What to Pack for Ranchi. Clothes, Accessories, Essentials

Seasonal Clothing

Choose clothing according to Ranchi's three main seasons.

Summer March-June & Monsoon July-October

Lightweight, breathable fabrics like cotton or linen. Loose-fitting clothing.
Wide-brimmed sun hat, Sunglasses, and Scarf for Sun protection.
Monsoon: Quick-drying clothing, Rain jacket or sturdy Umbrella, waterproof footwear.

Winter & Cultural Attire

Layering is for winter, and modesty for cultural respect.

Winter November-February & Cultural Guidelines

Warm clothing: sweaters, jackets, scarves, light Gloves for mornings/evenings. Layering advisable.
Modest clothing recommended, especially for religious sites. Shoulders and knees covered.
Women: Loose-fitting trousers/skirts or salwar kameez. Men: Full-length trousers.

Footwear Recommendations

General Wear

Comfortable, Sturdy walking shoes or sandals for daily wear and city exploration.

Uneven pavements are common.

Monsoon & Hiking

Monsoon: Waterproof sandals or quick-drying shoes. Hiking: Closed-toe shoes with good grip for treks.

Waterfalls and hills trails.

Religious Sites

Choose footwear easy to remove and put back on. You will frequently take off your shoes.

Respect local customs.

Essential Documents

Critical Documents

Keeping your papers in order and safe averts hassles. Have both physical and digital copies.

Original Passport & Visa: Valid 6+ months beyond departure, 2 blank pages.
Photocopies: Several of passport/visa. Keep separate from originals.
Digital Copies: Securely stored on cloud, email, and phone.
Travel Insurance Policy: Printed copy of policy number, emergency contacts, what's covered.

International Driving Permit (IDP): Needed if driving, alongside home license.
Vaccination Records: Original Yellow Fever certificate (if applicable), other records.
Doctor's Letter: For prescription medications, notably controlled substances.
Reservations: Printed/digital copies of flights, accommodations, transport, tours.

Technology & Electronics

Power & Mobile

Stay connected and powered up with the right electronics and accessories.

Power Adapter & Mobile Phone

Power Adapter: India uses 230V, 50Hz, Type C, D, M plugs. Carry a Universal travel adapter.
If devices don't support 230V, a Voltage converter is needed.
Mobile Phone: Most international GSM phones are compatible. Ensure phone is unlocked.

SIM & Camera

Local SIM cards and camera gear capture your journey.

SIM Cards & Camera Equipment

SIM Cards: Purchase local Prepaid SIM cards from Jio, Airtel, Vodafone Idea. Airalo for eSIMs.
Requires original passport, visa copy, passport-size photo.
Camera: Versatile DSLR or Mirrorless camera with zoom lens. B&H Photo has equipment.

Digital Safety & Connectivity

Power & Backup

Carry Portable chargers and power banks (10,000 mAh+ for Smartphone). Use cloud storage or External hard drive for data backups.

Recommended Apps

Google Maps (offline maps), Ola/Uber (ride-sharing), WhatsApp (communication), Google Translate (offline Hindi pack), Booking.com/MakeMyTrip (accommodation).

Internet Security

Use a VPN (NordVPN) or ExpressVPN on public Wi-Fi for secure browsing.

Health & Wellness Items

First Aid Essentials

A well-stocked Personal first aid kit peace of mind.

Kit Contents & Medications

Basic Supplies: Band-aids, cleansing wipes, sterile dressing, medical tape.
Pain Relief: Paracetamol/Acetaminophen or Ibuprofen.
Gastrointestinal: Anti-diarrhea (Loperamide) & ORS. Allergies: Antihistamines.

Special Needs & Prevention

Address specific health needs and prevent common issues.

Medications & Repellents

Prescription Medications: Sufficient supply in original packaging with doctor's letter.
Insect Repellent: DEET or Picaridin for mosquitoes.
Sun Protection: High SPF sunscreen, Lip balm with SPF, hat, sunglasses.

Altitude & Motion Sickness

Altitude Considerations

Ranchi is not at high altitude; altitude sickness is not a concern.
Day trips to higher altitude areas in Jharkhand (e.g., Netarhat) are an exception.
Check elevation for any specific excursions planned.

Motion Sickness Remedies

Consider bringing motion sickness remedies for winding roads.
Long bus trips or hill drives may cause discomfort.
Over-the-counter remedies available in pharmacies.

Activity-Specific Equipment

Hiking Essentials

For walks in waterfalls or hills.

Small Daypack for water, snacks.
Sturdy Hiking shoes with ankle support.
Moisture-wicking tops.
Long pants for protection.

Camping Gear

If exploring nearby forest areas (adventure tourism).

Tent and Sleeping bag.
Cooking equipment (if needed).
Portable light source.
First-aid supplies.

Rent vs. Bring Decisions

Consider renting or bringing based on availability and quality.

Standard gear often suffices for casual activities.
Specialized outdoor equipment may be hard to rent locally.
Bring your own high-quality items if you require them.
No notably special items for general Ranchi tourism.

Renting vs. Buying Equipment

Benefits of Renting Locally

Reduces luggage weight for air travel.
Suitable for single-use or occasional activities.
Cost-effective for short durations.
Access to local-specific equipment.

Considerations for Bringing Your Own

Quality and fit preferences for specialized gear.
Limited availability of rental options for specific items.
Higher cost for extensive or frequent use.
Particular goods like Travel gear may be personal preference.

Miscellaneous Must-Haves

Comfort & Security

Items for comfort during travel and personal security.

Travel Comfort & Safety

Comfort: Neck pillow, Eye mask, Earplugs for long journeys.
Security: Small padlocks for luggage, Money belt or neck pouch.
RFID-blocking wallet for credit cards and e-passport.
No specific items are unique to Ranchi beyond general Indian travel essentials.

Reusable & Specialized Items

Eco-friendly choices and items difficult to source locally.

Eco-friendly & Hard-to-Find

Reusable Items: Water bottle (refill with purified water), shopping bag, Utensils.
Items Difficult to Find: Specific prescription medications, preferred brands of toiletries, high-quality insect repellent.
Water purification: LifeStraw or Tablets for remote areas.
First-aid: Adventure Medical Kits.

Sustainable Travel Choices

Reusable Bottle

Reduce plastic waste.

Cloth Bag

Avoid plastic at markets.

Coffee Cup

For your beverages.

Solar Charger

Eco-friendly power.

Destination-Specific Items

Considerations

No notably unique items are required for general tourism in Ranchi.
Standard Travel gear applies, similar to other Indian destinations.
Focus on the seasonal and activity-specific items mentioned above.

General Indian Travel Essentials

Good quality insect repellent for any outdoor excursions.
Small denominations of local currency for small purchases.
Pacsafe anti-theft bags for security.

Packing Pro Tips

Roll your clothes to save space and minimize wrinkles. Use packing cubes to organize your belongings efficiently.

Pack a small laundry bag for dirty clothes. Keep valuables in your carry-on luggage.

What to Pack for Ranchi