To take a sweater or skis on a trip if you are going to Goa is at least ridiculous. Not taking a bathing suit is ridiculous. In order not to get into trouble on one of the most beautiful West Indian beaches in the world, we suggest that you study the article.

Goa is a former colony of Portugal and the smallest state in India. It is located in the west of the country, and is generally recognized as a favorite vacation spot for couples, newlyweds, and divers from all over the world. Goa is considered the most European region of India, and here you will find Bounty-style beaches, economical shopping, high spirits and lots of parties.

Preliminary readiness or there is still a lot of time before departure

Imagine a situation where there are still a couple of months left before departure. First of all, you must take care of such an important thing as your documents. You can calmly relax in the seat of an airliner preparing to take you far, far away from problems if you are the happy owner of the following things that are significant for every tourist:

• foreign passport(Careful, leave two pages for the Indian visa. And note - the passport must be active even a full three months after you return from your paradise vacation).
• Copies of the international passport(we know how wonderful and peaceful the vacation will be. But still, I want to be very, very confident and protect myself in case of an unpleasant loss or loss of a document).
• Birth certificates and permission to leave the child(of course, we will definitely take the children with us and do not forget the most important document for the child).
• Package of travel documents(air tickets, hotel voucher, medical insurance policy). These documents, however, tourists usually receive the day before departure. But they must be present!
• Valid Indian Visa(to get it you need to have a passport, the validity of which should not expire in 6 months or less).

Intermediate readiness or before departure there is a week and a couple of days left

A week before departure, you should start collecting all necessary for the tourist things, so as not to rack your brains later that something important has been forgotten. We list the main points you need on the way:

Medicines

I would like to dwell on this point in more detail due to the exotic nature of the host country to which you are going. Medicines are the most important item on your list of things. So, you should take with you:

• Bandage, plaster, peroxide, brilliant green;
• Effective remedies for insect bites (it is worth taking proven or well-recommended remedies, because in Goa insects can easily be carriers of infectious diseases such as hemorrhagic fever, leishmanism, malaria, etc.);
• Preparations for motion sickness;
• Drugs that counteract headache and toothache;
• Antipyretics, electronic thermometer;
• Proven remedies for the gastrointestinal tract (Goa has a very spicy specific food);
• Personalized sun protection for each family member's skin type.

Goa has a subtropical climate. So make sure you bring sunscreen with you. high level protection. Be careful and don't forget your baby skin care product.

Money and credit cards

At this point, it is worth noting that you, as a tourist, need to decide how much money to take with you to Goa. Provided that if you decide to take with you more than 10,000 USD, they will need to be declared without fail. In addition, you should maintain increased responsibility when paying for goods and services in an exotic country, because. Crime is rampant, everywhere. You should be extremely careful not to use a credit card in questionable shops or markets.

International driver's license, insurance

In Goa, nature is striking in its beauty, so all tourists want to see the natural features and beauties not only on the territory and around their hotel, but also beyond. Be careful as introduced in the country Left side traffic and, among other things, very narrow lanes and an incredibly idiosyncratic driving style. Therefore, for the personal safety of you and your children, it is worth hiring a private driver to travel around the beauties of Goa.

Individual things for yourself and children

Here you should take care of what your swimming season in Goa should be like. Medium temperature in Goa, the most favorable temperature for Europeans is + 28-29 degrees. The lack of precipitation is accompanied by a rather active sun, which shines for about 10 hours a day.

That's why hats- this is the first thing that should be in your suitcase, as well as Sunglasses and other means from the scorching sun.

Traditional photo and video devices with all related accessories and chargers.

Guide to India (Goa). Guide to exotic island will help you not only decide where and when to go, but will help you navigate the local currency (rupees), time zone, local traditions and conventions.

English-Russian phrasebook. Indians are well aware English language and this is not surprising, because he is one of.

Flashlight. If you like evening and night walks, you will definitely need it. The sun in Goa begins to set at 18 pm.

Sheet. India is a very dirty country and it is very easy to catch some kind of infection here. Therefore, it is better to have your own bed linen.

