Essential Packing Tips for Traveling to India

Entry #2262, April 3, 2013

Do you want to re-discover yourself through a spiritual trip? Or do you want to visit a place where you can see mountains, forests, beaches and deserts? Or do you simply want a budget holiday to a place with a different culture? If you answer to any of these is yes, then India should be your next holiday destination! You can see the Taj Mahal in Agra, camp out in the Thar desert in Rajasthan, party on the beaches of Goa, relax in the backwaters of Kerala, experience spirituality in Varanasi and see the urban hubs of Delhi, Mumbai, Bangalore, Chennai and Hyderabad.

But before you make that trip, give some thought in deciding what you wish to carry in that backpack of yours.

The Taj Mahal in Agra tells a story of eternal love

Image via: El_malino on Flickr

Clothes:

India is a tropical country and is hot and sticky for most of the year. So carry comfortable, loose cotton clothes. Men can dress as they please – anything from jeans to shorts are good. For women, its best to avoid wearing clothes that show too much skin to avoid unnecessary attention and/ or eve teasing. Instead, you may want to try out Indian traditional wear. Otherwise, something as simple as a loose t-shirt over jeans should do.

Cities in India are good party hubs, so you can carry some party wear if you like!

Finally while visiting any religious places like temples and mosques, its best to cover yourself up, preferably long pants, while women should cover their head with a scarf.

Traditional wear when traveling to India

Image via: Flickr

Personal kit:

Carry a few rolls of toilet paper with you. Though most hotels will provide toilet paper, some may not. Plus, it will come in handy if you decide to travel within the country by road or rail. Toilets on the road are almost non-existent and the ones that are there, do not keep toilet paper. The railways do not keep toilet paper either as most locals use water.

Due to the tropical heat you may constantly want to spray deodorant on yourself so carry a few cans.

Lastly do carry a first aid-kit in case of those by-chance cuts or bouts of migraine.

A floating vegetable market in Jammu!

Image via: rahul16x7 on Flickr

Gadgets:

India is a developing country and electricity and internet is fairly available, so feel free to carry your IPods, tablets, smartphones, etc. Getting a mobile phone with a prepaid connection is quite convenient and cheap in India. Pick one up from a local mobile store when you reach.

Mosquito Repellent:

Buzzing mosquitoes are rampant in tropical India. Pick up mosquito repellent cream to protect yourself.

You’re ready to go! You can explore the marvels of India whether you are on an adventure trip, a romantic getaway, a budget holiday or a spiritual re-discovery, with your bag packed with everything that you need. So enjoy that trip and come back with great stories to tell!

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