<p>I will be traveling to Mumbai in April for business - exact dates being determined. I have never been.</p>
<p>I will probably only have a day in Mumbai for sightseeing. Recommendations how to maximize this time? Guide or by self?</p>
<p>Then, I will likely have the weekend in between meetings on Fri and Mon to explore elsewhere. Obviously the Taj Mahal comes to mind, but logistically what are some options? </p>
<p>I will be traveling with another woman (also American, never been to India) and we are up for anything.</p>
<p>Other suggestions re weather, dress? The company is a multinational (name brand company you all know, based in US). </p>
<p>I would not feel comfortable being on my own in India. Hire your own guide and driver in Delhi and Jaipur/Agra. I had several kids relentlessly follow me around until I gave them some money. Bring a pair of disposable socks to wear inside the Taj Mahal and carry your own shoes inside your bag. There is no dress code inside the Taj, but covering the arms is recommended.Watch out for pickpockets everywhere.</p>
<p>My stepson lived in Mumbai on an ashram for two years. My H went to visit him there. Couple of tips based on H’s experience. It’s a tropical climate and always hot. If you are there during the monsoons it is very wet and humid. Get a car/driver and don’t go anywhere alone. Agra (location of the Taj Mahal) is 400-some miles from Mumbai. Take a plane if you want to see it. H said it was worth the flight.</p>
<p>Double & triple check that your entry visas are in order. I got detained in Mumbai Airport for 26 hours over a visa error-- not my favorite place…</p>
<p>My H went for business about 10 years ago. Definitely do not travel around by yourselves. Check out golden triangle tours. My H and a colleague used them and they worked out great. Don’t forget the malaria pills.</p>
<p>And take ciprofloxacin. Best wishes, PG. I will be very interested in your reactions when you have returned. I don’t generally take group tours. But in India, I probably would.</p>
<p>While you don’t want to get malaria, do your research, some of the new drugs have some very scary side effects. I’m jealous of your travels! My son was in India with a female companion his freshman year and they had a good experience though they liked Pakistan better. No advice for you though!</p>
<p>I know my D didnt take her malaria meds. She donated them to the school where she was working.
She wasn’t in Mumbai, but much farther south.
I believe she had Malarone, although she was in India from Jan to June. It is generally used on shorter trips because it is expensive although fewer side effects than Lariam.</p>
<p>I go to India every 3 months - though have not been to Mumbai in the last year or so. The most important thing that you can do is to be careful with the food and water. NEVER drink from a tap – even in the 5 star hotels - even if they tell you it is potable. if you are only going for a few days, stick with the 5 star hotels for food. If this is your 1st time to India, be prepared to be shocked - the crowds and traffic are overwhelming. As others have said DO NOT TRY and venture out on your own - take a guide from the hotel - they are dead cheap. Agra over the weekend is difficult from Mumbai. I was there on Dec 24th. Took me a whole day (on the new freeway) from Delhi. Goa maybe more doable. I stopped taking the malaria meds since the side effects impacted me quite a bit - but it is not a bad idea to take them especially in your first trip. There is really no “dress code” - urban indian women all dress in jeans and other western clothes. You do not need to cover your hands or head - the only exception maybe if you plan on visiting a mosque. i don’t think India (for all it’s population) is dangerous - the biggest problem that I have ever faced are the beggars - they are getting a lot of bad rap for the various sexual assaults against women (starting from the horrific incident of dec 12th 2012) BUT just use common sense and you should be fine. India has instituted a number of changes to their immigration and visa procedures (as GMT+7 says). Even many non resident indians are not aware of these. Make sure your papers are in order before you head out. </p>
<p>Finally, India is a country that has a rich history and culture. Many of my friends soak it up (one lived there for 3 months traveling the local buses and trains) and others cannot wait to get out of there. Be forewarned that is as different as you can in many ways from the US (though that may not be apparent inside the hotels) - be realistic about what to expect and enjoy your trip.</p>
<p>Weather is hot and humid. But typically, you won’t see women in shorts or short skirts. You are better off in cotton pants/capris or longish skirts. If you are visiting the Taj, you will need something that covers your shoulders and your legs (I believe I wore jeans/shirt).</p>
<p>There are a few things in Bombay for sight-seeing, but traffic can be horrendous. The best bet would be to ask the hotel and get a car/driver with a suggested list of things to see and places to shop.</p>
<p>Agra is worth a visit and you can make it happen within a weekend, but it is not easy. I haven’t done this from Bombay - but we took a flight from Bangalore to Delhi. Spent the day in Delhi (again, with a car/driver) sightseeing and then the next day morning, took the train to Agra. This, IMO, is the best way to go. Spent the day in Agra (again hired a car/driver and a guide) - visited the Taj Mahal, the Agra Fort, did some shopping. We then took the train that night to Jaipur. Spent the next two days in Jaipur and caught a flight back to Bangalore. I believe you could do something similar, even skip Jaipur.</p>
<p>About food/water - I second what most people have said here. Drink only bottled water and also avoid fresh salads/fresh cut fruit (unless you do it yourself) - I prefer to eat cooked food. </p>
I would NOT recommend wearing jeans in Indian heat. I tried it before and couldn’t handle it. Its generally just best to stick with anything made out of cotton. OP might be interested in buying a few cotton salwar kameez (i.e. normal Indian clothes) online, because they tend to be very comfy. (I can PM a website that my family uses sometimes, but I don’t know if I’m allowed to post it here…). </p>
<p>Don’t forget to bring packets of wet wipes and hand sanitizer and your own stash of individually wrapped straws. You will need to buy ice cold drinks (bottles or cans) from street vendors or shops and don’t let them put in their straws (unwrapped) in your drinks.</p>