Suggested Packing List & Climate (India)

The best times to visit India are at the beginning and end of the year in the beginning and end of the cool season. Daytime temperatures are still quite high, but evenings are dryer and cooler. If your tour visits mountains or hill stations, temperatures and humidity levels will be significantly lower so you will need to take warmer clothes with you.

Remember that at higher altitude, no matter the time of year sudden and unpredictable drops in temperature, snow or storms can hit on the mountain passes. The sun is also much stronger so you can be sunburnt more quickly (see climate chart for Kolkata, Darjeeling, Gangtok, Thimpu and Wangduephodrang).

Appropriate Dress

When visiting religious sites, both men and women should dress in conservative, non-revealing clothing. Full-length trousers with a shirt or t-shirt for men; and trousers or skirts well below the knee with a top that covers the shoulders and upper arms for women. Women might also consider carrying a ‘modesty shawl’ in their daypack – this could be a sarong or light scarf – which they can wear over their shoulders and heads to feel more comfortable whilst sightseeing. We recommend shoes that easily slip on and off, and carry a pair of thick, old socks in your daypack, which you can wear to protect your feet from any rough or hot surfaces.

Suggested Packing List

We recommend that you check the weather forecast prior to your departure so that you can pack accordingly. Generally, casual clothes are recommended. Loose fitting, lightweight cotton materials are the most comfortable for humid weather, while layers of warmer clothes are advised for cooler evenings. A waterproof jacket will be required for the wetter conditions in April. The dress code throughout the tour is casual; however, it is important that all passengers dress conservatively. Smart casual clothes are highly recommended for evening banquets and shows.

Your travel documents and passport; including a photocopy of your passport in case it is lost or stolen while you are abroad. Keep one photocopy at home and take another photocopy on your trip with you.
Main luggage & luggage padlocks
‘Day bag’ - a smaller bag to carry with you during the day, both while driving and sightseeing. E.g. drinking water, hat, sunscreen, toilet paper, insect repellent, camera and spare batteries, jacket.
Money belt to carry passport, cash, credit cards, airline tickets, etc.
Trousers (or long skirts for women) – please remember to respect local customs (knee length is recommended).
Shirts or long-sleeved tops of light cotton material
Walking shoes and socks – it is important to have sturdy and comfortable shoes for sightseeing every day.
Sun protection – hat, sunscreen and lip balm
Personal medical kit including insect repellent - visit Travel Health
Antibacterial wipes and/or hand sanitiser to clean hands before eating
Tracksuit/similar outfit of soft material is recommended for the overnight train journeys
A water/windproof jacket
Light jumpers/thermals are great for layering, including gloves and scarf
A ‘modesty shawl’ or sarong to wear in Muslim or conservative areas (for women)
Torch, conversion plug and spare batteries – batteries available to buy in India tend to be unreliable
Scarf or bandana – useful to protect your face against dusty winds at high altitude

Spare glasses – it is difficult to get any prescription lenses repaired or replaced in India
Small bath towel is useful for overnight train journeys
Toiletries (soap, shampoo, lotion) for personal use
Toilet paper – not all public toilets will provide this
Snacks – tea bags/coffee, milk powder or sachets, instant soups or noodles, or anything else you can’t live without!
Camera and memory card

Luggage Allowance

All passengers are limited to two items of luggage each:

One suitcase or backpack, with a maximum weight of 20 kg. Your main luggage must have a lock on it, and you must be able to carry your own bags.
One piece of hand luggage, with a maximum weight of 5kg.

It is advisable that your hand luggage consist of a ‘daypack’ – a small bag which you can access during the day and carry items like your camera, bottled water, toilet paper, hat etc.

Average Temperature & Rainfall

January

February

March

April

May

June

July

August

September

October

November

December