Travel Guide to India! How to plan a trip from Dubai
India is the seventh-largest country in theworld, located in South Asia. The enchanting land of India has a rich history. When visiting this nation, you may discover and learn about many cultures, customs, people, regions, languages, faiths, etc. Due to India’s largest cities, temples, marketplaces, and vibrant streets, getting bored during the visit is difficult. The most difficult aspect of visiting India is deciding what to see and do. So, if you’re considering a journey from the UAE to India, this guide will show you all you need to know.
The best time to visit the country
The ideal time to visit India is between October and March when the weather is more likely to be pleasant, sunny, and dry. The north has a clear blue sky throughout this time of year. Meanwhile, December and January are significantly colder, with the possibility of fog, while the higher Himalayas may be pretty chilly, but with clearer mountain views.
Although the rising temperatures in April and May might make for fantastic bargain holidays, you can anticipate excessive humidity and thunderstorms.
The month of March is considered to be the ideal time of year to explore India’s wildlife parks. The best time to visit India’s southern states is in November after the monsoon season has ended.
Passport Validity
Passports must be valid for at least six months. The UAE residency visa must be valid at the time of application. A minimum of two blank pages should be included in the passport.
Visa Requirements
The Visa-on-Arrival process applies to UAE nationals who have already secured an e-Visa or regular/paper visa for India. UAE nationals visiting India for the first time should apply for an e-Visa, standard or paper visa. UAE nationals of Pakistani origin would not be eligible for the Visa-on-Arrival Program.
How to apply for an Indian visa
Almost everyone needs a visa to enter India; you may apply for an e-Visa before your trip using a simple online form.
- Your passport must be valid for at least six months before entry.
- Visit the government’s official e-Visa webpage to apply for an Indian e-Visa.
- Upload a digital passport photo and copies of your passport’s ID pages.
- Pay the visa fee, which varies according to your visa class.
If your application is approved, you will be sent a digital Electronic Travel Authorization (ETA), which you should print and bring with you when you travel. You may also be asked to show a return flight ticket and evidence of adequate finances to cover your stay.
The COVID-19 Regulations for those who are travelling from the UAE
The COVID-19 criteria for travel to India are as follows:
- Visitors who have completed the full vaccination for both doses are exempt from RT-PCR testing before travelling to India from the UAE.
- Visitors must provide a copy of their COVID-19 immunisation certificate to the Air Suvidha webpage.
- All other travellers who are not vaccinated should carry a negative COVID-19 RT-PCR certificate and upload it to the Air Suvidha webpage. The test should have been completed within 72 hours of the scheduled departure time.
Visitors who do not follow the rules outlined above will be refused to board.
Important things to know before travelling to India
- Malaria precautions: Malaria is one of the most severe diseases in India. You should take an anti-malarial prophylaxis medication. Take several precautions, such as avoiding mosquito bites, sleeping behind a mosquito net, wearing long sleeves and pants, and applying a repellent or a mosquito killer plug-in. These precautions will also help you avoid dengue fever.
- Get travel insurance: You should never travel without travel insurance, and India is no different. If you become ill or injured, your insurance will cover and reimburse any medical treatment you require. Some insurance packages will also cover theft, lost luggage, travel cancellations, and anything else that may occur during your vacation. So you can enjoy your vacation with peace of mind no matter what happens you are taken care of.
- Watch out for pickpockets: If you are in a crowded public venue, make sure that your personal things are secure and always be vigilant. Keep your wallet, passport, or phone in your front pocket or a zipped pocket instead of your back pocket. Avoid wearing a lot of pricey jewellery or accessories, instead, keep it simple and only carry the essentials.
- Don’t forget to take off your shoes before entering a temple: Some temples in India may allow you to visit, however, you must remove your shoes or other footwear before entering. As a result, it is best to wear footwear that is easy to slip on and off, such as sandals. If you are concerned about your shoes being stolen from the front of the temple while you are inside, keep them in your backpack or pay a few rupees to the temple attendant to secure them.
