It’s a wonderful feeling to travel alone. Travelling, exploring places and meeting new peoples is a unique experience. But solo travel for women in India is not always so easy.
There are many social barriers, family pressures, and of course, security fears. But I would say that courage is the overcoming of fear. And I’m sure this blog post will inspire you.
Today I will share some tips about Solo travel for women in India, along with some safe and pleasant travel destinations in India where women can travel alone safely and happily.
Best Solo Travel for Women in India
India is full of beautiful and wonderful places. Be it a nature lover or a history lover or an adventure lover, India has something for everyone. I will discuss some of the destinations that are perfect for women traveling solo in India.
Sikkim:
Attractions to explore:
This beautiful state of the eastern Himalayas is a paradise for nature lovers. The amazing views of the Kanchenjunga mountain range, the blue waters of Tsomgo Lake and Gurudongmar Lake, the historical significance of Rumtek Monastery – all these make Sikkim an ideal travel destination.
The must-do:
Watching the sunrise in the Kanchenjunga Mountains, going on a yak ride in Lake Tsomgo, eating local food Momo and Thukpa.
The best time to visit:
March to May and September to November are the ideal time to visit Sikkim.
Pondicherry / Puducherry:
Attractions to explore:
French colonial architecture, beautiful beaches, Auroville’s distinct social atmosphere and spiritual experience – all make Pondicherry an attractive travel destination.
The must-do:
Watching the sunset at Promenade Beach, meditating at Aurobindo Ashram, walking in the French Quarter and eating croissant and coffee from the local French Bakery.
The best time to visit:
The best months to visit Pondicherry are October to March.
Hampi:
Attractions to explore:
Ruins of the Vijayanagara Empire, ancient temples, sunset views from Hemakuta Hill, the Tungabhadra River and huge rock sculptures – all these make Hampi a historical and mysterious travel destination.
The must-do:
Visit Virupaksha Temple, watch the sunrise from Matanga Hill, do shopping from Hampi Bazaar.
The best time to visit:
The best times to visit Hampi is from October to March.
Munnar:
Attractions to explore:
The green waves of the tea gardens, the sight of the Nilgiri Tahr at the Eravikulam National Park, boating at the Mattupetty Dam and listening to the echoes of the hills at Echo Point – all these make Munnar an ideal travel destination for nature lovers.
The must-do:
Explore the Munnar Tea Museum and walk for the tea gardens, watch the sunset from Top Station, take a shikara ride at Kundala Lake.
The best time to visit:
Although you can visit Munnar anytime of the year, but June to September is the best time for travelling.
Varanasi:
Attractions to explore:
The ghats of the river Ganga, the ancient temples, the historical importance of the Kashi Vishwanath Temple, the ancient Buddhist sites of Sarnath and the spiritual experience – all these make Varanasi a spiritual and historically important travel destination.
The must-do:
Boating on the river Ganga and watching the Ganga Aarti, watching the sunrise at Dashashwamedh Ghat, visiting Sarnath.
The best time to visit:
The greatest time to visit Varanasi is from October to March.
Kasol:
Attractions to explore:
The beautiful nature of the Parvati Valley, the small villages of Tosh and Malana, the opportunities for trekking and camping – all these make Kasol an ideal travel destination for adventure lovers.
The must-do:
Visit Kheerganga Trek, Chalal Trek, Manikaran Sahib Gurudwara and eat local Israeli food.
The best time to visit:
The months of March to June and September to November are the ideal time to visit Kasol.
Nainital:
Attractions to explore:
The blue waters of the Naini Lake, the historical significance of the Naina Devi Temple, the wonderful view of the Snow View Point, the sunset from Tiffin Top – all these make Nainital a wonderful hill station and an ideal travel destination.
The must-do:
Boating on Naini Lake, walking on Mall Road, cable car ride and shopping from Tibetan Market.
The best time to visit:
The months of March to June and September to November are the ideal time to visit Nainital.
Ladakh:
Attractions to explore:
The high mountains, the blue waters of Pangong Tso and Tso Moriri, the double humped Camel Ride in Nubra Valley, the historical importance of Hemis Monastery – all these make Ladakh an ideal travel destination for adventure lovers.
The must-do:
Sightseeing at Khardung La Pass (World’s Highest Motorable Road), camping at Pangong Tso, visiting Royal Leh Palace and eating local Tibetan food.
The best time to visit:
June to September is the best time to visit Ladakh.
Goa:
Attractions to explore:
Beautiful beaches, water sports opportunities, Portuguese colonial architecture, nightlife, natural beauty of Dudhsagar Falls – all these make Goa a popular travel destination.
The must-do:
Sunbathing at Calangute Beach, Baga Beach and Palolem Beach, doing water sports, visiting historical places of Old Goa and eating local Goan food.
The best time to visit:
The perfect times to visit Goa are from October to March.
Udaipur:
Attractions to explore:
The blue waters of Lake Pichola, the historical significance of City Palace, the majestic architecture of Jag Mandir and Lake Palace, the beautiful gardens of Saheliyon ki Bari – all these make Udaipur a romantic and historical travel destination.
The must-do:
Enjoy some native Rajasthani food, go for a boat ride on Lake Pichola, see the City Palace, and see the cultural entertainment at Bagore ki Haveli.
The best time to visit:
September to March is the best time to visit Udaipur.
