Seasons in Kerala
The rain runs October to November
Which part of the country
It is rainy season in Kerala right now, and it runs October to November. The rain tends to come hard and short rather than all day, and it stays warm through it — so the thing to bring is a shell you can fold into a day bag, not a coat.
Going in May
The southwest monsoon arrives here first and hits harder than almost anywhere else in India — May through July are the wettest months of the year.
What this means for your bag
A packable rain shell
Not a winter coat — it stays warm through the rain. A light hooded shell that folds into its own pocket ends up in the day bag instead of the hotel room.
See the Weather Protection packQuick-dry fabrics
Cotton takes two days to dry in this air and starts to smell before it does. Synthetics and merino wash in a sink and are wearable by morning.
See the Summer Sun Kit packA dry bag or two
Phone, passport and camera in something sealed. A cheap roll-top bag also doubles as the wet-clothes bag on the way home.
See the Weather Protection packInsect protection
Standing water means mosquitoes, and the ones out at dusk are the ones that matter. Repellent with DEET or picaridin, and long sleeves in the evening.
See the Health & Wellness pack
Hot and very humid before the rain, with nights that stay above 25°C.
What this means for your bag
Room for humidity
Everything stays slightly damp. Pack fewer clothes and plan to wash them, and keep anything that must stay dry in a sealed bag.
See the Summer Sun Kit packA bottle you will actually refill
Heat like this needs far more water than you think. A filter bottle also spares you buying a plastic bottle every two hours.
See the Health & Wellness packQuick-dry fabrics
Cotton takes two days to dry in this air and starts to smell before it does. Synthetics and merino wash in a sink and are wearable by morning.
See the Summer Sun Kit packA layer for indoor air conditioning
Malls, buses and restaurants are cooled far below the street, and the swing is what makes people ill. A light long sleeve doubles as sun cover and as dress code for temples and mosques.
See the Smart Casual Evening pack
Build a packing plan around the season you are actually travelling in.