Suitcase Secrets: 10 Essential Items for India Holidays

With a climate which ranges from scorching heat to cooling monsoon rains, packing a suitable suitcase for your travels can be a complicated procedure. So when packing for your India holidays, make sure to include these 10 essential items:

1. Sweaters - India's temperature is hot and balmy, but at night, and particularly when in the mountains, the temperature can plummet and a chill can occupy the air. Packing a few cashmere sweaters ensure you have something lightweight and warm to cover up with when the temperature cools.

2. Shawl/Pashmina - Including a shawl or pashmina in your suitcase allows you to wear sleeveless clothing and quickly cover up when visiting holy places when traveling around India. Plus, when the temperature drops, they make an elegant cover up.

3. Umbrella - When monsoon season descends on India, it is vital to be in possession of an item close to an Englishman's heart: an umbrella. With 7 climatic regions, the weather in India can be incredibly diverse. A compact umbrella offers a resolution to both rain and sun – use as an umbrella when the heavens open, and double up as a parasol when the sun shines.

4. Slip-on shoes - Visiting holy places, such as temples, requires visitors to remove their shoes as a sign of respect. Slip-on, lightweight shoes, such as loafers or similar, saves precious minutes by allowing swift removal of footwear without the hassle of laces.

5. Lock - Traveling in any country means running the risk of theft and visitors are sometimes targeted. If you have a tendency to doze when traveling, particularly by public transport, then invest in a small padlock and chain. Hand luggage is an easy target for thieves and having a little lock on your bags removes the risk of having your contents emptied when you're catching some shut-eye.

6. Binoculars - Include a pair of binoculars in your luggage and never miss a moment. When visiting a country which never sleeps, a pair of binoculars is essential to ensure you catch every moment, especially when tiger spotting in Rajasthan.

7. Medication - It is something almost every traveler experiences at some point; tummy trouble and India is notorious for its occasional infliction of ill-health. Be sure to pack rehydration remedies and digestive aids in hand luggage, just in case. Packing hand sanitizer and hand wipes also helps minimize the risk of getting ill and ensure any necessary vaccinations are planned at least six weeks in advance to traveling.

8. Reading material - Public transport in India either moves at neck-break speed or frustratingly slow. If the latter, pass time by reading: The Age of Kali & City of Djinns by William Dalrymple, The Bhagavad-Gita (currently in translation) or God of Small Things by Arundhati Roy, all offer a fascinating insight into the mystery and mayhem of India.

9. Currency - Indian rupees cannot be bought in advance from outside of India. Take some money in your hand luggage to exchange at the international airport or use a debit card to withdraw cash from a cash machine and absolutely never change money with street vendors.

10. A sense of humor - It goes without saying, but open your mind, eyes and ears to everything India has to offer. A sense of humor, abundance of patience and a smile will get you a long way.

For more information on what to pack for India holidays, contact Red Savannah's India expert Bea Searle on 01242 787800. www.redsavannah.com

Photo credit: https://whatwelikenyc.com/tag/best-linens/