If you take a direct flight directly to Goa, then first of all you will be met by Dabolim Airport. What is remarkable about it and what should be feared.

Final readiness or a few hours left before departure

I would like to note that you must prioritize the collection of things. It is very important to take documents, money and medicines to Goa (especially if you need special preparations on an individual basis). You can easily buy things such as slates forgotten at home in the hotel shop.

Review the list of things you need for the trip again and make sure you have taken everything.

Arriving at the airport with the whole family, please check if all family members and their documents are in place. Count your suitcases. Consider whether you have taken everything from the above list with you. Finally, relax! And do not worry, because you are flying on vacation to one of the most attractive places on Earth.

By the way, you seem to have forgotten something? Maybe a good mood?

Video: packing a backpack for a trip to Goa

The question of what to take with you to Goa can be answered simply - nothing more. The most necessary things on vacation in a resort Indian state are beach accessories, light clothing, a first aid kit and a flashlight. The latter may come in handy on dark Goan evenings - street lighting is not everywhere.

For spending time on the beach, first of all, you should take care of a sunscreen with a high degree of protection. Be extremely careful, you can burn yourself in two hours, thereby ruining your vacation on the first day. It is also worth taking a hat with you.

From clothes with you to Goa you need light things, because the heat in these parts is all year round. If you go to Goa between October and January, you need to take a warm jacket or windbreaker with you, as the nights at the beginning of the season can be cool.

Shoes on a trip should be taken to a minimum, because it is likely that you are in sandals or flip flops all the time. There are no sidewalks in Goa - there is nowhere to walk in heels. If you plan to move around the resort on a moped / motorcycle, you can additionally take sneakers or sneakers with you (although you can limit yourself to strong sandals).

Any clothes can be bought on the spot for ridiculous money: local shops have everything for a Goan relaxed holiday.

What medicines to take in Goa

In the traveler's first aid kit, you need to put: remedies for intestinal and stomach disorders (Smecta, Immodium, Linex, Mezim, activated charcoal), miramistin, hydrogen peroxide, chlorhexidine or other antiseptics, headache remedies (citramon, nurofen or others) and heart pain (valocardin, validol, carvalol are not available in Goa), elastic bandage (ordinary bandages in Goa are sold at every turn), iodine, plaster, sanitary antiseptic wipes, personal hygiene products for women. In extreme cases, in local pharmacies you can find a variety of drugs at reasonable prices, pharmacists themselves will select the right medicine for you if you can explain what problem you have with your health.

In the event that you are going to stay in a guesthouse, the list of what to take with you to Goa can be supplemented with a lock on the door and bed linen.

It is not necessary to bring a lot of toys and special bathing equipment, all this can be purchased on the spot.

first aid kit

What will become very useful is a first aid kit that will contain everything. It is worth stopping here and analyzing the issue in more detail. You should not forget about such things:

• Bandages, brilliant greens, hydrogen peroxide.
• Good remedy for insect bites. It is important that they are proven and of high quality, since in an exotic country insects are carriers of many infectious diseases.
• Drugs that alleviate the state of motion sickness.
• Painkillers.
• Thermometer and antipyretic drugs.
• A medicine that allows the stomach to cope with the specific Indian cuisine.
• Sunscreens with high SPF content
• Personal hygiene products for children.

The nuances of the flight

The flight will be quite long, but in most cases it is exciting for the younger generation, besides, there will definitely be one more, or even several couples with children on the plane who can pass the time with each other.

Landing an airplane becomes less rosy for children. Their ears may ache or they may get sick. It is worth taking care of a mint candy, and massage of the dimples behind the ears will help with pain.

Be prepared that upon arrival in India, you will have to stand in line for an hour, or even more, for registration. Local hard workers perform their duties a little in slow motion without speeding up. So think about some kind of snack for the kids, by this time they will definitely get hungry.

