India

India is a vast country, and it's not unusual to have train journeys lasting over 30 hours. Even then, you may have only travelled half the country. Therefore planning itineraries can be tricky. Unless you have a good 6 months exploring India you have to concede defeat. You will not see it all, or even cover half what you want to do. Even with six months, there will still be more out there. The longer you spend in India, the more you find to explore, experience and enjoy.

The best advice I can give is to look at what it is you want to see and work around that. I have put together a blog on why I chose the Golden Triangle, which could be a helpful starting point.

I don't claim to be an expert in any language, including my own. However, I have, as we like to do, put a little table together to help you through some of the simple phrases as you backpack India. I hope you find it helpful. For all the native Hindi speakers, I'm so sorry if my pronunciations aren't on point. I'm trying.

If you plan to backpack India, you will require a visa unless you're from either Nepal or Bhutan, and even that comes with conditions.

Japanese and South Koreans can obtain a visa on arrival, which gives you up to 30 days of free movement here in India.

For the rest of us, you can obtain a 60 day e-visa. This option, along with a 30 day e-visa or a business visa, is for those Japanese and South Korean's wanting to stay longer, and for North and South Americans, European nationals, nationals of any Oceanian country, Russia, China, and several countries to the south of Africa, including South Africa itself.

Heads up, the 30-day e-visa must be applied for within 30 days before your entry date. You can't apply for the visa before that time, which I think this adds to the stress.

Costs are relatively cheap, I paid around ₹1,585 (£20. $25) for my visa. That said, the Indian authorities are notoriously picky about the photos and documents. If you have the money and want a stress free visa application, I highly recommend using Visa Genie. They are experts at getting your application through the process, and in a quick time frame. This though does come at a rather large cost. Prices for your visa through Visa Genie will just over double to around ₹5,400 (£55, $72).

When it comes to ports and borders, India is a mass of land borders, international airports, ports and many other entry points. There are more ways into India than I've had hot dinners. Most of these entry points are simply accessed, and as long as you have the required documents, shouldn't be any problem whatsoever.

That said, India wouldn't necessarily pop over to some of its neighbours to borrow some sugar. It's well documented that India's relationships with Pakistan and China are not overly neighbourly. There have been skirmishes from both sides, with continual battles leading to numerous deaths.

Thus, if possible, I would avoid land borders with both China and in north Pakistan, especially in the Kashmir region. Flying between these countries shouldn't cause any issues to 'foreign nationals'.

I'm not going to try and name all the international ports, as I would be here all day, as would you. We both have better things to be doing, like booking that dream tiger safari, or Taj Mahal tour.

Clothing and Shoes

Clothing is the biggest issue when it comes to what to pack for India. As mentioned, you'll need everything from warm and cosy to light and airy. Which, I know, is not ideal for any backpacker.

The varying terrains in India make for a footwear crisis. Firstly, you must have a pair of solid walking boots. Cobbled streets, mountains, grasslands and jungles cover India, and sadly a lot of these terrains are covered in sewage and rubbish. When it comes to these places, you don't want to be walking bout in a pair of shoes that could seep, if you get my drift.

That said, you will need a decent pair of flip flops (thongs to you girls and guys Downunder), as they are light, breathable and comfy, just how it should be.

When it comes to what to wear on your legs, you'll need to pack a mix of shorts and trousers. Yes, India can be hot, but it can also be chuffing freezing. A pair of jeans, a pair of waterproof trousers, and a pair of comfy trousers will do. That should have you covered for religious sites, cosy evenings and jungle treks. However, when it comes to shorts, three or four will be required, as you'll spend most of the day in them, and there is a real chance they will end up getting dirty.

Personally, whilst travelling Asia, I've always found vests, (aka singlets, aka 'wife-beaters') are best. They're light, easy to dry and are perfect for the humidity. India is no different.

You can pick them up in the markets cheaply, and when you head home, you can leave them in the hostel 'hand-on box' for the next person. Other than that, I suggest you bring around five T-shirts. You will often be hot, sticky and sweaty, not to mention dirty, so having a couple of back-ups will help. Similarly to the trousers, t-shirts will cover your shoulders, allowing you access to religious sites without having to rent a sarong.

