India

• January 2006
  • Trip Report
• March 2012
  • Species List
  • Trip Report
• January 2020
  • Trip Report
  • Species List
• November 2023
  • Species List
  • Trip Report
• November 2024
  • Species List
  • Trip Report
• February 2025 (Big Cats)
  • Species List
  • Trip Report

This information is important for being prepared for your journey; we want you to have the best experience possible. If you only read one section, this one is key!

Ahead of Your Tour

• Make sure your passport is valid for six months AFTER your scheduled return date to the U.S. Your passport should have at least two (2) blank pages. See "Passports, Visas & Documentation" section below for details.
• Obtain your India Tourist Visa.  See "Passports, Visas & Documentation" section below for details. If you are not a U.S. citizen, contact your embassy for travel documentation requirements.
• Please check current CDC recommendations for travel to India. See the “General Health and Inoculations” section below for important details.
• Travel insurance in case of serious medical emergency is strongly recommended. See the “Travel Insurance” section below for important details.
• Please take luggage restrictions seriously! Luggage restrictions are 15 kilograms for the checked bag and 7 kilograms for the carry on. See "Packing List" tab for important packing details and recommendations.

Passports, Visas & Documents

Guidelines and regulations can change. It is always advisable to double-check the country’s documentation requirements 60-90 days ahead of traveling. Please check online for current regulations and to fully understand when to apply, as visas have a specific validity period. All visas and fees are subject to change. Information for U.S. citizens can be found at: https://travel.state.gov/en/international-travel/travel-advisories/india.html. If you are not a U.S. citizen, contact your embassy for documentation requirements.

Passport: You must have a passport that is in good condition and is valid for six months AFTER your scheduled return to the U.S. Please check that expiration date! You should have at least two blank passport pages. The blank pages need to say “Visas” at the top. Pages marked “Amendments and Endorsements” will not be accepted. 

Visa: A Tourist Visa is required for U.S. travelers. This visa must be acquired in advance as it cannot be obtained upon arrival. U.S. citizens looking to enter India only for tourist reasons, and who plan to stay no more than 60 days (as of this writing), can apply for an electronic travel authorization (ETA) in lieu of applying for a tourist visa at an Indian embassy or consulate. Please ensure you have the correct type of visa for your planned activity in India or you may be denied entry.

Please visit indianvisaonline.gov.in/evisa/tvoa.html to apply for your e-Tourist Visa and for additional information regarding the eligibilities and requirements. Applicant should carry a copy of the Electronic Travel Authorization (ETA) along with him/her at the time of travel. Please confirm that your ETA status is shown as 'GRANTED' on this website prior to commencement of your journey. Applicants can track the status of their application online by clicking Visa Status.

You will need the contact information for our guide and operator.

• Avijit Sarkhel
• Vana Safaris
• 226 Platinum Heights, Sector 18B, Dwarka, New Delhi - 110075
• Office Phone - +91-11-47512262; Moblie Phone - +91-981-833-0707
• Contact Mail - vana@vanasafaris.com
• Website - www.vanasafaris.com

Travel Tip! As a precaution for lost or misplaced documents you carry on your person during travel, we highly recommend you keep hard and digital backup copies on your phone (either photo or PDF scan), as well as a hard copy left with your emergency contact at home. The recommended important documents to copy include but are not limited to; your passport ID page, travel visa, the front and back of your credit card(s), the airline barcode on your luggage. This will greatly expedite getting new ones if necessary – we hope everyone will always keep travel documents close so that losing them will not be an issue.

General Health & Inoculations Information – Be Prepared!

Health requirements for entry to any country can change. It is always advisable to double-check the country’s health requirements and recommendations 60-90 days ahead of traveling. Please, thoroughly read the  Centers for Disease Control (CDC) for the country you will travel in. You may contact them by phone at (800) CDC-INFO or (800) 232-4636 if you have any unanswered questions.

We will share your health information with your guide. This information will be kept confidential but is very important as we want to be best prepared in case of a medical emergency.

