Practicalities

How Much to Bring
It is very easy to bring too much. On the first day of a recent Pilgrimage, some people realised this too late. Even with our team carrying their bags between coach and accommodation, most people found that bringing too much really was a hassle. On pilgrimage, the closer one gets to bringing the minimum, the happier and freer one feels. Fewness and simplicity of possessions can be a very real support for your practice. And it’s best not to bring things you would be upset to loose. However, having with you the things that you want is also a real support to practice and happiness. Take your time and pack well.

Bags
Practically every sort of bag or case is ok for this pilgrimage. But, please do not bring big or very heavy bags-unless you notify me before hand. Other than one’s day bag, one is not expected to carry one’s luggage. We will have a team of helpers and will engage porters when necessary. Your cases and bags can be easily damaged in India; they will get dirty and scratched, so please do not bring your best.

Day Bag
Every day you will be using your meditation gear and puja books. You may want to carry incense or other offerings. You should also carry a torch, water, and your basic medical kit at all times. So, you will need something to carry these in, a small pack or shoulder bag.

What to Wear?
In India you are what you wear, so most people take a lot of care over how they look. Students and adult men wear casual or conservative Western clothes. Most women wear some form of traditional dress, although in the big cites Western fashions are common.

I think it is generally best to wear the clothes that one normally wears. However, if you wish to change your image, break-out or dress as a Pilgrim – this is also your opportunity. Most of the people we encounter have very little idea what is normal dress for foreigners; they will accept whatever you wear-so long as it is decent.

Important considerations are: the climate (see below), and comfort when walking and sitting for meditation together with ease of washing and drying.

Do not to bring expensive or difficult to wash clothes; there is a lot of opportunity for them to be damaged while wearing them or when they are being washed. Things do sometimes come back from the wash looking tie-dyed – so bring colourfast clothes.

Climatic Conditions
In September, the plains of India will be hot and humid. Once in the hills it will be the same – but less so. It should be comfortable and pleasant.

On pilgrimage, we will be in the mountainous foothills of the Himalayas. It will be cooler than the plains, but by midday, it will be getting warm, and walking will make it warmer.

Our altitude ranges from a few hundred feet, to several thousand feet above sea level, so there is plenty of room variation in temperature.

Walking
We will be doing quite a bit of strolling around, walking here and there. In the first two weeks, most of the walking will be easy, on roads and paths. Never the less, in Kalimpong and Darjeeling there are numerous potholes and other potentially dangerous obstacles in the roads and paths – mindfulness is required.

In Sikkim we are less busy but tend to walk for longer on stone or mud paths. A potential danger is a sprained ankle, or shoes that are no good in slippery conditions.

Shorts are becoming more acceptable in India, for men at least. If wearing shorts, women as well as men should make sure they are not too short or tight.

In essence; loose, light layers. And easy to wash and dry.

Foot Ware
It would be quite possible to go through the whole pilgrimage in sandals or flip flops/tongs.

In the first two weeks, we visit many temples where it is necessary to remove one’s shoes. Foot ware that is easy to take off and put on is an advantage.

We don’t go on any real treks. Mountain boots are not necessary. Nothing heavier than light comfortable walking/countryside shoes is required.

However, we do walk up some impressive hills on narrow earthen paths that twist around rocks and logs. Therefore, light foot ware, easy to wash and dry, that can handle sometimes-slippery paths, and that gives support to your ankles is best.

Chapples – Flip-flops, Thongs etc. are essential bathroom wear and are good for relaxing around our accommodation.

Hat and Sun Glasses
These are pretty much required; you would probably regret not bringing them.

Basic Medical Kit
Everyone should take personal responsibility for dealing with the types of illness that commonly occur. These include; cuts and blisters, moderate and sever diarrhoea, constipation, colds and flu, dehydration, loss of sleep and depletion of energy. The remedies for all these should be carried at all times and used as soon as symptoms appear; nipping illness in the bud means one gets better much quicker. Some allopathic medicines can be unpleasant, - but taking them quickly can mean you are back on the pilgrimage in hours rather than days. It is necessary to carry on you just a few portions of each remedy; these should fit in a small purse or pocket.

Cuts and Blisters – A few band aids and healing cream.
Moderate and Sever Diarrhoea – Appropriate medication.
Constipation – Herbal or other laxative.
Colds and Flu – Paracetamol and remedies of choice.
Dehydration – ORS Oral Re-hydration Solution.
Loss of Sleep – Herbal Sleeping pills, earplugs. (Ear plugs cannot be obtained in India)
Depletion of Energy – Good multi vitamins.

Those items underlined can be easily obtained in India at a more economical price than in the West.

Of course, everyone should have consulted their Doctors about malaria and inoculations.

Other Items to Bring
MP3 Player – A fantastic resource

Prescription Glasses – Bring spares

Medication – Bring prescription and extra supplies.

Binoculars – If you have a light pair, and enjoy using them.

Gifts – Any little thing from your country is a welcome gift; stamps, coins, any little toy or souvenir. Someone once brought 1000 advertising promotional balloons – and was a source of delight to a thousand children.

Sleeping Bag - Air Mattress
Bedding is available at all the places we stay. Typically, this means a firm mattress with sheets, pillow and pillowslip. Plain blankets and heavy cotton quilts are available. A silk or other sheet sleeping bag is a nice luxury that neither weighs much nor takes up much room.

Most of the mattresses are not good enough for some people. Everyone who has brought a thin inflatable camping mattress, (e.g. Thermarest) on earlier pilgrimages has been relieved they did. But for some people the mattresses are not a problem. If you have concerns about your back or sleep please bring an inflatable mattress.

Loos
The toilets in the places we stay vary from adequate to good. Tashiding is the only place with no western style loos; just your basic squat variety. Some people find squatting physically difficult, if so it is best to limber up before the pilgrimage.

Washing Clothes
We will have our clothes washed for us at most places. The Indian custom is to wash one’s own underwear and socks. Any costly or delicate clothes should likewise be done by oneself; the standard washing procedure is quite rough.

Mosquitoes
At dusk there will be mosquitoes. Please consult your Doctor and bring good anti-mossie spray or cream. Mosquito coils will be provided.

Bathing
Bathing in India is a simple affair; the bucket bath – one douses oneself with water from a bucket using a small plastic jug. Most places have no running hot water – which is provided in small quantities by our hosts. Bring flip-flops to wear while washing – the floors of the bathrooms can be slippery.