As some of you know, my youngest dd is working in China. She planning now to go to India with her boyfriend for Chinese New Year’s. They are planning to do the Golden Triangle which I believe consists of Delhi, Agra and Jaipur. I know nothing really about India. What do they need to know about? Should I be worried? They are fairly leveled headed and have traveled a fair amount. Any knowledge you can give will be appreciated!
Following because ds2 plans to study abroad in India in the next year.
If it’s not too late to change destinations, then why not some other Hindu-influence destination, like Cambodia, Bali, or even Thailand?
My S1 spent a summer working in Mumbai. As background, he is very well traveled (think far eastern Russia and extended travel in Central Asia, Far East Asia, and Africa), spent a few months on the Appalachian Trail and is generally a savvy traveler. He returned and said that India was the most foreign place he had ever been. I think he would advise extreme awareness at all times and for your D’s boyfriend to be very protective of her. He actually travelled with some single women and came home and told his sister he wouldn’t recommend being in India as a single woman. I think this is one of those places where an overabundance of caution is not misplaced. Now that is not to say they shouldn’t go…just be aware. Now, my D traveled by herself in northern Thailand and though I was extremely nervous she had a wonderful and safe experience.
http://www.india-travel-agents.com/india-guide/safety-tips.html
You have to be careful. I wouldn’t recommend studying abroad. Feel free to message me.
My daughter went to India after high school. She was there about 4 months or so for a volunteer vacation, then came back home through the Uk after visiting friends.
She loved it.
She was there from end of January till June. Then it starts to get really warm.
If they are working, I’m assuming they are early 20’s or so?
They should register with the consulate in the area where they will be traveling.
http://hyderabad.usconsulate.gov/mobile//registration__travel_info2.html
There are several travel blogs they could read to get additional information about where to go and what to do.
http://wanderlustandlipstick.com
Are they going as part of a tour? How long will they be there?
My BIL has travelled there. He says it is I oerstive to hire a guide and driver, and well worth the cost to do so. They should not plan to leave their hotel to see the sites without a guide with them. It’s simply not safe or smart.
Well, I love India and recommend it to all travelers with experience in the 3rd world. Which your daughter has. My advice: prepare for major culture shock: there’s nothing like India on the entire planet. Dress modestly. Use common sense and follow the safety advice you’ll find in any basic guide book (I like Lonely Planet.) Don’t go around at night unless you’re with a group and a local who knows the scene. I disagree with thumper1 that it’s not safe or smart traveling without a guide – young people are doing it every day, safely! At these (major tourist) destinations, OP’s daughter will meet travelers from all over the world; they might even partner with another couple,etc. For those who are timid, India’s tourism office offers excellent and inexpensive daily tours. To OP: your daughter will be fine!
I say this as someone who’s traveled throughout India in the past, whose husband goes to India every year, and who spent 2 weeks in south India in October. And who’s very envious of OP’s daughter’s upcoming trip!
I have traveled all over the world including lots of third world countries. India is one country where I would discourage anyone to travel on your own (esp. if you are not Indian) because of safety issues. Yes, lots of others have done it and they were OK, but it only takes one unfortunate circumstance and perhaps a lifetime of regrets.
I have never seen such aggressive panhandling …anywhere !
And the thing is…hiring a guide and a driver is not only safer, but it also isn’t very costly. It’s money well spent.
Again, thousands of young people – backpackers from all over the world – throng to India because it’s exotic and inexpensive and like no other place. They often don’t hire cars and guides, not only because it’s expensive (sorry, thumper1, what’s money well spent to us, may be someone’s budget for a week) but because they want to travel more on their own or in the company of other young people.
Hiring a guide is only as safe as the guide: unless you can guarantee the guy isn’t an insane driver (most are, unfortunately) or crooked (many are paid to take you out of your way to souvenir shops & factories) you’re probably safer on a tourist bus.
My husband runs an organization that sends many young people on volunteer and internship placements in India. On study abroad, too. We send doctors, professors, engineers and even dancers to India.
Now, I wouldn’t send a novice. If all you’ve seen of the world is the U.S. and Europe, India may totally freak you out.
But we’re talking about a couple that lives in China. Those of you who’ve traveled in China know that it’s not always… a picnic. This couple has likely experienced rudeness, filth, locals trying to scam them – all the ugly aspects of much of 3rd world travel.
I believe they will be fine, particularly when following general safety guidelines while sticking to major tourist spots such as the one OP listed.
@onward, you might want to message a CC guy named mini. He runs a non-profit that does a lot of work in South India. He’s travele there, has a lot of contacts, etc. South India is very different from the north, but mini might also weigh in based on his experience there.
I’ve only been to Mumbai, not the Golden Triangle, but I think a driver and guide are important. Get one through a reputable hotel.
There have been a few incidents of late in Delhi and the neighboring areas that give you pause. That being said, if she is going with her boyfriend, I’d say they would be fine. Use common-sense, don’t take unnecessary risks. Dress modestly - no PDAs (just avoid drawing unnecessary attention to yourself). We’ve gone to Agra and Jaipur and had a lovely time in these places - we took the train from Delhi to Agra and then from Agra to Jaipur. In all three cities, we hired a car/driver that drove us around - as someone said earlier, this is NOT expensive. And probably well worth it.
While D went just a couple months after the attacks in Mumbai ( where she entered the country), I see that Britian is warning India that ISIS is a threat.
http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/india/Britain-warns-India-of-possible-terror-attack-by-ISIS/articleshow/45943244.cms
But as they are already living in a country with challenges, despite having the worlds second largest economy, I expect they have skills that will serve them well while traveling.
I agree that hiring a driver is a good idea, not sure how D got around other than she would often call when she was waiting to board a train.
She took a houseboat tour with some folks she met while volunteering.
Sounds like a great way to spend a weekend.
http://goindia.about.com/od/whattosee/p/keralahouseboat.htm
If I were you, I’d tell my D: I’m a bit worried about traveler safety in India. For my peace of mind, can you tell me what precautions you & your BF are planning on for this trip?
That would help you both think it through.
Just a suggestion.
This incident, an attack on foreign students in India. greatly disturbed me.
Here is an article worth reading.
@LakeWashington,
Indians are notoriously racist, and many Africans (and African-Americans) report being treated poorly in India. (Or in Africa, for that matter, where people of Indian descent form much of the merchant class.) That attack should be seen in that light, IMO. Had these students been white, Indian or Asian it may not have happened.
@raclut, India was never particularly safe for Indian women; however rape attacks on tourists were - and remain - relatively rare.
I want to thank all of you. I have forwarded this thread to her and I am hoping it will at least make her think about going there. I don’t control her so this is the best I can do. I am going to push that they hire guides ahead of time. You would think by the time they were 27 that you wouldn’t worry so much; but I sure do. Thanks again all of you!
Based on mainly 2nd hand knowledge, India is full of thieves. People will try to steal from or swindle you, watch out but they probably won’t rob or attack people. Indians tend to like Whites but not others, so if they’re Asian or especially Black they may get some dirty looks or get hassled but money overrides everything else so businesses and stuff will still sell to you. Western style restaurants should have safe food, but you can’t trust food safety or places that look like they’re meant only for locals. Bring lots of bug repellant. Don’t dress in expensive clothes or stuff with visible brand names.
Oh, also, you should do this even in the US but especially in India, know the prices of what you’re buying and calculate the total (or approximate) yourself and count your change. The cashier will have high likelihood of trying to rip tourists off.
I’ll say I’ve never heard of problems of personal safety from people who travel to India frequently (though there’s obviously news stories about it), but I’ve heard tons of stories about people getting ripped off or stolen from.