Upon arrival in a country with special sanitary standards, carefully monitor the children, especially if your heirs are light-skinned and blond, this type of children delights the locals. Indians are very bright and hospitable people with great love for children, if they like a passing child, they can easily treat him with local spice or a specific sweetness. It is precisely this that should be monitored very closely, since not every adult organism can accept Indian delicacies without consequences, and especially for children.

Before you fly out of the airport, you need to take into account that the process of checking and marking luggage will take a decent amount of time, and the child will need something to do and eat.

A little about acclimatization

Upon arrival, you may encounter such a thing as acclimatization, which is accompanied by diarrhea and a slight increase in temperature for a day. If the temperature is very high and lasts more than 24 hours, take care of calling a doctor. It is worth noting that this process in children is much easier. Do not worry if the child encounters an upset stomach. This is normal and should go away within a day. After all, the first aid kit will be with you!

Climate

Remember that in India the climate is significantly different and has high humidity.

Another thing to be extremely careful with is street animals. They are quite cute and will not touch the child, but they can still harm if they share some local ailment.

When planning to visit India, the best period is to rest from early October to March. From April, it starts to rain for a couple of months, when everything around is flooded with water and precipitation falls daily. And with the advent of August, the heat starts, when there is nothing to breathe, and even swimming in a pond does not save. You can escape from this by going to northern part countries.

List of necessary things

Documentation

You should always have your passport, tickets and Indian visa with you. It is very convenient to store them and carry them with you in a special bag on your belt. In no case should you take it off while moving. In addition, it is important to have copies required documents and tickets, which are stored separately. Scanned documents can also be an alternative option, which are conveniently stored on your phone or other convenient gadget. In an unpredictable situation, they can be printed. When traveling around Goa, it is advisable to give the original documents to the hotel safe, and have copies of them with you. Thus, you can be sure that unpleasant situations are excluded during the rest.

Many people send scanned documents to their email or post them on free photo hosting. So, you can open access to them without a gadget. That is, using someone else's computer.

Money matters

It is convenient to take euros or dollars with you, they should be exchanged for rupees in India. You should also have a plastic card with you. But first you need to make sure that it can be used in this state. It is better to personally consult with the bank's specialists.

It is also important to remember that amounts in excess of $10,000 must be declared. In addition, in an exotic country, you should not pay with a credit card in the markets and in dubious trade stalls.

For baby

It should be understood that you need to take the smallest amount of clothes. If necessary, you can buy your favorite things for a penny at the local market. At the same time, in India it is customary to bargain. As a result, you can buy things 5 ​​times cheaper.

If the child is very small, necessary thing there will be a sling on the way. It will allow you to explore the world with your parents in comfort. A backpack-style sling that allows you to adjust the straps on your front and back is a great option for travel. Thus, you can move around the city and in transport without a stroller.

For parents who are not afraid of difficulties and plan to take a stroller, it is worth opting for a light and compact model with large wheels. On such a stroller it will be convenient to move along the beach and you can have a great rest for both the child and the parents. It should be understood that in conditions of high humidity, the stroller will become unusable much faster than at home. Therefore, it is better to take a model that is not a pity.

Nutrition

If the child is breastfeeding, you should take baby food with you. It cannot be hoped that it can be bought on the road or in India. The cuisine of this country is very spicy and specific, therefore it is not an option for preschool children. Otherwise, the fragile children's body may react unexpectedly.

In an airplane or bus, they offer food that is harmful to children. You should stock up in advance with the necessary products that will saturate the child and will be useful to him. The best option would be not only canned food, but also instant cereals. You can also take muesli, well-washed fruits and vegetables with you. Tea is not sweet crackers. You can not take water with you, its quality is quite satisfactory, and it is convenient to buy a bottle anywhere.

What to do with baby

In the process of moving, flying or traveling by train, the child needs something to do. Plasticine perfectly develops fine motor skills, you can also draw on paper. Children are very fond of soap bubbles, it is worth taking a couple of bottles with you. It is important to take with you on the road toys and items that the baby has not yet seen, so he will be busy for a long time and get a lot of positive emotions.