In the mountains, and during those colder early mornings or late evenings, it's always nice to layer up. A warm hoody or cosy jumper is vital to surviving these conditions.

When it comes to coats and jackets, for me there are only two options, both of which I love and use when travelling: Regatta and North Face. Like a good backpack, they're pricey, but well worth the money.

I use my Regatta for wet warm conditions thanks to its lightweight feel and excellent waterproofing. Whereas the North Face comes with me for those drier, colder conditions, such as the Himalayas. Both are light, warm, and comfortable.

Electronics

India is full of precious moments, and there is nothing worse than not having the right kit to capture them. Worse still is having the kit, but running out of power. Due to India's vast size, you will often have to travel overnight, sometimes longer. Whilst some trains and coaches have electricity points, they aren't always working. Better still, some simply don't have electricity at all.

Consequently, my first recommendation is a portable charger. There's no point in backpacking India with all the gear, but not being able to use it. Charlie is our in-house tech nerd and recommends Anker portable batteries. You should be looking for something with a quick charge time, a minimum of 3 USB ports for charging multiple products at once, as well as something that would survive a drop or two.

If you have access to a power supply you're in luck. However, you will need a trusty travel adapter, ideally with as many USB ports as possible. We recommend this iBlockCube, because it's got tons of sockets, as there will be a time when you'll need to charge your camera, laptop and phone, and it's a case of more is better. As for its durability, we can vouch for that. Charlie is one clumsy son of a bitch, and his is still going strong.

Now that we have your gear charged, what else are you going to need?

As always, both Charlie and I use a Nikon D500 and would recommend them to anyone. This might be overkill for a lot of people, but if you're getting serious about photography, this and some decent lenses are top quality. Pretty much all the photos on this site are taken with that camera. Grab yourself a decent lightweight lens, such as the Sigma 17-50 F2.8 and a couple of memory cards with lots of space, ideally 128GB or more.

Alternatively, two small memory cards with a lightweight portable hard drive. Mine is a Seagate 2TB, and I haven't filled it yet. That way, you can empty your photos daily and keep your memory cards free.

Toiletries

So many times throughout my travels I've seen people injured or worse. Everyone just stands around and waits for a miracle. Be the person that can help: have a decent first aid kit with more than a plaster in. It could be used to save you too. When backpacking India, I would have to say don't skimp on the first aid.

Get yourself a small, compact, well-stocked pack, such as this little beaut from Amazon. What I like about this one is that you have a smaller, lighter case suitable for your day bag and hiking.

Bags

When it comes to backpacks, both Charlie and I always recommend either Berghaus or Osprey. You should aim to buy somewhere around 65 litres for your main bag, and something in the region of 15-20 litres for a day dag. These sizes do differ depending on height and strength. Whatever you choose, make sure it is comfy, has decent waterproofing, contains areas for a reusable water bottle, a camera, and has a safe or hidden area for your valuables.

Female Travellers

We understand that as two 'average guys' we cannot talk for you, and nor shall we. However, having spoken to a number of our female traveller friends about their thoughts on India, we can but pass on some advice from those who have been before

The main advice we've been given is about products containing whitening pigments such as moisturisers, and the occasional shampoos & shower gels. If working on that tan is something you want to do, bring moisturiser with you.

In general, if you have certain cosmetics that you're used to and like, bring them with you, because you may struggle to find them, or even a solid equivalent, whilst backpacking India.

Other

Again, due to India's size, and often the humidity and heat, you will always need a decent supply of water. However, as an ethical backpacker in India, you don't want to add to the already widescale environmental problems. So I urge you to buy a decent reusable bottle. My advice on bottles is to aim for sturdy, light, and close to hand. Charlie is the Far Out reusable bottles guru and as always recommends his Lifestraw. He even claims that it can turn puddle water into drinking water. Water that could save your life.

Travel insurance is a must when travelling to India. Health care in India is very hit and miss, and whilst those who can afford it have it, many are left to rot on the streets. The gap between the top 1% and the poverty-stricken is immense, and unfortunately is an overbearing memory of travelling the country.

