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If it’s your first visit you might be wondering what to pack for India – it isn’t quite as straightforward as other destinations. These are the top ten items for india always in my case / backpack.

1 Malaria prevention

One of the most important of the top ten items for india is Malaria prevention. Malaria tablets and Mosquito spray. Check before you go whether you are in a Malaria zone. There are other mosquito transmitted diseases – Dengue fever, Chikungunya and Japenese encephalitis.

 

2. Mobile phone

And don’t forget the charger. I would advise a spare also.  Try the 10ft charger in the Amazon ad above. Why a 10ft charger ? The  plug socket may not always be near your bed and when I’m asleep i like my phone as close as possible. Or in the airport there may be sockets but people sat in front of them. You can plug it in but still sit a few seats down with the phone still on your person.

3. Power pack

The Portable Power Bank for mobile phone is another indispensible travel item – you may be out and about and not near a plug to recharge. Or on a long train journey. Or perhaps you take lots of photos and videos (guilty) or listen to music on the beach (also guilty). I’m glued to my phone at home but superglued to it in India and it’s essential that it doesn’t run out of battery. If it does simply plug it into the power pack and you have extra life – then recharge the power pack when you get back to electricity supply.  My last trip to India was the first time I had taken a powerpack – the airline I flew with – Emirites – requires them to be taken in hand luggage so don’t pack in the bottom of your suitcase.

4. Camera

Number four of the top ten items for india is a good camera. My tip – buy a memory card with as large a memory as you can afford like this SanDisk 64GB Memory Card for instance. Or maybe it’s just me – I take thousands of pictures ! I’m looking to upgrade my camera and after careful research I have narrowed the search down to these two – the  Canon EOS 1300D or the Nikon D3300 . Both great for beginners with good results, good reviews and, most importantly for me,  they both have plenty of tutorial videos on Youtube. If anyone has experience of either of these two do let me know how you’ve got on with them – or if you would advise another similiar priced camera.

5. Plug adapter

You can pick these up at airports but you will save money if you buy beforehand. Many good hotels facilitate uk plugs but smaller ones and beach shacks do not.  Take a spare , they’re easy to lose.

6. Torch

With the exception of one trip to India I experienced power cuts so this is definitely in my top ten items for India . Once while I was in the loo. And the torch was in my bag. Which wasn’t in the loo with me. It was scary. Bring this powerful yet lightweight Super Bright LED Torch . It also gets dark really quickly – not the gradual fading of the light as in the UK and depending where you are you might find it comforting to have a torch with you even if just to light your path so you don’t trip on anything. You could of course just use your phone if you have a torch in there but I would advise that you reserve your phone battery.

7. Toileteries bag

Include sanitary items, condoms, favourite shampoo/conditioner, small shower gel ( buy some there ) bare minimum make up – mascara and lip gloss in my case – toothbrush etc, painkillers,  imodium and electrolytes sachets (dioralyte), hand sanitiser, antiseptic cream or spray and any prescription medicines. Take photos of prescriptions with your phone before handing to chemist.  Just in case they are ever asked for.

8. Flip flops

I buy mine from Primark for 90 pence. I take dark coloured shoes to India – the sand on the beaches tends to stain – a white pair I took once were orange by the end of the trip and no amount of scrubbing would revert them to their original colour. Ditto with light colour bikini’s and shorts by the way. If you like something a little sturdier than flip flops but light and easy to slip on and off then these birkenstock eva sandals are brilliant for travelling – just like normal birkenstocks but waterproof.

9. Modest clothing

Generally don’t take too much clothing to India as you can buy clothes cheaply there. Research the weather for where you are going – mostly its going to be hot ! So light clothing but remember in many places you shouldn’t expose too much flesh – and for women that includes shoulders and legs. So long sleeve lightweight tops are best for off the beach in all but the most touristy areas. Men can wear vest tops and long shorts. And long baggy light trousers are also modest and good for mosquito protection in the evening. Bikinis can be worn on the beach or by the pool but leave your most skimpy swimwear at home. No thongs here !

10. Sun protection

Hat , glasses and sunscreen. You can buy hats there no problem but sunglasses I didn’t find any the quality I liked. Sunscreen you can buy but if you have a brand you trust then bring it with you.

Lastly – when travelling it is usual to obtain currency before you go. For India thats not possible. Read my blog about India Rupees to find out why.

There we are , thats my top ten items for India – what’ yours ?

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Indian Rupees