Foreigner prices can be found at tourist attractions all over the world – and the ethos behind it makes sense. You have more money so you pay more. It happens in South America, the Middle East and in African countries….
A quick guide to temple etiquette for the major world religions
An important aspect of ethical travel is having sensitivity towards other cultures and an awareness of the correct etiquette when visiting religious establishments. This is a list of the most popular world religions by the number of worshippers and ones…
How to avoid snakes and what to do if you get bitten
It’s pretty unlikely that you’ll get bitten by a snake as the old adage that they’re more scared of you than you are of them is generally true. However, avoiding snakes is important, especially if you’re afraid of them, or…
The good, the bad and the ugly about visiting Delhi in North India
Like any capital city in the world, I could write you a travel guide all about the many things to do in Delhi. I could varnish over the truth of backpacking in North India, but it’s always more interesting to…
11 top tips for dealing with monkeys while travelling in Asia and beyond
I’ve always been a big fan of monkeys and I’ve even worked with them, but travelling in South Asia really tested that love at times! While in South Asia I encountered moments of aggression or harassment in Nepal, India and…
5 tips for dealing with stray dogs while travelling
I absolutely love dogs but stray dogs can be a nuisance when travelling, especially if you don’t encounter unfriendly dogs at home. I’ve had wonderful experiences with dogs on my various trips, but I’ve also encountered aggressive dogs, especially in…
Backpacker Confessions: The worst journey that I ever went on in India
People react in different ways when you tell them that you’re going to India as the perception of this country is so polarised. They assume that you’ll either find yourself or that you’ll spend the trip in abject misery. If…
How to see the Hampi ruins and the bear sanctuary on a budget
Hampi is easily one of the best places to see in South India and somewhere you’ll always remember, its a beautiful setting with UNESCO-listed ruins and its a major backpacker stronghold. It’s famous as it was the last capital of…
5 reasons why getting an ‘elephant blessing’ in India is unethical
Asian elephants have been used in temples in India since 8,000 BC as a symbol of Lord Ganesha and I had no idea how common this practice was or how poorly treated they were until I came to India. While…
How not to see Asiatic lions at Sasan Gir National Park in Gujarat
I was very good at avoiding the common tourist pitfalls during our months in India, but when it came to trying to see the Asiatic lion in Gir National National Park in Gujarat, I became massively unstuck. I’m going to…
How to see the Ajanta Caves on a backpacker budget
I enjoyed the UNESCO-listed Ajanta Caves and it was one of my favourite places that I visited in South India so I’m going to tell you how to see them on a backpacker budget including transport and accomodation. We got a sleeper…
Fatehpur Sikri: How to have the best day trip from Agra on a budget
If you’re in Agra visiting the Taj Mahal, then why not go on a day trip to visit the UNESCO-listed ancient city of Fatehpur Sikri which is arguably more impressive than Agra Fort and it can be cheaper. Read this…