Vaccinations: Bring your up-to-date vaccination records with you.  At the time of writing, no vaccines are required to enter India (with the exception for yellow fever if the traveler is arriving from or traveling through a yellow fever infected area).  However, the CDC recommends that all travelers be up to date with routine and basic travel vaccinations and basic travel vaccines (such as Hepatitis A and Typhoid) before traveling to any destination. Please consult with your doctor for recommendations at least 6-8 weeks before departing on your trip, as some vaccines and anti-malarials require multiple doses prior to departure.

Mosquito and tick-borne illness: The CDC will have updated information regarding recent disease outbreaks, such as Malaria or other mosquito or tick-borne diseases, as well as extra precautions to take depending on the area(s) you will be traveling through. Travelers should reduce their risk of mosquito and/or tick-borne diseases by protecting themselves from bites using protective clothing, insect repellant (containing DEET, Picaridin, OLE, etc.) and prophylactics where applicable. Check the CDC and with your doctor to see whether your trip destination is currently at risk for malaria transmission and whether you should consider anti-malarial medication. For repellent permeated clothing, see Packing List for our recommendations. See the “CDC Yellow Book: Health Information for International Travel” website for more information: https://wwwnc.cdc.gov/travel/page/yellowbook-home.

Malaria: The CDC recommends that travelers going to certain areas of India (this includes New Delhi) take prescription medicine to prevent malaria. Depending on the medicine you take, you will need to start taking this medicine multiple days before your trip, as well as during and after your trip. Talk to your doctor about choosing a drug to prevent malaria. Find here country-specific information about malaria. Prevention is essential no matter what level of risk. A small risk is still a risk.  We recommend you do not take any chances. In addition to taking anti-malarial medication, during your outings, be sure to apply insect repellent (containing DEET); or Picaridin, OLE, etc., on any exposed skin as directed! For clothing, see Packing List for our recommendation.

Yellow fever: Vaccination is required for passengers entering India from countries with endemic yellow fever (including stopovers >12 hour layover); check the CDC Yellow Book for list of countries at risk for yellow fever. 

Prescriptions: It is a good idea to pack any meds you take regularly in your carry-on luggage.  Bring an extra pair of glasses or contact lenses. Bring an adequate supply of any prescription medications you use, a copy of the prescription and a list of generic names of your medicines as “back-up” in case it is necessary to purchase drugs while abroad. You’ll want to keep medications in their original, labeled containers.  

Allergies: The roads can be very dusty which may trigger allergies or breathing difficulties, in which case, please bring your allergy and/or asthma medication. If you have severe allergies talk to your doctor about carrying an EPI pen and notify your guides. It is also recommended to carry with you an up-to-date record of known allergies, chronic medical problems and Medic Alerts so that, if necessary, emergency treatment can be carried out without endangering your health. 

Common Ailments: We recommend that you bring a travel-sized first aid kit (including items such as ointments, moisturizer, sunscreen, oral rehydration salts, band-aids, moleskin for blisters, cotton swabs, nail clippers, and tweezers, etc.) and a supply of standard over-the-counter medications for prevention or treatment of common ailments (such as for diarrhea, constipation, stomach upset, cough, congestion, head or body aches, insect bites, sunburn, etc.).

Altitude Illness: According to the CDC's website, day trips to high-elevation destinations less than 8000 ft. with an evening return to a lower elevation are much less stressful on the body, depending on the time provided for your body to adjust. However, overnights at higher altitudes may have more adverse effects on your body and you should be informed about altitude illness and Acute Mountain Sickness (AMS) (see https://www.cdc.gov/yellow-book/hcp/environmental-hazards-risks/high-altitude-travel-and-altitude-illness.html). The most general symptoms are headache and occasionally fatigue and dizziness. You’ll want to take it easy, particularly at first. The likelihood of these symptoms can be reduced by resting, drinking plenty of water, avoiding alcohol, taking aspirin and optimize acclimatization by adjusting itineraries to avoid going “too high too fast." If you have worries about the altitude, ask your physician about medications (such as Diamox) that may be right for you. 

