What to expect on arrival

Although India is a well-established tourist destination you are likely to feel a sense of culture shock when you arrive. Therefore, there are a few important things to bear in mind as you travel through this fascinating country:

• India is still a developing country and things that we take for granted in the West may not be present in some of the places you visit. 

• In remote areas the hotel choices will be limited, and the general standards in these areas may be more basic than you are used to. 

• Government action, weather and local conditions can sometimes disrupt itineraries and it helps to be flexible and patient if such situations arise. 

• Avoid drinking tap water. Most hotels will provide either bottled water or filtered water in the rooms. Bottled water is available everywhere, but to cut down on plastic use we recommend taking your own refillable or filtered bottle and refilling as you go. . 

• Be careful to protect yourself against dehydration, heat exhaustion, sunburn and the effects of altitude. 

• Remove your shoes when visiting temples, mosques or Gurudwaras (Sikh temples) and when you are entering someone’s house. 

• Avoid taking leather goods of any kind (bag, belt etc) and cigarettes into places of worship, as these are often not permitted. 

• Do not wear shorts or sleeveless tops in places of public worship. 

• Always ask permission before taking photos inside any temples, and before photographing any local people. Many villagers are unfamiliar with cameras and are unwilling to be photographed for religious reasons or for reasons of personal modesty. 

• Be wary of giving money to beggars. An impact of begging is that it may create dependency and it may be better to donate money to local schools or charities. You can discuss this with your guide. 

BAMBOO’S TOP TIPS 

Keep hydrated: When coming from a cool climate it is easy to forget that you need to drink a lot more water in the tropics than you are used to. Dehydration leads to tiredness, so drink plenty of water to maximise the enjoyment of your holiday. 

Understand the Indian head bob: While you are traveling in India you will probably notice that the locals have a certain way of waggling their head back and forth as a response. It’s not the same as a nod up and down for yes, or a nod from side to side for no. It’s a gesture that doesn’t exist in the West, so it can be quite confusing. The Indian nod can have a lot of meanings depending on the context that it is used in and the facial expressions that accompany the bob. Usually, if the bob is accompanied by a relaxed or pleasant expression, it means ‘yes’ or ‘understood’. However, if accompanied by bewilderment or frown or a stressed look it means a ‘no’ or ‘not understood’. Enjoy deciphering the great Indian head bob…. 

Layer up for Safaris (November to end of February): For those heading to India for the chance to see some of its fantastic wildlife please note during mid-November until the end of February, the early morning and evening games drives can be very cold. This is attributed largely to the wind factor of the ‘open air’ jeep and we strongly recommend taking fleeces, jackets, hats, gloves and scarves so you can de-layer or layer up as your safari progresses. 

Eating out – vegetarian: Many Indians are vegetarian and the country offers perhaps the world's most fabulous choice of vegetarian food. Sticking to vegetarian food during your trip is an excellent way of reducing your chances of getting the dreaded ‘Delhi belly’. If you would like to eat meat, make sure it's well cooked, and stick to restaurants in higher category hotels or stalls and restaurants that are packed with locals. 

Don’t over-bargain: Haggling is a natural part of shopping in India. In most markets the vendor will probably quote a price that is quite high and he or she is expecting you to give a counter-offer that is lower. Then, you can go back and forth and reach a price that works for both of you. The important thing to remember is that it is not a battle – it is a friendly negotiation and bargaining too hard can be seen as aggressive behaviour.