On the Trail of Tigers Delhi, Ramnagar, and the Corbett National Park

French Flair in South India Chennai, Auroville and Pondicherry

Rural Rajaslhan Rajaslhan, Ghuda and Singhasni

A land of contrasts, visitors to India tend to love it or hate it, and most return with vivid scenes imprinted in their minds – some attractive and others less so. There are many ways to enjoy the country, but if you have a tight budget, expect some less-than-salubrious accommodation. If you opt for the highest class of travel, and embrace the heat, the crowds and the idiosyncrasies, you’ll have a great time.

VISA REQUIREMENTS
All foreign nationals except those from Nepal and Bhutan require a visa to visit India. Standard visas are valid for multiple entries for six months.

CURRENCY
1 Singapore dollar = 33.3 India rupees

WHEN TO GO
The weather varies from north to south, but generally the best time to visit most places is during the cooler period from November to mid-February. Late in May is when the monsoon season begins, peaking in July and ending by October for most of the country.

MAIN LANGUAGE SPOKEN
There are many official languages, including Hindi, Urdu, Tamil, Bengali, Kashmiri, Kannada, Marathi, Gujarati and Telugu, but English is widely spoken.

RELIGION
Hinduism is practiced by the vast majority, but there are also over 120 million Muslims –12 percent of the population.

ELECTRICITY
220V, three round-pin plug

TIME DIFFERENCE
2 ½ hours behind Singapore

FLIGHT TIME
Four to six hours depending on the destination. With the time difference, this means a pleasant outward journey from Singapore, but expect some jetlag on return, which is often overnight.

POPULAR DESTINATIONS
Rajasthan – the land of kings – offers desert scenery, historic forts and outdoor adventure. The cities of Delhi and Mumbai are brimming with history, fabulous architecture, food, people, shopping and best of all – Bollywood! Agra, popular for the Taj Mahal and shopping, is an easy excursion from Delhi. For a beach break, Goa is a fun trip offering delicious seafood and Portuguese heritage and culture. Or try Kerala, another beach destination also good for Ayurvedic health spas. And, of course, there’s the iconic Himalayas for breathtaking mountain scenery, adventure and cooler weather.