India is like no other country on the planet. Travelling in India can be challenging for female travellers, especially if you’re a Western woman travelling alone. That should not stop you from going and you don’t need to be hysterically scared when travelling to India, but you need to be aware of your surroundings and some cultural do’s and don’ts. Over the next couple of weeks I’m going to publish some simple tips for women planning to travel to India.
Shopping in India (Photo by mantra_man)
How to Pack for India: 4 Packing Tips for Women
1. Unless you’re planning to stay in the same hotel all the time, forget about fancy luggage and take a backpack. Dragging heavy luggage around India on roads that have no tarmac, on beaches or unlit and potholed paths is not fun.
2. Always pack less than you want to. The old rule for packing for India is: first, put everything you think you absolutely cannot travel without in a pile. Then take half of that pile with you and leave the rest at home.
Most women I know (including me, until very recently) travel to India with lots of stuff they think they’ll need, but don’t need even half of it. They then end up buying lots of things in India and end up in a major packing crisis before going home. Eventually they have to buy more bags for all the newly bought stuff, or donate half of their possessions to the cleaning lady in the last hotel they stay in, in a last minute attempt to avoid paying for excess baggage. If you are happy to give away half of your belongings to the cleaner, great (you’ll always find takers for clothes, half-used cosmetics & shampoos) but if not, don’t bring that much stuff to begin with.
3. Tampons are available in India, at least in big cities and in touristy areas, but it is difficult to find tampons with applicator. If you like your Tampax, bring your own supply. If you’re happy with OB, you’re fine at least in the big cities.
4. Pack a flashlight to use during India’s frequent power cuts and pack a good padlock to use on your hotel room’s door for safety.
Photo: Women shopping at Pushkar Camel Fair (by Wikimedia Commons user mantra_man)
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Satu
Hello
Good day to you.
I hail from Thalassery or Tellicherry, which is of course near to Muzhappilangad beach.
I should say, you have chosen the words from your heart about Muzhappilangad beach. They were true to the last word. Rather than giving a description on the length and breadth of it, the open talk on the culture of the area was brilliantly executed.
As an Indian, I thank you for your honest revelations about north Kerala, and as a muslim I appreciate the dignifying comments you have written on our morals.
Please keep writing more and more.
Our true invitations to this unborn daughter of India.
Satu
Namaskaar….
Your these Tips are valuable for travelling Women in India from rest of world. You are observing the situations very sharply . your observations are true. I would like to suggest you to visit Gujarat where you will be totally safe during any late night . 24 hrs power supply available in all villages and cities of Gujarat. People are friendly to guests and following their own customs. So many places are there in Gujarat for Visit.
Kandarp