Before you go
- Check vaccine and malaria advice for India on official sources such as the CDC or NHS Fit for Travel.
- Buy travel insurance that covers hospital care and evacuation.
- Bring prescriptions in original packaging with a copy of the prescription.
Water and food
- Drink bottled (sealed) or filtered water; many hotels provide refills.
- Busy street stalls cooking food fresh and hot are usually safer than buffets left standing.
- Peel fruit yourself; be cautious with salads and ice in basic places.
- Pack oral rehydration salts.
Heat
April to June is extremely hot in the plains. Sightsee early and late, drink plenty, and rest at midday.
Mosquitoes
Use repellent, especially at dawn and dusk and during and after the monsoon (dengue season).
Altitude
Ladakh, Spiti and parts of Sikkim are high. Acclimatise for at least 36-48 hours in Leh before going higher, and descend if symptoms worsen.
Air quality
North Indian cities (Delhi especially) often have very poor air from November to January. Check AQI apps, consider an N95 mask, and plan more time in the hills or south during these months if you’re sensitive.
Healthcare in India
Large private hospitals in major cities offer excellent care; many staff speak English. Keep your insurer’s emergency number handy.
