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10 best India travel books

You will often hear people saying; that India is a dirty, filthy place full of beggars with terrible food – why on earth would you want to go there? Don’t let them put you off. India is undoubtedly one of the most colorful countries in the world with friendly people, great food, trek-able mountains, valleys, beaches, deserts, tiger reserves, culture, extremely eccentricity, tribal villages, tropical forests, great history, making India one of the most visited placed on the planet. In fact – it’s a museum.

If you are planning a vacation in India and know little about the country then why not buy a book on India. These books can be quite useful in providing information about India, places to visit, what to eat, where to stay on. Here are some of the best travel books on India.

Rough guide to India: One of the best guides to India. In fact, these Rough Guide Books competes with the Lonely Planet guides. These books are courageously honest about the places. The book every aspect of India from its history, language, politics, culture, food, corruption, bribes, sex, drugs and Bollywood movies and much more. It’s one of the most complete and comprehensive guide to India.

India (Lonely Planet Travel Guides): This is a very popular and a must guide if you are planning a trip to India for the first time. The book contains traveler maps, guide to places to stay and eat for all budgets, great health information for travelling to India, history, about the use of transportation in India and even has a section on India’s religions.

Frommer’s India: This is a classic guide book that plans your journey from the start. It is a useful book if you are looking tips to travelling in India. It does cover a large amount of detail from where to stay, what to eat, driving in India, how to prevent yourself from being ripped off and how to spend your limited time in India.

Enjoying India: This is one of my books! I think this book is a must if you are planning a trip to India. Some people visit India but have no idea what to do and what to eat. In this book I have covered the things to do and things to eat when you are there. This book will give traveler knowledge to navigate this vast land and make the best out of India.

India Bites You Somehow – True-Life Tales: This book contains stories about those westerners who have stayed in India. This book is a collection of interesting true life experiences from 40 people from 19 countries who have travelled to India. It’s not a guide book to India as such but it provides a glimpse into the spiritual lives of Indian people. For those who have not set their foot on India and still considering if to visit or not, then this book will connect you to India like no other. These life experiences of various travelers from around the world will surely open your eyes and heart about India.

Holy Cow: An Indian Adventure: when Sarah MacDonald when to India for the first time, she had made her mind up that she hated India. When a beggar at the airport looked at the fate lines on her hand and told her that she would return. However after 12 years she returned with her reporter boyfriend. This is her travelogue about the description of pollution, dirt and chaos of India.

Wanderlust and Lipstick: For Women Traveling to India: This book has been written taking women travelers in mind. This book highlights the culture of India and suggests travel tips such as how to be safe, what to wear, how to deal with poverty, how to keep personal belongings safe, list of Hindi words and advice from women who have traveled abroad.

Other travel guide books for India worthy of note:

DK Eyewitness Travel Guide: India
India – Culture Smart!: The Essential Guide to Customs & Culture
Fodor’s Essential India: with Delhi, Rajasthan, the Taj Mahal & Mumbai

Remember, travel guide books are for information only. Many of the books go out of date. Not all of them will always be accurate by the time of your visit. In addition, travel is very subjective and they are subject to prejudice. Mark Twain once said, “Travel is fatal to prejudice, bigotry, and narrow-mindedness.” Some people just make their own minds through the lens of their own prejudice. So why not take a guide book with you to help you out for the pollution, filth, chaos and the inequality that awaits you.

By the way, I have recently published another book on Indian culture. It will be useful for those wanting to learn about the culture and traditions of India. To find more about this book click here.  Let me know if I have missed anything.

Finally

You might wish to check out my India travel guide book.  Some of this things covered in this book include how to stay safe and healthy, how to communicate effectively, how to avoid cultural blunders, accommodation needs, how to bargain effectively when shopping, how to get a seat on a fully booked train, coping with India and so on.

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