With the Canadian government removing its advisory on non-essential travel to India, you can start planning the much-coveted Indian holiday. Also, since Air Canada has more flights connecting Montreal and Toronto to Delhi and Mumbai, you can find many cheap flights to India.
However, before you plan your trip, you should make yourself aware of the safety measures adopted by various authorities.
COVID related measures:
Most local governments have ongoing preventive measures to contain the spread of COVID-19. They may include night curfews, restricted access to monuments, or total lockdowns. Additionally, throughout India, you will be required to wear a surgical mask in public.
Find out if your landing airport needs you to present official proof that you are vaccinated and free of Covid-19. Additionally, for your safety, avoid heavily crowded areas. Find out when the footfall is highest to a particular monument and plan around it.
Security measures:
Days of national importance, such as the Indian Republic Day (26th January), can disrupt your plans. Most monuments, especially in Delhi, remain out of bounds for visitors for at least two weeks leading to the day.
Additionally, the Canadian government issues a warning against traveling to insurgency and terrorism-affected areas such as Jammu and Kashmir, North-Eastern states, and areas bordering Pakistan.
Weather warnings:
Winters in the northern parts of India are smoggy and prone to pollution. New Delhi recorded measures of particulate matter sized 2.5 microns much higher than the WHO recommended levels. If you have pre-existing pulmonary conditions, avoid spending too much time outdoors.
Summer days can be as hot as 45-50 degrees celsius in certain regions such as Rajasthan, Madhya Pradesh, and Gujarat. However, temperatures cool considerably in the evenings, allowing you to enjoy pleasant soirees.
The sea regulates temperatures in the southern regions, and it only gets as hot as 35 degrees Celsius. Coastal states like Goa and Kerala attract hundreds of domestic tourists on summer vacations in schools across the country.
India’s rainy season is from June to October and is also a time for festivities. Heavy rains can cause landslides in hilly areas of the Himalayas and the Western Ghats. Additionally, there can be disruptive cyclonic conditions across the eastern coasts in October and November.
However, June- September is off-season, and you can easily find cheap flights to India during this period.
Women’s safety:
Women benefit from traveling in groups and maintaining a vigil. Some places of worship have strict dress codes, and it is a good idea to dress conservatively in general. While most beaches and yoga resorts are safe for solo women travelers, untoward incidents are not unheard of. Avoid public transport on account of both Covid and personal safety.
Safety of personal belongings:
Theft consists of about 61.1% of all crimes committed in India against foreigners. Of them, nearly half were committed in Delhi alone. Cities and metropolitan areas are hotspots for theft, fraud, and forgery. The towns, on the other hand, are associated with more accountability. People don’t want to discourage tourism, which forms a large chunk of their annual income.
In Conclusion
India is a land of multiple experiences such as cultural tourism, adventure sports, nature studies, and historical exploration. Plan your stay to coincide with a festival for a cultural extravaganza, or pick a week in early monsoon to enjoy the lush greenery of India’s rainforests.
With over 32 cultures and traditions and seven natural sites identified as heritage sites by UNESCO, India always has something to offer around the year.
