Here's My Packing List. . . help me cut it down please!

sjwalking · Sep 14th, 2007, 18:56

OK here's my 2 cents (as a fellow trekker/India traveler).

CLOTHES ** this seems fine...you may end up buying other stuff there if you want to fit in or need to replace something, and that's easy.
2 pairs trousers
1 Light Weight + 1 Heavy Weight
1 swim trunks
1 Kavu shorts
3 shirts
2 long button up shirts
Merino Wool Long Underwear Top
Merino Wool Long UnderWear Bottom **I'd go with thermal
Down Vest Vest (can been used as a pillow) ** I find the functionality of a vest to be quite minimal, and you will have other things (including an inflatable pillow) to use as a pillow
3 pairs socks
4 pairs underwear
hairbands, bandannas
warm wool fingerless gloves **I'd go with fingered, nix the liners
skinny warm liner gloves
knitted cap
rain jacket
[do i need?] 1 pair walking shoes/crosstrainers
crocs ** do you really need these? I'd go with a pair of closed-toed and a pair of open-toed -- I love chacos, and for really dirty places you'll want to keep your feet out of the muck somehow. shoes are one thing i had a hard time replacing in india.
chaco adventure sandles (like tevas, but better)
belt

PACKS
travel pack
day pack
fanny pack ** i wouldn't bother. i found that when there were times that i really wanted to keep my important stuff with me, like on the train, there was enough of it to fill a day pack (camera, docs, cash, my book, etc). what I really did find useful, though, was a little Eagle Creek purse that fit my little digital camera, hand gel, a knife (for peeling fruit i bought on the street), cash, a few scraps of paper and a few pages from the LP. To go wandering around the city for the day I'd lock the rest of my stuff in my luggage and take just that around, which was much less conspicuous than a fanny pack and I could easily keep one hand on it in the market.
luggage locks
pacsafe
steel cable

Keeping me from Smellying Like Dirty Clothes
universal (flat) sink stopper ** i never needed this to do laundry in the room
plug in portable water heater ? ** don't bother -- most places you'll stay can give you hot water and if they can't it won't be often enough that you'll mind going without
clothesline ** I always managed to find enough places to hang stuff -- you can also use the tie-ups from your mosquito net.
detergent packets ** don't bother. shampoo, or the little detergents from the grocer, work fine
lightweight laundry bag ** nah, a pile or a section of your pack works just as well

Keeping me from getting delhi-belly too many times
toilet paper ** TP in India comes in these really travel-friendly small rolls. snag one from the first place you stay
antibacterial gel ** yep definitely
chemical water purifier / steripen?
analgesic of choice
diarrhea treatment
infection treatment (e.g., Keflex)
malaria tablets
insect repellent, mosquito net
lip balm
** i carried all of the above. was definitely more comfortable with that than finding a chemist i trusted -- just don't bring too much, and be careful.

Very thin pieces of bound wood (books/etc)
pen(s), small notebook/diary, glue stick ** glue stick? this you can definitely get if you ever need it.
lonely planet
phrase book ?
war and peace

Miscellaneous Category
whistle ? **nope
rubber door stop (security for doors?) ** eh, most doors have gigantic locks.
inflatable travel U-pillow
hostel sheet bag * i have a silk bag liner that worked amazingly well
cord ** what with the laundry line and the mosquito net, what's this for?
sewing awl ** nah, hire a tailor if you need something sewn. it's fun to do once anyway
large sewing needle to accommodate dental floss ** see above
duct tape ** wrap a few layers around your nalgene. do not bring a whole roll

keeping me clean
toothbrush/tooth paste, floss
shampoo, bar soap & container **bar soap is HEAVY!
deodorant
nail clippers
tweezers
towel

more miscellaneous
sunglasses, retainer, case
earplugs
eye mask
nalgene
condoms ** you've gotten flack for this...but if you're more comfortable using your own I'd say throw 'em in.