Rishikesh and Haridwar:
Attractions to explore:
The holy bath in the river Ganga, the opportunities for yoga and meditation, the historical significance of Laxman Jhula and Ram Jhula, seeing the Ganga Aarti at Triveni Ghat – all these make Rishikesh and Haridwar a spiritual and holy travel destination.
The must-do:
Take a holy bathe in the river Ganga, do yoga and meditation classes, watch Ganga Aarti at Parmarth Niketan Ashram and eat local vegetarian food.
The best time to visit:
Rishikesh and Haridwar can be visited throughout the year, but March to June and September to November are the best times.
Manali:
Attractions to explore:
The natural beauty of the Beas River, the opportunity for adventure sports in the Solang Valley, the magnificent view of the Rohtang Pass, the historical importance of the Hadimba Temple – all these make Manali a popular hill station and an ideal travel destination.
The must-do:
Paragliding, zorbing and skiing in Solang Valley, visiting Rohtang Pass, walking around Old Manali and eating local Himachal food.
The best time to visit:
The months of March to June and September to November are ideal for visiting Manali.
Kolkata:
Attractions to explore:
The historical significance of Victoria Memorial, the magnificent architecture of Howrah Bridge, the collection of Indian Museum, the religious significance of Kalighat Temple, the spiritual experience of Dakshineswar Kali Temple, the nightlife of Park Street – all these make Kolkata a beautiful and amazing travel destination.
The must-do:
Tram rides, watching the sunset at Howrah Bridge, shopping at Park Street and eating local Bengali food.
The best time to visit:
The best moment to visit Kolkata is from October to March.
Andaman and Nicobar Islands:
Attractions to explore:
Beautiful beaches, water sport opportunities, the historical importance of Cellular Jail, the blue waters of Radhanagar Beach, scuba diving and snorkeling opportunities at Havelock Island – all these make the Andaman and Nicobar Islands an ideal travel destination for beach lovers.
The must-do:
Sunbathing at Radhanagar Beach, visiting Cellular Jail, Scuba Diving and Snorkeling at Havelock Island, visiting historical sites at Ross Island and eating local Seafood.
The best time to visit:
The best period to visit the Andaman & Nicobar Islands is from October to May.
Mussoorie:
Attractions to explore:
Excellent views of the Himalayan range from Gun Hill, the natural beauty of Kempty Falls, shopping opportunities on Mall Road, watching the sunset at Lal Tibba – all these make Mussoorie a beautiful hill station and an ideal travel destination.
The must-do:
Sunrise at the Himalayan Range from Gun Hill, bathing at Kempty Falls, shopping at Mall Road and eating local food.
The best time to visit:
The months of March to June and September to November are the ideal time to visit Mussoorie.
Some Dos and Don’ts of Solo Travel
Some things to keep in mind for solo travel in India:
Some of the Do’s:
Make a good plan:
Be sure to do a good research on your destination, book your hotel, plan your itinerary, and gather all the information you need.
Connect with the locals:
Talk to the local people, learn about their culture, and try to take travel tips from them.
Beware of the security:
Don’t over-trust strangers, keep your bags and luggage carefully, and be aware of the dangers.
Wear local clothes.
Try to wear local clothes, this will make you look less “touristy” and it will be easy to mix with the locals.
Learn the local language:
Learn some basic local languages, this will make your travel much easier and it will be easy to communicate with the locals.
Be confident:
Confidence is your most powerful weapon. If you are confident, you can handle any situation.
A few don’ts:
Don’t walk alone in the dark – Avoid going out alone at night as much as possible.
Don’t wear too much jewellery –Â Excessive ornaments can make you a target for thieves.
Don’t accept food or drink from strangers – This is very important for your safety.
Don’t reveal your travel plans to everyone – Just tell your friends and family about your plans.
Don’t give out your room number – This is very important for your safety.
Accommodation Options
There are many types of accommodation available for solo travel for women in India. You may choose any of the following choices based on your preferences and budget:
The Homestays:
Homestay is an ideal option to stay with the locals. You will get to know the local culture and eat local food. Many homestays have special arrangements for women such as female staff, special rooms for women, etc. These measures will ensure your safety and comfort. You can book a homestay from Airbnb, Booking.com, and local travel agencies. Be sure to check the online review before booking and be sure of the safety.
The budget-friendly hotels:
There are many budget friendly hotels in India where you can stay at low cost. You can easily find budget-friendly hotels from online hotel booking platforms like OYO, Treebo, FabHotels, etc. These hotels usually have good security arrangements, such as CCTV cameras, security guards, etc. Be sure to check the online review before booking and be sure of the safety.
The guest houses:
Guesthouses are usually more affordable than budget-friendly hotels and here you can mix more closely with the locals. Guesthouses are usually run by families and here you will find a homely atmosphere. However, the security system in guesthouses may not always be good, so before booking, be sure to check the online review and be sure of the security.
The Resorts:
Resorts are usually more luxurious and here you will find a lot of facilities. Resorts usually have good security arrangements, such as CCTV cameras, security guards, etc. Staying at resorts can be more expensive than other options.
Before you book your accommodation, be sure to check the online review and be sure of the safety.
Conclusion
Solo travel for women in India can be a wonderful experience. This will help you become confident and independent. Keep safety in mind while traveling, mingle with the locals, and enjoy your trip.