This list is by no means extensive, nor do you have to take everything on it when you are preparing to travel to India.

But there are some things that you cannot get in India including some toiletries, some suitable clothing and other certain items that may be hard to get in India this list will help you plan better for that.

Toiletries

Make sure you have the things that you cannot go without, some things are available in India while others are not.  For women sanitary pads are readily available but sometimes tampons are not.  Also you may find it hard to dispose of at times so make sure you always carry some newspaper and snap-lock bags to discreetly carry them in your bag until you can dispose of them properly.  Contact lens solution is another thing you should make sure to take yourself along with deodorant, lip balm and insect repellent.

Sunscreen

Insect repellant

Lip Balm

Tooth paste

Tooth brush

Shampoo

Conditioner

Face wash

Facecloth

Something to sooth insect bites i.e. Pinetarsol or an antihistamine

Dettol

Prescription medications and the prescription

Feminine sanitary products and something to dispose of them in temporarily

Small first aid kit

Malaria medications

Dental floss

Deodorant

Suitable clothing

In summer this would be light clothing, however women should take care not to wear anything too revealing other than at beaches and pools, jeans are fine for nightclubs. And both men and women should realize there are some rigid restrictions on the formality of dress when going to religious temples and such.  Mainly no sleeveless shirts, or shorts, if you are wearing a skirt you should wear a slip if it’s see through. You should take a good pair of walking shoes although shoes in general are easy to come by in India you have to remember that you get what you pay for. A shawl can help ward off any unwanted attention too.  Weather coming into winter is rather mild if you aren’t used to heat, but you will need warmer clothes for early morning and evening.

A rain jacket

Sandals

Good walking shoes

Sun Hat

Dress shoes

Others

Permanent marker

Travel journal or notebook

Guide/language books

Camera and accessories, i.e. Batteries and charger. If you have a film camera make sure to carry plenty of film and to keep it in a lead lined container going through the airport to keep the film safe.  These days most people have digital cameras so this isn’t such a problem.

Alcohol or baby wipes

Travel alarm clock

Plastic bags for dirty laundry.

Mosquito nets

A day bag

Contact lense solution

Sunglasses

Towel

Shopping totes or bags

Cash

Credit/debit cards

Passport

Tickets

Insurance

Itinerary

Contact list

Toilet paper- you never know when you might need it you should carry it in your day bag.

Photocopies of the above so that you can keep them in separate places as well as emails.  This way if you lose the hard copies and the copies you still have something to refer back to.