Before traveling to India, tourists search for information on the Internet about mandatory things for the trip. But if you take seriously the nonsense that is written on some travel websites, then you can completely abandon your planned trip.
You should distinguish between a trip to Goa and a trip to India, these are very big differences and the list of things can be very different. I will try to talk about all this in my post.
But the first step is to get rid of the incorrect information that is floating around the Internet. Here are some quotes from the site travel agency, on the topic “What to take with you to India.” Probably, texts for such sites are written by people who have never been to this country.
Any clothing should be light, light and at the same time quite comfortable.
It is strictly not recommended to take light-colored clothes; in India they will become any color, but not light. During the six-month trip, I had to wash a dark blue backpack several times, which is not intended for washing. I don’t understand what kind of light clothes the author is talking about.
There is no need to take light-colored clothes to India!
Please note that aspirin is not sold in India. The quality of some drugs is constantly criticized by international doctors' organizations.
Quite by accident, in my medicine cabinet there was a pack of aspirin, which I bought at Indian city Varanasi (I attach a photo of the packaging of Indian aspirin). The cost of local medicines is cheap (a pack of Indian aspirin costs only 4 rupees), but the effectiveness is no worse than ours. Well, we shouldn’t forget that India is the birthplace of Ayurveda, but I think that the author of the travel site doesn’t know what it is.
The level of paid healthcare in India is at a good level.
And finally, from the same travel site and from the same article “What to take with you to India.”
The issue of sanitation in Indian hotels is also easy to solve - just take your own towels and bed linen with you. With the latter, by the way, you need special vigilance - too expensive sheets can be stolen by maids.
In India, there are hotels of different price levels and comfort, from rooms for 100 rupees per day, to an entire palace for $20,000 per day. I have lived in the most modest guesthouses and nowhere have anything been stolen from me.
You shouldn’t worry so much about the sheets that the author recommends you bring from Russia. And for reference, in India there are approximately 300,000,000 people (this figure is twice the population of Russia) - these are representatives of the middle class (owners of private businesses, small factories, hotels, restaurants, etc.), they are unlikely to covet your sheets.
You should be careful, but without fanaticism.
I think you understand that not every information on the Internet is worth believing.
Let's return to the topic of our post “What to take with you on a trip to India”. In this post I will try to briefly tell you what is worth putting in your backpack, and what is better to refuse, or buy on the spot. At the end of the post I’ll tell you and show you the contents of my backpack.
If I forgot to mention something important, please add it in the comments to this post.
What to take with you to India
The first thing you should always control is the volume and quantity of things. Try to take as little as possible (everything you need can be bought locally), too many unnecessary things will be an unnecessary burden.
It should be understood that India is a large country and it is important to take into account climatic conditions the place where you are going. At a time when it is + 30 in Goa, it snows in the Himalayas and you can ski.
List of must-haves when traveling to India:
Documents and their copies- you should make copies of all documents that are traveling with you (Russian passport, foreign passport + Indian visa page, medical insurance, round-trip air tickets). The best way- take a photo of the documents and send them to your email, so they will definitely be safe and accessible.
Belt bag for concealed carry- if you are going to long journey, then be sure to buy moneybelt, it really helps.
Money and bank cards- all money should be divided into several parts and distributed over several places (cash, credit cards, debit cards, electronic wallets, etc.). Most cash - always carry it in your belt bag, and think about the safety of your bank cards.
Medicines and hygiene products- almost everything can be bought in India, but at first you should have a small supply.
Sunscreen from the sun- the Indian sun is very active, so you shouldn’t joke with it, you can get fried very quickly. You can also buy sunscreen locally; prices for creams from European manufacturers are high, but you can buy Indian, whatever you like.
Comfortable shoes- you can take any kind of shoes (old, new, fashionable, not fashionable), but they must be comfortable - this is the only criterion.
