Making a hotel booking in India

India is a marvelous and colorful destination with lot of freedom and diversity. It is fun to travel from one part of the country to another and experience the cross cultural diversity and varied ethnic profiles. The people are very hospitable and warm, it is good to mix with local families and communities.

There are hardly any orthodox communities, hence it is easy and fun to mingle with them men women children all. Some people are sensitive about food as they are vegetarians but not anything else....may be places of worship..you should enter bare feet. And yes try to war local garb or Indian dress you will really be accepted fast. Do not trust single men for they may be trouble makers. Some people on roadside or destinations are very curious about foreign visitors, politely brush them aside. 

Safe Travel 

Anyway traveling in the country is safe provided you take basic precautions that you would take in any other country. The more planned your itinerary is the better it is. Your holiday can get mired in bewildering confusing in this large country without preplanned efforts. In deep recess you may not find modern amenities and facilities so purchase all your stuff and carry along. Find before hand what is available and what is not? 

Hotel Reservation

Many Indian hotels have not yet gone online in a proper way.  Making a hotel search and having an online tour of the accommodation is not that easy. The website are built haphazardly hence you do not get a good impression of the property. 

The hotel owners are not aware of online marketing or have little faith in it. Since online search is limited in India but booking does come from a properly placed site on SERPs. If you have no contact in the destination you are visiting than the travel agent, review sites and word of mouth is your only information source. These are unreliable at times so you may not find things as had been told to you.

Take a destination guide that would be a great help. Some guides like Lonely Planet are very reliable. These are one stop shop for travel and related information. Carry one with you always. Read as much about India as you can with focus on the route you are taking and the destinations to be visited.  

The lanes and by lanes where the hotel is situated may be confusing. In the maze of Indian mega city it is easy to get lost and loose your stay. Best is to take a card and phone number before you step out. Even if you need a local guide ask your hotelwalla. He is gaining from you so will he hesitate to help you. 

In this country all properties in cities and tourism destinations have touts or roadside booking agents. Your rickshaw wallah, auto driver, taxi driver will help you in booking but then they have their own loyalties. You would be lucky if you get to the right place for a stay.  But this also time wasting since you may have to rush immediately for a meeting.

Online Bookings

So the only recourse are websites online with proper information some review sites like trip adviser, fodors, frommers, travel post and the about.com are reliable source. There are many blogs and websites like brand hotels Worldwide that offer reliable information since they have no loyalties with any one.  But at the most this contains little information.

When making reservations online do not just send your stay information and send money. It is better to get full information  using the online form. After few conversations you can take the plunge.

Tour Formalities

So it remains difficult for a visitor from foreign country to choose an accommodation online. Any once you have landed at your destination hotel resort than what. Well first you need an identity card like your passport. For Indians driving license, Income tax pan card will do for identity. An ATM card does not work please remember. 

For inbound visitors it is important that their arrival and departure information is passed to the nearest police station. You have to fill forms in which passport information is submitted. It is the resort owners responsibility to see that the information is submitted to the police. Fill in the booking information for sure. The hotels have a common register for noting down the bookings this is compulsory and you are secure once your details are noted down. Do keep friends and relatives informed as to where you have stepped in.  The precautions are necessary if your are putting up at a budget lodge or a cheap city inn. Some areas may be unsafe in a destination so try to find out the locality and do not stay there. And yes do not move around late or avoid travel at night.  

Before checking in you must have visited the room and made sure of you comforts. In the room keep all your valuable locked or deposit them in a hotel locker. Take special care of your passport and money loosing either of them will be terribly. As and when you move out make sure that you hire a taxi or auto that the accommodation provides. Hence you will be traveling locally with somebody known. Most of the hotels and resorts are in touch with travel services hence it is safer to hire through them.   

On the first day of the stay make sure of the food. Indian cuisine is marvelous but you can make request to lower down a thing or two specially chillies. Never at at roadside joints in case of emergency pick up a plain vegetable, roti or naan all hot right out of the pan. Carry branded mineral water all along.

