There are certainly very different needs and preferences when it comes to traveling. This list is not a complete packing list of all the things we had with us. It is more of a suggestion for individual things that became very important to us on the trip. Ultimately, you know best what you need.
Sleeping
Buff: It keeps you warm on an icy cold train or protects your eyes from light while you sleep.
Oropax: Whether in a hotel, airplane, bus or train. Anyone who uses Oropax will particularly appreciate them in India.
Jute bag: Worth its weight in gold as a pack sack in a rucksack, for shopping trips or filled with clothes as a pillow.
Silk sleeping bag: Can help with tired beds or against mosquitoes on hot nights.
Hygiene
🌜 Mooncup: Better than OB and pads, you can flush it down any toilet.
🧴 Body lotion: You will often have dry skin and lips from the sun. Unfortunately, we have not found any natural body lotion on the go.
🧻 Toilet paper: A roll of toilet paper here and there will make you happy, especially when traveling by train.
🧼 Soap: For body, hair and washing clothes. Our favorite – Sea to Summit Wilderness Wash 50ml or a curd soap.
Disinfectant: For your hands if there is no water on the train or no soap in the restaurant.
Wet wipes: Preferably those with disinfectant, then you can clean your bed railing or the headrest on the train once.
🦟 Mosquito protection: There are mosquitoes almost everywhere, as well as the risk of various diseases. We had a mosquito skin spray and a mosquito clothing spray with us.
☀️ Sun protection: The sun is pretty strong in India, whether on the beach or in the mountains. Our favorite – Sensolar FPS50 100ml
Medication
💊 Imodium: against diarrhea
Mortilium: For vomiting. It has to come out first, but if nothing more comes out then you are relieved at some point to be able to take a tablet.
Charcoal tablets: For diarrhea
Tea: 5-6 bags of stomach and sage tea for stomach complaints or an irritated throat caused by bad air.
Amar drops: From Weleda, against belching or nausea after greasy food.
First-aid kit: Always have a few plasters and disinfectant with you.
Textiles
🧢 Hat: Cap or sun hat. As there is always a latent glare in India, the hat was my number one choice, even though I don’t usually wear hats.
👞 Shoes: A pair of shoes, a pair of sandals. If you’re not heading north, make sure you take light shoes with you. The airier the better.
🫃🏻 Fanny pack: For ID, wallet, smartphone. I always carry these 3 things with me, no matter where I am. Our favorite: Patagonia Ultralight Black Hole® Mini Hip Pack 1L
👗 Clothes: Few clothes – light and quick-drying. Merino shirts, merino boxer shorts and bamboo socks in particular have proven their worth.
🎒 Day rucksack: For excursions and day trips, we recommend a small rucksack that you can compress to the size of your fist. Available at Decathlon for 1€. 💡 Also in India, by the way.
☔️ Rain protection: Rain jacket as protection against small unexpected downpours. It can get cold in the rain when riding a scooter.
🟧 Beach towel: Lightweight towel for the beach or as a skirt to cover your legs when visiting temples. A savior against mosquitoes in the evening.
👝 Packing cubes/packing bags: As a backpacker, you know the drill. Just one night in a hotel or one night on the train and you still have to unpack almost everything. Packing cubes help to pack and unpack things quickly. Our favorite – zPack Ultralight Packing Cubes.
Miscellaneous
🍫 B ar: Snack on the train and bus or on hikes. There are no natural bars in India, except for fruits and nuts. Small fruit slices or protein bars are therefore ideal for longer journeys.
🔪 Pocket knife: Always useful.
✏️ Writing utensils: write cards, fill out a visa form or play a three-in-a-row on the train.
📲 Multi-charger: There is often only one socket in rooms or on night buses, so it is worth having a plug with two or more connections with you to charge several devices at the same time. Possibly an additional USB cable with the “old” connection, i.e. not USB C.
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