In the process of acclimatization, children may develop sweating, as a result of the influence of a hot and humid climate. In this case, you need to use the usual powder after bathing. Well, if it is in the first aid kit. But if it is not there, it does not matter, such a product is sold in a nearby pharmacy.

You also need to pay attention to special means with a disinfectant liquid. It will allow you to wash your hands at the most inopportune moment when there is no access to soap and water.

Personal items

It is worth dwelling on the fact that for a trip you need to prepare not only kitchen utensils but also clean sheets that might come in handy. India is considered to be a very dirty country and therefore it is better to have your own linen. Or at least take it for a child.

Sometimes you have to travel around India by bus, some of them are air-conditioned. Therefore, in addition to light things, take a few jackets and pants that will come in handy and protect the child from colds.

As an option, put diapers in a suitcase. But it's not a problem. They are sold in most shops for little money.

Necessary little things

• Oddly enough, there is no buckwheat in Goa, so those who love this product should take a couple of packs with them.
• On Goa is better bring kitchen utensils with you, since most rented apartments do not have them, and it is expensive to purchase.
• It is very important to take out insurance for the entire stay. Don't skimp on this as safety and health come first. Having issued insurance in time, you can easily count on compensation for the funds spent on treatment.
• Photographs are required during the Indian visa application process. Those that remain are better to take on a trip. They can be great for purchasing special sim cards.
• An indispensable thing in Goa will be a flashlight, as the roads there are not lit and dark. Therefore, to make it comfortable to move around, it is worth stocking up not only with a pair of powerful flashlights, but also with spare batteries or an accumulator. In addition, it is very convenient to see where you are stepping and not step on peacefully resting little animals.
• If you are planning a long vacation, you can make a list of some products that are not available in India. These include chocolate, cheese, smoked sausage, seeds.
• Going to an exotic country, it is important to understand that conservative views reign here and it is not customary even for tourists to bare their body much. No need to bring miniskirts, shorts and tight underwear. Otherwise, the local population will think badly of you.
• In most hotels, there are small lugs on the doors designed for padlocks. Therefore, it will not be superfluous to purchase a small neat lock with which to insure the door. This way you can be sure that no one can enter the room.

Lifesaver

An external battery is an indispensable thing that is very useful for modern phones. It is considered normal for the battery to run out quickly. In this case, it will be impossible not only to contact the world, but also to deny the child the desire to watch cartoons or play. If you find yourself away from a power outlet, which is the norm in Goa, you should use an additional external battery. It will allow you to charge your phone a couple of times. It is recommended to take a battery with a capacity of no more than 5000 mAh.

Clothesline

Oddly enough, not all places in Goa have a laundry service. There are no problems in hotels of megacities. But if you want to relax away from the city, you will have to wash it yourself and here a clothesline up to 20 m long will become an indispensable thing. You can also buy it at the supermarket on the spot.

And once again referring to the climate, it is worth paying attention to the fact that in conditions of high humidity, it is better to use quick-drying towels.

Comfortable clothes and shoes

Both for the child and for yourself, you should take comfortable shoes. Heeled options won't work. For the main movements, sneakers or sneakers made of natural materials will do. Sturdy sandals with durable soles are ideal. You can also bring regular flip-flops with you. From the beginning of October, the nights in India become cold, so it will not be superfluous to take, in addition to shorts, swimming trunks and swimwear, long-sleeved clothes, fleece sweaters with a hood.

It is not advisable to take bulky suitcases with you. It is best to use a backpack.

Safety

As in any other country, you should not take expensive gadgets and phones with you on a trip. It is quite possible to get by with a cheap cell phone, since in conditions of high humidity the smartphone can suffer greatly. On the beach and other places you should not take valuables with you. Documents and jewelry should be kept in a hotel safe. Windows and doors should be closed at night.

One of the dangers that can happen in this country is the current. Most Indians are bad swimmers and there will be no one to help get out. It often happens that the current carries tourists.

It is worth noting that there are a lot of stray wild animals on the beaches that can beg for food. But it's better to stay away from them.

A trip to Goa will give you and your family an unforgettable experience and great vacation if you plan everything in advance and get together on time without haste and fuss.