Ignore the consternation and uncertainty. India is a wonderful country with lots to offer in varied niche sectors in tourism. Read a lot on travel basics and the come home for many a magical journeys.   

Gujarat Wildlife & Birding Tourism

Though still not a very popular travel destination in India Gujarat has lots to offer. It is not only the holy pilgrimage to Krishna's Dwarka, Gujarat state is one of the finest birding and wildlife destination in India. The Dwarkadhish Temple is built in he honor of Lord Krishna and is visited by thousands of pilgrims ever year.

Gujarat also boasts of a marine National Park at Pirotan of the Jamnagar coast. Apart from mind boggling marine life forms birds such as Flamingos, Godwits, Puffins, Cranes, Herring Sea Gulls, Blackhead Gulls, Crab Plovers and other interesting wetland avifauna can be seen here with ease.

Wildlife & Birding

Gir National Park is the home of Asiatic Lion the only one in the World. About 350 lions survive in this National Park in Western India. The park is close to the district of Junagadh and is famous for lion safaris in Gujarat in India. Gir National Park is an excellent among top birding tour destinations in India with wide variety of bird species seen. Animals seen in wildlife sanctuaries and National Parks in Gujarat are Lion, Leopard, Sloth Bear, Hyena, Wild Ass, Caracal, Indian Wolf, Blue Bull, Sambar Deer and Spotted Deer. Many lesser mammals like chinkara, jungle cats and other species can be sighted in many places in Gujarat in India.

Little Rann of Kutch this magnificent salt desert is home to Greater and Lesser Flamingos which breed here. Indian Wild Ass, Great Indian Bustard, Hubara Bustard and Macqueen's Bustard are found here. The Rann of Kutch is home to great number of birds . I t is included in itinerary of western India birding tours by package tour operators in India.


Among well known birding destinations in India are Velavadar, Dassada, Nal Sarovar and Thol apart from Gir and Rann of Kutch. Besides Bustards and Flamingos one can see variety of birds in Gujarat - pelicans, geese, wintering ducks, desert birds, and many forest and wetland birds in India.


There is luxury and budget accommodation available in wildlife places and birding spots in Gujarat. Government based Gujarat Tourism corporation offers package tours and travel services to many destinations in the state.

Traveling in India

Amazing

Does one need some expertise to travel long distances in this amazingly diverse country. There is uncertainty and surprise on every nook and corner and more pot holes than there are cars on the road. This is the state of India's travel infrastructure as well and (hic!) the heat and the dust. Uncertainty defines travel in India where inefficiencies are almost a certainty. Travel delays - missed bookings - strikes - riots - bombs - rallies - whatnot.

I do not think there ever has been a traveler who has not raised his or her eyebrows at things around. In moment of trouble the more experienced travelers spit on the pathway with local flavor and disdain, then get back to their traveling business non nonchalantly.

Hospitality

At every length and breadth of the country there is an inquisitive Indian preening into your affairs - beyond his means. The beggars harass, cows rule the roads and mangy curs reign over the alleys. Learn from the abusively incestuous and pedantic Indian who walks through the chaotic side walks negotiating tactfully the large bulk of humanity heading menacingly straight towards him...and dogs, cows, beggars and murderous pot holes.

Indian Bazaars

Experience the hustle and bustle of torturous urbanity acerbated by the loud raucous music blaring loud speakers and rattling vehicles and their HORNS! Shoo away the touts and English speaking tourist guides. Learn to inhale acrid smog laden air and the odor of open toilets and sewers. Eat at the ubiquitous dhabas, the epitome of Indian cuisine and then tackle the crippling Delhi belly.

India is amazing

In midst of chaos and consternation there is splendor and magnificence. In betwixt modern monoliths there are ancient marvels in marble and stone. Relish the site and smells of ancient esoteric India, read eras of history sketched on the walls. Admire the exquisite carvings and depictions that tell of India's rich past.

