🇮🇳 Travel eSIM plans for India

India rewards travellers who slow down. In Rajasthan, wake early to see the Amber Fort before the heat and crowds arrive. At the Taj Mahal, go at sunrise when the marble glows pink. Kerala’s backwaters are best experienced on a private houseboat with a local crew who cook fresh fish from the canals. Varanasi’s ghats demand a quiet walk at dawn; skip the tourist boats and sit on the steps to watch pilgrims and priests perform puja. In the Himalayan hill stations such as Darjeeling and Shimla, skip the main mall and wander the narrow lanes where chai wallahs serve sweet milky tea. At Ranthambhore, book two safaris instead of one - the first light and the late afternoon - to maximise your chance of spotting a tiger. For connectivity, buy a local SIM from Jio or Airtel at the airport; India’s mobile data is cheap and reliable, and you will need it for maps, bookings, and payments.

India has 42 UNESCO World Heritage Sites, so choose carefully. These five represent the country’s range:

• Taj Mahal, Agra - Visit at sunrise on a weekday to avoid the longest queues. The mausoleum is closed on Fridays.
• Varanasi Ghats, Uttar Pradesh - Hinduism’s holiest city. Walk the Ganges riverfront at dawn and attend the Ganga Aarti ceremony at Dashashwamedh Ghat after sunset.
• Amber Fort & Hawa Mahal, Jaipur - The fort sits outside the city; combine it with a visit to the Palace of the Winds. Both are photogenic by late afternoon light.
• Kerala Backwaters - Hire a canoe with a local guide to see village life and migratory birds. Overnight houseboats are comfortable but book through a reputable operator.
• Ranthambhore National Park, Rajasthan - One of the best places in India to see wild tigers. Book safaris months in advance during peak season (October to March).

Indian food varies wildly by region. These five dishes are widely available and worth seeking out:

• Biryani - Fragrant layered rice with meat or vegetables. Hyderabad and Lucknow both claim the definitive version.
• Masala Dosa - A crisp fermented crepe filled with spiced potatoes, served with coconut chutney and sambar. Best in South India, especially in Bengaluru and Chennai.
• Butter Chicken (Murgh Makhani) - Creamy, mildly spiced tomato-based curry. Delhi’s Moti Mahal is the original, but good versions exist across the north.
• Pani Puri (Golgappa) - Crispy hollow shells filled with spiced water, tamarind and chickpeas. Eat them fresh from a street vendor; watch how locals eat first to avoid spillage.
• Thali - A platter with small portions of dal, vegetables, rice, bread, chutney and dessert. It gives you a sampler of regional cooking. Every state has its own thali.

Always drink chai from a vendor who boils the milk; avoid ice in drinks.

India’s climate varies dramatically, so timing matters. For most of the country, October to March is the most comfortable window. Rajasthan, Agra and Delhi are pleasant and dry during these months. Goa’s peak season also runs from November to February, when the humidity drops. Kerala and coastal South India stay warm year-round but the monsoon (June to September) brings lush landscapes and fewer tourists; just expect daily showers. For the Himalayan regions, summer is best. Ladakh, Spiti and Manali are accessible from June to September, with clear skies and moderate temperatures. The Zanskar Valley and Leh are best in July and August. Avoid visiting northern plains or Rajasthan in April to June unless you can handle extreme heat. The monsoon season (July to September) is good for Ayurveda treatments in Kerala, but not for beach holidays.

Packing for India means preparing for heat, dust, and modest cultural norms. Bring these essentials:

• Modest, lightweight clothing - Loose cotton trousers, long skirts and tops that cover shoulders and knees. Avoid tight or revealing clothes, especially at temples and mosques.
• Sturdy sandals or walking shoes - You’ll walk on uneven streets, temple floors and dirt paths. Sandals are easier to remove at temple entrances.
• A small medical kit - Include antiseptic wipes, plasters, oral rehydration sachets, paracetamol and anti-diarrhoea tablets. Pharmacies are common but you may not find your usual brands.
• Insect repellent - Mosquitoes are active at dusk and in rural areas. Choose a DEET-based repellent for high-risk malaria zones.
• A filtered water bottle - A bottle with a built-in filter (like Grayl or LifeStraw) lets you refill from taps safely, cutting plastic waste and expense.
• A travel eSIM - Buy an eSIM before departure so you can connect as soon as you land. India’s data networks are strong, but a local SIM takes paperwork and time.