Nice sunglasses- in India there are branded stores with original products from the Italian company Luxotica (brands Ray Ban, Oakley, etc.), but the prices are the same as in Russia (or higher), and you will also have to look for the stores themselves.
A camera or something you can take pictures with- this is an optional thing, but very useful.
The padlock- if you are planning to travel around India, then taking a small padlock with you is a must.
Cigarettes- if you smoke, it is better to take a small supply, local cigarettes are not of very high quality, and imported ones are expensive.
Flashlight- buy a small flashlight, sometimes it will be useful to you. The flashlight can also be bought in India, so this point is not so important.
What is better not to take with you to India?
Alcohol- in Goa it is local, high quality and cheap. In other Indian states, there may be problems with alcohol and its drinking; there are some cities where the sale of alcohol is prohibited by law.
Antibiotics- it is much cheaper and more efficient to buy locally, and it is advisable to have
Heeled shoes, branded and other fashion items- shoes and clothes should be practical and comfortable, you won’t surprise anyone here with branded items, and they will quickly become unusable (climate, dust, etc.). I don’t recommend taking light-colored clothes; in India they will quickly lose their whiteness.
Expensive smartphones and other gadgets- there is no need to go to India with an expensive phone and other expensive gadgets, here they can be stolen or you can lose them in other ways (lose, break, drown, etc.). So, if you are going to relax and not to work, then take a break from the usual things.
Jewelry- these things are unlikely to be useful to you here, unless of course you are heading to someone’s wedding. There is no point in taking expensive jewelry with you.
Travel bag on wheels- this is a very useful thing, but not for India. You will have to carry it everywhere in your arms; there are very few places to roll such a bag in the Indian open spaces (with the exception of airports). The best option- This is a comfortable and roomy backpack.
Russian SIM card- you should not use your usual cellular operators unless absolutely necessary, roaming is very expensive. Our MTS is present on the Indian market of cellular communication services, but the level of communication and prices for roaming are not encouraging; it is easier to buy a local SIM card.
Contents of my backpack for an Indian trip
So, what fits in my 45 liter backpack.
Clothes and shoes
- T-shirts - 2 pieces (you can buy them locally, they are cheaper here than in Russia);
- shorts - 2 pieces (can be purchased on the spot);
- panties - 2 pieces (if necessary, can be bought in India);
- socks - 2 pairs of light ones (can be purchased locally);
- a cap - its visor perfectly protects from the sun (you can buy it on the spot);
- Comfortable boots are a must for central and northern India;
- rubber flip flops - 1 pair, ideal for going to the shower or to the beach (simple ones can be bought at local markets, but it’s better to bring quality ones with you).
Technique
- laptop - an old HP backpack;
- camera - Nikon D90 with lens, but without camera bag;
- Flash drives, chargers, USB extension cable.
Documentation
- international passport;
- bank cards (my selection of bank cards for travel);
- driving license (in India an international driving license is required).
Useful things
- thermal mug and boiler - in India these devices will be useful to you;
- first aid kit (all medications can be bought at local pharmacies, their price will be much lower, and their effectiveness will be much higher, so my minimum kit is: a patch and polyphepan);
- inflatable pillow - during long bus journeys it can significantly ease your suffering :);
- earplugs - sometimes the noise from Indian streets is deadly and in a surprising way penetrates into guesthouse rooms that do not have windows;
- flashlight - for India, having a small pocket (or head) flashlight will be your advantage and protect your shoes from cow dung in the night (can be purchased locally);
- padlock - be sure to take it and use it wherever possible (I recommend taking it with you);
- notebook - if you don’t write down your brilliant idea in time, then most likely you won’t get it back :), in fact, it really helps to remember the details of the trip;
- sunglasses - take only high-quality sunglasses, the sun here (especially in the South) is very active, and besides, they are comfortable for riding a bike.
