First time in India. Should i arrive in Delhi and make further plans?

Hi,

This is my first time in in India. Would I be better-off arriving in Delhi and then meeting other travelers and finding out what's on offer, other places to visit, etc.?
I've got plenty of time(2-3 yrs.)

Yes hop in and see ...

Hello everyone.

I'll be arriving in Goa in a few weeks. It seems like a fairly easy place to begin my trip. I plan on being in India at least three years. I've literally 'sold-up' and have NO attachments here at home, so life is totally open to throw at me what she likes and I am totally open to receive it.
If anyone has ANY advice at all about 'getting started' in India I'd love to hear it. I plan on doing a lot of photography while there and will be traveling with an expensive camera (which never leaves my side) and a laptop, any advice for this?
Also, I'm a Chiropractor by profession and it would be very helpful to me if I could work while traveling to earn some money to keep the trip going as long as possible. Any thoughts on this? I usually find people to help in ex-pat communities. I'm not looking to get rich, simply to supplement my travel budget. Any advise would be appreciated.
I'm looking forward to getting on the road and hope to meet-up with new friends soon!
Thanks,
Jeff

Even if you decide not to make plans before you arrive, I suggest that you book a hotel for the first night; Delhi can be rather overwhelming and having somewhere to go can help with the inevitable culture shock.

Hi Jeff - Welcome to IndiaMike!

(I've merged your two threads as they are so similar - so people don't get their brains in a twist figuring out which one to reply to ...)

Sounds exciting. I did something similar, about 25 years ago, but only went to Greece, not as far as India.

It's fun to hang out for a while, without a plan/job/occupation, but on the downside, you soon start to see your savings disappear slowly but surely, and other ideas can drift quickly further over the dim distant horizon.

My own opinion would be, if I were to do it again, with a couple of years or more ahead of me, and go to India, I'd set up a plan for the first few weeks (pick one place, plan a week of sight-seeing, then some volunteering?), get myself acclimatised, catch up on sleep, get used to things a bit, and only then set myself free to wander, camera in hand ...

That's just an opinion

But oh man, I'm jealous

Thanks Kingstonian,

Yeah, the $ situation is always at the back of my mind. But, if not now, when?
Do you know I can start a new thread? There appears to no way of doing so.
Jeff

Welcome to the forum. You'll find a lot of useful information here as you go along exploring India. All the best.

I think Goa is a good "soft landing" as an introduction to India. the first time I came, I flew into Mumbai for a week then Goa - ended up staying for months. Visited Delhi for the first time 3 weeks ago and cannot say I'm eager to ever go back. Am in Goa again - feels like home Mumbai is great - the Mubaikers are some of the nicest people you'll ever meet.

I always dream of traveling a country far-far-away. Best wishes for your journey and Welcome To India.

I think for first few days you should pre-book any hotel and pre-plan the journey to overcome the cultural shock which many tourist feel just after coming out of Airport. Without a proper plan, India may be a bit confusing.

Do you have any friend here in India? I am not sure but you may need a license to Practice Chiropractic. Please do consult with some Chiropractic practitioner in India.

So you'll arrive in Delhi, and then plan on ending up in Goa soon after? I agree w/ Haylo - get at least the first night if not 2-3 set up beforehand to allow for acclimation incl jet lag.

One thing - chiropractic (in the sense I know it in the U.S.) is a new concept to Indians, and alas none but the really old-timer osteopaths still do manipulations, so you might find you'll need to explain to people a bit how it works. Ex-pats might be the way to go, so you're on the right track there, methinks

Hope you have a wonderful time exploring India!

Hi! I am in a similar situation. I am arriving on 15 August (I know, Independence Day) and have already paid for my room at the Ajanta in Delhi for the next 11 days. Apart from the Taj Mahal, Agra, and a few sites in Delhi I am winging it. I'm packing my "Rough Guide" and "Lonely Planet" and a camera. I, frankly, don't have the energy to plan much more and from what I understand India has a way of mooting those plans, anyway. Is this okay? I'd like to visit Varanasi or, in the alternative, Haridwar/Rishikesh. Apart from that, I haven't a clue save "hot d--n, I'm going to India!"

If you are going to work here as a chiropracter you need to check out Passports and Visas threads. Consider which type of Visa you will have - you will not be allowed to earn Indian rupees unless you have a PIO or OCI card, or an employment Visa I think.

Jeff,

How's it going? I'm guessing you're from somewhere in the States?

Z

Hey there,

Staying at that hotel when my friend and I arrive on the 18th. Plan to wing our trip also. Perhaps we'll see you there and you can give us some tips of your first few days! Enjoy!

You might want to read a guidebook on the plane to India (plenty of time; it's a long flight) and see what places sound good to you. Be sure to look at the map in the front of the book, to see where these places are in relation to each other, so you can plan your travels.