What to pack for India

India is a conservative country, so avoid wearing spaghetti strap tops, mini-skirts or tight clothing. For religious sites, cover shoulders, chest and legs with loose-fitting, non-revealing clothing like long pants and maxi skirts, and carry a scarf or shawl to cover your head.

Aside from clothing, you should pack bug spray, wet wipes, hand sanitizer to use before eating to avoid sickness, and travel nausea meds for long train rides. It’s also recommended to pack any necessary toiletries, as they are not always available at hotels or homestays.

North India

Pack clothes you can layer for the winter – a warm fleece, windbreaker, gloves and a beanie. If you’re visiting desert areas, have a bandana or scarf handy to cover your face from dust. In summer, breathable natural fabrics like cotton or linen in light colours are recommended.

South India

Southern India tends to be humid due to its tropical climate, so loose-fitting shirts, t-shirts, long dresses, knee-level or below-knee shorts, pants and skirts are your best bet. It stays pretty warm in the winter but bring a fleece or light jacket for cool nights. Don’t forget your swimwear but bring coverups for when you’re back in town. Quick-drying materials are handy for humidity.

For all areas, pack an umbrella and a raincoat, just in case.