Hygiene
- dry wipes (can be purchased locally);
- gel for hand disinfection - great help in cases where there are no hand washing places nearby (can be bought on the spot);
- Oral irrigator - I carry this device everywhere to clean my teeth;
- towel - not all guesthouses have them (it’s better to buy a quick-drying towel, ordinary ones can rot).
What's in the backpack specifically for India?
A padlock is a big thing in this country, I don't use padlocks in Thailand, but India is a different story. You will definitely need a disinfectant (at first, for sure). The flashlight was used exclusively in India; I didn’t even think about buying it in other countries.
The photo does not show some important things for an independent trip to India, but they definitely go: a waist bag for concealed carry, a small backpack, a smartphone, etc.
There is no need to carry a number of things with you; it is easier to buy them on the spot and leave them there after the trip. It seems like there are not many things, but the 45-liter backpack is 80% full.
List of things that were useless in India
Hello friends. 6 months in India flew by like two days, I’m back in Russia and ready to tell you how to optimize the filling of your backpack for this trip. In this part of the post I will tell you what things were completely useless on my Indian trip.
So as not to bore you with unnecessary information, let’s look at the photo of the things I took with me on the trip. Now I’ll tell you what things you could not take with you, but buy on the spot and leave there, or refuse them altogether.
Here is a list of things that take up a lot of space in your backpack, and some of them are completely useless.
Terry towel- this is the biggest fail that can only happen to you in India. First, it takes up precious space. Secondly, India has a very nasty climate, so your towel will simply rot. Thirdly, it costs pennies on the local market. If you really need to drag your towel from Russia, then buy a quick-drying version from any sportswear, at least it won’t rot.
Inflatable sleep pillow and earplugs. These things are completely useless in India, since in most cases you either need a full-fledged pillow, or the road is so bumpy that there is no time for sleep.
Laptop. It all depends on the type of your activity, for me it is necessary, but most of my friends get by just fine with a tablet or smartphone. The laptop takes up a lot of space and weighs at least 2.5 kilograms.
Reflex camera. Everything here is debatable, but modern smartphones take such high-quality pictures that you are amazed. If photography is not a profession for you, then a modern smartphone camera is perfect.
Flashlight. In India, there are sometimes power outages, but there is no need to bring a flashlight from Russia. The local store has as much of this stuff as you want, and the price is much lower than ours.
Thermal mug lid. The thermal cup is a universal thing, I’m used to it, but in India I could do without it. And especially don’t carry the cover of this device with you.
There are several items missing from this photo that were in my backpack, but they were quite useful on the trip. An exception is the Dolphin device, it’s a nasal wash, but it was completely useless. In India there are two extremes, and in both cases such devices are not needed at all. For example, if you live in Goa on the seashore, or in the foothills of the Himalayas, then you don’t need any “Dolphin”. If you live in Delhi, where the air is so dirty that you need to constantly rinse your nose, the device is again useless.
Now you know for sure that things that are familiar to us can be completely useless during an Indian trip.
Have a nice trip!
It is necessary to think through in detail the list of all the necessary things that you must have at hand if you go on a trip. All preparations can be roughly divided into three stages - we will tell you step by step what you should take with you in order to feel confident and comfortable in any situation.
Step 1: Pre-readiness
Of course, the very first thing that must be present in your travel suitcase is documents, among which will be:
- International passport. For an Indian visa, it must have two blank pages, and you must also ensure that the passport remains active 3 months after your return from the trip.
- Copies of your foreign passport (in case the main document gets lost).
- Package tour. documents.
- Indian visa.
Step 2: not much time left before departure
So, you're already mentally basking in the golden sands of Goa, but you can't forget about the things you'll definitely need on the road. So, don't forget to take:
- Medicines. One of the most important items that you must have with you. It is not always possible to buy medicines at any stall in Goa, so make sure in advance that you have on hand:
- brilliant green;
- plasters;
- bandages;
- proven insect repellents;
- peroxide;
- painkillers;
- anti-motion sickness medications;
- means to improve the functioning of the gastrointestinal tract;
- any antipyretic tablets;
- sunscreen spray or cream (in India there are a lot of mosquitoes and other insects that carry various infections).
