Goa

Goa is a state located on the west coast along the Arabian Sea in a region called Konkan. Goa is the smallest state in India but is very well known by the international traveller population. December through March are by far the best months to travel Goa. It gets incredibly hot during the day and cools to quite a nice temperature at night.

Personally, I had such a great experience in Goa. I was with a small group and together we rented a guest house. We spent about 10 days along the beach of Palolem. It was AMAZING! Let me describe a day in Goa. . .

I would go for a morning run along the Arabian Sea, return to my massive guest house and take a shower, and then make my way to the beach to eat breakfast. Along the beach of Palolem are several beyond several bamboo hut restaurants. Each restaurant consists of different foods: some Indian, some American, and some a mixture of both. Following breakfast I would shop, experience awesome sea fishing, or take my motorbike for a stunning cruise along the sea-side.

Motorbike rentals are incredibly cheap. I believe I paid about about $10CAN/day plus maybe another $2/day for gas. Other than walking, riding a motorbike is the most sufficient way to travel Goa. Traffic differs from the rest of Goa in the sense they are slightly more civilized.

Feel free to email us at tours@goindiatravel.ca to learn more about the Goan life.

Feeding Monkeys

Monkeys all over the world are well known to be mischievous creatures. They are rambunctious, screechy, but intelligent. In India, monkeys have a status that, in essence, is higher then a large percentage of the human population. The Hindu worship of the monkey god, Hanuman, has developed a high social status for monkeys in India. For this reason, people feel the need, privilege, and right to feed the monkeys, even when the government demands that they not.

Monkeys are not safe to feed. No matter what, if a bite occurs from a monkey, make sure to receive medical attention... AND FAST! Many monkeys carry Rabies. Rabies is a virus that causes inflammation to the brain and if left untreated, is usually fatal. ALWAYS seek medical treatment if you receive a bite or even a scratch from a monkey. Monkeys may look cute and cuddly, but the truth is that they are actually quite aggressive.

Two Types of Monkeys:

Langur - The Langur monkey is known to be more aggressive. The bread is generally larger and more territorial.

Bandar - Bandar monkeys are not as aggressive but still can be dangerous when provoked. Either way, they should NOT be fed.

Not only are monkeys dangerous and carry diseases, they are ANNOYING! When I was going to school in North India, I lived in a small home that had a metal roof. Constantly I would wake up to the sound of roaring monkeys storming across the roof of my house, making loud, screeching noises.

Though the negatives seem to overpower the positives when it comes to Indian monkeys, please make sure that when you travel in India to respect the creatures. Remember that you are travelling on their land and that the people see monkeys as holy - So be sure to keep that in mind.

The Indian Railway

The Indian Railway is one of the most efficient and effective railway systems in the world. Though it is completely notorious for being late, it is still considered to be fantastic. Not only is it cheap, but what better way to see the country? A first class round trip ticket from Delhi to Agra (Taj Mehal) will cost about $60US. This experience is great! When you board your train there will be a news paper and a mineral water waiting for you. After a short while into your trip, a server will come around and serve both chai (tea) and coffee along with biscuits. Shortly after this, breakfast is served. You will always have the option of Veg or Non-Veg. On top of the service, you also see the most magnificent scenery. Just imagine, it's 6:00am and the morning is still crisp. You are staring out your window viewing the golden plains of India where village women are working in the fields, the smell is foreign and weird, you are having a fascinating conversation with an educated business man who wants to discuss Indian economy and you are sipping away at your hot chai. What not a better experience.

The Indian Railway System strives to create an enjoyable, relaxing journey, especially for those who have money. Like anywhere else in the world, India is driven around a class (cast) system. The trains range from sleeper class to first class, each being VERY different extremes. With the sleeper class, you will find an overwhelming number of Indians’ confined to an overly small space. First class you will find a shockingly small number of people spaciously spread through beautiful rooms stocked with bedding, a table, and electrical plug-in. Let me tell you, this is definitely the way to go.

When planning your trip, you can book all your travel destinations online. This is a great enhancement to India tourism because it attracts people beyond just India. Look at me for example, I have used this service several times now and I even refer it to others.

To book online tickets for the Indian Railway, follow this link: India Railway Reservations

Sikhism

A Sikh warrior on guard at the Golden Temple in Amritsar.

While Hinduism accounts for about 80% of India's population, and Islam another 13%, other native religions include Buddhism, Jainism and Sikhism.

About 75% of the world's Sikhs live in the state of Punjab, where they make up about 60% of the population. Over the last century, Sikh migration has led to the development of a number of significant Sikh communities throughout the rest of the world, and especially areas of Ontario and British Columbia in Canada.

For more information about Sikhism, check out A Brief Sikh History or sikhnet.com.

