Kristian Bertel | Photography
Archive story
In this archive story we are learning about Travels to India and India's itineraries.
Read the background story of this archive photo by the photographer.
When traveling to India one will see it is the land of colors where different cultures and people live together prosperously. It is a mystic land and is rightly called as the 'Land of prayers', where people of different ethnicity and religion live in India and call it their motherland and the basis of these different ethnicity and religions can be found in the country's history.
When traveling to India one will see it is the land of colors where different cultures and people live together prosperously. It is a mystic land and is rightly called as the 'Land of prayers', where people of different ethnicity and religion live in India and call it their motherland and the basis of these different ethnicity and religions can be found in the country's history.
Kristian Bertel, Photographer By Kristian Bertel, Photographer
– Updated on March 21, 2024

Travel to India in 2024

For the photographer travel is a state of mind and it has not only something to do with distance or the exotic and it is almost entirely an inner experience. Lately, travel has been an inner experience, centred on nostalgia for places visited and fervent plan-making for trips to come. Travel is also the movement of people between distant geographical locations in India.




When is the best time to visit India?

The best time to visit India is roughly between late October and March, when it is cool, dry and sunny, before high temperatures and the monsoon rains arrive. During peak winter months of December and January it can actually be chilly in northern India.


Wonders and unique experiences in India
India is a country full of wonders and unique experiences and it is no surprise that it is one of the most visited places in the world. From the lush green hills of the Himalayas to the tropical beaches of Goa, India has something to offer every traveler. Traveling to India can be an exciting and eye-opening experience the travel to India and this country is full of culture, history and traditions that make it a unique destination to visit. When traveling to India, it is important to be aware of the customs and etiquette of the locals because India is a patriarchal society and there are certain behaviors that are expected of women. It is also important to be respectful of religious sites, as well as to dress modestly and conservatively, when you travel to India.

Type of travel experience
India is a country of incredible beauty and culture. From the majestic mountains in the north to the tropical beaches in the south, India has something to offer travelers of all tastes and budgets as you travel to India. Whether you are looking for a relaxing holiday or an adventure-filled exploration of India's vibrant culture, this is the perfect destination for your next vacation and when you are making are traveling to India. The first thing to consider when planning a trip and travel to India is the type of experience you are looking for. Are you looking for a relaxing beach escape? Or an adventure-filled trek through the Himalayas? Do you want to experience the country's vibrant culture? Or explore its bustling cities?

When planning a trip to India, it is important also to consider the climate and the season. Many parts of India experience monsoons from June to September, so it is important to check the weather before booking your trip. In addition, the country experiences a wide range of temperatures, from hot and humid in the south to cold and dry in the north. The best way to experience India is to immerse yourself in its culture. Visit local temples, engage with the locals and sample the cuisine. India is a country of many religions and no matter what your faith, there is something for everyone and you will experience that in most cases, when you travel to India.

Accommodations in India
When it comes to accommodations, India has something for every budget. From luxury resorts and hotels to rustic homestays and low-cost hostels, you will be able to find a place to stay that fits your needs and something to suit your budget, so there are a wide range of options when you travel to India. If you are looking for a truly unique experience, consider staying in one of India's many traditional guesthouses. These offer a chance to experience the country's culture and hospitality firsthand.




"Traveling to India can be an unforgettable experience. With its diverse landscapes, vibrant culture and hospitable people, India is a country that will leave a lasting impression on all who visit and it is a country that is full of culture and beauty, making it a great destination for anyone looking to explore somewhere new. From its stunning beaches to its rich history, India is a country that has something for everyone"




Plan your route in India
When it comes to planning a trip to India, the possibilities are endless. With its diverse range of experiences, stunning scenery and vibrant culture, India is a country that has something for everyone. So, why not start planning your trip today? Once you have decided what type of experience you are looking for, it is time to plan your route. India is a big country, with plenty of places to explore. Start by looking at the major cities and tourist hotspots. Here, you can experience the hustle and bustle of urban life and explore some of India's most famous monuments.

For a more serene experience when you travel to India, head to one of India's many beaches. Goa is a popular destination for beachgoers, but you can also explore lesser-known spots such as Kerala or Andhra Pradesh. The country's stunning mountain ranges also offer plenty of trekking opportunities, so if you are looking for a more adventurous holiday, this is the place to go.

