Diwali festival in Pushkar is not a half-hearted celebration. It always goes an extra mile when it comes to the festive spirits of Rajasthan. If you want to see the true element of this royal state, this is the best time for it. Its popular cities – Jodhpur, Udaipur and Jaipur gives a whole new meaning to the country’s festivals and utmost joy. Don’t miss on tasting the local Rajasthani sweets.

4. Varanasi, Uttar Pradesh

The main highlight of Diwali in Varanasi is the panoramic views of fireworks on the River Ganges. It’s a sight to behold! Also, the divine Ganga Aarti would leave you in awe on your India tour to Varanasi. The city is lit up with thousands of Diya lined and the steps of its famous Ghats are lined up with burning oil lamps. The feeling is surreal!

All tourists visiting from abroad (apart from Bhutan, Maldives and Nepal unless entering from mainland China) need a visa to arrive in India regardless of purpose of stay, origin and period of stay. Only the visitors from Japan and South Korea would get visa on arrival. Tourists from more than 164 countries can apply for an E-visa online that takes only a few minutes.

This is the first step you should follow when planning a trip to India. The online process to apply for an Indian Visa hardly takes a few minutes.
Tourists from around the world (except Nepal and Bhutan) require a visa to enter. Follow these easy steps to apply:

• Visit the website: https://indianvisaonline.gov.in/evisa/tvoa.html and apply for the preferred visa type. You may apply online minimum 4 days prior to your arrival date. You would be required to upload a front-facing photograph with clear white background and your passport image containing your personal details.
• Make the payment for online E-visa using a Credit Card or Debit Card. The application fee must be paid at least four days prior to arrival else your visa won’t be processed.
• Post completion, you would receive an ETA or Electronic Travel Authorization on your linked e-mail address. You need to carry a printed copy of your ETA at the time of travel and ensure that the ETA status shows ‘Granted’ on this website.

Now you’re all set to travel to India. 
 

It is always a good idea to keep the list of travel items ready in advance. You can refer to these quick list of general items for a hassle-free journey.

•    Loose comfortable set of clothing
•    Comfortable walking shoes or sandals
•    A pair of Flip Flops
•    several pairs of undergarments, socks, hoodie or light weight sweater, bathing suit, shorts, scarf, swim-suit)
•    A pack of toiletries, toilet paper rolls
•    Hand sanitizer
•    Personal care items
•    A flashlight or torch
•    Sunglasses or Hat
•    Essential Medicines
•    Water bottle
•    Money/Credit cards
•    Guide book and pens
 

You would be required to purchase a new SIM Card here. You can check with the network provider for affordable roaming plans. 

Every country has a unique culture with certain set of rules and traditions. Here a few basic etiquettes to follow in India.
•    Wash hands before eating. Eat food with your right hand only. The left hand is considered unclean. 
•    Feet are believed to be the most unclean area of the body. Never point the sole of your feet towards any person, a temple or a deity. 
•    Offer a tip of 5%-10% if you liked the services at a restaurant.
•    Avoid clicking pictures of temples, military areas, or the pictures of the locals. 
•    Avoid display of affection in public. 
Do not feel intimidated by reading this list of basic Indian etiquettes. Just follow the local etiquettes, observe the local what they are doing and your visit to India shall be a memorable one and you would love to visit again.
 

It is strongly advised not to drink tap water in India. It’s best to stick to filtered water or packaged bottled drinking water.

There is a solid Internet connectivity in the urban cities and rural areas of India. It is readily available at hotels, restaurants, bars, and malls. However, poor internet service does exist in remote villages and areas here.

It’s normal to have second thoughts when visiting a new country. Here are a few safety measures to consider on your visit:

•    If you are a female solo traveller, consider entering the women’s compartment or opting for cabs when traveling late night.
•    Keep your belongings very close to you and be self-aware about your surroundings.
•    Don’t step out alone at night. And don’t trust anyone quickly.
•    Avoid carrying huge cash with yourself.
•    Carry backup copies of essential documents and store them safely. 
•    Be mindful of religious and local sentiments of Indian people. 
•    Watch what you eat – avoid eating street food or buying juices from roadside vendors. 
 

Here are a few points to remember:

•    Avoid wearing too tight or revealing dresses when visiting a rural area. Dress conservatively that covers major portion of your body. Urban cities and towns are tolerable with modern dressing.
•    If you’re joining any conference or business meet, prefer wearing a formal wear.
•    Remove your shoes outside before entering any sacred pilgrimage. You can also buy a cheap pair of comfy footwear as it’s less likely to get stolen.
 

There are a diverse array of stay options available in parts of the country that cater to domestic and foreign tourists both. You would find premium category to 3-star hotels that are usually closely located to popular attractions. If you are a luxury buff, you can opt for a stay in fancy 7-star hotels or heritage hotels. Those looking for a budget trip can explore affordable hotel options, hostels, homestay or guesthouse that matches their needs and budget both. 

Our standard tour packages in India offer stays in 3-star accommodations. You can also customize your stay by reaching out to us and we shall suggest you with the best options. Our high-end hotels and resorts offer top0-tier services and are equipped with the modern facilities. Our 3-star hotel options are equipped with the basic amenities for an assured comfortable stay.  
 

You would find two types of toilets here: 1. Western-style or squat style toilets. 2) Asian squat toilets. The Public washrooms usually have squat toilets. You might not find a toilet paper or soap handy so we recommend carrying your own.

Missing the important documents can be a hassle at the time of travel. To avoid this struggle, keep this documents handy:

• Passport
• Visa
• Identity Proof
• Vaccination Certificates
• Flight Details
• Itinerary Details
• Stay Reservations
• Medical and Travel Insurance Proofs You can carry these documents in physical forms for a smoother experience.

As per the CDC and WHO, the below listed vaccination jabs are a must to travel to India.

• Yellow Fever
• Typhoid
• Cholera
• Rabies
• MMR (Measles, Mumps and Rubella)
• Chicken Pox
• Shingles
• Hepatitis A & B
• Meningitis,
• TDAP (Tetanus, Diphtheria and Pertussis),
• Polio
• Influenza
• Pneumonia
• Covid-19

The main currency in India is INR OR Indian National Rupee. The USD currency isn’t acceptable broadly, there are easily available money exchange centers across the country. ATMs can be easily found.