DRINK
If you follow a few basic rules then you shouldn't have any problems with your health.
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North India food is very rich and quite heavy so:
Do not try to have currys for every meal
Have salad and yoghurt with your meals
Tell chefs if you want your curry mild - they make them to order so its not a problem
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The video below is good on food in Punjab, although he sometimes guesses at ingredients!
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FOOD
If you follow a few basic rules then you shouldn't have any problems with your health.
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Drink bottled water only - even when brushing your teeth
Avoid ice in drinks
Try Lassi - a lot of people swear by it
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VACCINATIONS
Note: whilst we provide some basic advice YOU MUST follow whatever your GP recommends.
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If you are travelling to North India only - make sure you tell your GP you are going to Punjab and Himachal Pradesh. These areas are much lower risk than South India which is much more tropical.
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Generally Punjab and Himachal Pradesh are regarded as low to no risk for Malaria.
TRAINS
Trains - we have all seen the picture of people hanging off the Indian trains. These are the commuter trains. Inter city trains are really well regulated. Carriages are air conditioned, and all seats are reserved under a passenger name - so you can never have more passengers than seats. On some trains referred to as Shatabdhi you will also get a complimentary 3 course meal.
And the amazing sleeper trains are a superb way of covering some of the large distances. The train from Chandigarh to Bikaner - start your journey in a modern new town and you wake up entering the Thar Desert in Rajasthan.
LANGUAGE
In Punjab (Amrtisar / Chandigarh) the main language is Punjabi
Check out the video below if you want to learn some basic phrases.
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In Himachal Pradesh (Shimla/Dharamsala) the main language is Hindi but all the people will understand Punjabi as well (it used to be part of Punjab state)
10 TIPS TO PACK FOR A TRIP
1. wheeled case or backpack
2. copies of passport & visa
3. torch (outside of towns electricity can be intermittent)
4. continental adaptor
5. mainly light summer clothes
6. sunglasses and hat
7. painkillers
8. camera
9. spare bag for presents
10. medical insurance
MONEY
India uses Rupees - Rs, currently
£1 = Rs 85
Easiest is to take your bill and divide by 100 and you will be pretty close to UK price
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Cash machines are numerous, but remember you put your card in then take out again before you start typing pin etc. (you dont take out card at end of transaction). Seen a lot of people putting card in and then waiting for something to happen!
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Be careful about ripped / torn notes - people will not accept them - but they will pass them onto you.
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