Should I pack Western clothes or buy Indian clothes there?

Pack 1-2 weeks of Western clothes and buy Indian clothes locally. Kurtas and salwar kameez are cooler, cheaper locally, and more culturally appropriate for temple visits.

How much cash should I carry long-term?

Never carry more than $200-300 cash. ATMs are widespread and reliable. Carry backup cards from different banks. Notify your banks of travel dates to avoid cards being blocked.

Do I need special vaccines for long-term stays?

Consult a travel medicine doctor 4-6 weeks before departure. Hepatitis A/B, typhoid, and Japanese encephalitis are commonly recommended for long stays. Malaria prophylaxis may be needed for certain regions.

What about monsoon season gear?

Pack one good rain jacket and quick-dry clothes. Umbrellas break in heavy winds. Waterproof bags for electronics are essential. Many travelers avoid monsoon season entirely (June-September).

How to Pack for Long-Term Travel in India

Pack light, breathable fabrics, bring your own medications, and prioritize items that handle heat, humidity, and frequent washing. A 40L backpack with 2-3 weeks of clothes is ideal for 3+ month stays.

Choose the right bag. Get a 40-45L backpack with a detachable daypack. Wheeled luggage breaks on Indian roads and stairs. Your main bag should compress down when half-empty for domestic flights with strict weight limits.
Pack for the climate zones. Bring cotton and linen for the plains, one warm layer for hill stations, and quick-dry synthetics for monsoon season. India has extreme temperature variation between regions and seasons.
Stock up on medications. Bring 3+ months of any prescription medications in original packaging with a doctor's letter. Pack probiotics, oral rehydration salts, basic pain relief, and any supplements you take regularly. Generic versions exist in India but brand reliability varies.
Prepare for laundry reality. Pack clothes you can hand-wash and air-dry quickly. Machine washing often means aggressive beating on rocks. Bring 2-3 weeks of clothes maximum - more than that and you're carrying dead weight.
Electronics and power prep. Bring a universal adapter with surge protection, power bank, and voltage converter if needed. Power cuts are common. Download offline maps and translation apps before arriving.
Add India-specific essentials. Pack toilet paper (many places don't provide it), hand sanitizer, a good flashlight, and a water filtration method. These basics can be bought locally but having them immediately helps.

Should I pack Western clothes or buy Indian clothes there?: Pack 1-2 weeks of Western clothes and buy Indian clothes locally. Kurtas and salwar kameez are cooler, cheaper locally, and more culturally appropriate for temple visits.
How much cash should I carry long-term?: Never carry more than $200-300 cash. ATMs are widespread and reliable. Carry backup cards from different banks. Notify your banks of travel dates to avoid cards being blocked.
Do I need special vaccines for long-term stays?: Consult a travel medicine doctor 4-6 weeks before departure. Hepatitis A/B, typhoid, and Japanese encephalitis are commonly recommended for long stays. Malaria prophylaxis may be needed for certain regions.
What about monsoon season gear?: Pack one good rain jacket and quick-dry clothes. Umbrellas break in heavy winds. Waterproof bags for electronics are essential. Many travelers avoid monsoon season entirely (June-September).