The higher altitudes will be 11,500 feet in Leh, Ladakh, and 13,700 feet at Sham Hills. (See "Itinerary")

Weather & Climate

March marks the beginning of the hot summer season in India, bringing warmer and drier conditions, depending on location and altitudes, with temperatures typically ranging from the mid-upper 60s°F to mid 100s°F (Avg 81.4°F). You can expect it to be very hot on safaris. Once up in the Himilayas, expect temps to average in the 40s°F during the day and below freezing at night. Be sure to pack light cottons for the heat and good, insulated boots and layered clothing for the cold in the mountains.

You may want to check your favorite weather information website for forecasts and predictions closer to your date of travel.  Visit https://www.climatestotravel.com for an overview.

Annoyances & Hazards

Always listen carefully to any advice given by your local guide regarding pests and other biting insects or reptiles you may encounter, especially those that may be poisonous, though this may be rare.

Mosquitos, ticks and other insects: Even if you are traveling in the dry season, mosquitos, ticks and other insects can always be encountered in your travels, so don't risk illness. See the “General Health and Inoculations” section above regarding recommended preventative measures.

Chiggers are a part of lowland and mid-elevation habitats. You may encounter them at grassland or farm locations. Your guide should have a good read on whether chiggers are a concern. It is helpful to spray your shoes with repellent and tuck your pants into your socks .  When back, be sure to shower and air out your clothing.

Remember, sunburn can be both an annoyance and a hazard, so be prepared with sufficient sun protection. This is especially true up in the higher elevations.

Food & Drinks

Indian food is a highlight of the trip and has an amazing history dating back thousands of years! Indian food can be rich, spicy, and delicious! Usually, stomach upsets are due to a change of diet or an excess of chilis, rather than bacteria. However, as with any travel, minor intestinal problems are possible, so we suggest bringing Imodium. Please discuss appropriate medication with your physician.

One of the many ways we strive to do our part for the environment is by intentionally reducing our consumption of plastics. Therefore, we strongly encourage you to bring a reusable water bottle.  On your journey, drinking water is provided for you to refill a reusable water bottle wherever possible, though bottled water singles will be available for field trips where refills are not an option. 

Tap water on this journey is considered by CDC not safe to drink and should be avoided.  It's recommended to use bottled or filtered water for brushing your teeth and to be cautious with ice cubes, fruits, and vegetables that may have been washed in unhygienic water. If there are any exceptions in specific locations, your guide will inform you.

We strongly encourage you to invest in a water bottle with a purification filter (such as Lifestraw or GRAYL Ultrapress) to filter out larger particles, impurities and some viruses and bacteria. Additional purification can be achieved with a portable UV water purifier (such as SteriPen) that will kill 99.9% of smaller viruses and bacteria by swirling the UV wand in the water in 60-90 seconds! There are some great water filtering bottles on the market today. A little research will be well worth the effort to drink clean water while contributing to the elimination of single-use plastics.

Packing, Clothing & Laundry

Please pack light! We are serious about this – we move around a lot; you just do not need much to cope with tropical life!

Please take luggage restrictions seriously! Luggage restrictions for internal flights are 15 kilograms for the checked bag and 7 kilograms for the carry on. The excess baggage charge is US $8 per kilogram—if you plan to have excess baggage just let us know in advance and our operator can pre purchase to save time at the airport. Then you can just settle up with the operator while you're there.

Pack using soft-sided luggage, if at all possible, with ID tags inside and out.

DO NOT pack any essential medications or vital optics (i.e. glasses, binoculars) in your checked luggage! Dress is comfortable and informal throughout the trip. Dressing in layers is the best way to be comfortable.

Laundry services are available at most lodgings for an additional fee, but be prepared to hand launder if you need to. 

See “Packing List” tab for more detailed information and checklists.