A little more about Goa - in the video:

Well, friends, as I understand it, the tickets have already been bought from you, the visa has been made, so today we will pack our bags! :) And let's talk about what you should take with you, and what (this is important! :)) - you shouldn't! :) So that it doesn’t work out for you, like my friend did: We were going to the Rope training in the forest (!), and she painted and did her hair for about an hour, in the end I subtly remarked to her: Of course, the main thing at the training in the forest is to be beautiful! :))

Well, as they say in Russia, with God!

Of course, I would love to reduce this entire post to one sentence: do not take anything - buy everything here! :) And to some extent I would be right, because everything here is cheap and practically (!) Everything is there.

However, I understand that some of you will not go to Goa for the whole season, but for a couple of weeks, and every day will be dear to them, so spending precious time looking for what you need will not be entirely smart :)

So let's start with...
Clothing and footwear
I remind you that we are talking about the season - Season (October-March). During this period in Goa - warm and hot! :) The temperature is +30, but it is completely different +30 than in Moscow or in the south of Belarus, here at +30 you can breathe, walk and live! :)

Let's go through the list:
- shorts,
- T-shirts / T-shirts (I remind males that topless riding in Goa is prohibited by the police, and I know cases when they stopped and took money for contemplating a beautiful torso - please note: they didn’t pay, but charged! :)),
- cotton pants (if you are going to some very serious temple, it is better to replace shorts with pants),
- T-shirt with long sleeves (for girls, also for the temple),
- "shawl" (you can cover her shoulders when visiting the temple),
- sweatshirt (for riding a scooter in the evening and at night),
- flip flops,
- sandals (if you suddenly decide to walk in the mountains, along the valleys),
- panama/cap/bandana,
- bathing suit:)

In addition, remember - everything here is easy and simple here: no one flaunts outfits, and sparkles in the sun does not shine :) Therefore, I would also think about evening or cocktail dresses. Although - again - met ...

Most people come to parties in almost the same clothes they were wearing a couple of hours ago on the beach :) Somehow it happened historically, from the time of the hippies :)

Cosmetics and hygiene
I will leave this to your discretion, because everyone has their own personal list of these funds.

I just want to draw your attention to a few things:
- Eau de Toilette there is, but I'm not sure about it at all :) On the other hand, few people use it :)
- cotton pads are expensive here (compared to Moscow), so take enough of them with you,
- the choice of tampons is limited,
- as well as the choice of pads, including daily ones,
- sunscreen (in my opinion, it is also more expensive here ...),
- include sunglasses in this section,
- also, if you have glasses with transparent glasses - take them: for riding a scooter in the evening and at night - so that midges do not get into your eyes.

In general, almost all types of cosmetics are present here and I always bring everything I need from here to another country. I especially love Dabur Red toothpaste - try it: it's great to wake up to it in the morning - sooooo refreshing! :)

Medicine
I repeat: Indian medicine is one of the best in the world. In addition, it is also one of the cheapest! Therefore, there are no problems with good medicines and excellent doctors.

However, for those traveling to Goa for the first time, I recommend purchasing health insurance. I used the Renaissance insurance company - everything is fine: the doctor came to the house twice! :)
Why do you need insurance? First of all, the "newcomers" to Goa usually "catch" something like food poisoning. The disease, I confess, is not pleasant ... And it is sometimes inevitable: it's not just bad food or dirty hands before eating, maybe it's just the clean hands of the waiter serving you a glass and leaving an Indian bacterium on it. Moreover, I even recommend that you get sick with this disease, because, as my Russian-speaking doctor said, "After it, you can eat even in the dirtiest local eatery - no problem! Because your body has developed immunity, and a real Indian has settled in it, already harmless bacterium!
And another quote from my doctor: "Indian diseases should be treated with Indian medicines!" Therefore, you can not strain with Smecta and Activated charcoal - this does not help! :)

Include your personal medications that you take on your medication list. I remind you: it is better to transport medicines in two places - in luggage (main part) and in hand luggage(two week supply). This way, if you lose your luggage, you have two weeks to deal with the problem with the medicines you need.

