India

This guide has been researched and written from scratch by a team of India writers who spent two years on the road in the sub-continent. They have explored and described mountains and deserts, rarely visited valleys and islands, city slums and ancient temples. All the authors have lived in India for long periods; one spent the first 18 years of his life there. All speak local languages and between them have studied India's history, belief systems, society and music. Their accounts are intended to illuminate the country for intelligent and inquisitive travellers, enabling visitors to break away from the usual enclaves of backpackers and guided tours and experience India at first hand. "The Rough Guide" reflects the changing faces of Indian life and Indian tourism, steering travellers away from the trouble spots such as Kashmir and the over-touristed resorts, towards relatively unvisited areas such as the deserts of Rajasthan, Kerala, the Northeastern Hill States and Ladakh. It contains hard practical information for all budgets, and a special emphasis is placed on public transport.