travel documents and moniezz
passport, visas, extra passport photos, vaccination certificates
copies of important documents
health insurance information
travel tickets
charge & ATM cards, cash, traveller's cheques
security pouch

electronics
camera + memory
extra batteries ** don't bother -- you can buy them when you need them
charger
case
sd-card reader
cell phone ** only if you're sure you can use it there.
cd player
alarm clock/watch
flashlight
headlamp ** pick one -- headlamp or flashlight. in fact, i usually use those keychain LEDs -- tiny, and good light when you need them. most places will have electricity when you really need it, and when they don't you probably won't be spending a lot of time with your flashlight anyway.
extra batteries ** again, don't bother

donteatgrandma · Sep 14th, 2007, 19:54

really great stuff, thanks guys. i'll post a revised packing list in a few days when i finally get my backpack (which is being shipped from home)

just a few thing though. . .

why duct tape? because it's so useful. it's like the force, it has a dark side, a light side, and holds the universe together. i can go w/o sewing stuff and all those other fun gizmos. . . but duct tape? i find i'm changing my thinking styles more than a little. . .we'll see.

my rain jacket. . . will it be raining much during the time that I'm there? i'll be in rishikesh, but then who knows. . .

and what do you all mean you'd go for thermals over merino wool longunderwear?

thanks for all the help!

Nick-H · Sep 14th, 2007, 20:00

Welcome to IndiaMike

but ...

Quote:

Originally Posted by rosiefearn

Forget the mozzie repellent: european/us ones just don't do the trick compared to what's available locally. Buy odomos or good knight repellent here. For comfortable sleeping, pick up one of the plug-in repellents & liquid when you're here, less than $2. (A power cut all night last night reminded me just how good they are.)

Have to disagree. The active ingredient of Odomos, India's staple repellent is the same DEET as forms the basis of many foreign repellents.

However, Odomos is about 12% DEET. This is fine for a couple of hours, but for all-night protection you really need 50% DEET.

Repellents are graded according to how long the protection lasts, and Google will provide you with access to several studies.

There are other repellent bases too, including Citronella oil for those who prefer something a little less artificial. But nothing beats DEET in the league tables.

Having said that, it seems to be an utterly personal thing. These compounds do not repel the mosquito, they confuse it and mask your smell which it is seeking out. We all have different smells. Some really lucky people don't seem to attract mossies at all; some get bitten whatever they use.

steven_ber · Sep 14th, 2007, 20:01

Quote:

Originally Posted by SitaParityaga

Haven't you read the fine print on those condoms?

Quote:

Originally Posted by Nick-H

Some people have a funny idea of romance!

That explains the magnifying glass incident with a girl in 81, it's worried me for years.

Nick-H · Sep 14th, 2007, 20:08

I'd hate it if you came back in a few months posting that the one thing you really missed was duct tape and it was all my fault for persuading you to leave it at home

!

Anyway, I travel with absolutely everything I can possibly think of that can be squeezed into that miserly airline baggage allowance. And then some extra.

But then I don't backpack.

And I do have a roll of duct tape! But I've had it for two years, and haven't used much.

johnyoga2 · Sep 14th, 2007, 20:10

I was in Rishikesh the end of February beginning of March 2007. Never saw a mosquito, and we were out extensively at night near the river. Also very few flys. The flys were mainly around the sugar cane wallahs. Batteries are very common. So are photo shops for most of your camera needs. A friend had one shop download her photo card to two CD's. Cost RS60. Nights are chilly but wool blankets are cheap. Never wore anything other then tevas, but if your going to do volunteer work, a pair of cross trainers may offer your feet a little more protection especially if your digging in the rocky soil. I would advise that whatever you take footwear wise be washable. The streets are full of cows. I would also advise that whatever you take be less "new" looking. You will be leaving your shoes outside alot. There are several bookstores in town, one large one near the German Bakery. I don't recall seeing War and Peace (or as Tolstoy originially titled it "War-What is it good for!") but they had lots of english title books. Actually I found it harder to find books in Sanskrit then it was to find books in English.

Nick-H · Sep 14th, 2007, 20:10

Quote:

Originally Posted by steven_ber

That explains the magnifying glass incident with a girl in 81, it's worried me for years.