Separately, I want to say about vaccinations: they are an independent decision for everyone. Personally, I have never been vaccinated. However, before Indonesia, I want to get myself all the necessary vaccinations here in India. Because it is high quality and cheap.
Important: some vaccinations need to be done long before the trip, so be careful!

Equipment
Of course, this is also at the discretion of everyone. However, it will be easier if you have here:
- mobile phone and charging to it,
- a camera, a charger for it, a sufficient memory card and wires to transport photos from a memory card to a computer,
- a player and charging to it (I liked to ride a scooter with a player),
- a video camera, charging, a memory card and wires (this is if you do something later with the captured video, otherwise we know the stories of many home cameras :)),
- laptop and charging to it (also optional),
- a flashlight - in case of a power outage (this happens often with us :))

In addition, one of the problems in Goa is the lack of information :) Because there is no TV here, you will also use the Internet not so often (if you eat for a short time), we have long lost the habit of reading newspapers ... Therefore, take a couple of books and download a couple of movies to your hard drive - they will "inform" you :)

And don't forget a small padlock - it will help you keep inviolable not only your new home, but also your backpack on the train/bus :)

For those who are not yet completely at odds with English: grab a pocket phrase book and a pocket Russian-English dictionary and vice versa - they will help you communicate and clarify everyday and vital issues! :)

Bon Voyage!

Next time I'll tell you about How to search and rent housing in Goa (oh-ho-ho!) :)

Before traveling to India, tourists look for information on the Internet about the must-have things for a trip. But if you take seriously the nonsense that is written on some travel sites, then you can completely abandon the planned trip.

A trip to Goa and a trip to India should be distinguished, these are very different and the list of things can be very different. In my post I will try to talk about all this.

But the first step is to get rid of the wrong information that roams the Internet. Here are some quotes from the site travel company, on the topic "What to bring with you to India." Probably, the texts for such sites are written by people who have never been to this country.

Any clothing should be light, light and at the same time quite comfortable.

It is strongly not recommended to take light-colored clothes, in India it will become any color, but not light. During a six-month trip, I had to wash a dark blue backpack several times, which is not intended for washing. What kind of light clothes the author is talking about, I don’t understand him.

You don't need to take light-colored clothes to India!

Keep in mind that aspirin is not sold in India. The quality of some drugs is constantly criticized by international organizations of doctors.

Quite by chance, in my first aid kit there was a pack of aspirin, which I bought in the Indian city of Varanasi (I attach a photo of the package of Indian aspirin). The cost of local medicines is cheap (a pack of Indian aspirin costs only 4 rupees), and the effectiveness is not worse than ours. Well, do not forget that India is the birthplace of Ayurveda, but I think that the author of the tourist site does not know what it is.

The level of paid medicine in India is at a good level.

And finally, from the same travel site and from the same article "What to bring with you to India."

The issue of sanitation in Indian hotels is also easy to solve - just bring your own towels and bed linen. With the latter, by the way, special vigilance is needed - too expensive sheets can be stolen by maids.

In India, there are hotels of different levels of price and comfort, from rooms for 100 rupees per day, to a whole palace for $ 20,000 per day. I happened to live in the most modest guesthouses and nowhere, nothing was stolen from me.

You should not worry so much about the sheets that the author recommends that you bring from Russia. And for reference, in India, approximately 300,000,000 people (this figure is twice the population of Russia) are representatives of the middle class (owners of private businesses, small factories, hotels, restaurants, etc.), they are unlikely to covet your sheets.

You should be careful, but without fanaticism.

I think you understand that not every information on the Internet is worth believing.

Let's return to the topic of our post "What to take with you on a trip to India." In this post I will try to briefly tell you what is worth putting in your backpack, and what is better to refuse, or buy already on the spot. At the end of the post I will tell and show the contents of my backpack.

If I forgot to point out something important, then add it in the comments to this post.

What to bring with you to India

The first thing to always control is the volume and quantity of things. Try to take on a minimum (everything you need can be bought on the spot), too many extra things will be an extra burden.