So the country is divided into several distinct regions, each with their own unique sights and attractions. From the deserts and mountains of Rajasthan to the holy cities of Varanasi and Haridwar, there is something for everyone here. However, if you choose to spend your time in India, make sure to take some time to explore the country's unique culture, while your are making your travel to India. From its vibrant festivals to its mouthwatering cuisine, India has plenty of cultural experiences to offer you should take some time to try the local food, visit temples and monuments and get to know the people and their stories, when you are traveling to India.

Travel transportation in India
When it comes to transportation, India offers a variety of options while traveling in India. From luxury trains to local buses, there is something for everyone. For those looking for an authentic experience, some of India's most famous sites can be explored on foot. Hiking through the Himalayas is a great way to really get to know the country and no trip to India would be complete without exploring its vibrant culture. From the colorful festivals to the ancient monuments, there is something to learn around every corner. Do not forget to take in some of the country's religious sites, as well as the stunning natural beauty of its mountain ranges, rivers and deserts.

India is a country full of surprises. From the mouth-watering cuisine to the bustling cities, there is something for everyone here. Whether you are looking for an adventure-filled holiday or a relaxing getaway, India is the perfect travel destination for your next vacation.


India is the power of place

India is a unique land of vibrant colors, breathtaking landscapes and rich history and Incredible India is unlike any other and it is one of the travel destinations that have demonstrated the power of a place. Whether it is wild encounter, a meeting of someone new or simply a moment of realisation that your place in the world is not quite what you thought it was, the photographer celebrates the transformative effect that travel in India can have as seen on Smithsonian Magazine.

Travels to India can be designed to allow you as a traveler to experience India and its wonders in an authentic and personal way and to do this, itineraries can be rich in discoveries and very different from those offered by major travel agencies. Vacation trips are mainly used for recreation and leisure. If travelers plan the trip themselves, it is individual trips and the trips put together by tour operators, on the other hand, are considered package tours and the latter are often group trips at the same time. There is a wide variety of vacation trips and India travels depending on your preferences, interests and needs. Swimming, hiking and meditation holidays, for instance, are primarily used for recreational purposes, but also health, wellness and culinary trips. Active activity is linked to adventure trips, as well as study or educational trips for people with predominantly cultural needs.

Why is travel so popular?
Vacation trips to India are popular and an alternative form of travel is voluntourism, in which the traveler also aims to create sustainable benefits in the destination country. The great competition within the tourism industry means that vacation trips of all kinds, such as ready-made goods, are offered and advertised in an appropriate manner. In return, for the buyer, such a trip inevitably has the character of a consumer item. A study also shows that vacation travel is increasingly becoming a copy of home with fewer obligations and better weather. Travel motifs such as getting to know the country and its people or trying new things and being surprised are becoming increasingly rare.




"Travel takes us out of our comfort zones and inspires us to see, taste and try new things. It constantly challenges us, not only to adapt to and explore new surroundings, but also to engage with different people, to embrace adventures as they come and to share new and meaningful experiences with friends and loved one"




Travel to India in 2024
Indian culture encompasses the wide variety of cultures of different peoples and religions found in India. Indian culture, especially art, architecture, music, dance and theater, can look back on several thousand years of tradition. The almost unmanageable diversity of languages and peoples has produced many regional characteristics, but historical influences such as Islam or European colonial powers also left their mark. Texts from Indian religions, Indian philosophy and literature are counted among world literature. Indian buildings are part of the world cultural heritage. Aspects of Indian pop culture, especially popular Indian film and Indian cuisine, have become known around the world.

Maharashtra borders the states of Gujarat, Madhya Pradesh, Chhattisgarh, Telangana, Karnataka and Goa clockwise, starting in the northwest, as well as the Arabian Sea. Nagar Haveli, part of a union territory, lies between Maharashtra and Gujarat. Geographically, Maharashtra can be divided into several large landscapes. On the coast lies the Konkan, a stretch of coastline no more than 50 kilometers wide, which is bordered inland by the Western Ghats mountain range, which extends from north to south parallel to the coast. The climate here is relatively humid, partly under maritime influence.

