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What to Pack & Bring

What to Pack & Bring

Karnataka, India

Climate-Appropriate Clothing

Season-Specific Attire

  • Winter (Oct-Feb): Light, breathable cotton/linen. Light jacket/shawl for cool evenings.
  • Summer (Mar-May): Very light, loose, breathable fabrics (cotton/linen). Light colors for heat reflection.
  • Monsoon (Jun-Sep): Quick-drying fabrics. Lightweight rain jacket or Umbrella.

Cultural Dress Code

India is a conservative country. Modest clothing is recommended for both men and women, especially when visiting temples, religious sites, or rural areas. This shows respect for local traditions.

Modesty Guidelines

  • Women: Cover shoulders and knees. Loose trousers, long skirts, or traditional Indian attire. A Scarf for temple head covering.
  • Men: Full-length trousers or long shorts. T-shirts are fine, sleeveless tops may be less appropriate.
  • Temple Visits: Always remove shoes. Some temples may have specific requirements (e.g., men remove shirts); observe signs.

Footwear Essentials

Walking Shoes

Essential for extensive ruin exploration. Sturdy, closed-toe with good grip for uneven terrain.

Relaxation Footwear

Flip-flops or sliders for guesthouse relaxation and easy temple entry/exit.

Optional Hiking Boots

Only for extensive bouldering or serious trekking off paved paths. Good walking shoes suffice for general sightseeing.

Hiking Boots (Optional)

Essential Documents

Critical Paperwork

Prepare both physical and digital copies.

  • Passport and Visa: Originals, printed copies, and digital backups (phone, email, cloud).
  • Travel Insurance Policy: Policy number, emergency contacts, coverage summary (physical and digital).
  • International Driving Permit (IDP): If renting a scooter/car, obtain before departure. Carry with home license.
  • Vaccination Records: Yellow Fever certificate if applicable. List of prescription medications with doctor's note.
  • Reservation Copies: Flight itineraries, hotel bookings, train/bus tickets (printed and digital).
  • Emergency Contacts: Family, friends, Embassy/Consulate in India, local emergency numbers.
  • IDs for Discounts: Student (ISIC) or press IDs if applicable.
  • Blood Group/Allergies: Note this information for health documents.

Technology & Electronics

Power & Connectivity

Modern travel benefits from well-chosen electronics. Prepare your devices for India's power systems and connectivity options.

Details

  • Power Adapter: India uses 230V, 50Hz, Type D/M plugs. A Universal travel adapter is highly recommended.
  • Mobile Phone: Most modern smartphones are compatible. Local SIM cards readily available (Airtel, Jio). Activation can take 24-48 hours. Airalo for eSIM.
  • VPN Services: Consider NordVPN or ExpressVPN for secure browsing, especially on public Wi-Fi.

Camera & Charging

Capture Hampi's beauty. Carry sufficient power for your devices.

Details

Digital Security

Cloud Storage

Use cloud services for photos and document copies.

Offline Maps

Download Google Maps for offline navigation in Hampi.

Device Security

Keep devices password-protected. Use a VPN for public Wi-Fi.

Health & Wellness Items

Medical Preparedness

Be prepared for Hampi's environment. A well-stocked kit manages common issues.

First Aid Kit

Personal Health & Protection

Essential items for personal comfort and safety against environmental factors.

Personal Care

  • Prescription Medications: Sufficient supply in original packaging. Doctor's note for controlled substances.
  • Over-the-Counter: Antacids, cold/flu remedies, mild laxative.
  • Insect Repellent: High DEET or picaridin. Mosquitos are present, especially around water.
  • Sun Protection: High SPF sunscreen (50+), wide-brimmed hat, Sunglasses.

Motion Sickness Preparedness

Motion Sickness Aids

  • Motion Sickness Medication: If prone to it, for long bus or train journeys.
  • Ginger Chews: Natural remedy for nausea.
  • Acupressure Bands: Non-medicinal option for relief.

General Wellness

  • Water Purification: LifeStraw or purification tablets as backup to bottled water to reduce plastic waste.
  • Hygiene: Hand sanitizer, toilet paper, wet wipes. Travel-sized toiletries.
  • Feminine Hygiene: Carry adequate supply of preferred brands, as local availability varies.

Activity-Specific Equipment

Hiking & Bouldering

Comfortable, sturdy Hiking shoes with good grip are useful. A Small daypack for water, snacks, and your camera.

  • Own climbing shoes/chalk bag for serious boulderers.
  • Crash pads for rent from local bouldering shops.
  • Adventure Medical Kits for first aid.
  • Pacsafe anti-theft bags for security.

Photography Gear

Capture Hampi's unique beauty.

  • Extra camera batteries.
  • Sufficient memory cards.
  • Lens cleaning kit.
  • Lightweight tripod for sunrise/sunset shots.

Local Experience Items

Enhance your Hampi exploration.

  • A Headlamp or Small flashlight for early morning climbs or unlit paths.
  • Rent scooters/bicycles locally (200-300 INR/day scooter, 50-100 INR/day bicycle).
  • No need to bring own two-wheeler.
  • Consider Nordace for travel bags.

Equipment: Rent vs. Bring

Rent Locally

  • Scooters/Bicycles: Readily available, cost-effective for daily use.
  • Coracle Boats: Essential for river crossings, rented on-site.
  • Crash Pads: Available for bouldering, saves luggage space.
  • Guides: Local guides hired for historical context and navigation.

Consider Bringing

  • Personal Climbing Gear: Climbing shoes, chalk bag for serious boulderers.
  • Preferred Hygiene Products: Specific brands may not be available locally.
  • Specialty Camera Gear: Unique lenses or tripods.
  • High-Quality Sun/Insect Protection: Harder to find locally.

Miscellaneous Must-Haves

Travel Comforts

Extra items for comfortable and secure travel.

Comfort & Security

  • Travel Pillow: Helpful for long bus or train journeys.
  • Eye Mask/Earplugs: Improve sleep quality on noisy overnight transport or in guesthouses.
  • Hand Sanitizer: Soap and water may not always be available.
  • Toilet Paper/Wet Wipes: Public restrooms might not provide them.

Reusable & Security

Sustainable options and security items for peace of mind.

Eco-Friendly & Safe

Sustainable Travel

Waste Reduction

Carry a reusable water bottle and shopping bag.

Energy Conscious

Turn off lights/AC when leaving accommodation.

Local Transport

Walk, cycle, or use local auto-rickshaws.

Support Local

Eat at local eateries, buy from local artisans.

Hampi Specifics

Site Exploration

  • Binoculars for distant details of ruins.
  • Physical map or downloaded offline map of ruins.
  • Small guide book on Hampi's history.

Comfort & Safety

  • Wide-brimmed hat for sun protection.
  • Water bottle (large capacity for refills).
  • Basic first-aid items for minor scrapes.

Pro Tip: Smart Packing

Pack versatile, quick-drying clothing. Roll clothes tightly to save space and reduce wrinkles.

Consider packing cubes for organization and to separate clean/dirty items.