ladyrep

WE are the 4 women traveling together for 18 days in India in February. We were talking last week, along with sudden bursts of laughter, as we tried to discuss all of the "stuff" we need to bring with us, in addition t any regular medicine we will need. I am sure one of our Fodor's support system can give us a list of the necessities, and what we can purchase upon arrival

Thanks as always

kmkrnn

Medications can go in small zip lock bags clearly labeled. I also carry copies of the script to go with each one. I have had no problems with this method, but then we only carry Blood pressure, vitamins, and diabetic meds. Toiletries..I use the what the hotel supplies, but we tend to stay in decent hotels, with the exception of hair gel. Deodorant and a few other personal things I do take. Most hotels have hair dryers if that is in your suitcase.

As for,make up..it is so hot it will melt off your face. Give your skin a rest. Mascara if you want but all else stays home. As my husband says who are you trying to impress? After lugging that extra suitcase for a few days you will ask ...why did I bring all of this?

crosscheck

We went with just carry on and took our usual medical kit. All products easily fit in backpack. Sample size is the key. Mesh bag for toiletries. Separate ziplock for meds. You can get just about anything in urban areas.

MEDS
Z-pac
small Benadryl cream, cortisone cream, neosporin, band aids, sterilizing wipes
Malarone
Rifaximin (mild, short acting antibiotic that prevents or treats gastro issues - see my trip report for details)
Zantac/Alleve/Advil
Roll-on DEET, small milder repellent (both available at REI or Boots, if you're stopping in London)
thermometer
We're big walkers and I always take a stretchy knee brace for insurance.

SKIN
- sample size packets of creams and cleansers (from dermatologist)
- sample size sunscreens

HAIR/MAKEUP
I always take sample-size conditioner, but didn't need it India
Regular makeup bag (lipstick, eye pencil, mascara, tinted foundation, blush, get samples at Sephora)
small hair gel

WIPES/PURELL
Took an abundance of these, but they also were available there. You'll need packets of wipes (to wipe off surfaces), as well as two small Purells.

There were plenty of dryers, body lotions, shampoos and other cool products in all hotels. Also took iPad, small laptop for uploading photos and several extra phones for local SIMs. We got small suitcase locks for train travel in Udaipur, but didn't use them. Will be cold inside w/amped up AC, but you can get a pashimina there. Don't forget copies of your passport and string backpack or small over-the-shoulder bag for essentials during adventures.

You'll have a blast. Laundry services are awesome in India and you can get easily get by with carry on. Takes longer to pack (especially shoewise), but pays off on many levels..so liberating. (But we did take an extra duffle for purchases

indianapearl

I would add Azo and Cipro for UTIs.

A few hotels had no hair dryers, so I fastened my scraggly hair with a headband.

And a serious sunhat and sunglasses.

Pepto and Imodium in case of mild nausea or diarrhea.

Didn't bother with a camera this time - plenty of gorgeous professional photos on the web. Who cares if I'm in them or not?

crosscheck

Yes - I realized I forgot sunglasses, Pepto and Imodium. Also ambien/xanax for the plane. And chargers/adapters. We had two cameras, but often used our phones.

kmkrnn

You really only need about 5 days of clothes. we gave them to the driver to drop off at local laundry and had them back the next day. I did my own undies. No need to take much.

indianapearl

Bring a scarf for visits to temples and mosques.

Wet Wipes are invaluable.

And a small roll of TT in a sandwich bag. Useful in many locations without western toilets.

And work on your quad muscles!

kmkrnn

Amen to the last post!

Mutti

Here's what I do. I take one large backpack which fits in all overhead compartments and a tote. So before I travel, I take a week to assess what I'll need. Many suggestions above are good, but you can pare down. With our four on our last trip, I was in charge of all the meds (most were mine and included Malarone for the bunch)and someone else held all the sunscreen and bug repellent. Mind you, we all carry on and never check our bags. Try laying out all the things you think you will need and then eliminate as the pre-packing progresses. We used bug repellent wipes and sunscreen wipes from a camping store or Amazon to eliminate the liquid factor. I agree with leaving most make-up at home with the hot humid conditions, but I do love a sunscreen lip balm with some color. I also take a pencil which can darken eyebrows or be used as an eyeliner. I don't fool with my hair normally, so I don't on vacation either. Clips, bobby pins and headbands work well. When it is humid, even product seems to melt off hair! Laundry service will most likely be affordable and when we have used it, our clothes came back smelling like sunshine! With the helpful tips above you should be ready for most things. Enjoy your trip!

CaliNurse

Hi Ladyrep! Don't bring detergent for hand laundry. You can use shampoo or soap that's at hotels, and most homestays, for washing items. (It took years of traveling, no matter where in the world, to figure this out. Duh, Calinurse!)
At grocery/variety shops in India, look for the long strings of detergent packets. They're about 1.5 X 1.5 inches each. They often hang from a high hook--very colorful. Cost about 1 or 2 rupees per packet,

As Crosscheck wrote, bring the travel size conditioners if you use it. My hair must get more tangled than hers --i always need the stuff, and it's rare to find it in other than high end hotels in india.

The smallest rolls of toilet paper Ive ever seen are in Indian homestays/local guesthouses. You're lucky if one lasts more than a day (or maybe i just drink too much chai!). Save yourself the bother of asking over and over for new ones, and ask them to bring several at one time. Assume you will NOT find t.p. in public bathrooms, and act accordingly.

Indeed, if prone to what it's for...AZO! And that powdered cranberry in capsules.

Most accommodation, and all reputable tour company drivers, will have bottled water available for you. Think "toothbrushing" as well as drinking. Some of the higher-end hotels have filtered water from taps, but that was rare at the places I stayed (budget to mind range, usually).

CaliNurse

Mid-range, not mind range! Gotta love those typos.

scdreamer

I read somewhere that Cipro was not useful in India due to over prescribing - that the bacteria have developed an immunity to it.

Yes - shampoo is the best thing for laundry - it is formulated to remove oil from one's hair - and thus works well on clothing. I have also brought along a small bit of twine and paper clips to use as a laundry line and "clothespins" for long trips with only one small carry bag. Stuffs easily into a shoe for packing, and is great if you have a balcony or other good place for quick drying!

Kathie

scdreamer, you are right, chipper is no longer considered effective for bacterial GI illnesses in India (or in Thailand for that matter). Current recommendation from the cdc is for Azythromycin.

CaliNurse

Cipro is RXed less and less--even for UTIs or digestive problems--for people over age 60 , including in USA. Reason has to do with increased chance of tendonitis. At huge HMO where I am member/employee, Keflex is now used for UTIs in the "seniors" (like me!) age group.

SCDreamer--right!! Thanks for reminder to use clothespins, either real or paper clip style. The wooden ones can be used as nose clips in areas with questionable aromas!!!

indianapearl

UTIs are almost always caused by E. coli or another enterobactericeae which are most susceptible to Cipro or sulfa. I have life-threafening anaphylaxis from Keflex/Cephlex, a cephalosporin. Make sure that whatever you take is safe for YOU! You don't want to find yourself in an Indian hospital!

Kathie

Indiana, it is e.coli that is immune to cipro these days. That's why Azythromycin is recommended for bacterial GI complaints (usually caused by E. coli) and for bacterial UTIs.

Cyansiam

Just took paracetamol, wet wipes and usual make up stuff, chemist seemed to have everything else that could be required over the counter. Same as Thailand take a toilet roll when travelling a few hours outside tourist areas.

Did not see any mossies etc plus what you buy in europe or USA does not work well in asia so best to buy the local stuff if required.