To the east of the Western Ghats is the Dekkan plateau, which has a much drier and hotter climate. The north-west adjoining the Western Ghats forms the Khandesh region, which administratively corresponds to the Nashik division, the south-west further inland the Marathwada region, administratively combined in the Aurangabad division and the Vidarbha region extends deepest inland, which is administratively corresponding to the Amravati and Nagpur divisions. In the photograph above an Indian woman is walking with a child at the road in the state of Maharashtra and these Villages in India have a very fascinating environment to photograph, where the atmosphere is very peaceful, scenic and less crowded than the big cities. Choices are very limited as in you have only one shop or maybe a couple of where you can buy grocery and the life in villages in Maharashtra is centered around agriculture.

Tourism in many ways in India
Cultural tourism is used for journeys that include visits to cultural resources, regardless of whether it is tangible or intangible cultural resources and regardless of the primary motivation and its experiences include architectural and archaeological treasures, culinary activities, festivals or events, historic or heritage, sites, monuments and landmarks, museums and exhibitions, national parks and wildlife sanctuaries, religious venues, temples and churches. It includes tourism in urban areas, particularly historic or large cities and their cultural facilities such as theatres.




"Cultural tourism is important for many reasons. On the one hand, it gives the local population the opportunity to benefit financially from their cultural heritage and thus to appreciate it and thus to preserve it and, on the other hand, it gives the visitor the opportunity to broaden his own personal horizons. Cultural tourism can therefore help to strengthen identities, improve intercultural understanding and preserve the heritage and culture of an area"




However, like any form of tourism, cultural tourism also has negative sides. There may be negative effects on local residents, such as making the local economy unstable, increasing the cost of living for local residents, increasing pollution or creating environmental problems. The local economy can also be destabilized due to the rapid change in population size and the local population also comes into contact with new ways of life that can disrupt their social fabric. One type of cultural tourism destination is living cultural areas. Visiting any culture other than one's own such as traveling to a foreign country. Other destinations include historical sites, modern urban districts, ethnic pockets of town, fairs and festivals, theme parks and natural ecosystems. It has been shown that cultural attractions and events are particularly strong magnets for tourism.

In order to understand properly the concept of cultural tourism, it is necessary to know the definitions of a number terms such as, for instance, culture, tourism, cultural economy, cultural and tourism potentials, cultural and tourist offer and others. It is important that the destination planner take into account the diverse definition of culture as the term is subjective. Satisfying tourists' interests such as landscapes, seascapes, art, nature, traditions, ways of life and other products associated to them, which may be categorized cultural in the broadest sense of the word, is a prime consideration as it marks the initial phase of the development of a cultural destination.

Fairs and festivals in India
As a photographer and traveler you can experience one or more of the many fairs and festivals while traveling in the country. For three days and nights the streets come alive with color in Goa. Held in mid February the weeklong event is a time for lively processions, floats, the strumming of guitars, graceful dances and of non-stop festivity. One of the more famous of the Indian carnivals the 'Goa Fair' is a complete sell out in terms of tourism capacities. Also in the same month and as spring glides in, full of warmth and vibrancy leaving the gray winter behind, Surajkund adorns itself with colorful traditional crafts of India. Craftsmen from all over the country assemble at Surajkund during the first fortnight of February to participate in the annual celebration known as the 'Surajkund Crafts Mela'.

The spring festival in India, 'Holi' is a festival of colors and it is celebrated in March or April according to the Hindu calendar, it was meant to welcome the spring and win the blessings of Gods for good harvests and fertility of the land. As with all the Hindu festivals, there are many interesting legends attached to 'Holi', the most popular being that of Prince Prahlad, who was a devout follower of Lord Vishnu. It is the second most important festival of India after 'Diwali'. 'Holi' in India is a festival of fun and frolic and has been associated with the immortal love of Krishna and Radha. The exuberance and the festivity of the season are remarkable.

'Diwali', the festival of lights, illuminates the darkness of the New Year's moon and strengthens our close friendships and knowledge, with a self-realization. 'Diwali' is celebrated on a nation-wide scale on 'Amavasya' the 15th day of the dark fortnight of the Hindu month of 'Ashwin' in October and November every year. It symbolizes that age-old culture of India which teaches to vanquish ignorance that subdues humanity and to drive away darkness that engulfs the light of knowledge. 'Diwali', the festival of lights even to-day in this modern world projects the rich and glorious past of India.

