Lonely Planet Discover India

Eight years ago I went to India for a month as a solo female. My Lonely Planet guide was not my sole source of travel information, but it was my main one by far. The book had everything (history, cultural information, glimpses into "real" life in all regions of India, safety tips, traditions and cautions - for instance don't offer someone your left hand; it's the one traditionally used in the bathroom), and was my guide before and during my trip. That book WAS my trip in many ways.The current incarnation of Lonely Planet is sorely, heartbreakingly inferior. It is not built for trekkers any longer - people who want to travel largely under the radar and/or on the cheap and/or see the country through the local's eyes. The old book had recommendations for nicer places to stay and touristy things to do, sure, but that wasn't its focus. This version of the book is quite the opposite.Instead of giving you information about everything you could want to know, this book seems to pick and choose what you want to know about and give you more information on it. There are whole sections of the country left out, for heaven's sake. The book is much thinner than my old version and each page is thicker to boot.Uttarkashi, one of my favorite towns in the north, is completely gone from the book, which doesn't give me much hope there'll be information about any other small gems or quiet places in the country. There is no mention of Gaumukh/Cow's head (considered the source of the Ganges, India's holy river and one of the most sacred pilgrimages an Indian can take) or the Ganges at all - they're not listed in the book's short index. Even the safety/travel tips are ridiculously lacking - there's not one mention of suggested dress for women travelling alone, for instance (dress like the locals girls - in most places saris are best and will get you treated with more respect, but you can get by with salwar kameez, too.)It's like this book was written for people with short attention spans, and has sacrificed greatly in richness and information because of it. I know what a good guide book is and should be, and this, put out there by the same group who put out my awesome book, is so sorely lacking it leaves a sour taste in my mouth. You couldn't pay me to travel with this crappy new version as a guide.I don't know what the best trekker's guide/non-tourist travel guide is these days, but this is not it. If you want a complete guide to this humongous country, don't buy this book. I did, and I want my money back.Sorry, Lonely Planet. You guys have lost something over the years. So disappointed.

I'm helping a friend plan their trip to India, which is causing me to relive and mentally plan another trip to India. As a fan of the DK Eyewitness series of books, I want a travel guide filled with lots of gorgeous photos and bright colors so I can start to jot down ideas and then get a more thorough reference book.The book is pretty comprehensive without being overwhelming - there's a list of top sights to see, nice color-coded sections based on sections. There's a lot of basics sections that some more traveled people will gloss over but I think a lot of people will find handy (safety, security and health, which is really important.) There are hotels and restaurants listed, but naturally they're a subset of what would be found in the more inclusive Lonely Planet India. And most importantly, this book will stir the imagination and make you want to get on the plane now. Some travel books kill that mood with presentation, but I think the Discover India is a winner.I think that Lonely Planet's Discover series of books are a hit, but are a tradeoff. They're excellent pocketable guides, and if you're going on a guided tour, this may be the only book you'll need. But as always, the more research you do before you go, the less headaches you'll have when you arrive.

This was our first time in India after traveling most of the World. Very soon after arrival we saw how complicated it can be and decided to hire a driver/guide for most of our trip.

Fine travel book with good illustrations

It was a gift to someone else so it is impossible for me to review it. I am sure the person to whom I gave it liked it.

Well, what can you say about this ? It's just love. Get a copy, and then GO !

I think that the book is stunning: good information, illustration photos and clear maps for all parts of India.

I've used the Lonely Planet guides before and this like those is an excellent resource. Covers all areas. so lacks some detail but still provides a good review of what to do and where to go.

This book is an excellent guide to plan your India trip and to carry in your hand luggage when you travel. It's very comprehensive, well-illustrated and contains a host of useful itineraries to build your program around. A pullout map of Delhi and Agra is also included. Too bad there isn't one of Mumbai, too. Dozens of good maps are scattered through its 450 pages, though, and city walks in Mumbai are well covered in the 25 pages dedicated to this city.I have the Nov 2011 edition and it's pretty up-to-date. The Need to Know section (page 48) offers numerous if very cursory tips for your Indian travels. Perhaps the best example of its elliptical prose is found under Mobile phones: "Use local networks to avoid expensive roaming costs". (In other words: get a local SIM card). There. It wasn't too hard to say, was it?

This book is a great overview for the main sites in India and has some fantastic first hand tips.If you are travelling around a specific region, you may want to consider an additional specific guide, particularly for a map.

Perfect book for first time travellers to India. It covers all the key areas and sights without providing too much information which would require a much bigger book.

Good as an overview with nice pictures, but without the detail of other Lonely Planets. I'm finding it usefult to get a taste of India, for independant travel the full LP would be adviseable but heavy to carry. Unfortunate that LP don't do a book on the the part of India I am visiting and it works out quite expensive to buy online chapters

Speedy delivery and product as show