- Paperback: 736 pages
- Publisher: Rough Guides; 3rd Revised edition edition (27 Nov 2003)
- Language English
- ISBN-10: 1843531038
- ISBN-13: 978-1843531036
- Product Dimensions: 19.7 x 13 x 2.6 cm
- Average Customer Review: 4.5 out of 5 stars See all reviews (2 customer reviews)
- Amazon Bestsellers Rank: 738,757 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
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Product Description
Amazon.co.uk
The Rough Guide to India is, of necessity, one of the more comprehensive books in the series, covering areas from Goa and Karnataka to Andhra Pradesh and the Andaman Islands. The Rough Guide series, of course, promises to broaden your horizons -- and that is precisely what it does. With this guide (exhaustively and authoritatively compiled by David Abram, Nick Edwards and Mike Ford) the traveller can explore every corner of South India utilising the clearest maps of any available guide. Photography has always been a key element of the Rough Guides series (more so than any of its rivals), and that is particularly the case here -- the images selected here are not numerous, but intelligently chosen (although some may regret the small size -- necessary, no doubt, because of the extent of text).
Despite its uncertain borders, few will argue that South India, the tapering tropical region of the peninsular, offers a marked contrast to the landlocked north. In the pages of this book, you will be taken to the sultry humidity of Chennai, the Coconut Grove of the South and the luminescent rice paddies. Everything that the traveller might possibly need is here (from topography to cuisine), couched in prose that is far more elegant than you will find in any rival guide. --Barry Forshaw --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.
Review
NO SELF-RESPECTING INDEPENDENT TRAVELLER CAN BE WITHOUT A COPY OF THE ROUGH GUIDE
The Guardian, London
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Customer Reviews
Most Helpful Customer Reviews
64 of 64 people found the following review helpful
Format:Paperback
I'd bought my flight tickets, travel insurance and the all important Visa for entering India. Next on the list was the guide book. It was a choice of this one or the Lonely Planet guide book.
Both were published around the same time, and I've used both before for different countries, so I'm happy with their layout and content. However, choosing the right guide this time seemed far more difficult.
Both contained detailed information about the places I plan to visit. However, I found some bits were present in one book, but not the other, and vice-versa. In the end I decided to go for both books. I'm travelling in South India for 3 months, so I thought it would be worth the luxury of having two guides.
Having read both now, I can confirm that both are indeed excellent and each would provide an excellent insight into an amazing country.
Just to prove my point however, here is one example of an item (that I think is critical) that differ in books.
Apart from a small section dedicated to 'Todas', the Rough Guide doesn't really mention trekking in Ooty, which is one of the highlights of the region. Lonely Planet dedicates just under half a page to this essential activity.
Anyway, I don't expect both books to be the same, and here is a summary of the strengths of each book, I hope this might help you decide which book to buy:
Lonely Planet.
Travelling around by train.
Essential information.
Maps.
Rough Guide.
At a glance section on Highlights of South India.
History of India and its regions.
Food and drink.
All in all, I don't think you'd go wrong with either guide and wish you a safe a pleasant journey through this magical country.
27 of 28 people found the following review helpful
Format:Paperback
More interesting to read than Lonely Planet with lots of good descriptions of places, events, culture etc but best used as a supplement guide since it doesnt have enough info regarding the nitty-gritty details about hotels and transport
Most Helpful Customer Reviews on Amazon.com (beta)
Amazon.com:
5 reviews
11 of 11 people found the following review helpful
Great guide, better than LP
7 Jun 2008
Format:Paperback
I have been travelling for a couple of weeks through Kerala, Tamil Nadu and Karnataka using the Rough Guide, together with a friend who had the Lonely Planet to South India. Overall I found the RG a very good guide, both in terms of practical information (maps, transportation, budget hotels) as well as for providing sufficient background information about the temples in that region (which is definitely not the case for the LP!).
17 of 19 people found the following review helpful
Rough Guides are the best there is
30 Nov 2009
Format:Paperback|Amazon Verified Purchase
I've tried other India guides, but rough guides are definitely the best. My husband and I were travelling travelling South India independently in Nov of 2009. We got a prepaid sim card and booked hotels along the way using all the guides recommendations. The guide gives good background information and helps you stay out of trouble. I especially like the public transport information.