Goes straight to the top of the list of your very best contributions, Steven!

sjwalking · Sep 14th, 2007, 21:02

Quote:

Originally Posted by donteatgrandma

really great stuff, thanks guys. i'll post a revised packing list in a few days when i finally get my backpack (which is being shipped from home)

just a few thing though. . .

why duct tape? because it's so useful. it's like the force, it has a dark side, a light side, and holds the universe together. i can go w/o sewing stuff and all those other fun gizmos. . . but duct tape? i find i'm changing my thinking styles more than a little. . .we'll see.

my rain jacket. . . will it be raining much during the time that I'm there? i'll be in rishikesh, but then who knows. . .

and what do you all mean you'd go for thermals over merino wool longunderwear?

thanks for all the help!

yeah, i'd take duct tape. just don't take a whole roll. wrap some around something, or itself, and you'll have plenty.
I'd bring your rain jacket. it probably won't rain, but if it's cool, or windy, you might want it.

tacita · Sep 14th, 2007, 21:25

you may find some further helpful comments here:

My Packing List

this is also a great thread:
Most useless item to carry around in India ? MUI

in fact, if you read a bunch of threads in the packing sub-forum, you may find some that address many of the items on your list. moreover, by posting in those threads, you can help resurrect those oldies-but-goodies for others as an added bonus!

Buck · Sep 14th, 2007, 22:58

Just to dip my toe in the duct tape debate.
My rucksack wighs 3.5kg empty so I assume that is the norm. If weight is an issue you could leave the rucksack at home and wrap everything up in duct tape. If you buy loads of stuff over there you won't need another bag just another roll of - duct tape!

Buck
CEO Duct tape manufacturers inc

freenote · Sep 14th, 2007, 23:03

Evidently Apollo 13 arrived back on earth safely , only with the judicious use of duct tape !!!!

Nick-H · Sep 14th, 2007, 23:56

Quote:

Originally Posted by Buck

Buck
CEO Duct tape manufacturers inc

inc?

You mean it isn't British?

Another illusion shattered

...

wonderwomanusa · Sep 15th, 2007, 09:47

Quote:

my rain jacket. . . will it be raining much during the time that I'm there? i'll be in rishikesh, but then who knows. . .

The monsoon should be finished by October, so it's unlikely you'll run into more than a day of rain anywhere in the North.

Quote:

and what do you all mean you'd go for thermals over merino wool longunderwear?

I take silk t-shirt and long pants; they hardly weigh anything at all and keep me very warm. Those merino woolies must weigh nearly a pound -- the silk weighs just a couple of ounces.

Oh, and mossie repellant: I have found Cutters (DEET) in stick form at a fishing supply website; it's very economical and works very well for me. Using it against both day- and night-biting mossies, I used a whole stick in 3 months. (Daytime biters carry dengue -- another thing you do not want to get in India)

Aran · Sep 15th, 2007, 17:11

Wow that packing list blew me away!!

I'm planning to bring for 3 weeks travelling around on my own starting in Mumbai/Goa then making it up as I go along over christmas 2007:

Sandals (no socks required)
1 x combat shorts
1 x combat trousers
2 x T shirt
1 x long sleeve T shirt
1 x warm hoody top
1 x swimming shorts
1 x toothbrush
1 x razor
1 x Happy by Clinique (nice aftershave makes me happy)
1 x airline ticket for domestic flight
1 x passport
1 x Tiny wallet that holds bank cards
1 x tiny camera on belt

Possibly a travel mandolin, not sure yet..

thats about it, reckon I'll pick up a couple of things as I need them when I get there.

You got me thinking I may be under doing it.

freenote · Sep 15th, 2007, 18:18

Have travelled around with a small bag and found it fine .three weeks ,no problem

Done the same in Kerala about three years ago and had wonderful little trip .Enjoy .

