Travel tips India
During your stay in India you will have several opportunities for shorter and longer weekend trips around India. Also, many students choose to spend some time before or after the study periode traveling the region. We have gathered travelers stories from some of our previous students to spark your desire for some Indian adventures.
Åshilds suggestions for day trips
The study period in Pondicherry passes so quickly. Still, you can experience a lot during your stay. Even if you have classes every weekday it is possible to travel and see more of India. Most of the weekends you will be free to explore the country and you should really make the most of it! You will find busses from Pondicherry to all corners of the country leaving at all hours, so the options are many. A two hour bus ride to the North and you will find yourself in Mamallapuram - a charming little coastal city with backpackers, good surf and lovely seafood. The city is classified as a UNESCOs world heritage site and is best known for the many temples and ruins built between the 7th and 9th centuries. Compared to Pondicherry Mamallapuram is much calmer with less people and trafic. Recommended!
Suggestions for longer journeys
Bangalore
7 hours west of Pondicherry you will find Bangalore, India´s fourth largest city with more than 6 million inhabitants. Bangalore really has the feel of a big international city, with European brands, large shopping malls, sky scrapers and Hard Rock Café. When world renowned artists visit India, this is where they will hold their concerts.When I studied in Pondicherry autumn 2011, I got to experience Metallica´s first ever concert in India. It might be worthwhile to keep track of the tour dates for your favourite bands, just in case they decide to visit whilst you are there. For more information on what you can experience in Bangalore, I recommend this website: http://www.bangaloreindia.org.uk/index.html.
Ooty/Kerala
Half way through your stay you will get a long weekend from Thursday to Sunday and the opportunity to travel further and see more of wonderful India. From Chennai you can fly to all other Indian airports. Check out the Ooty jungel for some amazing nature experiences, or Kerala for some relaxation and peace of mind. More info: Ooty and Kerala
Mumbai
I strongly recommend traveling to Mumbai. We were five friends that spent our long weekend there and it really was an unforgettable experience. Mumbai has everything from extreme poverty to extreme wealth, from impressive buildings to some of the world´s largest slum areas. If you do end up going, a guided tour of the Dharavi slum is a must. For more info.
Kjerstis tips til lengre turer
Kodai
Kodaikanal, also known as Kodai, is a small and charming city high up in the Tamil Nadu mountains. The city is known for its beautiful nature and is a popular tourist destination, especially for Indians in need of a quiet escape from the busy everyday life of the big city. 
Traveling from Pondicherry to Kodaikanal is easy. You can travel by night bus and arrive just in time for the morning Chai.
Kodaikanal is a mountain city and most of all a place for great hikes. I recommend hiring a local guide that can take you on the best hikes and knows where to find the best views. One of the more popular hikes is the track to Dolphin´s Nose, named after the rock pointing out just like the nose of a dolphin. Being photographed balancing on the "nose" is a popular dare.If you are not that intrigued by hiking, hiring boats and sailing on the Kodaikanal Lake, situated in the middle of the city, is another popular past time. Or you could rent a horse and go for a horseback ride or bike around the lake. Kodaikanal is known for the locally produced chocolate, and you will discover several stalls around the lake filled with delicious chocolate. Well worth a taste!
Greenlands Youth Hostel has one of the best views in Kodaikanal. Having a sunrise breakfast at the hostel veranda is an idyllic experience. The rest of the hostel holds a reasonable standard. You can pay from 200 - 800 rupees depending on the room you choose. As there are several Tibetans in the city, you will find a lot of Chinese inspired food. When I visited, The Royal Tibet was one of the more popular restaurants, especially known for their spring rolls. Should you fancy Indian food, Hotel Astoria is known for their cheap thalis, priced between 40 and 60 rupees.
If you are not looking for big meals, I recommend the organic grocery store Eco.nut. After a few months in India the home made whole wheat bread will be particularly tempting. You will also find salads, cheeses and other locally produced food.
Rajasthan
If you are planning a longer journey through India before or after the semester in Pondicherry, Kjersti recommends taking a roundtrip in the Rajasthan region. Here the cities are known for their individual colours; Jaipur is the pink city, Jodpur the yellow and Jaisalmer the blue. You can go for overnight camel safaris in the desert, visit palaces and markets. Why not visit the astronomical observatory in Jaipur or take an elephant ride up to the grand Amber Fortress?
Learn more about Rajasthan.
Finally, some practical advice from Åshild
Don´t take the night bus on your own. If you book a "bed" for overnight train journeys, don´t expect more than a narrow matrass on what most Europeans would count as a hat rack. The matrass is for two, so bring a friend unless you are comfortable spooning a stranger. Smile and be open to get to know new people. All the Indians I met were really proud of their country and happy to share information and show us more of India. By getting to know the locals we got new cultural insight and experiences for life.