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How To

How to Pack for a Trip to India

Contributor
By eHow Contributing Writer
(24 Ratings)

Prepare for heat, pollution and a lot of dust when packing your bags for India. Go with loose-fitting, breathable fabrics to keep cool and optimize comfort.

Difficulty: Moderately Easy
Instructions

Things You'll Need:

  • Carry-on Bags
  • Garment Bags
  • Luggage Sets
  • Sunglasses
  • Travel Clothes
  • Umbrellas
  • Mosquito Netting
  • Insect Repellents
  • Sunscreen
  • Backpacks
  • Duffel Bags
  • Umbrellas
  1. Step 1

    Pack conservative clothes. Longer shorts and pants are most appropriate for men. Women should opt for skirts below the knee and casual slacks. Shorts are inappropriate for women, as are short skirts, tank tops and revealing, low-cut shirts.

  2. Step 2

    Keep evening wear very casual, as India is not a dressy society. Women might opt for a long printed skirt and a matching blouse. Men will do well in lightweight khaki pants and a short-sleeved print shirt.

  3. Step 3

    Bring tops in cotton and linen to keep as cool as possible in the heat. Take a few sweaters and a fleece jacket for warmth in the winter.

  4. Step 4

    Pack a wide-brimmed hat, sunblock and sunglasses when visiting during the summer months. Stash an umbrella if you plan to visit during the rainy season.

  5. Step 5

    Take comfortable, rubber-soled sandals and shoes. Canvas and nylon will absorb the dirt, so consider shoes with well-worn leather uppers in dark colors.

  6. Step 6

    Remember to pack the essential nonclothing items: individually wrapped hand wipes, small packets of tissue paper, a small bottle of liquid detergent, mosquito nets, insect repellent and flying bug spray.

Tips & Warnings
  • Bring a carry-on bag that includes everything you might need in case your luggage goes astray: visa, passport, change of clothes, all medications, spare contact lenses or glasses, and all forms of money.
  • Take clothes that are easy to wash by hand. Although you may have access to dry cleaners, the chemicals used in India are extremely harsh on fabrics and may damage your clothing.
  • Pack to accommodate your needs. Leave superfluous items at home.

Comments  

| View All 19 Comments

sam143 said

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on 4/12/2007 Men in India do not wear a Sari. May be intersexual (who is not a male or female) may wear a sari.

I found even in West women are interested to wear a sari because of its grace and beauty.

Mostly people from West do not know where to eat and what to eat.
Where? it depends upon the choice of restaurant we are going. It is not very easy for western people to judge a right restaurant.

What to eat? Indians eat mostly spicy food or with more chilli powder. So people from west should say to the waiter not to use any chilli powder. But if you go to GOA there you get the food suitable to west as the tourists are mostly from west they know how to cook according the choice.

What to drink? yes you must carry your own MINERAL WATER bottle, which is very very cheap in India.

Dress: If you go to a city you can find even Indian women either working or College students wearing all fashonable dresses. But you should be little bit careful especially going to a village. Even in towns it is better to wear a dress which does not show so much of your body.

Hope it helps

sam143 said

Flag This Comment

on 4/12/2007 Men in India do not wear a Sari. May be intersexual (who is not a male or female) may wear a sari.

I found even in West women are interested to wear a sari because of its grace and beauty.

Mostly people from West do not know where to eat and what to eat.
Where? it depends upon the choice of restaurant we are going. It is not very easy for western people to judge a right restaurant.

What to eat? Indians eat mostly spicy food or with more chilli powder. So people from west should say to the waiter not to use any chilli powder. But if you go to GOA there you get the food suitable to west as the tourists are mostly from west they know how to cook according the choice.

What to drink? yes you must carry your own MINERAL WATER bottle, which is very very cheap in India.

Dress: If you go to a city you can find even Indian women either working or College students wearing all fashonable dresses. But you should be little bit careful especially going to a village. Even in towns it is better to wear a dress which does not show so much of your body.

Hope it helps

nerys said

Flag This Comment

on 2/16/2007 This is going to sound weird but how would the culture over there react to a man wearing a Sari (they look so cool I would just have to try one I don't really care who there designed for :-) Is it legal to do so? Would people possibly react violently about it? I tend to wear what I want to wear but breaking a serious taboo or law would simply be silly and disrespectful.

Gracie0225 said

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on 1/6/2007 Pack light! This is a great country to shop in for very low prices so you'll want lots of extra room in your suitcase! Women, please dress conservative to show respect. Also, I want to "amen" packing toliet paper or at least the Charming disposals.

Anonymous

Anonymous said

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on 2/8/2006 Jeans, cotton pants and Capris with cotton T-shirts or tops would be your best bet anywhere in India.
If you are in cities versus rural areas (in India even suburbs of a city are considered close to a city), you could be flashy and dressy in terms of clothes in case you plan to enjoy the night life.
And of course you could shop for cool, cheap clothes in the cities - it's the same stuff exported to big US stores and sold for 5 times more!

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