Get Ready, Get Set, Start Packing!
India Spring 2010 Packing List
He who would travel happily must travel light. - Antoine de Saint-Exupery
Lugging a heavy pack around for the entire time we are in India can be extremely tiresome for you, and for the rest of the group. There will be plenty of times when we'll be piling into a train or bus and we don't want to end up like this. Remember that we can find almost anything you'll need in India, and you'll also want to have room to pack gifts to take back to the U.S. Seriously challenge yourself to pack light, and lighter still...you definitely will not regret it!
That said, you will not want to leave out any of the cold weather clothing/gear suggestions - our trek in the Himalaya will require appropriate protection against cold weather.
There will be opportunities to do "self-service" laundry where we'll be staying.
PLEASE NOTE: We strive to be model visitors and therefore ask that everyone bring clothing that is lightweight and durable, but that also covers the body well, and looks respectable. Tie-dyed T-shirts, T-shirts sporting inappropriate phrases, cut-off jeans, clothing with rips or holes, tight fitting leggings, and tank tops are inappropriate as they show disrespect for local cultures.
BAGS
- Internal Frame Backpack: Your main "suitcase" should be comfortable, durable, and as light as possible.
- Daypack: A book-bag to use for daily excursions.
- Duffel Bag: While you'll want to be able to fit all of your things in a backpack and daypack, an extra duffel can be handy for the trip back to the U.S. This bag should be nylon and durable.
- Stuff Sacks: Light-weight and compact, using stuff sacks to separate clothes, food, toiletries for example, will bring order to your pack and allow you to pack and repack as we travel.
- Ziploc Bags: Like stuff sacks, these can be invaluable for keeping things organized and dry.
IMPORTANT DOCUMENTS AND MONEY
- Passport: Valid for at least 6 months from the beginning of your program.
- Extra Copy of Passport: to be stored apart from passport.
- Spending Money: This of course depends a great deal on your personal spending/shopping habits. In our experience, some participants spend less than $100 of personal money during an entire semester, while others spend over $1,000. We suggest bringing at least $500 in American Express traveler's cheques, in a mix of $20 and $50 denominations. ATM cards can be used in some of our destinations, but the machines are not as reliable as you might be accustomed to.
- New Delhi Airport Development Fee: You are also responsible for paying a 1,300 rupee ($28USD) New Delhi Airport Development Fee upon leaving India. This fee is not covered in the cost of your airplane ticket.
GEAR
- Money Belt: A very important item to wear daily, under your clothes, safely hiding your passport, money, etc.
- Sleeping Bag: Sleeping bags should be "mummy" style and have a temperature rating between 0 and 20 degrees Fahrenheit.
- Sleeping Pad: Much heat is lost through the ground, and a good insulating layer between the bag and the ground is important.
- 2 Water Bottles: Please bring two, one-quart, metal or plastic bottles. Sigg and Nalgene bottles can be found at local outdoor gear shops. We recommend that one of your bottles be a Katadyn Exstream XR water bottle as it has a water filter built into it. It's come in very handy when filtered water is not easily accessible.
- Head Lamp and batteries: Flashlights are okay, but headlamps are more convenient.
- Alarm Clock/Watch: Travel-size, to catch early buses and trains.
- Swiss Army Knife: Pack this in your checked luggage, not in your carry-on bag.
CLOTHING
- Down Jacket: Not just a vest.
- Outer Shell: Water-proof or gore-tex, ideally light-weight and breathable.
- Sweater/Fleece jacket
- Three T-shirts: in good shape, but prepared for wear and tear.
- Nice shirt: for meetings and special occasions.
- Two Pairs of Pants: ideally light weight.
- One Pair of Jeans: a comfortable pair.
- Thermal Underwear: one top and one bottom.
- Gloves & Warm Hat
- Five Pairs of Socks: make sure at least two are good hiking socks.
- Five Pairs of Underwear: plus bras for females (at least one should be a sports bra).
- Modest bathing suit: one-piece for females.
- Sleepwear: Ideally, T-shirt/shorts can double for this. Minimize extra weight!
- Skirt/Dress: Ankle-length skirt, Dress with long sleeves. Good idea for women, though we will have opportunities to purchase traditional clothing in Asia.
- Hiking Boots: Please have them well-worn in before we meet for orientation - you'll be happy when there are no blisters on your feet when we are trekking! We recommend something fairly rigid, with good ankle support.
- Sneakers: Durable and comfortable, for daily wear.
- Sandals: Good for every day use in hot weather.
- Visor/Sunhat: for sun protection.
- Sunglasses: with UV protection.
TOILETRIES (Just the basics! No hair driers, hot irons, etc.)
- Toothbrush & paste
- Hair brush/Comb
- Shampoo
- Chapstick
- Sunscreen
- Medications: That you take regularly. Keep pills in original containers to avoid head-aches with Customs. Global LAB will carry a separate, comprehensive first aid bag.
- Glasses/Contacts/Contact Solution: if you wear them. (Extra pair of glasses is a good idea).
OTHER
- Towel: Small and light beach towel size (and ideally fast-drying).
- Camera & film: Film is widely available in Asia. You should bring an extra camera battery and memory card if using a digital camera.
- Notebook/Journal
- Pen/Pencil
- Book: Ideally about the places we will visit (we can swap around to minimize weight).
- Photos: Pull together a small book of photos to share with fellow participants, homestay families, and new friends that you meet on the program. The photos can show the area that you are from and people who are important in your life.
- Homestay Family Gifts: Please bring a small gift from home for your homestay families (3 families in total) as a small token of gratitude. Something that has a connection to your own country, culture, city, town, and/or neighborhood is always appreciated (i.e. a coffee table book of your home town, a small calendar with something significant to you on it, etc.)
OPTIONAL
- Shorts: One pair, at least mid-thigh length (shorts won't be appropriate much of the time; in fact, you may never wear them, but they can be good to sleep in).
- Bandana: These can serve multiple purposes while traveling.
- Umbrella: A lightweight, travel umbrella can serve you well in rain or shine.
- Extra Reading Book(s): We have a small library in Delhi with program-specific books from which to pick as well.
- Extra Stuff Sacks
- Duct Tape: Wrap a bunch around your water bottles and pull it off as you need it.
- Insect Repellent
- Playing Cards
- Purell: A small bottle of anti-bacterial hand gel or anti-bacterial hand-wipes.
- Water Filter: Katadyn Backpacker and MSR Sweetwater are good ones. The leader will also have a group water filter/purifier.
- Playing cards
- Ear plugs: Helps you sleep on long flights and bus rides--and if your roommate has a tendency to snore--or talk in her/his sleep!
There's one more crucial element that you need to bring aside from what's on the packing list: an open mind. You will take part in new and different experiences every step of the way, many of which may take you outside of your comfort zone. You'll also meet people (including your own group members) unlike anyone you've ever met. Having an open mind is essential to making this experience all that it can be for yourself and the group as a whole.