Spending Money

The official currency of India is the rupee. For the current exchange rate, please refer to an online converter tool like www.xe.com, or your bank. We advise you carry a mix of different types of payments, such as the local currency, an ATM card, and a credit card. U.S. dollars are not typically accepted; the local currency is preferred. Indian rupees are not available to obtain anywhere outside of India. You should plan to exchange money or use an ATM when you arrive. Indira Gandhi International Airport (DEL) has several foreign exchange counters and ATMs from various banks. Bring large U.S. bills ($50 or $100) that will give you the better rate when exchanging to local currency.

An easy way is to withdraw funds from a local ATM. ATMs are available throughout India’s cities and larger towns. They are limited in smaller towns and National Parks. The ATM will give you local money and your bank will convert that into U.S. Dollars. Many banks charge a fee of $1 - $5 each time you use a foreign ATM. Others may charge you a percentage of the amount you withdraw. Check with your bank before departure.

Credit and debit cards are commonly accepted throughout India. We suggest you have more than one card available, if possible. You may want to bring more than one brand of card (one Visa, and one MasterCard; American Express is less accepted). Not every shop will accept every card. Some smaller shops and restaurants require cash, so it is always a good idea to ask before making a purchase. Also, we recommend that you advise your bank or credit card company that you will be traveling to India to avoid questions, card freezes, or charges. If you have a choice of cards, bring one with no foreign exchange fees.

Traveler’s checks are not widely accepted. They can be difficult to exchange. We do not advise you use them.

When it comes to spending money, every traveler has different spending habits. Please consider your own spending behaviors when it comes to allowing for drinks, shopping and tipping. There are MANY shopping temptations in India.

Gratuities

We hope that you will be pleased with all professional services offered on this tour. All tips, with the exception of your NJ guide (optional) and local guide, are included in the cost of this tour (this includes tips for your driver, lodge and staff, day activities, meals and other services). 

Tipping to your guide(s) to show your appreciation is entirely at your discretion and should reflect your level of satisfaction of the service provided. If you wish to offer a tip, know that they appreciate anything you care to give. Of course, you are welcome to give more in recognition of exceptional service.

Here is a guideline for tipping your NJ and local birding guide(s):

• US $10.00 - $15.00 per day, per guest. Note: If there is more than one guide, this can be split among them.

Please note recommended tips are quoted in U.S. dollars. Tips should be converted and paid in Indian rupee. 

Cell Phones & Internet Service

Your guide is well connected and can help if any urgent communication need arises. However, it is highly recommended that you travel with a cell phone, if only as a precaution for the unfortunate occurrence of a medical emergency during an outing and needing swift accessibility to critical personal or medical contacts. 

Please check with your wireless provider to see if your phone and service will work in your destination country. Options include activating international roaming, purchasing a local SIM card at the airport (newer phones may not accept SIM cards), or simply turning off cellular service and relying on Wi-Fi to make calls and access the internet. If your phone can connect to Wi-Fi, you may be able to make voice and video calls free of charge. Another option if you have access to Wi-Fi is to use smartphone apps like Skype, WhatsApp, or Viber to send text messages, and make voice calls, or video calls. Many smartphones, tablets, or laptops come with one of these apps pre-installed or you can download for free.

Your hotels and most local restaurants provide Wi-Fi at least in their common areas. Although it is generally a reliable service, it can be affected by adverse weather conditions due to the remote location.

Make sure if you do NOT want to use your cell phone that you turn off your cellular data. You could incur huge charges if you are not on Wi-Fi. Putting your phone in airplane mode if you mainly use it for photos will save the battery as well. 

Please refrain from taking or making cell phone calls in the vehicles when traveling with other passengers, unless it appears to be an emergency. This disrupts other guests, plan on cell phone call use on your own time.

Electricity

The standard Indian voltage is 230V and frequency is 50 Hz, using the power plug and socket type C, D, and M (the U.S. uses 110 V with plug and socket type A & B).

You will need a power plug adapter and a voltage converter (or make sure your devices can be used with 220/240 Volts). Adaptors can be purchased ahead of time and are generally available at major airports. More information can be found atwww.power-plugs-sockets.com.

Time

India has one time zone of India Standard Time (IST). A great website if you want to tell someone to check ahead of calling you is www.timeanddate.com.