Sep 14th, 2007, 18:56	#16
sjwalking Member Join Date: Sep 2007 Location: USA Posts: 2	A few thoughts OK here's my 2 cents (as a fellow trekker/India traveler). CLOTHES this seems fine...you may end up buying other stuff there if you want to fit in or need to replace something, and that's easy. 2 pairs trousers 1 Light Weight + 1 Heavy Weight 1 swim trunks 1 Kavu shorts 3 shirts 2 long button up shirts Merino Wool Long Underwear Top Merino Wool Long UnderWear Bottom I'd go with thermal Down Vest Vest (can been used as a pillow) I find the functionality of a vest to be quite minimal, and you will have other things (including an inflatable pillow) to use as a pillow 3 pairs socks 4 pairs underwear hairbands, bandannas warm wool fingerless gloves I'd go with fingered, nix the liners skinny warm liner gloves knitted cap rain jacket [do i need?] 1 pair walking shoes/crosstrainers crocs do you really need these? I'd go with a pair of closed-toed and a pair of open-toed -- I love chacos, and for really dirty places you'll want to keep your feet out of the muck somehow. shoes are one thing i had a hard time replacing in india. chaco adventure sandles (like tevas, but better) belt PACKS travel pack day pack fanny pack i wouldn't bother. i found that when there were times that i really wanted to keep my important stuff with me, like on the train, there was enough of it to fill a day pack (camera, docs, cash, my book, etc). what I really did find useful, though, was a little Eagle Creek purse that fit my little digital camera, hand gel, a knife (for peeling fruit i bought on the street), cash, a few scraps of paper and a few pages from the LP. To go wandering around the city for the day I'd lock the rest of my stuff in my luggage and take just that around, which was much less conspicuous than a fanny pack and I could easily keep one hand on it in the market. luggage locks pacsafe steel cable Keeping me from Smellying Like Dirty Clothes universal (flat) sink stopper i never needed this to do laundry in the room plug in portable water heater ? don't bother -- most places you'll stay can give you hot water and if they can't it won't be often enough that you'll mind going without clothesline I always managed to find enough places to hang stuff -- you can also use the tie-ups from your mosquito net. detergent packets don't bother. shampoo, or the little detergents from the grocer, work fine lightweight laundry bag nah, a pile or a section of your pack works just as well Keeping me from getting delhi-belly too many times toilet paper TP in India comes in these really travel-friendly small rolls. snag one from the first place you stay antibacterial gel yep definitely chemical water purifier / steripen? analgesic of choice diarrhea treatment infection treatment (e.g., Keflex) malaria tablets insect repellent, mosquito net lip balm i carried all of the above. was definitely more comfortable with that than finding a chemist i trusted -- just don't bring too much, and be careful. Very thin pieces of bound wood (books/etc) pen(s), small notebook/diary, glue stick glue stick? this you can definitely get if you ever need it. lonely planet phrase book ? war and peace Miscellaneous Category whistle ? nope rubber door stop (security for doors?) ** eh, most doors have gigantic locks. inflatable travel U-pillow hostel sheet bag * i have a silk bag liner that worked amazingly well cord what with the laundry line and the mosquito net, what's this for? sewing awl nah, hire a tailor if you need something sewn. it's fun to do once anyway large sewing needle to accommodate dental floss see above duct tape wrap a few layers around your nalgene. do not bring a whole roll keeping me clean toothbrush/tooth paste, floss shampoo, bar soap & container bar soap is HEAVY! deodorant nail clippers tweezers towel more miscellaneous sunglasses, retainer, case earplugs eye mask nalgene condoms you've gotten flack for this...but if you're more comfortable using your own I'd say throw 'em in. travel documents and moniezz passport, visas, extra passport photos, vaccination certificates copies of important documents health insurance information travel tickets charge & ATM cards, cash, traveller's cheques security pouch electronics camera + memory extra batteries don't bother -- you can buy them when you need them charger case sd-card reader cell phone only if you're sure you can use it there. cd player alarm clock/watch flashlight headlamp pick one -- headlamp or flashlight. in fact, i usually use those keychain LEDs -- tiny, and good light when you need them. most places will have electricity when you really need it, and when they don't you probably won't be spending a lot of time with your flashlight anyway. extra batteries again, don't bother

Sep 14th, 2007, 19:54	#17
donteatgrandma Member Join Date: Sep 2007 Location: California/Israel Posts: 7	really great stuff, thanks guys. i'll post a revised packing list in a few days when i finally get my backpack (which is being shipped from home) just a few thing though. . . why duct tape? because it's so useful. it's like the force, it has a dark side, a light side, and holds the universe together. i can go w/o sewing stuff and all those other fun gizmos. . . but duct tape? i find i'm changing my thinking styles more than a little. . .we'll see. my rain jacket. . . will it be raining much during the time that I'm there? i'll be in rishikesh, but then who knows. . . and what do you all mean you'd go for thermals over merino wool longunderwear? thanks for all the help! Last edited by Nick-H : Sep 14th, 2007 at 20:02. Reason: Just ever-so-slightly over-enthusiastic ;)

