few questions from a first time traveller...

daniellas

Hi

I will be travelling to India for a first time next month. My trip will start in Delhi. I am planning to travel Himachal Pradesh, Jammu, Punjab and Rajasthan in a month- is this enough time?

I have heard many positive things about staying with host families in India. I really would like to experience what life is really like in an Indian family- does anyone know where to get some more information or how to book such accommodation?


Also, should I buy some rupees before my travel or is it OK to get it at Delhi airport?

in regards to trains- shall I book tickets from Delhi in advance? I will only be staying there for 2 days and was planning to go to Agra.

I'd be really grateful for any advice!!!

many thanks

Daniella

Indizen

Delhi tourism has recently started a program for home-stays. The names and contact info of the hosts is available on their website.

It would be wise to book all your tickets in advance, online at http://irctc.co.in

Where all do you plan to go in Himachal and Jammu?
Rajasthan and Punjab are too hot to visit in June.

daniellas

hi Indizen, many thanks for your reply.
there are many places i would like to see, mainly Corbett Tiger Reserve, Dharamsala, Mc Leod Ganj, Leh. I would love to do some trekking and yoga. Is it safe to travel to Kashmir? if so which places are safe? it is really confusing, Lonely Planet and Commonwealth strictly advise not to go but I have also read many forums on kashmir, and most people say it is safe...

do you know a website on which host families advertise accommodation? many thanks!!

sylvester

don't go to rajasthan in june - too hot
delhi itself has a temp well above 40 c
north india is great but its tourist season this time of year
better check things out b'fore u start

wonderwomanusa

Get your rupees at the airport. Bring your ATM card; there are cash machines almost everywhere. Of course you should also bring a few traveller checks or some cash in case you can't find a machine.

edwardseco

Kashmir is reasonably safe. I would book tickets in advance for the security of having less travel disruption. I am not so optimistic about short term stays with families but have done a couple of extended residences that way (extremely moving)..

machadinha

For homestays/paying guest schemes, in the "travel links" link in my signature you'll find links on to regional tourist boards, who may have information on it online, or you could contact them about it. If they fail to answer, you'd have to enquire with them on the ground. The scheme is more developed in some states than in many others. If you search online for "paying guest scheme" you'll get some hits; note that searching for "homestay" you'll find many places who simply call themselves such, it won't necessarily mean staying with a family, and they don't necessarily fall under the scheme. Conversely, "paying guest" more commonly refers to renting a room with a family long-term, not necessarily to short-term tourist stays as such.

Including even Leh and stuff might be getting overly optimistic for the one month, it's hard to say though. Some people manage to cover a lot of ground, and if you should skip the plains as advised, you'll obviously have more time to allot elsewhere. I'm not at home in the mountains there, so can't advise on time needed.

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rhill1

Daniella,
how was your trip?? I leave Melbourne in 5 weeks for a short 2 week trip over in india!!