Are you an American planning to visit India this summer? Then, you need to book your flight tickets and apply for an Indian eVisa online quickly. This is because you are not the only one making these plans. Rather, there were around 47,78,374 foreign tourists who packed their bags and visited the country from January to June of 2024. However, getting your visa early won’t be enough for you to have a successful trip. You will also have to carry a few essentials in your bag to ensure a safe journey.
Why Packing Smart is Key for Summer Travel in India
Being a tropical country, India experiences hot and humid summers. Although you might experience some mild southern wind, the majority of it is filled with the scorching heat of the sun. So, you need to understand this when you are planning for a trip to the country.
The Indian summer temperature can go up to 40°C or 104°F. This temperature is a lot, even for the Indians. On top of that, the temperature can feel extremely humid and almost suffocating at times.
This extreme weather condition even results in adverse health conditions for people which include heat strokes, sunburn, dehydration, and skin issues. This is why smart packing becomes a must for all Americans who are getting a visa to India during the summer.
Essentials That You Must Have for Your Summer Trip to India
There are a few things that you should definitely keep in your packing bag when coming to India. We have broken down these essentials into a few categories for your understanding.
- Your Passport
Having a valid passport is a must when you are visiting a foreign country so the same is true in the case of coming to India. So, make sure you use a passport for the process that has at least 6 months validity on it. Moreover, this one should have a minimum of two bank pages for it to get stamped when you enter and exit the country. Most important of all, the passport should be in perfect condition machine-readable condition.
- Get Your Visa
All foreign tourists need a visa to India to visit it at any time of the year. This is a travel permit that helps you gain access inside India to explore its different cities. The validity of this visa depends on the type of visa you choose. For instance, in this case, you will be required to pick a tourist visa that is further divided into a few different types.
| Tourist eVisa Types | Validity Period | Number of Entries |
| One-month eTourist visa | 30 days (Maximum stay-up period is 30 days) | 2 (but the visa is non-extendable or convertible) |
| One-year eTourist visa | 365 days from the issue date (Maximum stay-up period is 180 days) | Multiple entries |
| Five-year eTourist visa | 5 years starting from the date of issue (Given that the passport used for the visa stays valid during the whole time.) However, the stay-up period is 180 days. | Multiple entries |
The visa to India can be applied for in two different ways; through the embassy and through the online. However, the one through the online portal is way more convenient and prompt. This is why, we advise people to choose the latter. This is a fairly easy process that includes a few simple steps. The steps of this process are;
- Visit the Immigration website of India or any other reputed site that deals with Indian eVisa online.
- Find the application form for an Indian tourist visa and fill it out properly. Remember to fill in all the places and avoid making any types of mistakes during the process.
- Attach scanned copies of all the documents required for your visa application. Some of the document copies that you will have to provide include your valid passport (following the requirements), recent photographs (matching the requirements), bank statements, and other necessary documents related to your visit purpose.
- Pay the fee required for visa application through your debit or credit card. This fee varies based on the country that you are coming from, so remember to check that before paying.
- You will have to wait for a few minutes to hours to receive the visa approval letter in the email ID that you have provided on the application form. Remember to print a few copies of the approval letter and bring it with you to the airport. This will help you in avoiding issues during the boarding process.
- Comfortable Clothes
Wearing the right type of clothes is a must when you are traveling to India. This makes it easier for you to beat the Indian summer heat in the best possible way. So, make sure you bring lightweight and breathable clothes that are made out of fabrics like cotton, and linen. However, you should avoid wearing synthetic materials as they are more appropriate for the Indian rainy season. Most important of all, you should wear light colours over dark ones as they help you in staying cool.
- Protection From the Sun
Well, given the rising issues with UV rays, it is a must for all people living in any corner of the world to use necessary sun protection when they are going out. This includes using a high SPF (preferably 50+) sunscreen, sleeves, wide-brim hats, caps, and UV-protective sunglasses. These block out the harmful UV rays from affecting your skin and keep you safe. This, in return, helps you in having a good trip.
- Moisturizers and Lip Balms
Skincare is a must for all ages irrespective of the time of the year. So, you should ensure you have packed all your skincare products when you are packing the bags after you get your visa to India. You should remember to bring your cooling moisturizers and lip balms to avoid any dryness caused due to excessive heat. Plus, you can also bring some cooling face masks to cool off your irritated skin after a full day of traveling.
- Water Bottle
There are a few basic accessories that should be in the travel bag of all travellers. This includes reusable and small water bottles. Keeping a water bottle at your rescue really helps in beating the summer heat. Moreover, it will be best if you bring a bottle that has a filter in it. This way you can ensure you are drinking clean water at all times.
- Cooling Accessories
It is a must for all Americans to carry a few things that will help them cool off the heat while they are on the Indian streets. Otherwise, there is a high chance that one can fall and end up having a heat stroke. So, remember to carry a few cooling towels and mists in your bag after you apply for an Indian eVisa online. This will be enough to get instant relief from the heat.
- First-Aid Kit
Keeping a first-aid kit in your bag can really help in fighting uncertain situations. This way you can at least perform some primary care until you reach a medical facility. So make sure you carry some wound care that includes bandages, medical tape, and other things. Moreover, you should also carry some ointments and gels to deal with blisters and burns. Most important of all, you should remember to carry your medications and the prescriptions for them.
- Insect Repellent
It is always better to carry some insect repellent in your bag after you get your visa to India. This helps you avoid being affected by mosquitoes which can cause malaria, yellow fever, dengue, and others. You can include insect repellent sprays, body lotions, or even some type of body coverings.
- Comfortable Footwear
Exploring the different cities of India involves a whole lot of walking and moving from one place to another. This is why, you need to wear some comfortable footwear during your travel. Try to wear footwear like sandals and flip-flops are they are quite lightweight. Moreover, you can also wear some sports shoes that are breathable and come with anti-slip features.
- Travel Gadgets
Power banks can be great for keeping your devices charged while you explore India after applying for an Indian eVisa online. Plus, this also eliminates the constant need for finding a charging spot. Next, when it comes to charging, you should also remember to carry some travel adapters that are compatible with Indian plugs. Lastly, remember to bring some battery-operated or USB-powered fans to keep a constant flow of cool air when you are visiting different landmarks in India.
Ready to Take Your Summer Trip to India?
Planning a successful trip to India will be incomplete without packing the essentials in your bag. So, make sure you add all the things that we talked about in your bag right after you get your Indian eVisa online application approved. Moreover, you should also apply for the visa at least a week or two before the trip to avoid last-minute delays.
In the end, remember to contact the emergency number of India at 112 or the Tourism Toll-free line at 1800-11-1363 if you face any issues during your stay. On the other hand, you should contact the Helpdesk for any issues related to your visa to India.
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