Questions?

Please contact Naturalist Journeys by email at clientservices@naturalistjourneys.com or telephone us toll free at (866) 900-1146 if you have any questions. Many thanks for traveling with us and we hope you enjoy your journey!

Pace of the Tour & What to Expect

You will receive a Schedule-at-a-Glance and list of hotels (our eContact List) a few weeks before your departure. This will serve as an outline for each day and alert you to any recent changes made in the schedule or to our hotels, if needed.

Our journeys are set up to follow the rhythm of nature. Our focus is on birding and nature; we offer full, well-planned field days and often get up early for that magical time around dawn. We generally follow the published itinerary, but we stay flexible to the weather, wildlife opportunities and the interests of the group. Your guide will keep you apprised of the next day’s schedule at each evening meal, noting what to bring and what to prepare for. Questions and/or concerns are welcome.

The pace of our Naturalist Journeys tours is moderate; to fully participate you should be able to get in and out of vehicles several times a day, and walk 1-3 miles over uneven terrain. It is important to participate with a flexible attitude as adjustments may be made in our schedule to make the most of our time in the field or for other purposes at your guide's discretion. We are not a “listing” bird company that drills down on target species, but at times we do wait for those special species unique to the places we visit. During the day, we take time to stop for photos and for educational opportunities to learn about conservation projects, landscapes, and geology. We appreciate other taxa as well as birds, with mammals often the biggest draw but plants and butterflies are also very popular. Our clients often lend their own expertise to the mix.

We like to make meals a fun and memorable part of the experience, too. Breakfasts are often at hotels, and we carry snacks, fruit, and water in the vans each day. Lunches are a mix of picnics in the field (weather dependent) and a chance to dine with locals at small cafes and restaurants. For dinner, we pride ourselves in our homework to keep up with the best choices for dining, choosing restaurants with atmosphere that specialize in local foods. On occasion we keep dinner simple to go back out in the field for sunset wildlife viewing or night walks. In some remote locations, our choices are limited. If you are tired, room service for dinner may be an option you can choose.

Naturalist Journeys International Trips: Guide Role

Naturalist Journeys supports ecotourism and the development of excellent local guides. Once we know our international partners and guides well, we can send out small groups working directly with these trusted partners, adding a Naturalist Journeys guide to assist the local expert when we have a group of 6-7 or more. This helps us keep your costs down while retaining tour quality. The local guide is your main guide. You can expect your Naturalist Journeys guide to be well-researched and often they are experienced in the destination, but their role is not to be primary, it is to help to organize logistics, help you find birds, mammals, and interesting other species in the field, keep reports, help facilitate group interactions, and to keep the trip within Naturalist Journeys' style. Local guides live in the countries we travel to, know the destinations intimately, and are often the strongest force for conservation in their countries. They open many doors for us to have a rich experience.

Smoking

Smoking is not permitted in any vehicle or in any situation where the group is participating in an activity together, such as a vehicle excursion or a guided walk. Please respect all designated smoking areas at hotels and restaurants.

Transportation

As a courtesy to each other, we ask that all travelers please rotate seating. On international trips we may all be in one small bus, on some trips we are in vans, particularly the roomy Sprinter Vans when available. Some areas require us to be in smaller 4-wheel drive or safari vehicles. Rotation allows you to sit with different drivers and alternate front and back seating.

Photo Release & Sharing

We take many group photos and will share photos with the group. And after your tour, we will organize a chance to share photos via Dropbox or Google Photos. Please note that this is our policy and if you prefer to be excluded, we need to know ahead of your tour.

By registering for this tour, you agree to grant to Naturalist Journeys and its authorized representatives’ permission to record on photography film and/or video, pictures of my participation in the tour. You further agree that any or all of the material photographed may be used, in any form, as part of any future publications, brochure, or other printed materials used to promote Naturalist Journeys, and further that such use shall be without payment of fees, royalties, special credit or other compensation.

