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Holidays

Use our Travel forum for recommendations on everything from day trips to the best family-friendly holiday destinations.

Packing for holiday in North India

12 replies

Quincesorbet · 03/10/2024 22:54

I am going on my first India holiday in November, flying to Delhi and visiting several of the Rajasthan cities and Ranthambore wildlife reserve, then Amritsar at the end. Has anyone done a similar trip and got any advice re what to take in clothes and footwear? It’s going to be warm in the day but cool at night especially in Amritsar, we are also visiting Ranthambore Tiger Reserve which will have an early morning safari, and will be doing lots of sightseeing in the cities.
I tend to be an overpacker and want to avoid this, I’m planning to take a medium sized Eastpak roller bag plus a hand luggage backpack, and I want to leave plenty of room to bring back lots of souvenirs.
For shoes I am thinking of taking just 1 pair of good walking trainers, plus comfortable sandals. I will take some linen dresses for daytime, but am wondering what warmer items will be needed for evenings/ early morning?
Any tips from those who have been would be appreciated!

OP posts:
LettyToretto · 03/10/2024 23:05

I went to Rajasthan in November. Bloody FREEZING.

Honestly, pack jumpers for the evening. Our early morning safari had me begging for my winter puffer jacket.

Daytime isn't hot hot - T shirt weather

I got away with a pair of trainers for 99% of things

FS90 · 03/10/2024 23:25

Rape alarm

Quincesorbet · 03/10/2024 23:42

@LettyToretto That’s really helpful, thank you. Did you use any hotel laundry services? We are going for 19 days so I will need to get things washed.

OP posts:
TurquoiseBear · 03/10/2024 23:48

I was there about 10 years ago. But this time of year. So there’s probably quite a difference between early Oct & Nov.
I wore cotton shirts / t-shirts and cotton trousers. Took a fleece for the early morning safaris.

Lovely lovely Ranthambore - good luck for tiger spotting!

YabaJaba · 04/10/2024 08:00

Hi I went in Nov it was very hot during the day. But chilly in the evenings. Floaty long skirts are good, trousers difficult when using toilets, as they fall to the ground which isn’t always clean! Long sleeve tops, if you’re visiting religious places, and I wore flip flops easy to take off. I’m envious as it’s a great place to visit especially Ranthambore - if you’re lucky you’ll see tigers, I did and it was the highlight of my trip.

YabaJaba · 04/10/2024 08:02

Quincesorbet · 03/10/2024 23:42

@LettyToretto That’s really helpful, thank you. Did you use any hotel laundry services? We are going for 19 days so I will need to get things washed.

I took disposable knickers? They were brilliant. Used the hotel laundry couple times, never had a problem.

PepperSauce · 04/10/2024 08:05

I went to northern India but it was 35 years ago plus and in the summer so I don’t think I’ve got anything helpful to add! I loved it but was camping with Exodus Overland and we did our laundry in the river - not sure my clothes ever recovered!

Quincesorbet · 04/10/2024 09:02

@YabaJaba Thats a good point about trousers and toilets, thank you! I’m planning to take 3 linen midi dresses and hopefully buy some lovely skirts out there.
I’m glad to hear everyone enjoyed Ranthambore, I was looking on it more as a break from hot dusty cities. But seeing tigers would be amazing!

OP posts:
YabaJaba · 04/10/2024 09:10

I saw tigers and for me that was the best part of my trip to India. The park is amazing, you'll see so much wildlife. I'm envious!

MissionaryMumtoOne · 04/10/2024 09:55

Hi I’m in Rajasthan OP, arrived here in early August so have not yet completed a Rajastani winter yet, but we have been told that it can get quite chilly from November onwards - which is hard to believe because it is currently highs of 36 degrees in the day still 🥵 but as it’s a desert, nights are cooler so bring a cardigan or light jacket maybe.

sensible shoes - definitely no heels because the ground is often uneven with lots of holes etc and often cities are not designed for them. If you have a child, avoid bringing pushchair for the same reason. I find I live in my crocs these days as they can be easily washed and as shoes can get dusty or dirty (I spent a lot of my time on slum areas though). Sandals that are secure and easily washable are fine. Trainers are ok but can get dirty easily, and it’s very hot in the day.

public toilets are definitely not clean, so yes to PP who said avoid long dresses or trousers that drop to the floor. Practise the art of the public loo squat without touching the loo!

bare in mind clothing modesty - wearing skirts or shorts above the knees or single strap vest like tops sadly will get you judgemental looks and May offend. Try to cover your shoulders - or have a thin scarf you can put over shoulders if you go to temples or hotels or restaurants or peoples homes. Avoid anything above the knees unless you are at the pool!

If you are able to, you could purchase a kurta or sari to wear some days, as Indians love it when foreigners wear Indian styled clothing - it’s not at all considered cultural appropriation there, in fact it’s the opposite, they see it as a sign of respect.

I haven’t been to any wildlife parks yet as we are working and haven’t had time, but heard amazing things about them. Elephant riding is really common where I live, which I personally don’t agree with and avoid, but to them, it’s their normality. Be mindful (if) and where you eat meat - as most of Rajasthan is veg, and non-veg options are often not good quality. Ideally avoid steet food unless it’s near a tourist spot or hotel where they will often be more hygienic and sanitary. you may see some things that may upset you or shock you due to cultural differences, but overall North India is an incredible beautiful place and we love it (most days!) but it’s also very different to anywhere in the world, and was a big culture shock even for me, and I’m a very experienced traveller.

LettyToretto · 04/10/2024 18:22

Quincesorbet · 03/10/2024 23:42

@LettyToretto That’s really helpful, thank you. Did you use any hotel laundry services? We are going for 19 days so I will need to get things washed.

Yes! Our hotel offered free laundry, of which I took huge advantage.

TimbuktuTimbuktu · 04/10/2024 22:27

Depending on how active you are planning on being I might take a pair of lightweight walking trousers.

I did a Ranthambore trip in December and it was absolutely freezing in the mornings. Our safari people gave us blankets which was much appreciated!

I think a pair of leggings is always helpful. You can throw them on in the evening to cover ankles and avoid bites and you can wear with shorter dresses to cover legs rather than buying longer stuff that's not as easy to walk around in.

If you are going to Delhi/ staying in nice hotels you might want something smarter for dinner in the evening and I'd say guys might want at least a polo shirt.

Laundry is easy. It's relatively expensive in the posh hotels but you can easily google a laundry and drop it off if you want to.

It's amazing, you'll have a great time.

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