packing for weather (is it cold in winter?)

ruins_explorer

I am very confused about the weather in Rajasthan. Most places say that the best time to visit is October-March, which is why we chose to go there for our January vacation. But then I started to read about the weather and I'm not sure how to plan for it. Mostly the temps. We're just travelling on a pretty standard rajasthan circuit, but we are going to Ranthambore which apparently is colder (?).

On the Rajasthan-Tourism.org site that I found, it says that I will need "heavy woolen clothes" and "light woolen clothes", differing depending on the location. Another site said that temperatures would go between 40 degrees (F) at the lowest to up in the 80s in the January. I understand it can get quite cold at night, so I will bring flannel PJs. Forty degrees isn't incredibly cold, as our winters at home are more like 10 degrees (well below zero for you Celsius folks).

Concerns:
First, I don't like cold weather and am hoping someone will assure me it's not that cold, but second, I feel it would be impossible to dress "appropriately" and "warmly" at the same time.

So I know women should wear salwar kameez, but how is it possible to stay warm in a light cotton top/pants? I can't imagine what a ski jacket or a woolen peacoat would look like in combination with SK - not good, I think. What do Indian women wear in the winter? I haven't seen any pictures of people bundled up, so maybe this "cold weather" thing is an exaggeration.

So in the end, my question is:
What's the real average temperature?
Considering that packing space is at a premium - what do I really need to bring?
Jacket, mittens, gloves?
Sweaters and corduroy pants?
merely buy long-sleeved SK when I get there?

machadinha

I've travelled around that area twice in winter. What I take is one woollen blanket and one light but warm sweater; pants I can fit over each other if need be. The blanket doubles as a wrap-around which is quite the custom. A pair of walking shoes and socks also doesn't go amiss. More often than not you won't need them but it's just nice to have them if you do, being cold is no fun. I'd say nighttime can dip to 5C'ish which is frigging cold if you're not dressed for it. My girlfriend would just wear a sweater and a large Indian shawl that she can snuggle up in I think, anyway she's not the salwar-wearing type. Winter is very brief so the end of January might see things really heating up already; also, it's only the nights and early mornings that get nippy, daytime will just be warm to hot. Being outside (desert, wildparks) can also make a big difference, hence the note on Ranthambore presumably. It's also true that it really differs per location, having frozen my ass off once I just like to come prepared. See also here for two weather charts for a general idea.

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skell

I was there last Nov & Dec. The nights get quite chilly, especially driving in an open rickshaw or camping (on a camel safari, ie.) I just piled on the layers, but several times I was uncomfortably cold. Next trip I'll bring a heavier jacket and some light weight long underwear.

I bought some nice Indian blouses to go with jeans and long pants, but passed on the Salwar Kameez.

Merchant

The biggest thing is just the range of tempertures. During daylight, it might hit the 70s. You might have low 50s at night, which is pretty chilly. If you are from Massachusetts, you won't even notice the Indian cold. Bring a polartec vest or anorak, and you'll be fine. The locals will dress as if for a deep freeze, with beautiful sweaters and caps, luxuriant shawls. You can always purchase something if you're cold.

machadinha

Yes, but not if you're stuck at night on a moving train with open windows at approx. 7C. I had been writing a letter to some friends just the day before making fun of my crazy fellow passengers knitting caps and sweaters thinking that winter was coming on at 24C or something (long trainride from south to north). Man, I've never been so cold, took me the good part of a day to warm up again. Bought me the above blanket as soon as we got out indeed, still serves me faithfully.

Merchant

True, I have frozen my butt off on night trains barrelling through countryside in October. Forgot about that.

vistet

No experience from Rajastahn , but :
silk longjohns & top is incredibly lightweight, compact and warm. Not horribly expensive either - about the same as many "technical" underwear. Longjohns (if u can combine with SK) and blanky might be a good combo.

K53

Had the same chilly experience on night trains around Rajasthan some years ago. We ended up buying quilts in Jodhpur which we wrapped round ourselves on the train & belted to the back of our packs by day! A good option is a fleece jacket (cos it's light to carry), some warm socks, & thermal underwear you can wear under your other clothing.

On my trip this winter I'll be packing a light compactable sleeping bag that I plan to send home in a parcel along with my fleece jacket & thermals once I'm heading south. For the rest of the trip a woollen shawl will be warmth enough when evenings are cool.

machadinha

nb

You'd sometimes get that impression yes, but it's not necessarily true. The women I know (and have travelled with) who have travelled and/or worked there would just dress sensibly and not too revealing, in western or hippie-style "traveller's" clothes that is (light pants, long skirts or jeans and blouse or T-shirt). Some say that a light scarf to cover the neck can work wonders. Apart from such helpful details they mostly didn't seem to pay any unusual attention to their dress at all.

Anyway a sweater with such an outfit wouldn't be out of place at all. You can get a vague idea maybe of what Delhiites dress like in the daytime in late Jan./early Feb. in two pictures of mine here and here, fashion styles may be a little out of date . Note that I was probably wearing a T-shirt or a blouse and waistcoat at best at the time, temperature-wise.

sego

I travelled in the Punjab region in January a couple years ago and being a Canadian it was a cold. Unlike North America, you never warm up due to power outages in Hotels with Electric Heaters. Dress or carrry mild winter wear especially layers that can be taken out during the warm days. Have a good trip.

himadventures

Weather can change abruptly-better have warm clothing as evening and nights could be colder.

Pullover,warm shawl,lightweight blanket is added advantage in places which can be termed as 'cold'

Better purchase these things from INDIA-we have better quality and very cheap as compared.
SORRY FOR DOUBLE CLICKING- I AM TRYING TO DELETE ABOVE POST.

wonderwomanusa

>So I know women should wear salwar kameez, but how is it possible to stay warm in a light cotton top/pants? I can't imagine what a ski jacket or a woolen peacoat would look like in combination with SK - not good, I think. What do Indian women wear in the winter? I haven't seen any pictures of people bundled up, so maybe this "cold weather" thing is an exaggeration.<

Silk longjohns (or thermals) to go under that salwar kameez, a couple pair of socks. You can buy shawls everywhere in INdia, and in the winter, the Tibetans sell sweaters and shawls in the markets... wool and synthetics!

The Indian people around you will be freezing at 40F, and around Delhi, the cold is very damp so you'll want warm clothing there, too. Don't leave it behind when you leave Rajasthan!

vistet

Coming down to Kashmir in early winter , I was startled to notice that ...wait, yes all women were pregnant ..and then I noticed that the men were too. Got the explanation at breakfast next morning when the father in the family started filling a small box with embers, wrapped it in a rag and shoved it under his jacket.