Bottled Water

Like any developing country, India's drinking water is NOT safe to drink straight from the tap. Finding clean water is no problem though. Bottled water is virtually everywhere in India. People in India may also refer to this as mineral water. Whether you are in rural India or within the city, you will find bottled water in places such as resturants, street vendors, and shopping centers.

How Much Does It Cost?
A 1 litre bottle of water cost about 50 cents US. Typically an average person will go through minimum 2 litres of water each day. Expect to pay $30-$50US/month for each person. Depending on how long you plan on staying in India, it may be worth it to buy a water purifier. These range from around $100US to $200US. This can save a lot of money in the long run. If you have a group of six people traveling for one month, bottled water will cost roughly $180-$300US.


Safety Precussions
There are a few things you can do to limit your chances of getting sick:

1. Check Your Bottles! Always make sure the seal of your bottle has not been opened. After you are finished with your water bottle, always crumple it up before trashing it. If the bottle looks reusable, IT IS. Some places will find used bottles and refill them with unclean water which are then used for resale. So please, ALWAYS make sure your bottle is sealed.
2. Brush! Brushing your teeth can make you sick if you are not careful. It is recommended that you wash your toothbrush with either boiled or mineral water.
3. Shower! This can be hard to do. In most budget hostels, hotels, and guest houses, the shower water has not been purified. You must be careful showering! One drop of water may be just enough to keep you up all night.

Urban Transportation

Hiring a Rickshaw
Hiring a rickshaw for a decent value can take practice and composure. Most rickshaws contain a small meter box that will measure your route in both kilometres and rupees. This is utterly useless. Ninety-nine percent of the time rickshaw drivers will lie, claiming the meter box is broken. This is obviously because they want to charge more than the actual price. Just remember: never offer more than half of the asking price and always negotiate a price before you leave. If you have not negotiated an appropriate price, the rickshaw driver has every right to charge more then he should at the destination.

Here’s a story. . .
“I was hiring a rickshaw driver outside of Vasant Kunj, Delhi and was heading towards New Friends Colony, Delhi. The rickshaw driver had requested a price of 150/-RS (about $4 US). I had taken this route several times and knew that a fair and reasonable price was 70/-RS. The driver was honest and had told me that because I am a foreigner and have more money than he could ever dream of, it was my responsibility and obligation to pay a higher fare. In the end, I ended up paying my 70/-RS.” Just remember – Be Firm!

Hiring a Taxi
When hiring a taxi, usually the best deals are found through the places you are staying such as your hotel, hostel, or guest house. By booking a taxi through your residence, you save the hassle of bartering as well the language barrier. You will be given the option of either hiring a taxi for one way which will cost anywhere from 200/-RS. to 300/-RS. ($5 - $8US) or hire a car and driver for the day. For this particular option, you could expect to pay about $50/day with the car and driver. This option is great because it saves so much hassle.

Mosquito Nets?

Mosquito nets help avoid the risk of infections such as Malaria. While traveling in India it is important to know in which regions you will be at risk. Generally mosquito nets are needed in states below 2000m, and especially in rural areas.

Beyond the risk of infection, India also inhabits an exceptionally large number of insects...

Above: Mosquito, Below: Dung Beetle

On a personal note, I find comfort very important when I sleep. I had an experience on a camel trek through Rajasthan in 2008 that I won't soon forget. To assist our group of four, we hired two porters, whose job is to pack and carry the group's necessary gear. This was to included the basics; a quilt, pillows, blankets, food, and a tent (or so we thought). Having not clarified this prior to entering the desert, our porters did not have a tent. This is when I completely regretted not bringing my mosquito net. The Rajasthani desert is apparently renowned for its DUNG BEETLES! Let me say, I had the worst sleep of my life that night.

Good places to find mosquito nets will include local camping and outdoors supply stores, travel clinics, or you can also find a wide variety of mosquito nets online from stores like the Great Outdoors Depot and Mountain Equipment Co-op.

Power Converters & Outlets

When traveling in India, it is important to note that the electric current is 240 volts alternating at 50 Hertz (cycles per second). If you wish to travel with incompatible electric equipment, you will require a voltage converter. The following three converters will do the job:

1. Resistor-Network Converter
   Pros; lightweight, will support high-wattage devices like irons and blow dryers of approx. 50-1600 Watts
   Cons; should not be used for extended periods of time, not recommended for digital devices
   
   
2. Transformers
   Pros; recommended for low-wattage electronics such as battery chargers, cameras, laptops, mp3 players etc.
   Cons; heavier weight, only supports low-wattage devices of approx. 50-100 Watts
   
   
3. Combination Converters
   These are a combination of a Resistor-Network and a Transformer in one product. Combination converters are easy to switch between the two modes, and are highly recommended for anyone who plans to spend a lot of time traveling in foreign countries.

It is also important to know that India's standard electric socket configuration is the old British plug, "Type D". As shown in the illustration above, the Type D plug uses three pins configured in a triangle.