- Take it with you credit cards, money. If you plan to take more than 10 thousand dollars on vacation, they must be declared in advance.
- Insurance policy.
- International driver's license (it is worth remembering that traffic on the left is introduced in Goa). Many people prefer to take a personal driver for their own safety.
- Don't forget to bring hats for yourself and your children.
- Phone chargers, cameras, video cameras - and don’t forget the chargers for them.
- A small guide to Goa that will help you navigate the area.
- A phrasebook - English-Russian is quite suitable. Despite the fact that there are a large number of people living in India who speak Russian tolerably well, you must be fully prepared. To take lunch in a cafe or buy souvenirs, you need knowledge of the language, so if you have difficulties with English, it is better to prepare in advance so as not to buy a phrase book on the spot at an incredible price.
- Flashlight. Already at 6 pm in Goa the sun begins to set, and if you consider yourself to be a fan of night walks, this device is worth taking with you.
- Bed linen and towel (at least a clean sheet). No matter what experts say, India is one of the dirtiest countries in the world. Therefore, it is better to take personal belongings in order not to catch an infection.
Step 3: final readiness
Goa is one of the smallest states in India. Here you can have an unforgettable time for both newlyweds and married couples with children; even groups of young people will find entertainment to their liking. Economical shopping, fun parties, exciting walks - all this awaits you on vacation, but in order for the trip not to be overshadowed by unforeseen incidents, you should definitely take all of the above things with you.
At the airport, be sure to make sure that you have all your suitcases with you, your documents are in place, and their copies are in separate pockets. Think carefully about whether you forgot any important items; if there was an omission, it is better to buy the missing items while you are in your native land.
After this, you can finally relax and tune in to the positive - you are flying to one of the most wonderful, picturesque, unforgettable places on the whole Earth!
Before asking about what to take with you to Goa, you immediately need to answer the counter question: “What to take with you to heaven?” This is exactly the question hippies asked themselves when they moved here to live permanently in the 60s. They took nothing with them, only their dreams, songs and a sea of love. But let's look at the world realistically and still decide on the main things that need to be taken into account. India Goa in a trip.
Season and weather
Goa has its own weather conditions in every period of time. Eg, perfect time for rest is the period from October to March. But many tourists live here all year round and do not experience any particular inconvenience. From April to July starts in Goa rain season, when everything around is flooded with torrential rain almost every day. Then you should stock up on waterproof shoes, clothes and a large umbrella. And for example from August to October starts here heatwave and basically can't breathe. It becomes so stuffy that neither the sea, nor the shade, nor cold water can save you. At this time of year, it is better to go to the northern regions of India and wait until October. But we will talk specifically about the most favorable stage of weather conditions - from October to March. It is during these months that millions of tourists plan their trips and remain as satisfied as possible.
What to take with you to Goa: the most necessary things
First of all, you need to make sure that you are in place passport and plane tickets, as well as money. Should do all copies of documents and take it with you. As a rule, tickets are ordered online and must be printed. At customs they ask you to show ticket and hotel reservation. You can book any hotel and then cancel it. You must have a valid one on hand visa to india- local authorities are especially closely monitoring this, since there are many cases of tourists who simply stayed in India without registration and with expired documents.
It’s worth exchanging rubles in your homeland for dollars or euros. Otherwise, it will be difficult to exchange them in Goa. It is more profitable to have dollars on hand. They are more often used in everyday life and are more readily exchanged at exchange points.
I believe that these are the most necessary things, without which you are unlikely to end up in another country. For me, this is enough that you need to take it to Goa, and nothing else is required. And it will be important for you to stock up on a few more things.
