Travel to India
 

We were planning to travel to India in September of this year but are having second thoughts because of the nuclear testing, sanctions, etc. Anyone's thoughts on the advisability and safety of going to India this year?

Hi, <BR>I am also travelling to India is September and had the same concerns as you. After much thought and several visits to our travel agent, we decided to stick to it. We are travelling with Encounter and have been reassured by them on two occassions that it is still safe and if there was a problem we'd be first to know. Talk to your travel agent and see what they say! <BR> <BR>Good luck and have a huge time and I may see you over there!!

Hello there, <BR>The truth is that whenever you go to India, you'd better prepare yourself for the "dangers". I stayed there once for 2 months,and I have to say that's probrobly one of the places on earth where heaven and hell co-exit. What a trip! <BR>I'd like to share my experience with anyone interested. Wish anyone who's going there a wonderful trip, and prepare for your senses to be bombarded!

Hello there, <BR> <BR>I live in India, have read about the concern of people planning a trip to India. Everything is the same.Nuclear Testing has made no difference except in the news. So you can plan and come without any reservation. If anybody needs help with accomodation in New Delhi or Hyderabad, get in touch with me.

SouthIndia is safer than North India. Avoid Kashmir and Assam areas (North East) They have been unsafe for some time (not due to nuclear tests) I am Indian and I could give you loads of advice. <BR>HAve a great trip. <BR>

I'd like to visit India in the near future. I'm not a big traveler. Have basic experience like most of the Middle East, once Nepal. <BR>I would be glad if you sent me a message whatever size you want. Just your impresions, thoughts, what to do etc. <BR> <BR>Thanks, <BR>Timur.

I am a travel agent planning on traveling to India in September. I will the the first to travel there from our office. Would love to hear some first hand experiences and advice from someone who's been there. Most of our resources don't always give the whole story. Would appreciate a list of dos and donts!....thanks! <BR>

Hi. I am very interested in knowing if it would be safe to travel to India in the future. I am interested in planning a trip to New Delhi so that I can go to Agra to see the Taj Mahal. You said that you live in India. What do I need to be most careful of when travelling to Delhi? How can I protect myself from the dangers. Please respond to my concerns as soon as possible. I would really appreciate that. Thanks.

I have a friend who is going to New Delhi for some Conference paper presentation during Dec. 28-30. He would like to know how much it would cost him and his family of five (all adults) to stay in a decent hotel - two rooms. Thanks in advance.

Saw that you live in India. My wife and I are seriously thinking of a vacation there soon. Any suggestions about areas to see and tour operators, etc. would be most appreciated. Thanks!

I would like to take you up on the offer of advice. My wife and I are planning a trip to India and plan to spend about 18 days. What would you suggest we see? Should we go with a tour operator, or try it on our own? Any suggestions would be most appreciated. Thanks!!

Gary, go to Delhi then to Agra for a day maybe, then go into Rajasthan, Jaipur and Udaipur and try to see Jaiselmer. If you are thinking of Bombay, try and find out if you can get to Ajanta and Ellora caves (spectacular archtiechture and wall paintings in caves thousands of years old). Goa has great beaches, the south has temples and beaches. Read up well to deceide. India is a very large and diverse country.

I AM INDIAN AND PROUD OF IT. I TRAVEL FOR A MONTH OR SO EVERY YEAR IN DIFFERENT DIRECTIONS IN INDIA. I WOULD SAY EXCEPT FEW PARTS [KASHMIR, ASSAM ETC.] IT IS SAFE TO TRAVEL IN INDIA. <BR> <BR>IF YOU NEED INFORMATION SPECIALLY ON TRAVELLING TO THE <BR>1. HIMALAYAS - LADAKH, HIMACHAL PRADESH, SIKKIM ETC. & <BR>2. TIBET <BR>PLEASE FEEL FREE TO CONTACT ME. <BR> <BR>AS REGARDS TO NUCLEAR TESTS, I FEEL SOME PEOPLE OVER REACT ON THIS ISSUE. AS IF THIS WAS THE FIRST TEST CONDUCTED ON EARTH. SECONDLY, CAN ANYONE SUGGEST SOME SAFETY MEASURES FOR TRAVELLERS TO INDIA ???!!! <BR> <BR>I WOULD SAY IT IS NOT SAFE TRAVELLING ANYWHERE, IF YOU ARE SO SCARED ! BETTER STAY HOME.

Hello!everyone <BR>Last year, in March, I went to Calcutta about 1 week and I stayed a hotel in Sadaru st(Is spelling Ok?). Just 1week, but 1week! Of course, that time was India for the first time for me. There has everything! Its was very very tough. <BR>After returned, I thought that I don't want to go India again. However, recently, I think I want to go there again. Now I'm interested in Bombay, especially. How about there? Someone, Do you have any information? <BR>Waiting for your reply! <BR>

My son (age 29) and I went to India for 2 weeks in June 1997. It was by far the most difficult and most wonderful travel I have ever done. The best piece of advise I got before going was to not plan to go too many places, because of the difficulty of traveling from place to place, and to be happy where you are, no matter what delays you. It was hot, crowded, very noisy, dirty (in the sense of dust in the air). It was also fascinating, exotic, delicious (food), entertaining, colorful and downright amazing. We went to New Delhi (be sure to go the Ghandi library/museum), Dharamsala (near the Himalayas, where the Dali Lama lives), Rishikesh (in the north, a small Hindu pilgrimage town on the Ganges River, where the Beatles were), and Agra (for the Taj Mahal--worth the trip on its own). I recommend going to India, but it is hard travel, even for a seasoned traveler. But, after 3 months of travel and 1500 pictures, it's the pictures of India that we love the most. If you want more info, email me. Jo Harriet <BR>

Hope you don't mind but this is from a response to a previous query. <BR> <BR>I lived in Tamil Nadu for a year so I hope I can help. First Up I think getting a hire car and driver is a great idea. The buses are cheap but crowded and it really depends on how stared at you want to feel. I can't talk about Bombay other than to say a visit to the markets on Juhu Beach is worthwhile. When in kerala you must go to Cochin and see the old Jewish quarter and antique <BR> market. The chinese fishing nets are also worthwhile. Cheap cruises operate everyday to show you around the port. You should also take a canal/backwater tour of Alleppi. You'll see a great snapshot of Village life. <BR> While in Cochin also see the Katakali dancing. Kerala has the highest literacy rate in all of India so it is easy to get around. If you want to take a few giveaways take biros for the schoolkids, they're always appreciated. I lived in The Nilgiris, which is the mountain range separating Tamil Nadu and Kerala. Ifyou're visiting you should stay at Ootacamund, and old hill station (like the Simla or Darjeeling of the South)There are good markets and plenty of things to see, it will be a little cool but no snow or anything like that. if you've got the time you could travel south to see the temples at Madurai or north (3 hours from OOTY) to Mysore. The Maharajahs palace is great, the zoo Ok(but you feel for the animals( a better option is to go to mudumalai sanctuary an hour south of Ooty, they have tours on elephant and its a great restful place to spend a few days, tigers have been seen there). There is lots to see in Mysore just use your guide book. If I was doing what youare I would train to Bangalore(great place) car to Mysore then car to Mudumalai, Ooty, coonoor(where i lived 20km from ooty, a few westerners there who appreciate new company), Coimbatore( take the toy train down the mountain and have your driver meet you at (mettupalaiyam- only a three hour trip but one of the worlds great train trips)then car to Cochin, Alleppi, Trivandrum, nagercoil, Madurai Salem and then to Madras. You can do that reasonably comfortably in two weeks. Any questions - you have my email.