Find the Adventure of a Lifetime in India

By Marley Merrihew at Allen Batista Travel, Inc.

Perhaps best known for the Taj Mahal, India, home to the second largest population in the world with just under 1.4 billion inhabitants, has a lot to offer, from its sunny beaches to its historical landmarks – and now may be the best time to go. 

Covid-19 Guidelines

​India is currently classified as a Level 1 country by the CDC, meaning that there are low levels of the Covid-19 virus. Additionally, as of June 12, 2022, the United States has rescinded their requirement for air passengers traveling from a foreign country to the U.S. to show a negative Covid-19 test or documentation of recovery from Covid-19 before they board their flight, according to the CDC.

Fun Facts About India
India is one of the most diverse countries in the world, geographically and culturally. To the north lie the Himalayas which starkly contrast the deserts found in the north-west, or even the sunny beaches on the west coast. The country has also seen many migrations from different regions around the world, giving rise to its ethnically diverse population. (Source: Culture Trip)

First time visitors to India should be aware of these helpful tips.

• There are 22 official languages in India among the 1,721 other unofficial languages, the most widely spoken being Hindi, Bengali, and Marathi. 

• It’s a nice sentiment to learn a few words in the language of the place you’re traveling to as a surprise for the locals, but it’s best to stick to English in India, which is widely spoken in most states. (Source: Culture Trip)
• Cultural sensitivity varies from state to state, meaning that some of its more northern states such as Goa are very liberal while others, such as Rajasthan and Haryana, are more conservative. When traveling through India make sure to be aware of the cultural sensitivity so as to dress and interact with people appropriately. (Source: Culture Trip)
• Many temples ask you to take off your shoes before entering, so consider wearing shoes that can easily slip on and off. (Source: Travel Sim)
• It’s important to carry cash while you’re in India. A common mode of transportation, rickshaws, as well as most businesses in remote areas such as the Himalayas only accept cash, so be sure to have enough money exchanged beforehand.
• The exchange rate has fluctuated from between 1 USD to 64 to 75 INR from 2018 to 2021 and currently it is 1 USD to ~78 INR (Source: XE)

Before you head off on any adventures, though, you’ll want to get rid of the jet lag from the 15-17 hour flight. Check out some tips at Healthline to help you get back on track.

India’s Gifts To the World
India is the birthplace for yoga and chai tea. So, while you’re visiting India, try a cup of real Masala chai and dive into the roots of the traditional yoga practices.

Masala chai, or mixed-spice tea in Hindi, is what we know in the U.S. as chai tea, which in Hindi actually translates to ‘tea tea.’ According to Sukhi’s, it’s said to have been created for use in Ayurveda, a traditional medical practice where herbs and spices are used for healing. Chai tea has gone quite mainstream in the U.S., popping up on the menus for major beverage chains around the country.

The yoga we know is different, as well – it’s actually only a small part of a larger system of values and disciplines. The physical yoga we typically practice in the U.S., known as asana, is just one branch of eight in the system of Ashtanga Yoga in India, according to Google Arts & Culture. 

Yoga movements have been made so popular as well that these moves are integrated into dance movements and stretches used by athletes to increase their flexibility and to warm up before their workouts.
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Golden Triangle Sightseeing Tour
If you’re a first-time traveler to India, Allen Batista Travel has a 10 days and nine nights travel package for you to the Golden Triangle – Delhi, Agra, and Jaipur – three must-see destinations filled with fun and historic things to do on vacation. Jaipur, also known as the Pink City because of its varying shades of the color, has been painted pink to welcome Queen Victoria’s husband, Prince Albert, in 1876, according to CNN. The city also boasts the Amber (pronounced Amer) Palace. The Palace, made of red sandstone and marble, is a great example of Rajput architecture with some Mughal influence. 

Next stop in the Golden Triangle: Delhi. Standing at more than 70 meters tall (around 230 feet) and located in New Delhi, Qutub Minar is India’s tallest minaret and a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Not quite as tall but still a dizzying 42 meters high (around 138 feet), the India Gate in New Delhi is a memorial arch built to honor the more than 90,000 soldiers that died in WWI. Seeing the gate lit up at night is one of the top free things to do in India, according to Planetware.

Finally, Agra, home to the famous Taj Mahal, completes the Golden Triangle of India. The Taj Mahal is a must-see tribute by Mughal emperor Shah Jahan for his favorite wife, Mumtaz Mahal, to house her tomb. According to Housing.com, Shah Jahan is believed to have spent around 42 million rupees, which would be equivalent to around Rs 70 billion or USD 1 billion today – that’s a monument built for love!

Stressed about planning? Don’t be, Allen Batista Travel has got you covered! With their Delhi, Agra, and Jaipur travel package, you’ll get nine nights accommodations in five-star hotels, a bilingual guide in English and Hindi, nine breakfasts daily, nine lunches, and nine dinners, internal flights from Udaipur to Delhi, and entrance fees to all attractions included.

With activities such as camel rides in Pushkar, boat rides in Udaipur, and seeing the Taj Mahal at sunrise, this trip is bound to be the time of your life. Book now and discover the Golden Triangle as a first time traveler.

About Allen Batista Travel, Inc.
Allen Batista Travel Inc. offers extraordinary sightseeing tours where travelers can fully immerse themselves into the local culture, as well as showcase the breathtaking sightseeing adventures in different countries. Allen Batista Travel also provides savvy travelers with airfare, hotels, cruises, car rentals, and vacation packages.
 

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