Contents
Ultimate Guide to India Packing List – 100 Travel Essentials
Since I started organizing India Endless Discoveries Tours the most common question I get to asked is what to pack for India trip especially by all the women members of the group. Now this question at first amazed me as I was hoping to be asked about how to avoid Delhi Belly or how safe is it to travel solo in India for women. But the question for what to pack and what NOT to pack was pretty new to me. Being a man who can travel in just 1 shorts and 2 t-shirts for the entire trip, the packing dilemma was a total unheard phenomenon for me.
But I was wrong! When I discussed the question of the perfect packing list for India with my wife Shreya, I realised it’s not so easy to decide what to pick and what to leave behind. Based on her recommendations & many tips of the members of my previous tours, I am presenting this near perfect India packing list for travelers to India.
The majority of India is hot and humid except the hilly north area so you need clothes that will keep you cool, but it still has conservative standards when it comes to body hugging or revealing clothes. All we can request you is to dress modestly especially outside major cities. Wear comfortable, loose clothing that covers your shoulders / knees / cleavage. That way it will be easier for you to mingle with the local crowd and reduce any unwanted attention.
As with any trip, pack as little as possible.
Travel Documents
- Passport with at least 6 months validity after your dates of travel
- Visas required for this trip
- Travel insurance with emergency contact telephone and policy Number
- Flight tickets, e-ticket
- Photocopies of important documents like tickets, visa, passport, credit card, itinerary to be kept in each luggage bag and email a copy to yourself
- Trip Itinerary along with hotel address and phone
- Passport size photographs for various permits
- Senior citizen card for travel discounts
- International driving license if you plan to drive
- Travel vaccination certificates
Luggage
11. You are mostly expected to carry your own luggage in a backpack and smaller bags or backpacks with wheels with shoulder carry straps.
12. You will also need a waterproof day pack/bag to carry water bottle, camera and other personal needs for day trips.
13. Don’t forget to keep Padlocks (and keys)
14. Plastic Ziploc bags in all sizes
Personal Health
Medicines are easily available in India and often you do not require a prescription for over-the-counter medical supplies. You can buy all this stuff one you land up in India on your first day and be safe for the rest trip.
15. First aid kit – band aids, skin cream, cotton gauze, tweezers & bandage
16. Personal medication/prescriptions / Prescription glasses and sun glasses
17. Contact lenses and solution
18. High protection sunscreen (50+)
19. Lip balm
20. Sanitary pads or tampons
21. Chewing gums to pop your ears open while take off
22. Insect repellent creams or lotions like Odomos / Jungle
23. Anti-histamine/insect bite skin cream (Boroline)
24. Anti-allergy Tablets containing Pheniramine (Tab. Avil 50mg)
25. Anti-bacterial hand sanitizer gel/wipes
26. Travel sickness tablets or anti-vomiting tablets (Dramamine or Avomine)
27. Anti-malaria pills if required (Tab. Lariago DS)
28. Aspirin and/or paracetamol (Tab. Crocin)
29. Oral Rehydration powder (salts & glucose)
30. Antibiotics (Tab. Augmentin 625mg / 1 gm tablets)
31. Gastroenteritis (food poisoning) medication for Delhi Belly containing Norfloxacin (Tab. Norflox-400mg) or Ciprofloxacin (Tab. Ciplox-Tz)
32. Anti-spasm tablets for bad Diarrhea (Delhi Belly) containing Loperamide (Tab. Ridol)
33. Painkillers such as Tramadol (Tab.Ultracet), (Tab. Ketorol-DT 10 mg)
34. Antibiotic Eye drops / Ear Drops (Ciplox Eye Drops)
35. Chewable antacid/antigas tablets Digene
36. Immodium AD tablets (for serious diarrhea)
37. Small tube of anti-itch cream (Ring Guard)
Melatonin prescription to counter jet lag: (OPTIONAL)
- After getting on plane, set watch to destination time
- While on the plane, take melatonin tablet at destination bedtime
- When traveling east, get morning sun (if possible) soon after arrival, and avoid afternoon sun
- When traveling west, get afternoon sun (if possible) soon after arrival, and avoid morning sun
- Keep taking melatonin at bedtime throughout trip
- Use reverse process on way home
Money Matters
38. Local currency (cash/credit cards)
39. Money belt or pouch
40. Calculator (All mobile phones have it)
Easy Sleeping
41. Eye mask
42. Ear Plugs
43. Alarm clock (Most mobile phones have it)
44. Inflatable neck pillow for comfortable sleeping (ESSENTIAL if travelling in trains)
45. Night clothes/sleepwear
Clothing
For longer trips we recommend fast drying and easy wash clothing. Women should bring a skirt that covers their knees and a scarf for visiting places of worship. If going for jungle trekking, or on a safari, it is recommend you wear beige, light green or light brown clothing which will camouflage your presence with the surroundings.
