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Medical Kit

Even if you haven't ever fallen ill all your life, you should always carry Analgesics, Antibiotics, Vitamins and medicines for treatment of Fever, Cold & Cough, Diarrhea etc.

Also, Band-Aids™, Dettol™ Cotton Wool, and a Thermometer.

To avoid hassles with suspicious custom inspectors, carry the medicines from your home country in their original packing.

Ailments and Indian brands to combat them

Fever:
Crocin (Paracetamol)

Cold & Cough:
Coldarin & Actifed tablets. Tossex, Linctus & Codeine syrups.

Headache/Body Pain:
Aspirin, Disprin, Flexon, Proxyvon.

Diarrhea:
Imodium, Lomotil.

Upset stomach:
Gelusil and Pudin Hara antacids.

Fungal infection:
Mycoderm powder, Quardriderm ointment.

You are urged to consult a doctor before taking any of the above medicines. We are not medical practitioners, and for God's sake, don't hold us responsible if your health worsens!

Packing List

Take half as many clothes and twice as much money!

Here's a list of just about the maximum stuff that seasoned travelers carry with them on Business/Leisure trips. Of course, you would need to customize it a bit depending on the places you are visiting in India (you'll need mittens and not a swimsuit in the icy Himalayas!), and your specific requirements (we haven't mentioned contact lens cleaning solution).

Clothes:

Practical Tips

Minimize clothing by selecting one or two color schemes that you can mix and match.

Though synthetic fabrics are less prone to wrinkles, prefer cotton which breathes easy and keeps you cooler.

However, comfortable they may seem, never break in a new pair of shoes on your trip.

2 pairs Trousers.
1 pair Shorts for men, or long Skirt for women.
2-4 lightweight Shirts/T-shirts.
1 Sweater/Cardigan
1 lightweight Jacket or Raincoat.
1 Hat/Cap.
1 Swimsuit.
1 Sarong [multi-utilitarian]
1 Hand Towel.
3+ pair Undergarments
3+ pair Socks.
3+ pair Handkerchiefs.
100% UV protection Sunglasses.
Belt, Scarf etc..
A set of formal clothing.

Footwear:

1 pair sandals/slip-ins for frequent removal when visiting places of worship.
1 pair sneakers/walking shoes.
1 pair dressy shoes.

Luggage:

A hard-top suitcase maybe a better idea than soft bags. It's near waterproof, keeps your clothes flat, withstands careless luggage handlers better, and doubles up as a seat while waiting for a train on a crowded platform. On the flip-side, it's bulky and inconvenient to lug around. Take another look at your itinerary and class of travel, and decide. Whatever the luggage, make sure you have good locks.
A lightweight nylon day bag with zippered compartments is an absolute necessity. Leave your main bag at the hotel, and carry your around-town essentials in it. And yes, put in a pair a pair of socks (if you are not wearing 'em, of course!) when visiting places of worship. Walking barefoot over a hot courtyard floor isn't one of life's most pleasant experiences!

Toiletries:

Small travel-sized packages of Toothpaste, Dental Floss, Bath & Toilet Soaps, Shampoo & Conditioner, Shaving foam/gel, Deodorant/Anti-perspirant, Ear buds and Laundry detergent. Keep liquids in Ziploc™ plastic bags.
Toothbrush.
Comb and/or Hairbrush.
Razor (NOT electric shaver) and extra blades.
Small (folding) scissors (if not in your multipurpose tool).
Nail clippers.
Foot scrubber.
Small Mirror (preferably, of thin Plexiglas or acrylic).
Hand towel and tissues.

Health Watch:

Anti-bacterial wipes.
Water purification tablets, if visiting remote locations where mineral water is unavailable.
Mosquito repellent, or lightweight mosquito net.
High-factor Sunscreen lotions, and Lip Balm
Prescription medicines, if any, in labeled containers.
Medical Kit.
Menstrual, contraceptive, and/or prophylactic supplies.

Handy Tools 'n' Things:

Power Tips

In India, the electric current is 230-240V AC. And the socket is a round three-pin one.

Power cuts (Blackouts) are NOT an uncommon phenomenon. Carry only the most essential electric gadgets with you.

Calculator... You could also print-out our Currency Cheat Sheet.

Alarm clock/watch.
Small, but powerful, Flashlight (Torch).
Multipurpose tool (Swiss Army knife, Leatherman tool, etc.)
Mini Sewing "kit" - the ones that the decent hotels give away.
Some safety pins, rubber bands, nylon string and Ziploc™ plastic bags.
Inflatable travel pillow, Eye Mask and Ear Plugs [sleeping aids].
Still/Movie Camera with films, lenses and accessories.
Pens, Small notebook, Glue stick.
Personal address book.
Maps, Guidebooks (relevant extracts, if bulky), Phrase books and Post-it™ notes (great page markers).
Restaurant lists and Club membership cards.
Reading material (paperbacks).
Your business cards, couple of family pictures, postcards of your city/country and small gifts are great assets for making new friends.
Small gifts such as flag lapel pins from your country.

Documents:

Passport, Visas and Vaccination certificates.
International Driving License.
Travel/Health Insurance papers.
Printouts of all information received from your tour operator.
All confirmed hotels names and addresses.
Confirmation faxes/letters/e-mails from tour operator, hotels and other service providers already booked.
All permits, IndRail passes and other documents if applicable.
Photocopies of all the above documents and Traveler's Cheque serial numbers. Leave one copy with someone at home. Keep a photocopy of your passport (if not all important documents) in each and every checked-in bag.
Travel Tickets.
Credit Card(s), Traveler's Cheques, Cash.
Spare passport-size photographs.