Whilst I loved India, I'm not afraid to say there are many health hazards, from its lack of sanitary products to dangerous buildings, and dodgy electrical works throughout. All of these could kill you at a moments notice, as could the roads, which are a danger to anyone using them.

I would hate to think that anyone would travel to India without any form of travel insurance.

Injury and illness in India are relatively common for tourists, and for that reason, I have to say: GET TRAVEL INSURANCE!

Not only that, but check it covers India specifically, all possible risks, not just lost baggage or money.

Whilst it may be cheap and easy to backpack in India, unfortunately, I can not say it's eco-travelling. India is the third-largest polluter, behind only China and the USA, and in 2019, 21 of the world's top 30 polluting cities were in India.

Transportation, industry and farming combine to produce a massive 95% of the pollution in India, of which 27% comes from vehicles. Due to the distance between each town, city or National Park, you will need to take this outdated and highly polluting transportation. There is no way around that, although that doesn't mean you can't offset some of your carbon footprint. Numerous projects for planting trees, wildlife protection, and cleaning the rivers are becoming more and more popular. E.F.I are just one such organisation, should you wish to check them out.

Sadly, as you backpack India, you will see for yourselves that rubbish and single-use plastics are discarded where the user sees fit.

It may seem terrible, but education on this matter is only just starting to reach a lot of the Indian population. It isn't too late for India, despite the terrible facts and figures. But, that said, it is now or never.

No travelling ethically throughout Asia section would be complete without a mention of the wildlife. There is no place in this world for taking advantage of animals, and it is not something you will ever see here at Far Out.

Photos with drugged-up tigers, lions or other 'wild' animals should not be done. It's a dick move. See them in their natural habitat, it's far more thrilling.

We do understand that some animals are work animals, and that includes moving heavy loads or even riding. Here in India, the favourite animal to ride is the elephant. Whilst yes, they are large and carrying a puny human is more than likely a doddle, it's not something you will see us do or recommend. The elephants are often beaten, occasionally drugged and marched around the same short route carrying loud and excitable tourists. It isn't good for the elephants, who are some of the most intelligent animals on earth. Don't be a dick.

Firstly, as mentioned, due to having my 87-year-old great uncle with me, I opted for a tour. Thus I stayed in safe areas, and always had help whenever needed. I also consider myself fairly unflappable and don't scare easily. So I have a slightly different outlook to many.

I have, however, heard of horror stories, and people being put in situations where they have felt on edge.

When it comes to lone travellers backpacking India, especially lone female travellers, you find that you'll be paid extra attention. White, blond, blue eye-ed females will gain a lot of attention from men. Whilst this attention is not necessarily meant in a dangerous way, it can be annoying and a little unnerving.

Markets are about as annoying as it got for me as someone who has a low tolerance for bullshit. I did notice my great uncle received a lot of attention until I stepped in. So keep your eyes on your belongings, don't be forced into a stall or shop, and make sure you stand up for yourself.

Overall, you'll find whilst backpacking India it is a safe country, but it really is about being sensible. Do not put yourself in any situation where you feel unsafe or surrounded by people you don't want to be, especially if you have had a drink.

Remember, in general, the population of India is not overly wealthy. Be respectful, do not wear ridiculously expensive jewellery, or flash silly amounts of cash at markets.

Whilst it is well documented that humans have lived in India for over 50,000 years, the birth of India as you'd recognise it today is considered to have taken place during the Indus Vally Civilisation around 3,300BC.

Hinduism developed in India a few thousand years later around 1,500BC during the late bronze age. Since then, many other religions have graced the people of India, yet Hinduism has remained the number one religion in the country.

Over the years, India has been shaped by its religion as well as its rulers, especially in later years with the Mughal and British empires. The architecture during the Mughal empire includes some of India's most famous landmarks including the Taj Mahal, Agra Fort and the Hawa Mahal in Jaipur.

The European colonisers first claimed India during the 17th century, ending the magical Mughal empire. The Portuguese and the British then ruled over India until its independence in 1947, after World War II.

Since 1947 India's borders have moved numerous times due to numerous battles with both Pakistan and China.

In 2000 the population hit a billion and is today ever-growing, currently at 1.38 billion.