Thinking about hill stations in India takes one back to the scenic beauty of mountains lined with streaming waterfalls and tall trees, capped with soft snow looking like everything is floating on a bed of clouds.
The steaming bowl of Maggi with a cup of tea along with the best of friends in such a setting is the only thing one needs to refresh oneself after dueling with the daily grind for months on end.
If you have decided to hit the hills this summer, you are in for a splendid experience and a memorable one. Whether you are headed to Himachal Pradesh for a quick trip to Manali, Shimla, or Kufri, or down South to enjoy trekking in Ladakh, there are some things that you must keep in mind. Here are certain traveling tips that will help you along the way, while making your trip one for the books:
Find Out About The Weather Conditions
The first thing you will need to do before you embark on your trip is obviously to pack. And what do you need to know before you start packing? What the weather there will be like! Depending on when you plan to make you trip, it might be cold, windy, or incredibly rainy, albeit, always pleasant. So, make it a point to pack your sweatshirts, windcheaters, and gum boots for snowy areas appropriately. Do not even try to look in the direction of your swimsuit. It is not going to work out between you two.
Pack A First Aid Kit
Especially if you are going for an adventure trip or somewhere its exceptionally chilly, you will need to pack a few medicines and a first aid kit in case of injuries. Good things to take along with you would be cold and flu medicines, bandages, antiseptic creams, antihistamines, glucose powder, mosquito repellants, and asprin.
Stock Up On Camping Equipment
An adventure trip that consists of camping, trekking, sledging, and more will give you the adrenaline rush of a lifetime. Make sure you pack the right camping equipment including tents, sleeping bags, pillows, sheets, storage bags, backpacks, and repair kits. Make sure to write up a checklist and mark off the items you have packed, so you do not have to be inconvenienced while you are on your trip.
Grab Some Cooking Essentials
If you are gearing up for an adventure trip or plan stay at a “self-service” facility on your vacation, it will do you good to pack some cooking essentials along with certain products you can whip up into delicious dishes in a jiffy. Instant noodles will become your best friend in this case. For cooking purposes, pack campfire grills, matches, lighters, cooking oil, kerosene stove, pots and pans, mugs, napkins, and storage dishware.
Do Not Forget The Personal Accessories
Just 4-5 days of living without the comfort of your own bathroom will really take it out of you. Thus, do not miss out on any of these products. Pack your toothbrush, toothpaste, deodorant, razor, comb, toilet paper, sanitary napkins, and anything else that you think you cannot live without. Again, a checklist will come in handy.
Carry Your ID Proofs And Tourist Documents
This one goes without saying, but take it as a friendly reminder. Make sure you pack (and make copies) of your ID proofs and tourist documents. Hotels have strict no entry policies for guests without ID proofs. Make sure you keep a digital copy of all your documents, including government issued ID proofs to have smooth sailing throughout your trip.
Get The Required Permissions
When visiting certain historical monuments you will need to take prior permissions for photography or videography. Further, you will need to take due permissions before indulging in adventure activities. In case you want to enjoy any of the above, speak to your travel agent while you plan your trip or visit the tourist information office when you reach the destination.
Create An Itinerary
From sight-seeing to just lounging by the cool, calming rivers, there is a lot of stuff to be done when you visit the hills in India. Read up about the place you are visiting and pen down everything that you would love to do. Create an itinerary from the information you gather, so you do not miss out on anything or waste any time while you are on your dream trip. Search for Ladakh Tour Packages in order to see if you can save money.
Take Precautions
While you visit Indian hill stations, you might be tempted to try out the local cuisine. Do so while being extremely careful of where you are eating. Make sure you eat only at hygienic restaurants instead of stalls set up out in the open. Likewise, stick to bottled water in order to avoid any water-borne diseases. Just in case, carry emergency medication for an upset stomach.
Know The Emergency Contact Numbers
Going to a new place always has its set of risks. Make sure you have all the emergency numbers of the area you are visiting such as the tourist information office, the police, and the fire department. Just to get you started, the police and fire department numbers for India are 100 and 108 respectively. Make sure you have your emergency contact information updated.
Be smart and stay safe while you travel to the most beautiful places you will ever see! Indian hill stations have so much to offer and just the right kind of preparation and precautions will ensure that you have the best time of your life.
