India/Tourist/Packing/Pack/Luggage/What to Bring/Clothes/Documents/Essentials/Extras

Saheli 2001
Cross Cultural Solutions Insight India Program

Your packing list will depend upon where you will be traveling and the time of year you will be there. We traveled in Rajasthan in February, visiting both rural villages and urban cities. Although daytime temperatures were mild (in the 70's Fahrenheit), it did get cold at night.

We supplemented our wardrobe by purchasing Indian clothes at FabIndia in New Delhi for our visits to the villages. I paid 2239Rs (less than $50 US) for the following items:
2 kameez (loose shirt or tunic)
2 salwar (loose trousers)
2 dupatta or odhni (scarf)
I also purchased a wool shawl at one of the NGO's we visited. The shawl helped in the early morning and evening hours when the temperature was cool.

Women should wear clothes that are not revealing, especially in rural areas and villages. Dresses should at least be knee length--longer is better. If you do not wish to purchase Indian clothes, consider purchasing an odhni or dupatta which is a long scarf worn over the head and shoulders. You can flip it over your head if you feel you need to hide from the stares that are a constant in India. Also, I noticed that the dupatta was quite cool, acting like a hat, keeping the sun off my head.

TOPICS COVERED BELOW

Clothes | Money & Documents | Essentials & Medicines
Extras | Documenting Your Journey

CLOTHES
In general light weight, loose-fitting, durable, wrinkle-free cotton or natural fiber clothes are best. Synthetic fabrics don't breathe and are hot. Pants or skirts with draw string or elastic waists are easy to wear. Delicate fabrics will NOT hold up to laundering facilities or dry cleaning in India. The following list was supplemented by our shopping trip to FabIndia.

2-3 pair lightweight pants or jeans (I bought great lightweight jeans from TravelSmith)

Thin sweater or lightweight jacket (for evenings when it can be cool)

Dress or skirt (should fall below the knee)

Long loose tops or blouses with long sleeves (no scooped or plunging necklines)

Comfortable shoes that can be taken off and on easily (necessary for entering temples and some shops in the bazaars)

Sweat pants and top (to wear when relaxing in your hotel room)

Socks, nylons, and/or other undergarments

Sleep wear (even if you don't wear any normally)

A hat or other head covering such as an odhni or dupatta

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MONEY & DOCUMENTS
It is forbidden to take Indian rupees into or out of India. Keep all papers, passports, tickets, money, travel Insurance papers, etc. with you at all times. I kept my important items in a security pouch worn around my neck.

Travelers Checks
Travelers checks in US dollars are accepted in large cities. If you plan to travel in rural areas for an extended period, convert to Indian rupees before you leave the city.

Credit cards
becoming more widely accepted, cash is needed for rural areas.

Cash--US dollars
in the event that travelers checks or credit cards are not accepted.

Airline tickets

Medical Insurance and travel insurance papers

Passport with visa for India

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ESSENTIALS & MEDICINES
Many of the items listed here as "essentials" can be purchased in India. Supplies in rural areas may be limited. However, you can stock up in India's large cities. Bottled water is readily available. Cross Cultural Solutions provided ample bottled water during the trip.


Sun glasses Sports drink mix Cosmetics Toilet paper Sun block Lip balm Tooth brush and tooth paste Bar of soap Woolite for hand washing clothes	Mosquito repellent Regular medicines in original bottles Aspirin or other pain relief medicine Cold/sinus medicine Antiseptic cream and band aids Throat lozenges Antibiotics Daily malaria pills Imodium

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EXTRAS
You could do without these items if push came to shove. We ran into rolling black outs, some of which occurred during the evening. So a flashlight came in handy.


Sewing kit Pre-moistened towelettes Pocket knife Luggage locks Flash light with spare batteries	Extra eye glasses or contact lenses Converter or adapter Alarm clock with spare batteries Liquid hand sanitizer Food**

FOOD??
Some of the members of our group brought along small cans of tuna fish or other food items. Cross Cultural Solutions provided lots of fruit, snacks, and water for our journey. However, if you feel that you may need a break from Indian food, small cans of meat or fish may help supplement your diet.

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DOCUMENTING YOUR JOURNEY
Documenting your journey can be accomplished by photography and/or by keeping a diary. Or, you may simply want to absorb the events of the day without recording them. Whether or not to take a camera is a question that you must decide before you board the plane. I traveled for many years without a camera because I found it confining to look at places through a lens. However, I also find that my photographs provide a wonderful record of the places I have visited. If you choose not to carry a camera, consider collecting postcards as a way of documenting your journey.


Travel Journal Camera Film Lead bag to carry film--A MUST!!	spare batteries lens cleaning paper Silica gel packets to keep moisture out

A WORD ON FILM
Good quality film can be hard to find in India. Film that has been stored in warm conditions may be deteriorated and may not record colors properly. Decide before hand what kind of film you want to use and make your purchases at home. Carry all camera equipment and film on the plane with you. Carry film in a lead lined bag that will protect your film from airport scanners. If you return home with extra film, store it in the freezer where it will last a long time.

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Saheli 2001Cross Cultural Solutions Insight India Program

Saheli 2001
Cross Cultural Solutions Insight India Program