Hundreds of thousands of Canadians travel to India every year. The distance between the two countries is quite large. But that hasn’t kept Canadians from flocking to India. It helps that the Indian Visa Requirements for Canadian Citizens are not that stringent. There was a time when Canadians could get their visas on arrival. But that is no longer the case. You need to get an electronic visa beforehand to simplify your journey to India. This is where evisaindia.org enters the picture. They will tell you everything you need to know about getting an electronic visa and evisa application. The process is very straightforward for Canadians, especially if you have a passport and a photograph.
You don’t even have to leave your home to initiate the application. All the forms you need can be found online. It takes two days for a submitted application to be approved.
So even if you wait until the last four days leading up to your trip, you can still secure an electronic visa in time. This is why e-visas were invented in the first place. They make everything so much easier.
Of course, India and Canada couldn’t be more different from one another. Many Canadians often struggle to overcome the culture shock they encounter whenever they tour India.
You need to know what to expect before you travel to India. This is why some preparation is required. As a Canadian, if you have never been to India, it is imperative that you consider the following tips before taking your first trip:
Table of Contents
Health
This is obvious. Every trip you take out of the country requires you to see a doctor. Your trip to India is no different. IN fact, with India, you have even more of a reason to see the doctor.
India isn’t exactly known for its great hygiene. So you need to get all the necessary vaccines. This includes Hepatitis (A and B) vaccinations. Ask your doctor to prescribe some drugs that you might need to stay healthy in India.
For instance, everyone says that you need to keep malaria tablets on hand. You do not want to fall sick in a foreign land.
Money
This also goes without saying but some people need reminding. Carry cash with you. Yes, India is quite advanced. But they are also disorganized. Do not depend on ATMs to get you out of trouble.
Either you won’t find them or they are situated in areas that are so remote that they are dangerous. So stuff your wallet with cash. Of course, because India’s economy is thriving, many shops accept credit cards these days.
But there are risks attached. And rather than trusting your card to an ATM that might capture it, you are better off sticking with cash. It won’t let you down.
Food
Watch what you eat. Indians buy and sell a lot of street food. And it is really delicious. But India is also quite unhygienic. So you should avoid all their fast food. The same applies to the water.
Otherwise, diarrhea will kill you. If you must drink water, buy it bottled from a shop. And do not be fooled into thinking that the fruits and vegetables are safe. If anything, they are worse.
Just because you got vaccinated doesn’t mean you won’t get sick if you expose your stomach to the wrong food items.
Time
If you have a schedule, stick to it. Try your best to show up on time at the airport, the bus station, the train station, and every other place. But you should know that Indians are very relaxed people.
They take their time. For that reason, you should expect delays in everything you do. Show up on time just in case but prepare to wait a while. Indians have their own time.
Language
You won’t learn India’s native tongue in the few days, weeks or months that precede your trip. But you should still try. You don’t have to speak it fluently. Just learn a word or two.
First of all, this will give you a little more control in conversations with Indians. Secondly, any effort you make to communicate with Indians in their own language will endear you to them.
They will appreciate the work you have done to learn about their culture. That will make them even more welcoming.
Diversity
Keep your tour diverse. It is easy to focus all your attention on the major cities with their world-famous tourist attractions. But India is a big place and the most obscure places typically have the most interesting attractions.
It isn’t even that hard to get around. There are trains, so use them. Go to as many places as your schedule will permit.
Attention
As a Canadian tourist, do not expect to blend in. You are going to stand out very easily and, as a result, people are going to stare. Do not respond harshly to these reactions. There is no malice or disrespect meant.
Indians are a curious bunch. They want to know as much about you and your country as you want to know about them and their country.
Do not be afraid to indulge the locals. If they give you an opening, insert yourself into their lives. This will give you a more interesting perspective of India.
Clothing
Watch what you wear. India is very different from Canada. People are conservative. You have to dress appropriately. Do not be surprised if your attire attracts hostility in some places. This is why you need to prepare.
Read ahead. Find out what Indians approve of and what they consider unacceptable. Try to remember that you are a visitor. Do not provoke the locals to anger.