Insurance to India
It's better to take care of it in advance health insurance and take it with you to Goa. It costs about 30 rubles per day and allows you to call a Russian-speaking doctor to the hotel who will provide assistance. You never know what can happen on the coast, it’s better to insure yourself in every sense. This especially applies to those who ride a scooter, because regular insurance does not cover such risks. Need additional option " leisure” or “driving a motorbike,” with which the cost immediately doubles. But it's worth it. Good insurance in India:
- “Consent” with assistance from “AP Companies”- the cheapest insurance out of the good ones. Can be purchased at
- "Tripinsurance" with your own assistance- very reliable and expensive. Can be purchased at.
- "Allianz" with "Mondial" assistance- “golden mean” in terms of price and quality. Can be purchased at
- "ERV" with assistance "Euro-Holding"- good insurance for children. Can be purchased at.
First aid kit
For particularly squeamish tourists and for those who have any health problems, you should take your own first aid kit. For example, you can bring antiseptics, painkillers and prebiotics. In general, India is a country that produces the most natural and effective medicines in the world. They are based on ancient Ayurvedic recipes. You can buy everything you need at a local pharmacy, as we usually do. But it’s better to take care of your health in advance, which can also be detrimental when transferring to planes.
Other
Can be taken to Goa credit cards. There are ATMs in Goa, and in some cafes and shops you can pay by card without a commission. And also need to take to Goa international driving license. You can rent a scooter without a license. The maximum fine for driving without documents is 500 rupees; if you are driving without a helmet, then 100 rupees. The fines are very reasonable, compared, for example, to Thailand, where you have to pay 1,500 baht for parking in the wrong place, and 3,000 baht for driving without a license.
Helped me a lot English-Russian phrasebook. It's small and doesn't take up much space, but it's so effective. It’s also worth getting a guide to India in Russian. Although you can find all the information on the Internet. Paper maps are very helpful. The best apps are Google maps and Maps.me. Download them to your phone in advance.
What to take to India Goa: packing a backpack
Yes, yes, it’s a backpack, not a suitcase with flowers. Why a backpack because it is the most effective hand luggage. It's easy to board a plane with, and easy to check in as luggage without worrying about whether the wheels fall off. It is also easy to carry from place to place when you travel in and around Goa. Who knows where the dashing will take you? Maybe you'll end up in Bali.
India is the most unpredictable country in the world, with the features of a portal where tourists can move, amazed by the freedom and limitlessness of their actions. This is how they leave society to live. It all starts with the backpack, of course. 🙂
What to wear in Goa
This means the backpack must be at least 60 liters. It’s worth putting comfortable summer shoes, spare jeans, shorts, a T-shirt, socks, underwear, a swimsuit or swimming trunks, a hat, a long-sleeve sweater or sweatshirt (it’s very cool in the evenings, especially when you’re riding a scooter). The rest can be bought in local shops for little money. For example, T-shirts cost 100-200 rupees, dresses 300-700 rupees.
What else
A must take in Goa communication device, camera or cameras y, as well as spare batteries and accumulators. Sunglasses will come in handy, but it’s better to take inexpensive ones or buy them locally. There is a possibility of losing them or breaking them. I have often noticed that many travelers have a laptop. They work on it during free daytime hours, when the sun is hot and you don’t want to go anywhere. And some communicate with loved ones on Skype. Each cafe has its own Wi-Fi, although the quality of the Internet is not great everywhere. Therefore, we are not able to work in Goa at all.
Can be taken on holiday in Goa in a backpack small flashlight. It will come in handy if you rent a house somewhere on the outskirts. India has a different system of electrical appliances and often requires a Euro adapter. You need to take it and also stock up on a tee so that there are always enough sockets. You can also take a notebook and pen to Goa. It helps when inspiration comes and you want to pour out your innermost thoughts on paper. And this happens everywhere, because Goa inspires creativity. You should take 3 x 4 color photographs with you. They will be useful when purchasing a local SIM card or Internet. Many useful things can be bought in local supermarkets. Many of them have been adapted and already have inscriptions in Russian.