Mingle with the ethnic communities, rejoice in local color and flavors. India is a land of colorful festivities and warm hospitality. It is the land of spices and gastronomical delights that come as a savory surprise - hot and spicy. Land of peace, innocence and charming faces. A land where Budha preached, where Mahatma was born and where religion and traditional beliefs govern the masses.

India is the land of the majestic tiger, imposing mammals, mystic reptiles and colorful birds. It is the land of Himalayan mountains, rivers, forests, deserts, grasslands and enchanting valleys. It is the land of amazing biodiversity and enchanting scape. It is the land of beauty and grace.

India delights...Amazing India.

The best way to travel is on a India package tours that are tailor made. The customized tours offer you a chance to visit destinations of your choice.You can get all the required details from the package tour operator. The best operators should be able to guide you well.  

The best sightseeing option is traveling to less popular destinations that are unique. India exists in villages which are a must visit in your itinerary. Find all about tourism infrastructure and accommodation from your tour operator. In packaged tours all your travel arrangement are made in advance by the operator.

About Kerala in India

The Kerala State Tourism

The Southern State is diverse, colorful and buzzing with life. The land of spices is home to multi-ethnic humanity an agglomeration of people from many lands. The Malayali Culture exhibits characteristic flavor of  amalgamation of many exotic communities. Festivities, rites and rituals abound and the celebration takes place in unison as one large community. 

Kerala is a complete tourism destination that offers many activities for holiday making. The land is full of historical forts, palaces, museums, beaches and backwaters. The cuisine is as exotic as it comes and the colors of the rich culture impress the visitor no end.

Major places to visit in Kerala:

1) Alappuzha Canal

2) Alappuzha Beach

3) Bekal Fort Beach

4) East Fort

5) Eravikulam National Park

6) Fort Kochi

7) Kappad Beach Kozikhode

8) Kovalam Beach

9) Munnar

10) Ashtamudi Backwaters

11) Silent Valley National Park

12) Periyar Wildlife Sanctuary

13) Veli Tourist Village

14) Wayanad

Kerala has been ranked among the World's top ten travel destinations and is the most popular travel destination in India. There are many tour operator packages for sightseeing in Kerala. The packaged tours offer sightseeing, beach tourism and backwater boat cruise.

Special ayurveda extension can also be arranged at health spas in the state of Kerala. One can find both luxury and budget spas in the state.

Kerala: Traveling Information

Kerala is situated at the western most tip of the Indian subcontinent with its capital as Thiruvananthapuram erstwhile Trivandrum. Kerala has the highest literacy rate and the language is Malayalam…English is very popular in this Indian state.

The major religions are Hinduism, Christianity and Islam. Culturally the people of Kerala are similar except few variances that are a characteristic of this diverse country.

The currency is Indian rupee and all modern banking facilities are available in major towns and cities. The weather is tropical with varying from 22 to 33 C May/Jan being the hottest.

The state is well connected by Air… both International and Domestic flights operate from major towns and the capital. The state is well connected by road and rail and buses operate throughout.

Kerala is famous for its backwaters, beaches and wildlife sanctuaries. Apart from all the destination is famous for its Ayurvedic spas which give body massages a system based on the age old Indian system of medicine "Ayurveda".

Keralite cuisine is unique and myriads of mouth watering food varieties await the traveler to this land.

There are many tours operators in Kerala for affordable tourism packages. Seek an affordable packaged tour option for visiting Kerala. The best season is from October to March.

India Travel Information

I have added important information web sites for India tour which I am sure those interested in traveling in India will find it very helpful.

The websites I have linked are for online travel bookings and information. Most of the sites are Indian government travel resource websites for providing authenticated guide and resource to India travel.

The links are useful help to make one's India trip a success. There are links to travel information and directory of Indian states that are popular travel destinations. Please do submit your suggestions and comments.