Going to India, need help?

Show all answers

Saj

I think Hep A , Typhoid and Diphtheria also Malaria -

Stick with drinking bottled water or fizzy /soft bottled drinks

stick to chicken or if you want fast food stick to well known names McDonald's etc

achilles

whatever you may decide to do as far immunization is concerned, do remember what will help you the best is your personal care for yourself. And the best way to do it is to keep your nails clean, and if its cut short, it just helps further.

Kameshwar

you will get so many good quality hotels /restaurents do'nt worry

India travel tips
India is among the most colorful nations of the world and boasts of a rich history, culture and heritage. To get the most of your trip to India, it would be a good idea to equip yourself with useful information before you set out for a journey of a lifetime.
Getting In and Out
 To explore India, you need a valid passport and visa to India. Carry them at all times while enjoying a vacation in India. Notify your country’s embassy or consulate in case your passport is stolen or lost.
 One needs additional permits to go to certain destinations in India such as Andaman Islands, Gujarat, Ladakh, Kerala, and more. Check with your travel agent or embassy while planning your visit.
 15-Day visa extensions are granted under exceptional circumstances. If you intend to stay longer than 3 months on non-tourist visas there is a registration requirement. This registration makes the bearer eligible for domestic ticket prices.
Getting Around and About
 Most cities have means of efficient local transportation such as taxis, auto rickshaws, cycle rickshaws, and buses. Private cabs can also be hired.
 It is important to carry an International Driving License if you wish to drive on your own.
 For inter-city and inter-state transport you can avail services of Indian Railways and domestic airlines. Buses, taxis and cabs also ferry people across cities and states.
Climate
 It is best to visit Indian plains during cooler months from November to March.
 For a visit to mountainous regions of India, the months of April to October are better suited.
Food and Health
 Indian cuisine is a tad too spicy for European and American taste buds. Indulge in the gastronomical delights only if you have the stomach for it. Also, there are plenty of non-spicy cuisines and delicacies to choose from.
 You may occasionally need insect repellent cream. If you are allergic to dust, be sure to carry medication with you. Sunscreen is another must-have.
Smart Shopping
 Bargaining is the norm in local bazaars selling products without a written price. Resist the urge to buy without comparing prices from shops selling similar stuff.
 Be wary of roadside peddlers trying to sell you semi-precious and precious gems and jewelry. Visit state emporia and the Central Cottage Industries Emporia (most major cities have one) for fixed prices and a fair idea of the cost with a regular dealer.
 Trading in ivory, fur, animal skins, antiquities and the like is illegal. If you must have it, obtain a certificate of legitimate sale and permission for export before leaving the country.
Social Decorum
 Public display of affection is not appreciated and neither is public nudity unless perhaps one is at a beach.
 One is expected to cover the head before entering a religious place such as a temple or mosque.
 Ask for permission before clicking pictures of women and religious complexes. Some places charge for taking pictures while it is prohibited at a few places as well.
Do’s and Don’ts
 Do carry attested photocopies of your travel documents and keep the originals in a safely locked baggage.
 Do fill up a Currency Declaration Form along and a Disembarkation Card besides making an oral declaration of the luggage you are carrying.
 Do not smoke in public places.
 Do not give money to beggars.

Anne

You can get your injections but still be very careful about water and food. The injections deal with serious diseases. I don't remember what they are. When I first came I got them but now I live here and don't take them.
Because I live here I either cook for myself and even then I have to be careful about hygeine because of bacterias and such, or else I eat in temples where the food is called prasad. It is lovingly cooked by monks and offerred to a diety of Krishna.
It is the safest I know. Even if I'm travelling and there are only restaurants, I just buy some fruits or snacks (wash fruits in bottled water and peel for safety). I have seen for too many years unhygenic conditions, espescially in street stalls.
Vegetarian is both safest and also fits in with the Hindu culture.
If you want any kind of detailed info- I might know. You can email me. My interest in India is as a place of pilgramage There are many holy cities and amazing temples.
In south India there are many amazing stories in the holy places about the ancient epic Ramayana.
Where I live in Vrindavan/Mathura (140km from Delhi on the way to Taj Mahal) there are many beautiful stories about Krishna.
In Varanasi you can learn about Siva. Also in the Himalayas and it's cooler there with fresh air and beautiful scenery. South India is beautiful and tropical. You can stay in any of thousands of Ayurvedic clinics and health farms. Or you can study classical Indian music and dance there.
From the cultural point of view, espescially when you read about it, India seems truly wonderful, inspiring and like a place for becoming enlightened.
It is all that but it is also a shock for westerners to see how uneducated people pollute and corrupt it and live in poverty. There are a broad mixture of classes of people but basically there are educated and uneducated. Of the uneducated many are simple and sweet hearted and others are not.
In general Indians are good moralistic people. But be ready for crazy traffic and pickpockets and beggars and cheaters who clame they can 'help' you.
Get your help from reliable sources and you should be OK
Come to visit Vrindavan too.
love Anne

kaisatsu

This completely depends on where in India you'll be travelling, what you'll be doing, and your personal health profile (obviously at-risk people should take more precautions than others).