Travel Insurance

You are traveling in remote areas. Naturalist Journeys strongly recommends you have full medical and evacuation insurance from a company such as Allianz, for all international travel. If you do not have medical coverage or evacuation coverage on your existing travel insurance policy or for some reason elected not to take that out, we advise getting an evacuation plan with Global Rescue, World Nomads, Medjet, Allianz (they can do evacuation only) or a similar company. These plans are typically $300-$400 for a year for multiple destinations. This coverage may be a part of a larger Travel Insurance policy but can also be purchased on its own.

Questions?

Please contact Naturalist Journeys by email at clientservices@naturalistjourneys.com or telephone our office: (520) 558-1146 or toll free: (866) 900-1146 if you have any questions. Many thanks for traveling with us and we hope you enjoy your journey.

Please pack light!

Soft-sided luggage is much easier for us to pack in vehicles or charter aircraft than a more rigid hard sided piece, so if you have the choice, please use your soft-sided luggage. Be sure to have your name and address on the inside of the bag, as well as on the luggage tag on the handle. Please reconfirm your airline’s baggage weight and size restrictions about a week or so before departure. Although international flights weight limit for checked bags is typically 45-50 pounds, the weight limit for the internal flights is 15kg (33lbs) for checked luggage and 7kg (15.4lbs) for carry on luggage, and although additional weight can be purchased, do your best to pack as light as possible. 

TRAVEL TIP:  Imagine NOT getting your checked luggage upon arrival. DO NOT pack any essential medications, vital optics (binoculars, camera, eye-glasses), or essential travel documents in your checked luggage! Pack these and other essential items in your carry-on bag and on your person (i.e. under-garment pouch). You will want a day pack for field trips, so this makes an ideal carry-on. Travel wearing your most important shoes for the field and have one day’s clothing change (including a change of underwear!).

Pack clothing that is appropriate for the anticipated temperatures and conditions. See the "Weather & Climate" section under "Essential Information" for general seasonal climate info for the date of this tour. In addition, you may check your preferred weather app closer to departure to get a better idea of the weather to expect.

Dress is comfortable and informal throughout the trip. Dressing in lightweight layers is the best way to provide options to get you through a day of varying weather and temperatures comfortably. Lightweight long sleeve shirts and long pants make ideal field clothing as they are more protective from sun, vegetation and pests. But by all means bring some shorts if you prefer to include them in your layering. Also, choose clothing you don’t mind getting dirty or muddy and things that are loose-fitting, comfortable, and easy to layer and launder. Quick-dry fabrics are ideal.  A lightweight and waterproof outer layer is essential as well as comfortable hiking footwear. It is important to have warm boots, jacket, gloves, hat and scarf for the higher elevations.

Treating your clothing to better protect you from insects: It is possible to purchase Permethrin spray (online or from REI) to treat your field clothing and socks before your departure. Another approach is to purchase field clothing permeated with insect repellent such as the Craghoppers Insect Shield collection.

Note on clothing colors: We recommend muted colors of tan, brown, khaki, grey or green, as they are spotted less easily than white or bright colors, though camouflage clothing is not recommended.

WE DO NOT RECOMMEND TRAVELING WITH PRECIOUS OR VALUABLE JEWELRY – don’t tempt anyone and don’t bring things you’d regret losing, and your mind will be at ease!

Clothing & Gear

• Lightweight long pants (2-3 pair)
• Shorts (optional)
• Lightweight long-sleeved shirts (some cotton for the hotter days) (2-3)
• T-shirts or equivalent (1 per day – remember you may be buying some there anyway!) again, some cotton
• Comfortable clothes for evening (a cleaner version of your field clothes or a skirt, sundress, etc.)
• Personal underclothing
• Warm pajamas/sleepwear
• Thermal long underwear/shirts/tights or leggings
• Socks – lightweight and easy to wash and dry for the field and warm for nights (i.e. Smartwool if you’re buying new)
• Comfortable walking shoes (such as tennis shoes)
• Lightweight hiking boots – good tread and support are essential
• Sandals for evenings, travel days, and to wear on boats (optional, Teva style are great)
• Warm jacket
• Lightweight raincoat or poncho
• Hat and warm gloves
• Warm layers for the mountains
• Scarf or turtleneck (a warm gaitor is great for covering your face)
• Bathing suit (optional)
• Hat with broad brim
• Bandana (gel bandanas work well to keep you cool)
• Field vest (optional), a great source is Big Pockets

