Packing List

1. Refer to the guidelines when picking a duffel bag for the tour. Hard suitcases aren't flexible enough for the shared luggage spaces that we have. There is a limited amount of storage space on our bus; we won't take bags that are bigger than 24 x 12 x 12 inches.

2. Please label all items with the participant's name with a permanent marker before the tour. This is especially important for gamchas and black t-shirt/leggings for the performance. 

3. All girls must bring a gamcha. If you do not have a gamcha instead of a towel, we will have some available for sale. If you live locally, the Alachua temple store has them.

4. Cell phones - girls may not have cell phones with them on the tour. If a girl is traveling her with a cell phone, we can collect it and hold it for her until the tour is over. If she would like to take pictures during the tour please pack a camera. 

Since this is a tour with many participants without much luggage space, we encourage everyone to take on the challenge of packing lightly. Each girl should be able to carry ALL of her own belongings in one go. The following is a packing list of what they should bring and also a list of what will be provided.

Each Kishori will bring:

• 1 Duffel bag : 24 x 12 x 12 inch maximum

• 1 Small Lightweight Backpack for Ratha Yatras, hiking, and day trips in the city (straps instead of strings)

Ex. https://www.walmart.com/ip/Outdoor-Products-Packable-Day-Pack/26700608 

OR    https://www.walmart.com/ip/EEEKit-Lightweight-Packable-Foldable-Waterproof-Travel-Backpack-Daypack-Shoulder-Bags-Blue/180090723

• 1 Laundry bag with zipper or drawstring closure

• Bedding : Sleeping bag (should roll as small as possible), pillow, and a twin size sheet. (Our bus has very comfortable foam mats.)

Packing list

Everything should fit in the duffel bag. Daypack bags and Suchi kits will remain on the bus. Duffel bags are stored underneath. Sleeping bag and pillow are separate. Pajamas should be stored with pillow in the pillow case. This is a Vaishnavi tour. Please pack accordingly.

We will be doing laundry weekly on the tour.

• 1 sari, petticoat and choli for our annual 'sari day' (we will help put on saris)

• 4-5 sets of devotional clothing: gopi skirts (at least one), anarkalis, and/ or punjabi suits. We recommend considering your limited luggage allowance when choosing what skirts to bring; skirts with lots of panels can take up a lot of space in your bag. Please include a knee-length skirt that can easily be taken on and off when occasions require it.

• 2 pairs of pants- 1 jean / 1 lighter (sweat pants or yoga pants for camping) (leggings can be worn as pants in casual camping situations)

• 4 pairs of shorts or capris - 5 inch inseam or longer (no short shorts, shorts must extend past one's fingertips)

• 1 pair of basketball sports shorts

• 7 shirts (no spaghetti straps or midriff shirts, tanktops must be 2 finger-widths wide or more)

• 1 pair of pajamas (no short shorts or spaghetti strap tops)

• 1 bathing suit (a one piece w/ shorts or a tankini w/ shorts, no bikinis)

• 1 gamcha (towels are large and take too long to dry)

• 10 days of underwear / undergarments

• 3 pairs of socks

• 1 sweatshirt with hood

• Water bottle - must hang with a hook or have a strap

• 1 pair of comfortable sandals or flip flops

• 1 pair of tennis shoes (for running/hiking)

• Optional: 1 pair of close-toed shoes, water shoes for WW rafting)

• 1 emergency 99c raincoat

• Optional: 1 hat

• 1 flashlight or headlamp

• camera and necessary accessories (if desired)

• For eating: 1 bowl/plate, a spoon and a cup 

• japa beads and bead bag

• Required for the performance: 1 pair of black leggings and 1 plain black t-shirt (if you would prefer your child use their own black eye liner, please label and pack it with their performance clothes)

Suchi Kit

All of these contents should fit in one toiletry bag. Please opt for travel size wherever possible.

• Toothbrush & Toothpaste

• Baby wipes

• Deodorant

• Shampoo and conditioner

• Soap

• Hairbrush/ Hair ties

• Sanitary supplies

• Tilak

• All jewelry should fit in a sandwich-size baggie.

• No make up please! (At festivals, girls 13 years and older may wear tasteful eye make-up)

We will provide: sunblock 45 (bring your own if you need stronger), mosquito repellent, basic first aid, and vitamin C.

Please let us know if there is something else you feel may be needed for your daughter that we can provide or if it is more specific, she can bring it for her own personal use. Also any special medical or dietary needs, or allergies should be brought to our attention before the tour.

We will bring a mridanga, harmonium, and kartals. If you play other instruments please bring it in a separate protected carrying case for safe handling. If you are a dancer please bring your bells. You may also only bring one non-devotional book to read, if desired.

Suggested Spending Money:  $60 is suggested with an additional $25 for necessities. $100 is our maximum allowable amount with $75 allocated for spending and $25 for necessities. If your child does not need/use her necessities money, it will be returned to you at the trip's end. 

Prohibited Items: Music players (we will have plenty of devotional music with us), cell phones (they may use the organizers' phones) and electronic devices such as tablets or Kindle readers.