Every November, the sleepy little township of Pushkar in Rajasthan, India comes alive with a riot of colors and a frenzied burst of activity during the Pushkar Camel Fair. Very few, if at all any, fairs in the world can match the liveliness of Pushkar. Most people associate the Pushkar Fair with the world's largest camel fair, but it is also much more than that.

Famous fairs and festivals:
• Goa Fair
• Surajkund Mela
• Holi
• Diwali
• Pushkar Mela

Plan your trip around the seasons
India's climate varies significantly due to its diverse geography. Consider the best time to visit based on the region you plan to explore.

October to May
Ideal weather for most parts of India

June to September
Monsoon season with rainy weather in most areas

October to December
Milder rainy season in the far south

Spring
Head to the Himalayan foothills for pleasant temperatures and good trekking conditions

Health precautions
Consult a health professional at least 8 weeks before your trip to ensure vaccinations are up to date. Recommended vaccinations include 'Diphtheria', 'Tetanus', 'Hepatitis A and B', 'Polio', 'Typhoid' and childhood vaccinations. Consider additional vaccinations for longer trips, such as 'Japanese B encephalitis', 'Meningitis' and 'Rabies'. Depending on your destination within India, you should also think about 'Malaria precautions' and discuss anti-malarial tablets with your healthcare provider and you have to know that some regions have a higher 'Malaria risk'.

Visa application
Apply for your Indian visa online before your trip for a smooth arrival on the subcontinent.




See this video about traveling to India made by Times Of India.




Flights to India
India's large size and uncertain roads make flying a viable option, especially as prices have tumbled in the last few years. Even India's offshore islands and remote mountain states are served by flights, the main exceptions being Sikkim and Arunachal Pradesh although crossing over from neighboring states is fairly easy. Due to the aviation boom over the last few years, airports have not been able to keep up with the air traffic.

Most Indian airports continue to function with a runway and a handful of boarding gates. Check in and security queues can be quite long, especially in Delhi and Mumbai. India has recently built two new international airports in Hyderabad and Bangalore, which are modern and well-equipped. Mumbai and New Delhi airports have been upgraded.

The Mumbai airport Chhatrapati Shivaji Airport is an art in itself and it is really recommended that you take a stroll along this huge airport if you have the time to admire various sculptures and art pieces and get a small glimpse into India's culture. India has 4 major airports, Mumbai, Delhi, Chennai and Kolkata. The other major entry points in the country are Bangalore, Hyderabad and Kochi. For secondary points of entry to India, consider Gaya, Goa, Trivandrum, Trichy, Mangalore, Coimbatore, Madurai, Kozhikode, Ahmedabad, Patna, Lucknow and Pune. Air transport is the fastest method of transport when you want to travel to India.

Find cheap flights in seconds, explore destinations on a map and sign up for fare alerts on Google Flights.

Read also:  An Indian itinerary



An Indian itinerary


Read also:  An Indian itinerary

More archive stories

India is a land full of stories. On every street, on every corner and in the many places in India, life is rushing by you as a photographer with millions of stories to be told. In the archive story above, you hopefully had a readable insight in the story that was behind the photo of a woman and a child in Maharashtra. On this website of Kristian Bertel | Photography you can find numerous travel pictures from the photographer. Stories and moments that tell the travel stories of how the photographer captured the specific scene that you see in the picture. The photographer's images have a story behind them, images that all are taken from around India throughout his photo journeys. The archive stories delve into Kristian's personal archive to reveal never-before-seen, including portraits and landscapes beautifully produced snapshots from various travel assignments. The archive is so-far organized into photo stories, this one included, each brought to life by narrative text and full-color photos. Together, these fascinating stories tell a story about the life in India. India, the motherland to many people around the world, a land of unforgetable travel moments. The archive takes viewers on a spectacular visual journey through some of the most stunning photographs to be found in the photographer's archive collection. The photographer culled the images to reflect the many variations on the universal theme of beauty and everyday life in India. By adding these back stories the photographer's work might immensely enhanced the understanding of the photographs.

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