A good place to get basic information is the travel advisories from the Center for Disease Control:
http://wwwn.cdc.gov/travel/destinationIndia.aspx

Of course they recommend that you see a travel clinic or your doctor to get more specific advice. But in general...

Obviously you should have the basics: Tetanus, Measles/Mumps/Rubella, Polio, etc. And many doctors recommend Hepatitis B for everyone.

Hepatitis A is always a good vaccine to have when you're traveling to less-developed countries. The primary transmission method of HepA is fecal-oral, which means you're likely to get it from unhygienic food preparation such as people not washing their hands or raw fruits/vegetables not being cleaned properly. Since there are outbreaks of HepA even in the US, it's not a bad vaccine to consider regardless!

If you're traveling to areas with Malaria risks, you should definitely see a doctor about anti-Malaria medications.

If you plan to head to rural areas or stay for an extended period of time, you might need Typhoid and/or Japanese Encephalitis. Typhoid can usually be administered as a live oral vaccine, which is simple, painless, and relatively inexpensive. As for the Japanese Encephalitis vaccine, unless your medical insurance covers it, the injection can be quite expensive (hundreds of dollars).

As the other answerers have mentioned, it's always a good idea to drink bottled beverages (without ice, which can be a source of impure water). Also, bring a bottle of hand sanitizer for situations where you might not be able to wash up as well as normal. You might want to bring a small roll of travel toilet paper, since many Indian toilets have a water bucket in lieu of paper for wiping.

If you do visit your doctor, you can also ask about bringing along a course of general antibiotics in case you contract something minor. You can also bring a stomach medication like Pepto Bismol, either to help with digestive issues or even as a preventitive measure (take one before you eat a questionable meal). Just be sure to use them sparingly - if you continue for an extended period, you might be masking a serious problem that needs treatment.

Despite all of the above vaccinations and precautions, I fall sick every time I go to India. However, I've never had digestive problems. Usually I end up contracting a head cold or sinus infection. I think it's from the pollution in Bombay. Luckily, doctors in India are great, efficient, and inexpensive, so if you do fall sick, it's not hard to stop by and see one!

Sexy Paul

I went to nepal for 6 months as a volunteer 6 years ago.I had to get 10 vaccinations,the person who didnt get injections is a fool.

These are the injections i had to get and i had to get 3 of each vaccination

Japanese enchephilitus(mosqito virus)
Meningitus
typhoid
Rabies
Hepatitus a,b and c

It was horrible i had to keep going back to the doctors and i passed out when i got the typhoid jab lol

akram07

Aisha,
U seem to a young travel loving adventurous girl . Welcome to India.
It is not as risky for health as U seem to apprehend.
There will be ample # of Indians to give U all the injections needed , that too free of cost. Donnt worry, kid .
Just reach there & ask for help.

tmuthiah

You don't have to.

""♥ ♥..The Chief ♥ ♥..

Not three,
You have to take 6 injections....

1...inject yourselves with a drug called "Incompassionatebethazolate.." Keeps your emotions and compassion in control when u are confronted with beggars and handicapped tramps at every nook and corner of every city and small town.

2...Injections of NONANNOYANCE to keep you from getting annoyed with stray dogs, stray cows, and garbage on the streets and Godly men who insist on your salvation.

3. An IV (intravenous) for keeping you from getting mad at our taxi and auto drivers who insist that metered fare is for indians only. at all times.

4..An IM (intra muscular) for keeping you painless and fearless against all those who try giving you that lill shove in trains, and malls.

5. An IN (intra nervous) to keep your nerves cool with people asking you out to a disc taking you for granted as just another foriegner who wont mind a quikie. Also The male massuers, the Gigollos and the DJs who are out 24/7 to impress the world.

6..Another Enoculation to keep the so called Intelligentia (including myself) outta your scope coming from the Software,Biotech, and Development segment who are hell bent on Educating you as to the History, geograhy and Economy of modern Inidia..

Welcome Home Baby.

SAIKANTA

Please visit Puttaparthi [Prashanthi nilaya] in Andhra Pradesh, in South India where you can see Saibaba, the God living on earth.
www.srisathyasai.org.in
welcome, good luck, have a nice time.
sairam

Enter Your Message or Comment

User Name:
User Email:
Post a comment: