_{India is a huge and diverse country, with the rapid growth of tourism so has the number of scams perpetrated against foreigners.}

_{Don’t let this advice get you down. Most regular Indians are very kind and honest and the belief that “the traveler as a god” is still intact, just not by everyone. Others may believe that “the traveler is a walking ATM.”}
Tour groups

_{Over the last few years the myth that you need join a tour group has grown. Some offer "adventure tours", "senior tours" "student tours" etc. what ever people want to spend money on. The truth is that these tours are not really good value or even a good way of seeing India. t is particularly sad to see younger travelers get sucked into trekking or tour groups, robbing them of the experience of solo traveling.}

_{The problem is that they want to please the customer; they give him/her what they ‘think’ they want. The newbie tourist wants to see ‘everything’ in a short period of time. So the tour operator schedules a fast pace itinerary to cover many destinations every day. What happens is you are rushed through many places and end up not seeing much except the back of a bus. You sign up for the tour because of the ‘perceived value’ This is marketing not tourism. The average tourist is likely to become sick and very tired from the grueling schedule. The truth is that India takes time, and there are plenty of things to see in one state or one location for a few weeks.}

_{The tour groups offers tours any time or season, they don’t tell you it’s too hot, they know you want to see the Taj so they take you there, even though you'd are better off in a nice hill station such as Darjeeling or Kullu.}

The other big summer tour scam is up to Leh, Ladak. Leh is rightfully known as an exotic and fascinating place. But there is reason for this, it is "at the end of the earth." That is at 3500m you are likely to get altitude sickness flying up there. But this is how a tour works, fitting too much (what you think you want) into a short time, hence a tour. They don't care if you get sick. They don't care that it will take 2-3 days of doing nothing to maybe acclimatize. Actually it is better if you get sick - no refund!

So there is no magic in a tour group only misery, in ever case you are better of on your own. If you want to go to Ladak, go via Jammu, scrinagar and rest up first. Actually Ladak is just not a good idea for a short trip.

The ‘Golden Triangle’

_{So unfortunately named, the golden triangle (is actually Loa/Burma/Thailand highlands.) It has become a myth that these are the ‘must sees’ of India. Not true. In fact there are many equally impressive edifices, forts a ruins to be seen all over India. In stead of Rajasthan try MadhyaPradesh, instead of the Taj try Mandu, instead of Varansi try Omkershwar, instead of Jodhpur try Singee Fort, and instead of Kerela try Tamil Nadu.}

_{Follow this advice – do not fall for the hype. You'll have a much more authentic time in India. And may actually come back again.}

Guesthouse Recommendations

_{The problem you should be aware of is that in India when a place becomes listed in one of the popular guide books it usually goes down hill and fast. This is simple economics of supply and demand. If everyday they are turning people away, then why not raise the prices? Why do any maintenance? Why change the sheets? Why not hire a cheaply paid worker to take care of things?}

Rickshaw drivers

_{“Yes sir only 100 Rs” BUT, when you get there he’s asking for 150, 200 or more rupees! Now it “took longer” price of fuel etc. They are not afraid to cause a scene and say “oh yes you owe me more money!” Don’t be afraid to stand up to them either. Don’t get scammed. In India, the customer is always right. If the rickshaw driver tries to over charge you just don’t pay, there is nothing he can do, the police would always side with the foreigners (they know what rickshaw driver are like!) Just walk away, shove the money into his pocket first.}

_{With pre-paid taxis, you pay first and they five you a receipt with a taxi number on it. You go outside and find the number of the taxi, make sure you hold onto the receipt until you arrive, the driver gets this only after he has taken you to the correct destination. Often it is easier to drop you off at the nears intersection rather than right at the guesthouse door, don’t agree! It might be the wrong place all together.}

_{“Take me to the bus stand…” Often there is more than one bus stand in a give town or city, make sure it is the right one that has you bus or you might have to go across town to again.}

_{In fact guest house owner will do this as well. The might try to charge you for extra tax, phone calls or late checkout fees; they might change the room rate. Sometimes it can be legitimate (always look for the check out time or ask about extra taxes) but they always seem to try. What do they have to lose? You are leaving anyways and probably never to return}

_{Don't get pushed around by Rickshaw driver or guest house managers.}

Touts

_{As a foreigner you will be a magnet for scams, particularly in the “golden triangle” or other popular tourist spots.}

_{Remember that in India there is always a ‘baksheesh’ system. Anyone guiding you to a guest house, shop or tour will take a commission after your gone, often for everyday you stay there. Make sure you avoid any touts, like a contagious disease. This included private car drivers.}

_{A good way to et rid of them is to say “Ja, Ja, Ja” this means “go go go” as in go away. Also wave your hand in front of their face is a good way to communicate that you want nothing to do with them.}

Booking in advance

_{Another myth is that one must book in advance always. While this may be true sometimes, you should be aware what can happen as a result.}

_{The room you book many not be available, this is because the guest house has not received payment from the traveler, and has no credit card processing facilities. So the guest house takes a risk that you won’t show up and thus losing money. So the end result is that you have a reservation (as long as no one else comes first!)}

_{The other problem is that they are likely to provide you with the worst room in the building, Indian managers have way of doing this, they always try to give you the worst room first, so they can rent the better ones latter for a better price.}

_{Also the price you get will always be high, to help compensate for the travelers who made reservation and didn’t show up.}

_{In conclusion, I recommend that you only book in advance when it is absolutely necessary, such as when there are very few accommodation in a particular town or village or there is big festival going on such Divali. Other wise we suggest that you go on your own and follow common sense when picking accommodations.}

Car and driver

_{The car a driver myth has grown in popularity, probably an off shoot of the tour group myth.}

_{There is no need for a car and driver in India unless you have to go to remote villages for some reason (such as work.) Trains are much fast and safer. Yes safer is an important concern. Road accidents are very common in India. Cars provided to tourist are often very cheap variety, with thin metal build, these cars or vans cost below 5k and are not built to western standards.}

_{The driver will take you to various commission guesthouse and restaurant so they will be sapping money out of you every chance they get. Do you really want to spend you holiday with a 24 hour tout?}

_{Buses are also safer. If you need to go somewhere, where no train goes, simply hire a TAXI when you get there. Taxis will be far cheaper in the end. Traveling by train or bus is also an excellent way to interact with the real India, so don’t miss it. Don’t fall for the tour agency hype; it will cost you more and even your health in the end. Don't be scared to travel locally on your own, you'll miss the whole deal.}

Volunteer Agencies

_{Some charity organizations do very good work, while others it is debatable. It has become a business over the years to provide “volunteer tourism.” Beware of unscrupulous agencies that offer little except a scam to take your money and do some busy work. A red flag is anytime you are asked to pay to volunteer.}

_{In general visit India first with your own money, learn about the country and culture, then think about volunteering.}

Need milk for baby

_{A common beggar tactic is congregate around a popular tourist area, such a Paharganj in Delhi, or Mcleod Ganj in Dharmasala or Shutter St in Calcutta, various locations in Goa etc. Female beggars for female tourists.}

_{In India many of the beggars are control by a mafia that may even maim a beggar so they can get high donations.}

_{You often see women carrying a baby asking tourists to buy them milk etc.}

_{Avoid giving to beggars that target tourist. If you want to donate, give to a local temple instead. Temples in India, in my experience, do some of the best and most effective community service work. Such as the Sikh Gurdwara, they supply million of free vegetarian meals across India every day! Now that's a real charity.}

Fake Tourist office

_{Beware of fake tourist offices! This is common scam in Delhi, if you arrive late a night and hire a pre-paid taxi, they will often try to take you “tourist office” saying that all the guesthouse are closed and you must check in there and they will help you find a room etc.}

_{In India, especially in a big city or town, guest houses always have a night manager on duty. The Manager can always be awaken in the middle of the night to supply you with a room, this is the normal practice in India. So don't worry about "prebooking your first night." What will you do the second night?}

_{The “tourist office” is just an agency with the words “Tourist office” painted on the outside. The scam ensues by you sitting there, while your taxi driver waits outside (for his baksheesh) and the agent make a fake phone call to his friend and finds a crappy, over prices guest house, often asking you to pay in advance there and then.}

_{Even if your fist time in India, put your foot down with the driver. You may have to show some strength and little anger, even a bit threatening. A good tactics is to say that you need to go to the New Delhi railway station to catch a train, from there you can walk or take another cycle rickshaw to where you want to go. New Delhi station is in Paharganj.}

_{Lastly the taxi driver will always say your choice of guest house is full or closed etc. It not that hard to do on your own, you don’t need to arrange an “airport pick-up” just know the tricks and you won’t get burned.}

Fake products

Beware of Fake products in India. Always check the plastic wrap on bottled water!

Buy known brands with ISO certificate on the bottle.

Pashmina shawls are often fake synthetic. Tip: use a match to burn a thin strand of fiber, synthetic polyester will smell like burning plastic!

Avoid anything that comes in a package.

Chai and other fast food

_{Chai (milk tea) is can be diluted with local water. Not that the water is full of bacteria it is just that it doesn't make for a good tasteing tea.}

_{Fried food such as samosa or puri can be fried in old reused grease (known to be carcinogenic) Avoid fast food served by unknown sources such as around the train station. Avoid fried foods.}

House boat scams – Kashmir

_{These scams are over 20 years old but people still keep falling for it! Dal lake is now full of pollution, the fabled Shangri-La is now a dump! Well not all of it anyways. Just don’t book a house boat in advance with a ‘direct bus’ to Shrinagar. The direct bus is actually the local bus, and will take a long, long time. Beware of Kashmirs in general, some are can very bad and very skilled at manipulating foreigners, probably from decades of war in there home land. Never pay in advance.}

Jeweler, fabric, clothing scam

_{You’d think people would know by now, but it still happens. “We will ship you the order tomorrow” “Send us the money and we will ship you the rings or t-shirt (or whatever) to your country”}

_{The shipment will never arrive! The foreigner is always at a lost, often heart broken. But foreigners have lots of money, right?}

_{Keep in mind most of the cheap junk you find in India, can be found at home or on ebay at a cheaper price. It never looks as good when you get it home anyways.}

Liars

Be skeptical of Indians you have just meet, no matter who there are…remember “Don’t trust anyone further than you can throw him” and “A fool and his money is so to part.”  Understand that they maybe just wagging their heads in agreement, when late they will say otherwise.

Ripped money, Rupee notes.

Ripped and torn notes are not accepted in India and can be difficult to change back into real money. They will give a foreigner a bunch of notes and slip a few ripped ones in the middle. Be cautious when changing money or receiving change.

Correct Change

Always count your change!

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3.22 Copyright (C) 2007 Alain Georgette / Copyright (C) 2006 Frantisek Hliva. All rights reserved."