Equipment & Miscellaneous

• Photo identification - name should match your passport and airline tickets to avoid issues with confirming your identity 
• Airline tickets or E-ticket verification
• Passport and visa
• Travel insurance info
• Money & credit cards
• A secure pouch to carry the items above on your person at all times (such as a secure, under-clothing document pouch)
• As a backup: copies of all the above (phone and/or paper) packed in a separate location than on your person, plus a set given to your emergency contact at home as a backup. For passport, copy of the  ID and entry stamp pages.
• Small backpack, daypack or fanny pack for carrying your field gear (this can double as your carry-on!)
• Cell phone and charger
• Binoculars
• Spotting scope and tripod (optional)
• Camera and extra batteries/chargers, memory cards, lens cleaning supplies and instruction manual
• Tablet or laptop for personal use and/or transferring photos, USB cord and charger (optional)
• Electricity converters and adapters for 2-to-3 prong electronics plugs if needed (See "Electricity" under "Essential Information")
• Reusable water bottle (*with filters such as Lifestraw and UV sterilization system such as SteriPen for destinations where tap water is deemed unsafe to drink) to avoid the use of disposible plastics
• Umbrella – compact and not brightly colored
• Walking stick – we find many travelers appreciate a walking stick on trails; recommend collapsible models that will fit in your suitcase (optional)
• Small flashlight and/or headlamp with fresh batteries
• Alarm clock
• Sunscreen/Chapstick with SPF or equivalent and waterproof sunblock
• Sunglasses with neck strap
• Insect repellent (containing DEET); if not, then Picaridin, OLE, etc. Use as directed! Sulfur powder for chigger bites if available
• Toiletry articles
• Earplugs (if hotel noise or roommates snoring may bother you; these are optional)
• Pocket-size tissues
• Notebook or journal and pen (optional)
• Field guides (optional)
• Sink plug (often not available, a flat universal one is easiest to use)
• Washcloth (may not always be available)
• Laundry soap (consider laundry soap "sheets" that pack flat, and are lightweight and environmentally friendly)
• Face mask for asthma sufferers or other breathing issues (optional – helpful on dusty roads or high air pollution areas)
• A collapsible airplane footrest (such as an inflatable, foldable, or hammock type) may help make longer flights more comfortable. Some airlines may have restrictions, so confirm with your airline which types are allowed and where they may be not allowed, i.e. bulkhead or exit rows (optional)

Medical & First Aid Items

• Heath insurance and vaccination information (kept in personal pouch with other travel documents)
• Personal medications
• Anti-malarial prophylactics (and antibiotics in case of infection) use as prescribed by your physician
• Personal first aid kit including medications for general ailments (Imodium or Lomotil, Antihistamine cream or tablets, Eye drops, etc.)
• Altitude sickness and motion sickness preventatives if likely to be needed
• Copy of eyeglass prescription, medical prescriptions, and any medical alerts
• Extra pair of eyeglasses or contacts
• Band-Aids, moleskin to protect against blisters
• Antibacterial hand soap or hand sanitizer, small vial

There are many titles of interest for India; the following are a few that we have enjoyed that can get you started.

Top Picks

Birds of India: Pakistan, Nepal, Bangladesh, Bhutan, Sri Lanka, and the Maldives 

Merlin App – India: All. First, download the Merlin app here and then look for the location-specific packs.

