Your Guide to Traveling India

There are all types of hotels in India- ranging from extremely expensive and very cheap. There are many lower budget hotels in big cities ($10 per night). Hotels for those with tight budges are not hard to come by. You can even stay in clean dormitories for as little as $1 per night.

For a middle priced hotel, prices range from $50 per night to $100 per night. A few choices are

• The Country Inn chain is expanding across India, including to Bhimtal, Haridwar, Ludhiana and Jammu.
• Neemrana resorts can be found in more desolate areas.
• Although it is quite expensive, you can stay in former maharaja's residence in Udaipur or modern five-star hotels which are now found pretty much all over the country.
• The highest end Indian luxury hotels are the Oberoi, Taj, and Sheraton India hotel chains, which can be found in all the major cities and throughout Rajasthan.
• Marriotts and Hyatts are also scattered through out India- many are 5-star hotels.

It is very important to stay in a hotel that you are confident is safe and clean, so as not to be subject to Malaria. Also, check to see whether the place where you are staying is air conditioned with sealed windows.

Dak bungalows are scattered throughout the country. They were built by the British traveling officials, but now they take tourists for a fairly low price. They are plain, un- air conditioned, but have showers and are quite clean. The gardens are quite beautiful, and there is usually a cook and soldier as a night watchman.

Dormitories are also available in all Indian train stations. They are cheap, clean, and secure. You can only stay at one of these lodgings if you have an arrival or departure train station from the station where you intend to stay, and there could be a limit to how many nights you can stay.