What not to take in Goa
You should not take expensive things to Goa in India. For example, you should remove all gold jewelry or those that are valuable. In addition, it is also better to leave expensive phones and equipment at home. You shouldn't take high-heeled shoes - there's simply nowhere to put them on. And you don’t really want to put on makeup in the heat. Natural beauty is the most attractive. You shouldn't take a lot of clothes. She will only get in the way.
Also, do not take chargers that take a long time to charge. Time is precious and you don’t know where you might end up in half an hour. There is no need to take sunscreen or insect repellent with you to Goa. Because they are in every stall, they are cheap and very effective. An inflatable pillow is also not useful. And huge books will burden your stay. Moreover, many cafes have their own libraries of books left behind by tourists who are tired of carrying them with them on vacation.
Own experience of what to take on vacation in Goa
Having a one-way ticket, a backpack, a sleeping bag, a T-shirt and pants to change into and take off winter clothes, as well as a couple of thousand dollars, I set off to unknown India. In fact, things are sold there and you can buy shoes, glasses, hygiene items and everything you need for pennies. I even ordered a return ticket via the Internet at a local internet cafe. And I can say that it is more profitable to buy air tickets from India than from Russia. All winterers do exactly this.
First of all, I thought about where I would keep my money. After all, this is the main thing that has value in an unfamiliar country, after the passport, of course. For safety reasons, I recommend taking padlock. It is incredibly helpful for both locking hotel rooms and hanging on old safes. From the outside it may seem strange to take a barn castle with you on vacation to Goa. But this “accessory” helped me and kept all my things safe in the hotel room. As you understand, the cleaning lady, the receptionist, and maybe a crowd of people also have the keys to a standard hotel lock. I also recommend that you always close the windows so that no one else can break in on you. It sounds funny, but such cases are true.
Friends going to India for the first time often ask what things to take with them. The country is quite exotic, truly unpredictable. With our three years of experience, we claim to have some experience :))), which is why we set out to compile this important list, which will affect the comfort of travelers throughout the trip.
So, what to put in your backpack so that later it won’t be excruciatingly painful and you won’t experience discomfort while wandering across Indian soil.
Documentation
1. Foreign Passport + its photocopy + scanned copy by e-mail
2. Air tickets in several copies + confirmation letters from ashrams or hotels for accommodation + printouts of train tickets
3. Driver's license (licence) or a high-quality color copy, laminated to match the original
4. Money in cash dollars + bank cards with money on them (minimum 2). Access to the money on the card must be opened specifically for withdrawal or use in India.
5. Passport size photographs of yourself - 2-3 pcs.
6. Ksivnik is a small bag for documents and money that is worn around the neck or on the belt under clothes
7. Contact addresses in India with a visa application form (on the plane you need to fill out migration cards and indicate them there)
8. Two pens with a notepad
9. Guide or printouts from websites + map of India
Medicines and hygiene
1. Medicines:
A. Hydrogen peroxide, iodine (it’s good to pack the bottle, since iodine fumes spoil clothes, books, etc.), cotton wool, bandage, gauze, bactericidal patch, tea tree oil.
