Climate

1. The best time to travel and explore Delhi and India generally is from October through to March as the temperatures are milder with average temperature ranges typically between 5 °C to 30°C.  Day time temperatures are typically between 21 & 30°C (70-86°F). The summer season begins in April and ends in June, with temperatures soaring in the mid to high 40’s during the day and minimum temperature of 20’s in the early mornings.  Delhi also suffers from seasonal monsoons, with the rains coming in early July till the end of September.

Health & Hygiene

1. Keep healthy.  Ensure you get all relevant vaccinations before travelling, particularly for mosquito borne issues such as Dengue.  Always carry and use a good quality insect repellent as an additional preventative measure.
2. Hygiene is typically poor in India compared to home, so food and water borne illnesses are common.  Best ways to avoid traveller’s diarrhoea is to eat freshly cooked food and eat in restaurants with a high turnover of customers and food.  Avoid drinking tap water, bottled and RO filtered water is readily available.

Safety

1. Never leave important travel documents unattended in your room.  Most hotels now have in room safety deposit boxes for your valuable and important papers.
2. Carry a copy of important documents with you like passport, visa and credit card/ traveller cheque details.  
3. Beware of touts and pickpockets in crowded areas like local markets and on public transport and bus/ rail terminals

Customs, Culture and Responsible Travel

1. Respect local customs, especially in temples (such as removing shoes and wearing adequate clothing).  Delhi is a great city of people watching and photography, please be aware, you may unknowingly offend people, however, more often than not, you’ll hear the phrase “Ek Photo please ”, if so, click away! 

Shopping

1. Delhi is spoilt for choice for shopping, either in local markets, street stalls or big shopping malls.  For great shopping hangouts for locals and visitors to pick up some great bargains;  visit Connaught Place, Janpath, Chandi Chowk, Dilli Haat, INA wet and dry markets,  Karol Barg, Sarojini Market, Bengali markets, Palika Bizzare.  For up market and brand name goods, head towards Khan market, Vasant Kunz, South Extension markets and Greater Kalish (GK).
2. Always try to shop from local markets which will encourage and helpful in achieving goal of responsible travel.

Brush up on your negotiating skills. Bargaining at the markets is not just a game here,  it’s part of life.   

Travelling Around Delhi & Beyond

1. Delhi’s Metro network has revolutionized getting around Delhi and it’s environs, fares are cheap, the trains are modern and clean and train departures are frequent, typically every 10 minutes.  With the Commonwealth Games being held in 2010, construction of new routes to the International Airport and satellite cities Gurgaon and Noida are near completion.
2. For the adventurous and those who really like to experience a Real Life experience, hop on the DTC bus net-work, or hail down and cycle rickshaw (soon to be phased out) or an Auto (Tuk-tuk).  A great and inexpensive way to explore parts of New and Old Delhi

Some auto rickshaws and taxis are metered, if not, make sure you agree on a price before starting the journey.

1. If your travel plans take you outside Delhi, Delhi is connected to other major cities by a reliable and affordable national rail network.  Some of the trains, like the Shatabi Express, is a super fast train connecting Delhi to Agra in under 3 hours. The four main stations in Delhi are

1. The Old Delhi Station
2. The New Delhi Railway Station
3. Nizamuddin Station &
4. Delhi Sarai Rohilla 

Contact us for further travel assistance in booking your rail tickets.

1. Whilst self drive options are becoming an option, it is not advisable.  There are numerous private taxi companies in Delhi.

Contact us for further travel assistance in recommending and booking a reliable, safe and professional taxi company.

1. life.  Keep a smile on your face though and bring plenty of low denomination notes.