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Planning & packing, the easy way.
Thirty years of trips have taught us what makes a holiday go smoothly. Here is our checklist.
When to book
| Trip | Book |
|---|---|
| International holidays | 3 to 6 months ahead, so the visa is not rushed |
| Europe in summer, Australia and New Zealand at Christmas | 6 months or more ahead |
| Kashmir, Ladakh and Himachal in summer, Andaman and Kerala in winter | 2 to 3 months ahead |
| Char Dham and Do Dham | As soon as dates are announced, especially for Kedarnath helicopters |
| Diwali, Christmas, New Year and long weekends | As early as possible. Prices rise as rooms fill. |
Documents to carry
- Passport valid for six months after your return, and visa where needed.
- Original government photo ID for domestic trips. Aadhaar, passport, voter ID or driving licence.
- Printed and phone copies of tickets, hotel vouchers, insurance and our emergency contacts.
- Yatra registration for Char Dham, and permits for Ladakh, Sikkim and Arunachal. We arrange these, and you carry the same ID used to apply.
- Photos of your passport and ID saved in your email, in case originals are lost.
Packing by trip
Thermal inner wear, a warm jacket, gloves, cap, woollen socks, sunglasses, lip balm and sunscreen. Waterproof shoes with good grip.
Modest clothes that cover shoulders and knees, a shawl or scarf, slip-on footwear, a small bag for darshan, and a light rain jacket. Many temples do not allow phones or leather.
Light cotton clothes, swimwear, reef-safe sunscreen, a hat, sandals and a dry bag for boat trips.
Comfortable walking shoes, layers for changing weather, a compact umbrella and one smart outfit for dinners.
Earth-coloured clothes, a cap, binoculars, a scarf for dust, and a warm layer for early winter drives.
Light, loose clothes, a scarf for sand and sun, sunglasses and a warm layer for cold desert nights.
Health
- Carry your regular medicines in hand luggage, with prescriptions. Some countries, including Japan and the UAE, restrict certain common medicines, so check before you fly.
- Keep a small kit: pain relief, motion sickness, antacid, ORS, plasters and any allergy medicines.
- For Ladakh, Kedarnath and other high places, rest on arrival, drink plenty of water and speak to your doctor first if you have heart, lung or blood pressure conditions.
Phones and plugs
- Enable international roaming or buy a local SIM or eSIM on arrival.
- Carry a universal adapter. Australia and New Zealand use type I plugs, the UK, Singapore and Dubai use type G, most of Europe uses types C and F, and Japan and the USA use types A and B.
- Download offline maps and keep your hotel address in the local language.
Flying
- Check your airline's baggage allowance. It varies by airline and fare, and domestic allowances are usually lower.
- Power banks and spare batteries go in cabin baggage only. Some airlines also restrict using them on board.
- Reach the airport 3 hours early for international flights and 2 hours early for domestic flights.
- Pack one change of clothes and essentials in your cabin bag, in case checked baggage is delayed.
Want a packing list for your exact trip? Ask us. We share one with every booking.