What budget for activities and outings North India?

In India, for visits to paying sites, there are rates for locals (quite low) and rates for foreigners, so don't be offended (even if the price variations are sometimes exorbitant! If that's the case, you may as well move on...).

Discounts for children. For many sites, including national parks, monuments and certain museums, admission is half-price for children under 13. Admission is often free for children under 6.

Ecotourism. Treks, hikes, climbing, rafting, paragliding, zip-lining and other activities are available in Himalayan regions and nature reserves. If you're a nature lover, the national parks will bring you into direct contact with the country's lush flora and fauna.

Wellness. You'll find many activities linked to physical, mental and spiritual well-being: yoga, meditation, ayurvedic massages and treatments, ashram retreats... If you're interested in yoga or Ayurveda, many establishments offer training courses, from the most superficial to the most advanced.

Remain vigilant when entrusting your credit card to a merchant. No matter how friendly and honest they may seem, don't take your eyes off your card.

To start your stay in the country, you'd be well advised to stop by your hotel reception desk and ask for change for a few 10 and 20 rupee bills, for any tips you may need...

Keep small denominations and coins handy to pay for local transport and small everyday purchases, as shopkeepers are often short of change. What's more, if you're haggling, it's not a good idea to pay with a large bill...

Tickets for the Sound and Light Show at monuments under the aegis of ASI cost around Rs 200.

Nightclubs are rare in the north of the country , and can only be found in Delhi and certain very touristy cities such as Manali. Entrance fees are high, around Rs. 5,000 for a single person (with very little chance of getting in if you're not a regular customer...) and much less for a couple.

What budget to eat North India?

A meal in a dhaba, a small restaurant, won't cost you much more than a hundred rupees. For a more traditional restaurant, you should expect to pay between Rs 250 and Rs 500, depending on your appetite. In the best restaurants, prices can reach (but rarely exceed) Rs. 1,500 per person. Many restaurants in India are vegetarian, and in some sacred cities such as Rishikesh or Pushkar, it's downright impossible to find meat or alcohol.

Many restaurants are not licensed to sell alcohol. As a result, it's rare to be able to accompany a meal with a glass of wine (very expensive and bad) or a beer, with the exception of restaurants for tourists or at the tables of large hotels.

Smaller restaurants generally do not accept payment by credit card, but some now accept payment via an app (GooglePay or similar). Mid-range and high-end restaurants almost all accept payment by credit card.

Alcohol is relatively expensive in most Indian states, but less so in the Union Territories. All strong spirits are distilled in the country: vodka, whisky, gin, rum, but they are generally of poor quality. You can also find wine produced in the Nashik region of Maharashtra or around Bangalore. It's fairly expensive (Rs. 1,000 for a bottle in stores) and of average quality. Beer is also brewed in India. Imported spirits are available in major cities and boutique hotels.

Prices for an espresso or cappuccino in hotels or cafés are much the same as in France. That said, you're in the land of tea, so make the most of it! Prices are considerably lower in street stalls and other small shops.

What is the budget for accommodation North India?

The major tourist centers offer a vast choice of hotels, with something to suit every budget and taste. The prices quoted are for a double room in high season. But they should be treated with caution. India is no exception to the worldwide inflation trend. Generally speaking, the cleanliness of budget hotels has improved, especially in establishments catering mainly to foreign tourists. The abundance of hotels guarantees healthy competition, which keeps prices down. However, the introduction of a federal tax to supplement the local tax in 2017 is driving up prices for the end consumer, particularly in luxury establishments. The tax is 28% for rooms priced over Rs. 7,500, 18% for rooms priced between Rs. 2,500 and Rs. 7,500, and 12% for rooms priced between Rs. 1,000 and Rs. 2,500 per night. Most establishments display prices exclusive of tax, in order to remain attractive.

Some small towns are singularly lacking in hotel and tourist infrastructure, as is the case in the major pilgrimage centers (Dwarka, Mathura, Haridwar...) where Indians come for the day or sleep in dharamsalas, basic hostels for pilgrims.

Travel budget North India and cost of living

While the cost of living in India is not high, it is noticeable that the cost of living is increasing quite significantly.

For €25 a day, you can stay in India in Spartan conditions: you'll have to sleep in the cheapest guesthouses (with beds that are often hard as wood and sometimes of dubious cleanliness), travel in second-class buses or trains, and eat only basic street food or in local restaurants. In some cities, however, you can find decent places to sleep at low prices.

With €30 to €70 , you can sleep in mid-range hotels, eat out regularly, travel without counting the kilometers, take cabs and treat yourself to extras from time to time. It's a budget that will give you a very comfortable stay.

For more than €80 a day , you can stay in chic hotels and restaurants and fly domestic routes.