Sep 14th, 2007, 21:25	#24
tacita Maha Mutant Member Join Date: Dec 2006 Location: Gotham Posts: 1,413	you may find some further helpful comments here: My Packing List this is also a great thread: Most useless item to carry around in India ? MUI in fact, if you read a bunch of threads in the packing sub-forum, you may find some that address many of the items on your list. moreover, by posting in those threads, you can help resurrect those oldies-but-goodies for others as an added bonus! __________________ Life is either a daring adventure, or nothing. ~Helen Keller

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Sep 14th, 2007, 20:08	#20
Nick-H Loud-mouthed, Noisy Bird Join Date: Oct 2004 Location: Chennai, India Posts: 26,908	I'd hate it if you came back in a few months posting that the one thing you really missed was duct tape and it was all my fault for persuading you to leave it at home ! Anyway, I travel with absolutely everything I can possibly think of that can be squeezed into that miserly airline baggage allowance. And then some extra. But then I don't backpack. And I do have a roll of duct tape! But I've had it for two years, and haven't used much.

Sep 14th, 2007, 20:10	#21
johnyoga2 Member Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: Indiana Posts: 62	I was in Rishikesh the end of February beginning of March 2007. Never saw a mosquito, and we were out extensively at night near the river. Also very few flys. The flys were mainly around the sugar cane wallahs. Batteries are very common. So are photo shops for most of your camera needs. A friend had one shop download her photo card to two CD's. Cost RS60. Nights are chilly but wool blankets are cheap. Never wore anything other then tevas, but if your going to do volunteer work, a pair of cross trainers may offer your feet a little more protection especially if your digging in the rocky soil. I would advise that whatever you take footwear wise be washable. The streets are full of cows. I would also advise that whatever you take be less "new" looking. You will be leaving your shoes outside alot. There are several bookstores in town, one large one near the German Bakery. I don't recall seeing War and Peace (or as Tolstoy originially titled it "War-What is it good for!") but they had lots of english title books. Actually I found it harder to find books in Sanskrit then it was to find books in English.

Sep 14th, 2007, 22:58	#25
Buck Senior Member Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: Back home in NE Scotland Posts: 128	Just to dip my toe in the duct tape debate. My rucksack wighs 3.5kg empty so I assume that is the norm. If weight is an issue you could leave the rucksack at home and wrap everything up in duct tape. If you buy loads of stuff over there you won't need another bag just another roll of - duct tape! Buck CEO Duct tape manufacturers inc

Sep 14th, 2007, 23:03	#26
freenote senior member refused Join Date: Feb 2004 Location: cornwall UK Posts: 1,533	Evidently Apollo 13 arrived back on earth safely , only with the judicious use of duct tape !!!!

Sep 15th, 2007, 17:11	#29
Aran Member Join Date: Sep 2007 Location: Dublin, Ireland Posts: 35	Wow that packing list blew me away!! I'm planning to bring for 3 weeks travelling around on my own starting in Mumbai/Goa then making it up as I go along over christmas 2007: Sandals (no socks required) 1 x combat shorts 1 x combat trousers 2 x T shirt 1 x long sleeve T shirt 1 x warm hoody top 1 x swimming shorts 1 x toothbrush 1 x razor 1 x Happy by Clinique (nice aftershave makes me happy) 1 x airline ticket for domestic flight 1 x passport 1 x Tiny wallet that holds bank cards 1 x tiny camera on belt Possibly a travel mandolin, not sure yet.. thats about it, reckon I'll pick up a couple of things as I need them when I get there. You got me thinking I may be under doing it.

Sep 15th, 2007, 18:18	#30
freenote senior member refused Join Date: Feb 2004 Location: cornwall UK Posts: 1,533	Have travelled around with a small bag and found it fine .three weeks ,no problem Done the same in Kerala about three years ago and had wonderful little trip .Enjoy .

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