People overpack for India. Then they buy three kurtas in Jaipur anyway. Hotel laundry is cheap and quick (usually back the same evening or the next day), so a week's worth of clothes will carry you through a three-week tour.

What you pack depends far more on the month than on the place. Here's how we'd pack for a north India trip in each season, with a few notes on the south where it's different.

Winter (November to February)

This is peak touring season for Rajasthan and the Golden Triangle, and it's the one that catches people out. Afternoons in Jaipur are warm and sunny. At 6am on a January morning in Delhi or Agra it can be close to single digits Celsius, often foggy, and rooms in old havelis aren't always well heated.

  • A warm fleece or light down jacket. You'll want it in the Jaisalmer desert camps, where nights get properly cold.
  • Layers: T-shirts, a long-sleeved shirt, a light jumper.
  • A scarf or shawl. Or buy one locally; you'll use it every day.
  • Warm socks for temples, where you'll walk barefoot on cold marble.
  • Comfortable walking shoes. Amber and Mehrangarh forts mean steep ramps and uneven stone.

Honestly, the fog is a bigger issue than the cold. Early trains and flights in December and January get delayed, so leave some slack in the plan.

Spring (March to early April)

A lovely few weeks. Days warm up fast, nights stay mild. Pack as for summer but keep one warm layer for dawn safaris in Ranthambore, because an open jeep at 6am is chilly even in March. Travelling for Holi? Bring clothes you're happy to bin afterwards. The colours don't all wash out.

Summer (mid-April to June)

We'll be straight with you: Rajasthan in May and June is very hot, often above 40°C. If you travel then, pack for the sun, not for photos.

  • Loose, long, light cotton or linen. Long sleeves and trousers are cooler than shorts in direct sun.
  • A wide-brimmed hat and decent sunglasses.
  • High-factor sunscreen. It's sold in India, but maybe not your brand.
  • Oral rehydration salts. Any Indian pharmacy has them cheaply, but carry a few sachets from day one.
  • A refillable bottle. Most hotels have filtered water, and we keep bottled water in the car.

Summer is also hill-station season: Shimla, Manali, Dharamshala. Up there you'll need a warm layer again once the sun drops.

Monsoon (July to September)

Rain in India tends to come in heavy bursts rather than all-day drizzle, and Rajasthan gets a lot less of it than Kerala or Mumbai. The countryside turns green and hotel rates drop.

  • A compact umbrella. In humid heat it beats a rain jacket, which just makes you sweat.
  • Quick-dry clothes. Cotton takes ages to dry when the air is this wet.
  • Sandals with grip, plus one pair of closed shoes. Streets flood briefly after a downpour.
  • Insect repellent with DEET or picaridin, especially for dusk.
  • Zip-lock bags for your phone and passport.

What to wear at temples, mosques and gurdwaras

This applies all year. Cover shoulders and knees at religious sites; it's the simplest rule and it works everywhere. A scarf is useful for mosques and for the Golden Temple in Amritsar, where everyone covers their head, men included. Shoes come off at the entrance, and at some places socks too.

Jain temples are stricter. At Ranakpur, leather items such as belts and bags aren't allowed inside, so leave them in the car while you visit.

Away from religious sites, city dress is more relaxed than most people expect, especially in Delhi and Mumbai. In villages and small towns, long and loose is more comfortable for you and gets you fewer stares.

What we tell every guest to bring, whatever the month

  1. A universal adapter. India runs on 230V with type C, D and M sockets. Plenty of hotels have universal sockets. Not all.
  2. A power bank. Long driving days drain phones.
  3. Printed copies of your passport, visa and hotel list. Our India visa guide covers what you need before you fly.
  4. Prescription medicines in their original packaging, plus a small kit: rehydration salts, something for an upset stomach, plasters. Ask your doctor or a travel clinic about anything else.
  5. Hand sanitiser and tissues. Public toilets rarely have paper.
  6. Small notes of 10, 20 and 50 rupees for tips, chai and the shoe-minders at temples. Locals pay for almost everything by phone, but setting that up as a visitor isn't always straightforward.
  7. A light daypack that zips shut.

What to leave at home

Expensive jewellery. Heavy guidebooks. A hairdryer, since most hotels have one. Too many shoes: two pairs is plenty. And a drone, unless you've read up on India's rules in detail, because it can be held at customs.

Leave room in the bag, too. The textiles in Jaipur and Jodhpur are hard to resist, and a block-printed quilt takes up more space than you'd think.

FAQ

Can I wear shorts in India?

In hotels, resorts, Goa and big-city malls, yes. At temples and in rural Rajasthan, long trousers or a long skirt are the better choice.

What should women pack for India?

Loose tops that cover the shoulders, long skirts or trousers, and a scarf that doubles as a head cover. Leggings with a long tunic are comfortable and very common.

Do I need hiking boots?

Not for a Rajasthan tour. Good trainers are enough. Boots only matter if you're trekking in the Himalaya.

Which months have the easiest weather?

For Rajasthan, October to March. Our guide to the best time to visit Rajasthan goes through it month by month.

Tell us when you're travelling and we'll send a packing note for your actual route, cold desert nights included. Start with an enquiry and we'll take it from there.