What To Bring
Necessary:
- Passport with tourist visa.
- Hidden money belt, or neck pouch – passport and $ always in here and not in your bags.
- Nalgene water container.
- Combination lock.
- Hiking backpack – Everything should fit comfortably on your back in this backpack, including the daypack; your hands need to be free for climbing up stairs/steps and hills.
- Daypack (campus book pack). Carry this on the plane with all important stuff just in case checked bag is delayed.
- Minimum $300 in cash or traveler’s checks in $100 denominations.
- Comfortable shoes for lots of walking and a pair of sandals (Keens, Tivas …) that hold well to your feet and are waterproof.
- Pack light comfortable clothes (you can buy great, inexpensive clothes in India). There will be laundry service regularly available and very affordable.
Clothing for women: tank tops, low cut, belly showing, shorts and or skirts above the knee are not advisable. Loose clothing fits the modesty standards in India. Covering the legs below the knees is also advisable.
Clothing for men: Shorts should come below the knee.
For women and men: Save your standard shorts for your room.
- All your prescription medications times 2. Keep 1 set in carry on bag and one set in check luggage. Alternative suggestion: Bring all your medications in your carry-on daypack.
- Your syllabi, books, handouts, and notebooks for the courses. (Instructors will not be carrying extra copies.)
- A copy of the itinerary.
Also Suggested:
- small flash light
- mosquito repellent
- travel towel and washcloth
- pillow case or small travel pillow (inflatable is good)
- sleep sack sheet
- flip flops for wear in the guest houses
- hand sanitizer
- Bandaids and small tube of Neosporin
- sun glasses
- extra pair of prescription glasses (if needed)
- sun lotion
- credit card or debit card to get more cash
- light fleece or sweat jacket
- rain jacket/poncho, or just buy an umbrella in India
- ear plugs
- eye mask
- paper dust masks if you are allergic to mold or dust mites
- vitamins
- meds for head or stomachache, motion sickness, cold and flu. Dramamine is recommended in case there is motion sickness on the jeep drives in the mountains.
* A used laptop to donate to the Tibetan computer school. If you don’t have one to donate please consider carrying one that has been donated by someone else. Contact John Clark if you can bring a used laptop.
* It is best NOT to bring cell phones. The Guides will have cell phones for emergencies and there will be cheap email and phone service available throughout the trip. One of the professors will provide a cell phone number to give to parents for emergencies.
Upon arrival you will have an orientation meeting that will cover safety, cultural and environmental sensitivities, food, water etc.