Tips:
-Most upscale hotels have to booked well in advanced in India. If your budget is under $50 you can basically walk into a place to see it before deciding. Most hotels are located next to one another so it's easy to find another one. Bargain hard, the economy has slammed this part of the world. When possible call for a driver to pick you up if you arriving by bus or train, they will do it gladly, and you won't have to haggle with the drivers or go on a joy ride.
-Drivers will take you to the places that offer the best commission. Sometimes these places are good, most of the time they aren't. It's up to you, get a cut of the commission, and don't take no for an answer.
-Book train tickets well in advance or you'll be riding in cattle car with the locals. Don't be cheap about transportation, you didn't go on vacation to skimp, every seat you hog up in 3rd class is a seat you take away from someone that cannot afford more.
-All nice stores pay $1 to the driver for bringing you to their shop, and the driver gets 10% of your purchase. Keep your luggage light and don't buy their junk.
-When in India eat Indian food.
-Be respectful of their beliefs, you don't want a tourist taking pictures of you while you are praying in your place of worship.
-Go with no judgement, don't expect it to be like home, or say that it should be like home. It's not, it's India, and it's a very special place that will hopefully never look like home.
-If you a female going to a beach, expect young men to take photos of you. There's nothing you can do about, other then go to a beach where no one else goes. Stay away from Baga Beach in Goa if this bother you. I loved Benellium Beach right next to the airport and train station.
-Bring insect repellent, if you can bring a net or racket. There is no need to take malaria pills unless you are going to be in the woods for an extended period, but most cities are just fine. UV water sterilizer can be handy. Combination padlock to bolt your own door, sleeping sacks, sun screen, & this book.
-Travel light.
Tips:
-Most upscale hotels have to booked well in advanced in India. If your budget is under $50 you can basically walk into a place to see it before deciding. Most hotels are located next to one another so it's easy to find another one. Bargain hard, the economy has slammed this part of the world. When possible call for a driver to pick you up if you arriving by bus or train, they will do it gladly, and you won't have to haggle with the drivers or go on a joy ride.
-Drivers will take you to the places that offer the best commission. Sometimes these places are good, most of the time they aren't. It's up to you, get a cut of the commission, and don't take no for an answer.
-Book train tickets well in advance or you'll be riding in cattle car with the locals. Don't be cheap about transportation, you didn't go on vacation to skimp, every seat you hog up in 3rd class is a seat you take away from someone that cannot afford more.
-All nice stores pay $1 to the driver for bringing you to their shop, and the driver gets 10% of your purchase. Keep your luggage light and don't buy their junk.
-When in India eat Indian food.
-Be respectful of their beliefs, you don't want a tourist taking pictures of you while you are praying in your place of worship.
-Go with no judgement, don't expect it to be like home, or say that it should be like home. It's not, it's India, and it's a very special place that will hopefully never look like home.
-If you a female going to a beach, expect young men to take photos of you. There's nothing you can do about, other then go to a beach where no one else goes. Stay away from Baga Beach in Goa if this bother you. I loved Benellium Beach right next to the airport and train station.
-Bring insect repellent, if you can bring a net or racket. There is no need to take malaria pills unless you are going to be in the woods for an extended period, but most cities are just fine. UV water sterilizer can be handy. Combination padlock to bolt your own door, sleeping sacks, sun screen, & this book.
-Travel light.
8 of 8 people found the following review helpful
Indispensable
26 May 2008
Format:Paperback|Amazon Verified Purchase
I used this guide on a recent study abroad trip to Bangalore. It was indispensable for traveling alone (i.e. without the guidance of a local). For example, on a weekend trip to Chenni (Madras) it helped me find the only place in the city with a plethora trees and gardens - The Theosophical Society grounds - as well as make my way around the city and get to a high class restaurant when I was craving comfort food. It also provides little bits of local knowledge; for intance, it tells the story of how J. Krishnamurti was 'found' by the Theosophists on the beach and recognized as the 'enlightened one'- where else would you find that information?! I would have been lost if I didn't have this guide, or relied on the National Geographic India guide my parents gave to me. I don't know about restaurants or hotels as I didn't use it too much for that purpose, but it listed all of the major bookstores in the area, even some that my host mother (raised in Bangalore) didn't know about!
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