Backpacker’s travel can become the most exciting and challenging trip of your life. Practice, amazing sightseeing, spirit of exploration, powerful places and like-minded people from all over the world – all this is waiting for you in the East.

But there’s another side of a backpackers trip – difficulties and unforeseen circumstances we meet. Some people say that India is a mirror of your soul – it will show you those moods, emotions and thoughts you have inside. That is why the first and main safety measure in the East is a positive thinking

Having traveled for a month on our own, we gathered several practical advises that may help you plan the trip. Some of these may save you a lot of time, nerves and money.

1. Buy tickets beforehand

There are two main advantages here: less stress when booking ticket in a crowded airport/train station (and discovering that there are no tickets left…) and the price pre-booking has. Indian flights have huge discounts for booking beforehand.

Following sites were very useful for booking and planning trip costs:

Flight destinations with various airlines: www.skyscanner.net

Indian railroad tickets: www.irctc.co.in

2. Get a good guide-book

Build your route, spend time reading travel reports and buy a good guide. Be sure that you know what to do and where to go once you are there. We’ve used the Lonely Planet guide and drew destination points on the map.

3. Find communities of people traveling & staying around the place you’re visiting

As you might need a help or advice of an experienced traveler, make friends online and try to get few emergency phone numbers. Community of people on a forum or livejournal will make a great help too.

4. Take a credit card; better – 2 credit cards

Especially if you prefer cheaper accommodation, make sure nothing will spoil your vacation.

ATMs can be found in all cities in India except some small mountain villages.

5. Be ready that your Credit Card will not work in local online stores

Check, if your credit card accepts international transactions from the country you want to visit. When we tried to book airplane tickets from India, our bank rejected transaction and asked to visit local office.. You can have one credit card for ATM only, and another – for online payments and trip booking. If you plan a long trip, domestic credit card may be useful. The most popular banks in India are Citibank, HSBC Bank and ICICI Bank.

6. The exchange rate and local currency

Many people make own living on tourists in India. Exchange rate and exchange process is one of the things you should be careful with. Find out the usual rate, check on forums and communities where you could exchange solid amount of money with a better rate. Get some local money just as you arrive, enough to pay for a taxi and a day stay. Be careful counting your money when you give them and when you receive them. There’s a well-known trick “you gave me 50, not 100, sir”

7. First stay in the city

When you arrive to a big city for the first time, the stress of unusual setting and mess may be intensified with a crowd, noise, begging and your tiredness. To make it easier, book your first hotel beforehand and receive a confirmation. You might want to call the hotel or a guesthouse and find out how much your stay will cost and how much a transfer from the airport should cost. Most Indian airports have a governmental taxi service with fixed rates and more-or-less better service. At least you can be sure that driver will understand your destination point. Head right to the booked place when you arrive, do not accept any recommendations from drivers or “helpers”, - most of them get a % for every lodger they bring.

8. Find out prices for food, accommodation, traveling, tips, etc

Be most aware of money expense you’re going to undertake.

9. Beware and reject “helpers” on the street of big cities

I always try to see the best in people. But most of those working on the streets in India, trying to persistently invite you to tourist agency/shop/anything, - are very distressing. All tourists are believed to be rich and easy to cheat. Be careful, be prepared, be aware.

10. Eat carefully

You will find many feedbacks on tasty Indian food and as many on terrible Indian food. We found local cuisine very delightful, but it took some time to get used to it. My suggestion is – do not overeat at once, try unknown dishes one-by-one. It will also make sense to ask waiters for less-spicy food (“less spicy” is also very spicy for western tongue J).

11. Buy water in bottles

Fresh water is fresh water; - you will want to drink much in Indian heat. Even Indians buy water in bottles and it says much about the tap water quality.

12. Take a thermos

Tea will help you refresh and warm yourself in northern areas. Cold water is best stored in thermos as well.

13. Bargaining and buying

Deal on the price before buying and bargain much. In most cases, you can take the price down at least twice.

Dealing on a price beforehand will save you money, time and stress.

14. Take pens and simple sweets for children

India is a country of contrasts. You will see wealthy downtowns and children begging on the street. If you care, - they usually lack sweets, pens and paper for the school. You can also help by giving some food.

15. Prepare first-aid kit for stomach, flue, headache, thermal shock

I listed the main health issues travelers have. Watch what you eat, don’t overstress, practice good karma and you will be allright J

16. If you decide to go to the mountains, remember about mountain sickness and acclimatization need

Mountains in the East have 4000-6000m peaks and passes, unbelievably beautiful, but unusual for your body. Give yourself some time for acclimatization and prepare equips.

17. Outlet adapters and electricity

Main type of outlet used in India is European outlet; take adapters if needed. Another thing to be prepared to is electricity shortage and voltage jumps that happen more or less often in different states of the country. If you plan to permanently use electricity for laptop/other costly equipment, take a portable voltage stabilizer or a surge filter.

18. Positive thinking

This is probably the main point that helped us much during our first stay. Remember, that amazing India is a mirror of your soul. Be positive, bring happiness anywhere you go, smile and go slowly.

May all beings find real peace and real harmony.

Photos taken from 4ocima, clodreno Flickr galleries

More information that might be helpful:

IndiaMike guide to railway system with photos

Information on destinations, tickets availability and price

India Tree - India travel forum

India Wow - another travel forum