How to Pack for India

chillibreeze writer — Swati Rajgarhia

Need an editable PowerPoint map of India

If you are thinking about traveling to India, brace yourself to plunge into much more than you bargained for. India is more than just the land of snake-charmers, mysticism, and stray animals running on the roads. It is an emergent economy and an ancient civilization that promises diverse scenic beauty, heritage monuments, and opulence and adventure. However, it is important to consider what to pack when you visit India. Here are some suggestions for your packing list to make your trip comfortable.

Travel Documents & Money
Before you pick out your clothes, accessories, and other essentials, get your travel documents in place! Get one of those neat folders for your passport (with the visa), airline tickets, travel and medical insurance papers, vaccination certificates, international driving license, and traveler's checks. Credit cards are widely accepted in major cities and ATM machines are commonly found even in small towns. But it would be wise to carry some currency that you can exchange for Indian rupees for immediate use when you arrive at the airport in India.

Luggage
If you are scheduled to stay at only the major cities and do not anticipate much walking, a medium sized suitcase and a handbag would be adequate. However, opt for baggage that is lightweight but sturdy. The stroller kinds are extremely convenient. Label the luggage with your name and contact details in case it gets misplaced. Go for a numeric lock to save you the worry of losing the key. Make sure you have a waterproof shoulder bag to carry your essentials (money, sunglasses, lip balm, a guide book, water bottle, snacks etc.) However, if you plan to go somewhere off the beaten track, a backpack will serve you well. For times when you may want to move around without any bags, remember that sight-seeing will keep you busy and distracted, so make it thorny for the pick-pockets and consider a zippered waist wallet for your money.

Clothing & Footwear
The kind of clothes you will need to pack will depend on your destination (beach, hill station, desert or cities) and the climatic conditions at the time of your travel. India is a developing country which follows a conservative standard of dressing. Pants and the longer kind of shorts are most suitable for men. Women could carry medium/long skirts and casual slacks/jeans. Hot pants, miniskirts and tank tops can be limited to beach wear. To deal with the heat and humidity, bring loose-fitting and comfortable cotton/linen clothes to keep you cool. Even if it isn’t monsoon time, a windcheater with a hood would work well in misty weather, unexpected downpours and would even suffice for warmth in the airplanes and trains which are often chilly.

In a tropical climate like India’s, if you visit the highland areas, the temperature can be considerably cool. For the cold weather (Northern India in winters) you should have a few sweaters, long-sleeved t-shits/turtle necks and a fleece lined jacket which is light, warm and will dry naturally overnight if you need to wash it. Comfortable walking shoes, sneakers, and a pair of crocs/flip flops would be a better choice compared to canvas footwear which will readily sop up dirt. Don’t pack flimsy or expensive shoes. You can always buy yourself a pair of heels in India if you need to attend an evening event.

Essentials
Hats and caps are musts. Also carry sunscreen lotion and sunglasses to protect you, especially during the harsh summers. Stash an umbrella if you plan to visit during the rainy season. Make a kit for some non-clothing items that are vital: small packets of tissue paper, anti-bacterial hand wipes and mosquito repellent cream. Shampoo, moisturizers and deodorants are all readily available. If you wish to use any electronic devices, you will need a conversion plug (110/220) and a plug adaptor for your appliances. Take along a Swiss army knife and a small flashlight. Flashlights can come in handy when exploring unexpectedly dark places. Some things you really don’t need to carry are mosquito nets, sheets, and pillows. Pack sensibly without getting carried away by your exaggerated notions of India.

Medicines
Standard painkillers, vitamins and medicines for particular disorders, with ingredients similar to what are found out of the country, are available in India. But it could be a daunting task to make the chemist understand what you're looking for. Thus, it is always advisable to keep enough of whatever medicines you usually need (moreover, you may not want to go searching for them at odd hours of the night).

Memory-Makers
Don’t forget to carry your digital camera (makes it easy to email the pictures) to capture the wonderful moments. Keep a travel journal. Believe me, you will have a whole lot to put down at the end of each day! It is also a good way to pass your time on trains, flights and nights in hotels and builds up a great memory for life. India captivates and always has an extra zing to offer at every step, so get ready for the escapade and enjoy the ride!

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Chillibreeze's disclaimer: This is a contributed article and was published on Chillibreeze in April, 2011. The views and opinions expressed in this article are those of the author(s) and do not reflect the views of Chillibreeze as a company. Chillibreeze has a strict anti-plagiarism policy. Please contact us to report any copyright issues related to this article. The relevance of the facts and figures cited (if any) could change after a period of time.

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—About our writer:

Swati Rajgarhia is a partime writer/editor. Freelancing for the past 10 years now, she has experience in business writing, academic writing, article writing and web content writing. She has also done some travel writing. Based in Gurgaon, she is currently editing for author Raksha Bharadia. A dreamer at dawn,a writer by day and a reader by night, she loves to explore her literary inclinations and observe life.

How to Pack for India

chillibreeze writer — Swati Rajgarhia

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