What advice would you give a first time traveller to India?

I'd like to travel to India on what can probably be best described as a 'spiritual pilgrimage', and would appreciate any advice and information about the best places to go and stay, as well as places to avoid. Thank you.What advice would you give a first time traveller to India?
Most of the answers are really misleading. India has a lot of offerings and it really depends on what you want to see. Are you interested in history, temples, countryside, beaches etc. I would suggest that talk to a travel agent and go on some type of group tour.





India is 3rd world country and you will find poverty and maybe people begging for money because they see you as a foreigner and you will have to deal with that but ignore the statements about suicide bombers.





Stick to the popular destinations like Agra, Goa, Kerala and big cities like Mumbai, New Delhi etc. Avoid going alone back-packing especially if you are female.





India is a lovely place to visit and you will be taking some risk going there but its not like going to Iraq or Afghanistan in its current state.


I hope you do go and have a wonderful time.What advice would you give a first time traveller to India?
Be prepared for exposure of heart breaking poverty, skinny stray animals everywhere, and low sanitation and hygiene standards. Also be prepared for street people's mindset that foreigners are gold mines for begging and price jacking. This includes monks at temples. These are the bad news.





The good news is that the educated Indians are so enjoyable to be around with. They are courteous, welcoming, and kind. They are smart and they have lots of wisdom to learn from. It is a country with lots of people and layers of classes. Your experience there is greatly impacted by who you interact with.





Oh, don't forget to get all kinds of shots before you go there. And, do not drink anything other than bottled drinks and boiled water. Peel fruits yourself with your own knife. You will enjoy really tasty and delicious foods at low price.
don't swim in any of the rivers,only drink bottled water, make sure you have the needed vaccinations, don't walk around looking like a tourist,


don't take a lot of valuables with you,don't touch any of the cows, stay out of the slums,stick to the major hotels, have a passport any thing


other than a U S one.
If you're going on a ';spiritual pilgrimage'; I guess you'll be travelling around a lot.





A.) Get relevant shots before you go


B.) BRING MOSQUITO REPELLENT. LOTS OF IT.


C.) Don't drink tap water


D.) Do keep track of your money. Petty theft is major in India.





As for where to go? I wouldn't have the faintest, so this is a bit of a pointless post. But I would suggest you avoid the larger cities. You can visit but don't stay too long. I would look around in the country if I were you. :) %26lt;3 And visit old temples. :D
better be in a group...wear indian cloaths!


banaras/varnasi is a must! one of the oldest living cities in the world!!!
If you want a 'spiritual pilgrimage', go to Israel.
Don't tell them your foreign, and most of all keep your money safe.If they find you out you have money, get prepared to be ripped.
Do not drink tap water !








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I wouldn't go swimming or drink any water from the Ganges River. There's lots of dead bodies in it.
watch out for mortar shells and suicide bombers
dont run over a cow