- Avoid getting scammed: Scamming by locals is one of the worst things that may happen when travelling in India. Scammers target certain travellers in tourism regions. A frequent scam done by taxi drivers is to say they have never heard of your hotel, even if it is a well-known one. Alternatively, they will argue that your hotel has closed or relocated. They will do this to propose another hotel, which will pay them a commission for bringing in new business and you will lose more money.
- Privacy can be an issue: People in India will not allow you any privacy since being a tourist is like being a celebrity in India. People will approach you and often want to be photographed with you everywhere you go. There is nothing you can do to prevent feeling creepy when locals glance at you.
Top places to visit in India
Taj Mahal
No trip to India is complete without visiting the Taj Mahal, an Islamic ivory-white marble mausoleum in Agra, Uttar Pradesh. The spectacular Mughal architectural treasures that cover the cityscape make it one of the top holiday destinations for architecture enthusiasts and history experts. The Taj Mahal’s allure will never fade no matter how many times you visit Agra.
Rajasthan
Rajasthan, also known as the “Land of Kings,” is India’s biggest state in terms of land area. It is located in northwestern India and has a remarkable combination of natural beauty and man-made architecture. The city has so much to offer for a memorable trip, from stunning lakes, wide deserts, and abundant animals to spectacular castles, forts, and temples.
Rajasthan’s key attractions include Jaipur, Udaipur, Jaisalmer, Jodhpur, Bikaner, Mount Abu, Chittorgarh, Ranthambore National Park, Sariska Tiger Reserve, and Keoladeo National Park.
Goa
Goa, India’s party capital, is known for its beautiful beaches, hippy atmosphere, mellow lifestyle, and energetic parties. It is considered one of the top holiday destinations in India. Every year, travellers flock to this little state, especially during the winter months when the weather is mild and the entire state comes alive with Christmas and New Year’s activities.
Palolem Beach, Dudhsagar Falls, Basilica of Bom Jesus, Aguada Fort, Baga Beach, Anjuna Beach, Calangute Beach, and Shree Mangesha Temple are the best places to visit. One of the finest things to do in Goa is go beach hopping, do water sports, try Goan cuisine, and experience the nightlife.
Munnar
Munnar, often known as the “Kashmir of South India” is located in God’s own country, Kerala. Munnar is well-known for its nice temperature all year which draws a large number of visitors. Munnar’s hills are known for their evergreen tea plantations, which are quite beautiful. While most of the hills are covered with tea plantations, some are captivated by breathtaking waterfalls such as Atukkad Waterfalls, Lakkam Waterfalls, and Naimakkadu Waterfalls.
Speed boating, horseback riding at Mattupetty Dam, touring tea estates, enjoying fun rides at Wonder Valley Adventure and Amusement Park, rock climbing, trekking, and rappelling are some of the top activities to do in Munnar.
Manali
Manali located in the Kullu Valley in Himachal Pradesh attracts travellers because of its cold environment, snow-capped mountains, natural beauty, and serenity. It has evolved as a backpacking destination throughout the years, with travellers from all over the world spending months here due to its affordability.
Manu Temple, Hidimba Devi Temple, Museum of Himachal Culture and Folk Art, Jogini Falls, Himalayan Nyinmapa Tibetan Buddhist Temple, and Nehru Kund are the top places to visit in Manali.
Paragliding, parachuting, horseback riding in Solang Valley, mountain biking, skiing, sledge riding at Rohtang Pass, trekking, river rafting, ziplining, and zorbing are among the most popular activities.
Kolkata
Kolkata, West Bengal’s lovely metropolis, is located on the eastern bank of the Hooghly River. It is India’s third-most populated city and home to the floating mangrove forests, the Sunderbans, the regal Bengal tiger, and a diverse range of flora and animals.
Top things to experience there include visiting The Vedic Village Resort, cruising around the Ganges, participating in adventurous activities at Mandarmoni, Heritage Walks and Tours, the Aquatica water theme park, parasailing, shooting, fishing, ziplining, cultural tours and city tours, and museums and art centres.