It should be understood that India is a large country and it is important to consider climatic conditions the place where you are going. At a time when in Goa + 30, it snows in the Himalayas and you can ski.

List of must-haves when traveling to India:

Documents and their copies- you should make copies of all documents that are traveling with you ( Russian passport, international passport+ Indian visa page, health insurance, round trip airfare). The best way is to take a picture of the documents and send them to your e-mail, so they will definitely be safe and accessible.

Belt bag for concealed carry- if you are going to long journey, then be sure to buy moneybelt, it really helps.

Money and bank cards- all money should be divided into several parts and distributed to several places (cash, credit cards, debit cards, electronic wallets, etc.). Most of the cash - always carry it in a fanny pack, and think about the security of bank cards.

Medicines and hygiene products- almost everything can be bought in India, but for the first time you should have a small supply.

Sunscreen from the sun- The Indian sun is very active, so you shouldn't joke with it, you can fry very quickly. Sunscreen can also be bought locally, the prices for creams from European manufacturers are high, but you can buy Indian ones, whichever you prefer.

Comfortable shoes- you can take any shoes you like (old, new, fashionable, not fashionable), but they should be comfortable - this is the only criterion.

Good sunglasses- in India there are branded stores with original products of the Italian company Luxotica (brands Ray Ban, Oakley, etc.), but the prices are the same as in Russia (or higher), so you also have to look for the stores themselves.

Camera or something to take pictures with This is optional, but very useful.

The padlock- if you are going to travel around India, then taking a small padlock with you is a must.

Cigarettes- if you smoke, it is better to take a small supply, local cigarettes are not of very high quality, and imported ones are expensive.

Flashlight- buy a small flashlight, sometimes it will be useful to you. A flashlight can also be bought in India, so this item is not so important.

What is better not to take with you to India

Alcohol- in Goa it is its own, high-quality and cheap. In other Indian states, there may be problems with alcohol and drinking it, there are some cities where the sale of alcohol is prohibited by law.

Antibiotics- much cheaper and more efficient to buy locally, and it is advisable to have

Heels, branded and other fashion items- shoes and clothes should be practical and comfortable, you won’t surprise anyone here with branded items, and they will quickly become unusable (climate, dust, etc.). I do not recommend taking bright things, in India they will quickly lose their whiteness.

Expensive smartphones and other gadgets- there is no need to go to India with an expensive phone and other expensive gadgets, they can be stolen here or you can lose them in other ways (lose, break, drown, etc.). So, if you are going to rest, and not work, then take a break from the usual things.

Jewelry- these things are unlikely to be useful to you here, unless of course you are heading to someone's wedding. It makes no sense to take expensive jewelry with you.

Travel bag on wheels- this is a very useful thing, but not for India. You will have to carry it everywhere in your arms, there are very few places to roll such a bag in Indian open spaces (with the exception of airports). The best option This is a comfortable and roomy bag.

Russian SIM card- you should not use the usual cellular operators without special need, roaming is very expensive. In the Indian service market cellular communication our MTS is present, but the level of communication and roaming prices are not encouraging, it's easier to buy a local SIM card.

Contents of my backpack for an Indian trip

So what fits in my 45 liter backpack.

Clothing and footwear

• t-shirts - 2 pieces (you can buy on the spot, they are cheaper here than in Russia);
• shorts - 2 pieces (can be bought on the spot);
• briefs - 2 pieces (if necessary, you can buy in India);
• socks - 2 pairs of light ones (can be bought locally);
• a cap - its visor perfectly saves from the sun (you can buy it on the spot);
• comfortable boots - a must for central and northern India;
• rubber flip flops - 1 pair, ideal for going to the shower or the beach (simple ones can be bought at local markets, but it is better to bring high-quality ones with you).

Technique

• laptop - an old camping HP;
• camera - Nikon D90 with a lens, but without a photo bag;
• Flash drives, chargers, USB extension cable.

Documentation

• international passport;
• bank cards (my selection of bank cards for travel);
• driver's license (in India an international driver's license is required).