How To Barter

Technically, the act of bartering means to negotiate a price for goods or services in the form of a trade. In India, however, you will find this term most often referring to negotiating a lower price, also referred to as 'haggling' or 'bargaining'.

Photo: Traditional marionettes for sale in Jaisalmer, Rajasthan, India.

Bartering in India is very much a part of the culture. While some shops will have a strict 'No Bartering' policy, many store merchants will purposely overprice goods and services in anticipation of their customers bartering for a lower price.

Generally speaking, a good place to start in your average shop is to offer about half the asking price. Usually a settlement can be made for about three quarters or less than the original price.

Street vendors will often be more ruthless, especially with foreigners. From my own experience, the best way to get the best deal is is to express interest in an item, but not offer a price. Instead, decline whatever the merchant has quoted, and walk away, saying that is too much. Walking away is the key - the price will immediately drop, often to about half. Remember that while it often seems like they're trying to rip you off, it’s most often that they are just trying to provide for their families, and see foreigners as having too much money to begin with.

Contact Us

For more information, contact us at tours@goindiatravel.ca or call 250.589.9474

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India is a striving country with a continuously growing economy. GoIndiaTravel has strategically selected destinations that give you an immense overview of Indian culture, history, and contemporary economy. With any trip, we will help you create an itinerary that best fits your goals and purpose for your trip to India.

Whether your purpose is to beach it, travel for business, or backpack the Himachal Mountains, we will put together the most ideal itinerary for you. Let us know your needs and we will work with you.

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Flights

Sample Itinerary (14 day, winter tour):

• Depart Vancouver International: December 19 @11:40pm - Arrive at New Delhi International (Indira Gandhi): December 20 @ 10:15am
• New Delhi Tour - Gandhi Mansion, Parliament buildings, Temple tour, Palika Bazaar, etc
• December 24 - January 2: Goa, South India - Goa is a beautiful spot of India, especially during the winter months. It's hot during the day and cools at night. Sea fishing, scooter riding, dance clubs, and more; Goa is renowned for its diverse attractions and ancient culture and traditions.
• January 3 - 5: Mumbai - Food, art, and architecture is what makes Mumbai so amazing. Mumbai is one of the leading cities in the world for economy and trade. You will have two full days to join in and learn what modern India looks like.
• January 6: Depart for Vancouver International. Arrive the same day

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A Note About

GoIndiaTravel is a Canadian based travel assistance for those who are going to India. We are a free service who have an interest helping people with places to stay, routes to take, and fun things to do when you are in India.

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If you are planning a trip to India and don't know where to start, email us with any question and we will give you an answer. Our team has extensive experience in India, including backpacking, travelling in luxury, or a bit of both. After deciding on a budget, we will set you up with all the places you can visit, stay, and tour!

Trip Itinerary - North India Experience

Trip Itinerary Return to Trip Over-View

Day 1 & 2 (Delhi): Explore the wonders of ancient Old Delhi via sensory over-whelming. We will take you into the heart of Delhi to meet local shop keepers and their history. After the bazaar investigation, you will live the night life with young, contemporary Indian's in the famous Hookah Bar. Here you will get a taste of modern India at its finest.

Day 3 (Agra): Agra is home to the world famous Taj Mahal along side with many colors, forts, and aromas that traditional India has to offer. We will take a three hour train ride from Delhi to Agra and return the same day. A world class tour guide will be waiting at the train station for your arrival and will not leave your side until departure back to Delhi that same day.

Day 4-9 (Himachal Pradesh): A wondrous train ride from Delhi to Kalka followed by a four our drive from Kalka to Manali will place you in one of the most beautiful spots of the world. Manali is a major attraction through out South East Asia and the international traveller community. Mountains, cuisine, winter and summer expeditions, and bazaars continuously keep Manali tourism alive. It is completely breath taking as you will notice upon arrival as the altitude is much higher than the rest of India.

Day 10-12 (Punjab): Punjab is full of kayos, excitement, wealth, and scenery. Two days is perfect to visit both the famous Sikh Golden Temple found in Amritsar and witness the military march between India and Pakistan found in Wagah (the only road boarder between India and Pakistan).

Day 13-17 (Rajasthan): Train from the stunning Punjab to Central Rajasthan, the stereotype of India. Majestic, diverse, and colorfully blinding makes great snapshots into ancient India. After a first class overnight train experience, we will arrive in Jaisalmer, only to toss our bags down and overlook the mighty desert. From Jaisalmer, we will train to Jaipur, known as the pink city. Jaipur is a Western persons paradise. If you're not an international traveller, Jaipur will provide a comfortable experience with roof-top restaurants, air conditioned theaters, and western shopping.

Day 18-21 (Varanasi/Delhi): Explore the Hindu famous site along the Ganges River and pass through many of the famous temples debuting a selected few of the Hindu gods. Varanasi is busy and never restful which is the perfect reason to jump on board.