Field Guides

Birds of India (Collins Field Guide)

A Photographic Field Guide to the Birds of India, Pakistan, Nepal, Bhutan, Sri Lanka, and Bangladesh

A Naturalist’s Guide to the Birds of India

Indian Mammals: A Field Guide 

A Naturalist's Guide to the Mammals of India 

Butterflies of India 

A Naturalist's Guide to the Reptiles of India 

Natural History

The Life and Fate of the Indian Tiger 

Land of the Seven Rivers: A Brief History of India’s Geography 

India: National Geographic Adventure Map

Guidebooks

DK's Travel Guide to India

Lonely Planet's South India & Kerala

The Rough Guide to South India and Kerala 

History & Culture

India After Gandhi: The History of the World's Largest Democracy

History of India: A Captivating Guide to Ancient India, Medieval Indian History, and Modern India Including Stories of the Maurya Empire, the British Raj, Mahatma Gandhi, and More 

The Little Book of Hindu Deities: From the Goddess of Wealth to the Sacred Cow 

Mohandas K. Gandhi, Autobiography: The Story of My Experiments with Truth 

India: The Essential Guide to Customs & Culture by Culture Smart!

Hindi, Urdu & Bengali Phrasebook & Dictionary by Lonely Planet

The Story of India. BBC 6-part documentary. Presented by Michael Wood. 2007

As an Amazon Associate, Naturalist Journeys earns from qualifying purchases, and may get commissions for purchases made through links on this page at no added cost to you.

General

About India

• https://www.incredibleindia.org/content/incredibleindia/en.html

Nature, Wildlife & Biology

Birds of India - eBird.org

• https://ebird.org/region/IN?yr=all

Birds of India – iNaturalist.org

• https://www.inaturalist.org/check_lists/8949-Birds-of-India

Birds of India - Birding.in

• https://www.birding.in/birds_of_india.htm

Birds of India - Avibase checklist

• https://avibase.bsc-eoc.org/checklist.jsp?region=IN&list=howardmoore

Butterflies

• https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_butterflies_of_India

Indian Elephant

• https://www.worldwildlife.org/species/indian-elephant

Gaur

• https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gaur

Bengal Tiger

• https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bengal_tiger

Indian Leopard

• https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Indian_leopard

Conservation, Parks & Reserves

Tadoba National Park and Tiger Reserve

• https://www.tadobanationalpark.in

Gir National Park

• https://www.girnationalpark.in

Geology & Geography

Maps of India

• https://www.mapsofindia.com/maps/india/
• https://www.mapsofindia.com/geography/

Geography of India

• https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Geography_of_India

Geology of India

• https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Geology_of_India

History & Culture

Brief History of India - Asia Society

• https://asiasociety.org/india-historical-overview

Indian Culture

• https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Culture_of_India

Indian Food and Cuisine

• https://www.culturalindia.net/indian-food/
• https://www.culturalindia.net/indian-food/south-indian.html
• https://www.blueosa.com/the-top-10-indian-dishes/

Basic Hindi Phrases with Pronunciation

•  https://ielanguages.com/hindi-phrases.html

Helpful Travel Websites

National Passport Information Center

• https://travel.state.gov/content/travel/en/passports.html

U.S. Department of State International Travel Information

• https://travel.state.gov/content/travel/en/international-travel/International-Travel-Country-Information-Pages/India.html

Homeland Security Real ID Act

• https://www.dhs.gov/real-id

U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP)

• https://www.cbp.gov/travel

Transportation Security Administration (TSA)

• https://www.tsa.gov

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) - India

• https://wwwnc.cdc.gov/travel/destinations/traveler/none/india?s_cid=ncezid-dgmq-travel-single-001

Canada Travel Advice and Advisories- India

• https://travel.gc.ca/destinations/india

Travel Health Pro (UK)- India

• https://travelhealthpro.org.uk/country/5/india-andaman-and-nicobar-islands

Foreign Exchange Rates

• https://www.xe.com/

ATM Locator

• https://www.visa.com/atmlocator/
• https://www.mastercard.us/en-us/personal/get-support/find-nearest-atm.html

Electricity and Plugs- India

• https://www.power-plugs-sockets.com/india/

Date, Time, and Holidays- India

• https://www.timeanddate.com/worldclock/india
• https://www.timeanddate.com/holidays/india/