Useful things

• a thermal mug and a boiler - in India, these devices will be useful to you;
• first aid kit (all medicines can be bought at local pharmacies, their price will be much lower, and the effectiveness is much higher, so my minimum set is: a patch and polyphepan);
• inflatable pillow - during long bus journeys, it can greatly alleviate your suffering :);
• earplugs - sometimes the noise from the Indian streets is deadly and in an amazing way penetrates into the rooms of guesthouses that have no windows;
• flashlight - for India, having a small pocket (or head) flashlight will be to your advantage and protect your shoes from cow-pats at night (can be bought locally);
• padlock - be sure to take it and use it wherever possible (I recommend taking it with you);
• notepad - if you don’t write down your brilliant idea in time, then most likely you won’t return it :), in fact, it helps a lot to remember the details of the trip;
• sunglasses - take only high-quality sunglasses, the sun here (especially in the South) is very active, and besides, they are convenient for riding a bike.

Hygiene

• dry wipes (can be bought locally);
• gel for hand disinfection - it helps out in cases where there are no places for washing hands nearby (you can buy it locally);
• irrigator for the oral cavity - I carry this device for cleaning my teeth everywhere;
• towel - not all guesthouses have them (it's better to buy a quick-drying towel, ordinary ones can rot).

What in the backpack is designed specifically for India?

The padlock in this country is very relevant, I do not use padlocks in Thailand, but India is a different story. A disinfectant, it will definitely come in handy for you (at first, for sure). The flashlight was used exclusively in India, in other countries I did not even think of buying it.

The photo does not show some important things for an independent trip to India, but they definitely go: a waist bag for hidden carry, a small-capacity backpack, a smartphone, etc.

There is no need to carry a number of things with you, it is easier to buy them on the spot and leave them there after the trip. It seems like there are few things, and a 45-liter backpack is 80% full.

List of things that were useless in India

Hello friends. 6 months in India flew like two days, I'm back in Russia and I'm ready to tell you how to optimize the filling of your backpack for this trip. In this part of the post, I will tell you which of the things were completely useless on my Indian trip.

In order not to bore you with unnecessary information, let's turn to the photo with the things that I took with me on the trip. Now I’ll tell you what things you could not take with you, but buy on the spot and leave them there, or even refuse them altogether.

Here is a list of things that take up a lot of space in your backpack, and some of them are completely useless.

Terry towel- this is the biggest fail that can only be with you in India. First, it takes up precious space. Secondly, India has a very nasty climate, so your towel will simply rot. Thirdly, in the local market it costs a penny. If you really need to drag your towel from Russia, then buy a quick-drying option in any sportswear, at least it will not rot.

Inflatable sleep pillow and earplugs. These things in India are completely useless, since in most cases you need either a full-fledged pillow, or the road is so bumpy that it is no longer possible to sleep.

Laptop. It all depends on the type of your activity, for me it is necessary, but most of my friends are fine with a tablet or a smartphone. The laptop takes up a lot of space, and weighs at least 2.5 kilograms.

Reflex camera. Everything is debatable here, but modern smartphones take such high-quality pictures that you are amazed. If photography is not a profession for you, then the camera of a modern smartphone is perfect.

Flashlight. In India, sometimes there are power outages, but there is no need to bring a flashlight from Russia. In the local shop of this good as much as you want, and the price for it is much lower than ours.

Thermal mug lid. A thermal cup is a universal thing, I'm used to it, but in India you could do without it. And even more so, do not drag a cover from this device with you.

This photo is missing a few things that were in my backpack, but they were very useful on the trip. The Dolphin device can be considered an exception, it is such a nose wash, so it was completely useless. In India, there are two extremes, and there and there such devices are not needed at all. For example, if you live in Goa on the seashore, or in the foothills of the Himalayas, then you do not need any "Dolphin". If you live in Delhi, where the air is so dirty that you have to constantly rinse your nose, the device is again useless.

Now you know for sure that things familiar to us can be completely useless during an Indian trip.

Have a good trip!