Tips and Tricks for India Travel

Udaipur, Rajasthan

  • Yes, absolutely. We’ve included a whole blurb about obtaining a Visa and e-Arrival Card under ‘Travel and Stay’.

  • As for the wedding week: dress codes are covered on their own website page. Our family and friends in India are very liberal, and women do not need to be dressing more conservatively than you would at an Australian wedding or otherwise.

    When travelling elsewhere in India, exercise some modesty to avoid stares and unwanted attention. When entering religious sites, ensure your knees and shoulders are covered. Carrying around a cotton scarf is a good idea when you’re sightseeing.

    From a practicality perspective, Kerala is very warm and humid. Cotton, linen and other natural fibres are a good bet.

    If you’re travelling elsewhere in India: At higher altitudes in Kerala, and during January/February in parts of North India, it can get chilly particilarly in the evening. Research and pack accordingly.

  • Foreigners rely heavily on paying with cash in India, since we don’t have access to their advanced QR code (UPI) payment system. Card is accepted in larger retailers/restaurants, but don’t expect to be able to pay with card all the time.

    India uses the Indian Rupee, which can only be exchanged within India itself (i.e. you can’t buy Indian Rupee in Australia).

    To stay on the safe side and avoid exchange scams, we recommend this approach to getting cash:

    • Exchange a small amount of AUD (or any other common currency) into Indian Rupee when you get to the airport ($150 AUD exchanged into INR is more than enough).

    • Use a credit card or a travel money card and pull cash from ATMs, which are abundantly located in each town/city

    Kristen likes to use the Wise travel money card when in India - to both pull money from ATMs and pay with card when available.

  • Street food is great but avoid eating it unless you’re with a local/reputable guide who can vouch for the safety.

    Under no circumstance should you drink tap water. Always drink bottled water - and even use bottled water to brush your teeth.

    Tummy upset can happen. Medicines from Indian pharmacies work a lot better than Australian medicines if you encounter this issue.

  • On the nights of 20-24th January (inclusive), you’ll be sleeping in hotels complimentary, and chosen by us for our group.

    But, if you’re travelling elsewhere in India, please keep this in mind: outside of your hotel room in India, it’s likely to be busy, hectic and sometimes feel a little unclean compared to standards at home. At the end of the day, your hotel room is your sanctuary to freshen up, unwind, and feel yourself again! We encourage you to choose nicer accommodation and spend up to what your personal budget allows, to ensure your safety, comfort, and hygiene. Yes, there are $20 a night/cheap accommodations available in all cities, but it’s usually not a good idea.

    Always check 3rd party sites like Booking.com for genuine reviews, as fake Google reviews are common.

    A special note on Delhi: Where you stay in Delhi matters- a lot. Many travellers get it wrong, and stay in Old Delhi (Paharganj, Karol Bagh, Chandni Chowk). Choose South Delhi, Connought Place, Haus Khaz or Aerocity.

  • An FYI that Cochin International Airport does not have reliable wifi connection. You should always be connected to data when you’re travelling around India - for safety and convenience. Get a travel SIM before you arrive.

  • Where available, use rideshare apps for short journeys (car and auto-rickshaws). We use Uber for the cheapest price. If you’re hailing an auto-rickshaw from the side of the road, they will take one look at you and charge 2-3x the normal price. Tourist tax!

  • In India, time tends to be more of a ‘loose suggestion’ than a strict rule. Servers and staff also like to take their time completing tasks.

    Things may move at a more relaxed, flexible pace than we are used to in the West. Bring your patience, plan with extra buffer time for travel, and treat punctuality more as a guideline than a guarantee. You’re on holiday, afterall!

Travelling Elsewhere in India

India is an incredibly diverse country and a truly eye-opening experience. Imagine if the countries of Europe with their different languages, foods, traditions, attire, landscapes, and biodiversity, were all one. That’s essentially like India. It’s made up of states, but travelling between them often feels like entering completely different worlds.

If you’re planning to travel in India before or after the wedding, there’s so much to explore and get excited by.

Below are our top destination recommendations for January/February. If you’re visiting any of these places (or anywhere in India), please let Kristen know — she’ll happily share personal tips and suggestions.

Seeing more of Kerala:

Varkala/Kollam/Kovalam and Munnar

Varkala, Kollam and Kovalam are coastal destinations, just South of Kumarakom. They offer laid-back beach time in ideal January weather.

Marari is another option for a peacefulbeach destination.


Munnar is a lush, mountainous region with tea plantations and peaceful forest scenery. A great escape from the heat.

Seeing more of South India:

Mumbai and Goa

Mumbai is a high-energy metropolis with incredible food, culture, and nightlife. It’s a place that both matches and challenges expectations of India. If you’re into culinary adventures with touches of fine dining, it’s the place to be.

From there, fly to Goa, which is a popular and relaxed beach destination that’s perfect in January weather.

There are direct flights between Mumbai, Goa, and Kochi, making it easy to link the coast.

Mysore, Bangalore, Hampi, Coorg

Great spots for a mix of history, architecture, food, and nature. You’ll explore everything from royal palaces to ancient ruins and cool-climate hill stations.

Seeing North India:

Please note: unfortunately, due to winter weather and crop burning activity, the air quality in Delhi (+some other populated cities in North India) is very poor in January. Please avoid if you have asthma/chronic health issues.

Indian himalayas (far North India) - a spiritual experience:

Amritsar - Dharamshala - Rishikesh-Delhi (or the other way around)

Probably Kristen’s favourite route listed here. Fly from Delhi to Amritsar (or take an overnight sleeper bus, if you’re feeling adventurous).

In Amritsar, visit the Golden Temple, Wagha Border Parade and learn about partition history at the Jallianwala Bagh memorial.

In Dharamshala, take a few days to enjoy the mountain breeze. Great day hiking, beautiful scenery, and strong Tibetan culture.

Fly from Dharamshala to Dehradun, and go by road to Rishikesh - the birthplace of Yoga in India. Spend time at an Ayurveda/Yoga retreat in the mountains, go white water rafting, and pay respect to ‘Ma Ganga’ at an evening Ganga Arti. The mouth of the Ganges River starts just above Rishikesh, and the water is crystal clear here.

Either fly or overnight bus to Delhi from Rishikesh.

The ‘Golden Triangle’

Delhi - Agra (Taj Mahal) - Jaipur - Udaipur - (add on: Varanasi)

India’s iconic tourist circuit. Many group tour operators (including Intrepid) run this itinerary!

Drive from Delhi to Agra to see the Taj Mahal (truly more stunning in person!!!). It’s well worth arriving at sunrise. You will only need one day in Agra - just to see the Taj Mahal and potentially a couple of other monuments. The Taj Mahal can also be done as a day trip from Delhi.

Drive to Jaipur (safe buses, trains also available) for grand palaces, forts, and colourful bazaars.

Fly from Jaipur to Udaipur for the ‘city of lakes’ - a very romantic city of palaces and ornate architecture, set on serene water. From Udaipur, you could fly out to Mumbai or Bangalore instead of returning to Delhi.

Add on: take a flight to Varanasi - one of the most sacred cities in Hindu culture. The famous cremation ghats along the Ganges are deeply significant for Hindus, as many believe that being cremated here helps the soul attain liberation. Varanasi can be a very intense and powerful experience. Please research before you go, to be well-informed.