B. activated carbon, chloramphenicol, imodium or loperamide, enzymatic and digestive agents (festal or mezim, smecta)
B. antipyretic (aspirin), pain reliever (no-spa)
D. Individual medications
2. Wet wipes and/or bactericidal hand gel
3. Dry wipes (3-4 packs)
4. Soap + shampoo in a small tube
5. Towel
6. Toothbrush, toothpaste
7. Razor
8. Pads + tampons
9. Toilet paper
10.Skin moisturizer
11. High protection sunscreen + sun protection cream sunburn. Especially relevant for the South of India: Goa, Kerala and the Himalayas
12.Mosquito repellent
13. Comb + mirror
14. Washing powder
Farm
1. Small padlock (used to close doors in hotels and secure bags under benches on trains)
2. Bicycle lock
3. Flashlight
4. Candle
5. Boiler
6. Mug, spoon, knife, plate (if you have a light travel one, if not, then several plastic plates)
7.Lighter, matches
8. Needles, threads, scissors, nail file
9. Tourist seat
10. Rope
11.Clothes pegs
12.Wide tape
13. Two sheets that you don’t mind rubbing and throwing away at the end of the road
14. Sleeping bag (if the bag is a blanket and not a cocoon, then probably one for two)
15. A small, lightweight backpack for trips around the city
16.Tee
17.Inflatable pillow for sleeping on an airplane
Cloth
1. Two pairs of pants (one for yourself, one for reserve)
2. Long shorts or breeches (for sea resorts India)
3. Cotton long-sleeved shirt + 2-3 T-shirts with closed shoulders + underwear
4. Warm jacket (fleece). If you go north, then a scarf + hat
5. Windbreaker from rain and wind or jacket (for the north)
6. Raincoat or umbrella
6. Cotton socks 2-3 pairs + warm wool socks 1 pair + tights (for the north)
7. Swimming trunks, swimsuit + goggles
8. Sunglasses
9. Panama hat/sun cap.
In India, clothes are inexpensive and can be purchased locally.
Shoes
1. Boots/sneakers and/or sports sandals (depending on the region and time of year)
2. Flip flops (cheapest)
Technology and leisure
1. Camera + charger + flash drives
2. Video camera + charger + flash drives
3. Mobile phone+ charger for it
4. Card reader
5. Player + headphones
6. Laptop+charger+flash drives+bag+USB cable
7. English Dictionary/Phrasebook
8. For evening pastime: books/cards/chess/checkers/Tamagotchi/prez ervativa, etc.
Food
1. 0.5 kg of various nuts, raisins, dried fruits.
2. Tea
3. Chocolate
When compiling the list, we also used the experience of other travelers from the site
India is a country with a tropical climate, thousand-year-old traditions and strict laws that even tourists must comply with. Much will depend on how you dress, what you carry with you, and how you behave - namely, the attitude of the local population towards the “next” tourist.
It is better to take your time when packing your bag for India. After receiving the long-awaited documents, it is worth checking the contents of your suitcases several times - not to take anything unnecessary or particularly valuable, but also not to forget what, without which your holiday in India will certainly be overshadowed.
Check out the approximate list of what you need to take with you to India. This list is incomplete and can be expanded with individual items.
Documents for traveling to India
Citizens of Russia for a period of stay in India up to 30 days, can receive an entry document upon arrival at the airport. To obtain the right to visit the country, you must have:
International passport with expiration date from 6 months at the time of planned departure from India;
Copies of completed pages Russian passport;
One color photo on any digital media in format.jpeg. The file size must not exceed 300 kb ;
Completed and certified visa application form. It is certified online in 4 days before departure;
Visa or MasterCard card with an open account for payment of visa fee in the amount of $60.
If you plan to live in India over 30 days, then you will have to apply for a visa in advance and only through Consulate General of India in Moscow.
international passport
Packing your suitcase for India
Cloth
When traveling to any place in India except Goa, you should remember that it is indecent for women to bare their shoulders or knees, wear too revealing or tight clothes, or look provocative. There are no such restrictions.
Any clothing should be light, light and at the same time quite comfortable. It would be good to have a few with you T-shirts, two pairs shorts or breeches, trousers or jeans, some skirts or dresses. Helps a lot during combustion long sleeve T-shirt, which will protect burned skin from new stress in the form of UV rays.
Example of clothing in India
For swimming and sunbathing on the beach, you need to take a pair of swimming trunks or swimsuits. But for cool Indian summer nights it is better to take with you sweater or summer jacket, because walking and sightseeing in the evening is even more comfortable than during the day. It would also be better to take several pairs socks and more clean underwear.