46. At least 3 pairs of loose, thin trousers
47. Minimum 4 plain t-shirts or cotton shirts
48. Long skirt like cotton dress- must have for female
49. Long-sleeved top (for evenings when mosquitoes are out)
50. Denim shirt and jeans for chilly evenings
51. Thin cardigan for air-conditioned travel
52. Large cotton scarves to cover your head, shoulders while visiting religious places
53. At least 4 pair of cotton or woolen dark colored Socks / Underwear / Hankies
54. Lightweight, waterproof, windproof jacket if traveling in winters.
55. Sarong which can be used as head/shoulder scarf or skirt (suggested by Michael Huxley)
Camping / Tenting
56. Inner sleep sheet
57. Travel pillow / Neck pillow
58. Ground sheet (or plastic polythene sheet)
59. Head torch/flashlights (Most mobile phones have it)
Wet & Wild Weather
60. Raincoat
61. Lightweight folding umbrella (for rain or sun)
62. Waterproof bags for rain protection while walking
63. Waterproof & windproof jacket
64. Waterproof trousers
Walking or Hiking
Shoes in all colors, sizes and designs can be bought very cheaply in India. So no need to carry those bulky shoes all the way. You may wish to get one of these with you:
65. At least 1 pair of Havana flip-flops / sandals so that u don’t bulk your bag with many shoes
66. 1 pair of comfortable walking/hiking shoes with good grip
67. Hiking poles/walking sticks (only if you are going for trekking.)
Travel Accessories
68. Cell phone (Be sure that it’s “unlocked” and you may be able to buy a local SIM card to make international phone calls.)
69. Cell phone charger with International Adapter Multi plug
70. Camera, Memory cards & Extra camera battery with charger / Tripods / Selfie sticks
71. Ipods, Ipads, Tablets can be useful as wi-fi connection is fairly easy to find. Remember to carry a converter for the charging point. Avoid carrying a laptop as its bulky, risky to get stolen or broken and you can’t carry with you while visiting historic monuments like Taj Mahal. Instead of leaving laptop into the hands of strangers at every security check, better carry tablet with you.
72. Empty water bottle (you can fill it at airport after security check for in-flight use)
73. Scissors / Army knife with can opener (keep in checked-in luggage as not allowed on carry-on luggage)
74. Pen/paper
75. Hat/wide brim hat
Winter or Extreme Snow
76. Thermal underwear or base layers
77. Thick leather gloves
78. Monkey Cap
79. Woolen Jackets
80. Woolen muffler
81. Woolen Socks
82. Snow Boots
Personal Items
83. Toiletries: Go light on shampoo and toiletries – you can always buy it here! If you have a particular shampoo or cream you can’t live without, transfer it to small (~3.4 oz or less) bottles.
84. Shaving razors / Hairbrush / comb
85. Deodorant / Hand lotion, Face lotion
86. Face wash / Hand sanitizer
87. Makeup kit as small as possible
88. Toothpaste, Toothbrush
89. Tweezers & nail clippers
90. Feminine products (very easy to find in India)
91. Small packet of Kleenex
92. Paper soaps & Toilet paper
93. Bath towel
94. Small sewing kit, safety pins & rubber bands
95. Nutrition food bars like Muesli bars, if you don’t like the cuisine.(Suggested by Manouk)
97. Probiotics – Food in India is likely going to be very different from what you are used to, so this will help you be prepared. However, if you do get Delhi Belly, make sure you keep yourself hydrated with electrolytes and fresh coconut water and seek medical attention.
98. Menstrual Cup (Women) – If you want to experience an alternative and sustainable approach when menstruating, the Pixie cup works well when backpacking in India instead of carrying tons of pads. The Pixie Cup can be reused over and over for 10 years, making it far more sustainable than tampons or traditional pads. Or you can easily buy it in big cities of India at the Chemist (Drug) shops.
Swimming
99. Swimming costume
100. Swimming towel
Extra Tips
- Make sure every piece of luggage, including your daypack has a strong, waterproof tag on it, with essential contact information.
- Rolled clothing takes up less space than folded clothing.
- Have at least one combination cable-lock per bag that you bring. When out of your hotel room or visiting the ladies’ room in a train station or airport, you will want to lock your bags to the nearest heavy object for safety.
- If your bags are full on the way in, you can buy inexpensive duffle bags in India that will survive the trip home, to hold your purchases during the trip. Alternatively, you can bring a lightweight duffle bag rolled up in one of your bags to hold your purchases on the way home.
What You Shouldn’t Bring and What You Can Get in India?
- Try not to bring extravagant gems or jewelry and ones that will make you an objective. You will discover a lot of chances to buy ethnic gems also so make space for that.
- India has a variety of clothing from kurtis, to embroidered blouses that are perfect to blend in and enjoy the splash of colours that Indian ethnic wear brings. Do bring enough clothes that covers your modesty but feel free to play by ear and be respectful of cultures in villages and spiritual places.
- You can buy all your other liquid toiletries in India from face wash to shampoo as they are pretty affordable.
- Bring enough cash to last you for a month but you can bring it in USD or your preferred currency and visit banks to make the change. Do not bring too much as it is safe to use the available ATMs throughout India.
However this India packing list should be used as a guide only and is not intended to be a total complete India packing list for any weather or situations. Any other items that you wish to pack are at your own discretion. Some items on this list may not be necessary for your particular trip at a particular time. What all to pack varies according to the trip style (Backpacking / Budget / Luxury), the countries you’re visiting, the climate and the time when you are visiting. I request you to please carefully consider the weather and time of year that you plan to travel.
For those of you who are not yet aware, We do offer India Endless Discoveries Tours — City Experiences / Day Trips & Featured Tours — which are unique, exclusive, experimental in nature with a personal touch providing an extraordinary travel experience. Also, we have a family run top rated 5 rooms boutique Bed & Breakfast – The Hideout Agra, which is located at just 15 minutes walk to Taj Mahal. Guided group tour or tailor-made private holiday? Festival joy or a desert safari? Food walk or day tour? We’re bound to have a travel style that’s perfect for you. So if you happen to be in planning your next trip to India, get in touch with us for a unique India experience.
Check out below the highlights of our Bed & Breakfast.
