Danakil Depression in Ethiopia–the gateway to hell with colourful acid pools - Happytrips

Posted: 05 May 2021 12:00 AM PDT

Danakil Depression in Ethiopia–the gateway to hell with colourful acid pools

Known as the most alien places on earth and a gateway to hell and even a land of death, Danakil Depression is one of the most popular attractions in Ethiopia. The hot springs, acid pools, salt mountai...

India | Travel guide, tips and inspiration | Wanderlust - Wanderlust - Wanderlust

Posted: 30 Jan 2020 09:48 AM PST

Capital of India: New Delhi
Population of India: 1.2 billion
Languages in India: The language of business is English. Hindi is the national language, but there are 14 other official languages: Bengali, Telugu, Marathi, Tamil, Urdu, Gujarati, Malayalam, Kannada, Oriya, Punjabi, Assamese, Kashmiri, Sindhi and Sanskrit.
Time in India: GMT +5.5 during winter time; GMT +4.5 during summer time (India does not change its clocks).
International dialling code in India: +91
Voltage in India: 220-240 AC 50 Hz; some areas have a DC supply
Visas for India: India visas
Money in India: Indian Rupee (Rs). It is not possible to purchase Indian Rupees in advance, but ATMs or airport banks are available at the major airports. You can pay by credit cards in India's main centres, but don't rely on it in smaller cities and towns. Travellers cheques are widely accepted but allow plenty of time to deal with the paperwork in town-centre banks. Tip 10% in upmarket restaurants if service is not already included. In cheap restaurants it is not common to tip more than a few Rupees to round up the bill.
India travel advice: Foreign and Commonwealth Office
India tourist board: India tourist board

When to go to India

The best time to visit most parts of India is from October to the end of March. During the summer months the monsoon brings heavy rainfalls.

Climate varies a lot depending on where you go. Tamil Nadu in the southeast gets most of its rain between October and December, whereas in the northwest Rajasthan and northern Gujarat don't receive much rain at all.

India has a lot of great festivals and interesting religious celebrations, which are worth considering when you plan your journey. Highlights are: Makar Sankrati on January 14, when people in North India celebrate the start of the northern journey of the sun with a kite festival; Rath Yatra, the chariot festival, in June; and Diwali in October or November, with atmospheric lights and impressive fireworks.

International airports

Mumbai (BOM) 29km from the city; Calcutta (CCU) 13km from the city; Delhi (DEL) 20km from the city; Chennai (MAA) 14km from the city; Amritsar-Raja Sansi (ATQ) 11km from the city; Goa (GOI) 35km from the city of Panjim.

Getting around in India

For long distances flying is the best option. Domestic flights to all major cities are available, frequently at low prices.

Rail travel is cheap and relatively comfortable. Indian Railways operates a comprehensive network of trains of different standards and with different classes. Be prepared for long journeys – and check if overnight sleeper trains are available for your route to save some time and money for accommodation. Reservations are essential to ensure you get a berth.

If you are not in a hurry you can enjoy the views from a slow steam train up to the hill resorts of Shimla, Ooty (Udhagamandalam), Darjeeling or Matheran.

Many of India's interesting places can only be reached by road. Buses now get to pretty much every part of the country. They are very cheap, but slow and uncomfortable. Check Red Bus for routes and prices.

A more comfortable way to get around is to hire a car with a driver.

India accommodation

India has a very wide range of accommodation. In all major cities you can stay in high-class hotels for a fraction of what you would pay in Western countries, while locally run hotels are even cheaper - especially if you bargain. The YHA run a few hostels all over India, and tourist offices can provide you with a list of families offering homestays. For a unique experience, stay at a Hindu ashram. You're not expected to be religious, but a philosophical interest will help you fit in.

India food & drink

India's cuisine is very diverse and food is an integral part of Indian culture. The techniques involved in cooking Indian food are intimately connected with communities, regions, religious beliefs and festivities in the Indian culture.

What most regional styles have in common is the importance of spices, used for flavour, as appetite stimulators and digestives. Domestic cuisine can be very hot, but expensive restaurants catering for the tourist trade make their meals very mild.

Other essentials are dal (lentils), rice and dairy products like dahi, a sort of yoghurt or curd.

For vegetarians India is probably the best country on earth: you can be sure that all Hindu restaurants won't serve meat - or even an egg - at all. Tuck into vegetable stews, curries with paneer cheese and many other regional specialties.

Street stall favourites are samosas, three-cornered deep-fried pastry parcels with a potato filling; bhajis, battered and deep-fried vegetables; and dosas, a sort of pancake made of rice.

Health & safety in India

Depending on where you go and how you travel, several vaccinations are recommended, as is malaria prophylaxis – consult your GP or travel health clinic.

Drink only sterilised, boiled or bottled water. Make sure the bottles are sealed and bear in mind that ice is not always made from sterilised water.

Several places in India have been targets of terrorist attacks. Check the Foreign and Commonwealth Office website for travel advice and information on security issues.

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