When traveling, don’t forget about hats. The hot sun of this country can cause sunstroke, so it is better to cover your head with a light shade. Panama hat, wide-brimmed hat or cap.
For a trip to the mountains, warmer clothes will be useful, however, you can buy them locally for a reasonable price. You may also need rain cover, however, it will only be needed in especially rainy months, or again when going to the mountains.
Shoes
Shoes for a trip to India need to be chosen especially carefully. These should be comfortable shoes, preferably made from natural materials, and preferably already worn, since new shoes sometimes begin to chafe, although they seemed comfortable.
For mountain hikes and long excursions, it is better to choose on sneakers or other closed, comfortable shoes on a small heel. In such shoes the foot will not get tired for a long time, so it is an ideal option for long walks.
The best way to get around the city is sandals, light shoes or other open shoes, in which the leg will breathe. And for walking on the beach or even going into the water, flip flops or beach slippers are best.
In the country it's better don't wear open shoes, no matter how hot the weather is. In the Indian jungle there are a lot of dangers in the form of representatives of the local fauna - poisonous snakes and spiders are found even near densely populated villages.
To visit various entertainment and public places you can take high heel shoes, however, you shouldn’t wear it all the time - your legs will get too tired, which will significantly spoil your rest.
First aid kit
Every tourist must have a first aid kit - not only comfort, but also health after the trip depends on it. In addition to the personal medications you need to take, your first aid kit should include:
· Bandage, iodine, plaster and other means for treating minor injuries;
· Medicines for stomach disorders (activated carbon, Immodium, Linex, etc.);
· Remedies for headaches. Please note that aspirin is not sold in Russia;
· Simple painkillers;
· Remedies for conjunctivitis - ointment or drops;
· Hygienic lipstick;
· Medicines that relieve cold symptoms;
· Drops or ointment for nasal congestion;
· Personal hygiene products - in India it is difficult to buy, for example, feminine pads or cotton wool;
· Malaria preventive medications may be helpful.
In Indian pharmacies you can see analogues many “Russian” drugs, but under different names. You can buy them only at your own peril and risk. The quality of some medicines in India is constantly criticized by international doctors' organizations.
Pharmacy in India
What to take when traveling with a child?
When traveling with a child under 14 years of age, he must be entered in your passport. After 14 the child is entitled your document.
Many personal hygiene products in India there is simply no such thing, so it would be better to take diapers, powders and other products with you. The same applies to special food.
A child should be dressed in the same way as an adult, in light, comfortable clothes. light clothes. Don't forget about headdress.
Important little things
Sun cream- no joke, tourist “currency” in India. They sell it at every turn, but the quality and prices will upset even the most generous tourists. Therefore, it is better to take it from home, or better yet, with a reserve.
Be sure to take a few with you adapters for sockets. Some hotels still use an outdated standard. In addition, there may be only one socket in the room - electricity remains a luxury for a number of Indian states even in the 21st century. In this case you need to have with you tee or extension.
The electrical problems won't end there. Every visitor to India, even in such a rich state as Goa, should have with him LED flashlight kit. Rolling blackouts at power plants are a common occurrence here.
The issue of sanitation in Indian hotels is also easy to solve - just take your own towels And bed sheets. With the latter, by the way, you need special vigilance - too expensive sheets can be stolen by maids.
For long outdoor excursions in India, a few replacement pairs will come in handy sunglasses.
When traveling on your own, always have with you GPS -navigator in a charged smartphone or special device. It makes no sense to take “paper” maps and guidebooks for tourists - many settlements they just don't have it.
GPS navigator in your phone
Indians speak good English, and major cities There are even experts in the Russian language. But nonetheless, hindi phrasebook It is highly advisable to have it with you. If you can find a similar one marathi phrasebook, then you can safely go to Maharashtra on excursions to the legendary Bollywood film studios.
