Are you a woman struck by wanderlust, but all you can wander is through the feed of your Instagram? Watching everyone going on a vacation while you text your friends links to those places with promises to click a hundred pictures when you go there for your own girl’s trip?
Well, let’s be honest, that girl’s trip you’ve been planning may take a while but that doesn’t mean you should miss out on the experiences this world has to offer. That means this is an opportunity to pack a bag and see it all exactly the way you want to, all by yourself. Yes we know travelling alone can be daunting, for you and your loved ones that are worried about your safety, but a few corners of this country still provide a safe space for solo women travelers.
In our quest to help you out, we reached out to Travel Consultant and Founder of Click 2 Travel, Shalini Jain, who helps plan and organize customized trips for women solo travelers, providing them with a safe travel experience.
So, dust off your luggage and get out the mini versions of all your skincare, because here are 7 breath-taking Indian destinations that are perfectly safe for women solo travelers.
1. Puducherry
It is not a surprise that this city that was once inhabited by the Portuguese is the first on our list. With its beautiful architecture, peaceful towns, like Auroville, that endorse international unity by not having any religion or politics, or the scenic churches, this city is a whole package of destinations.
Explore the unparalleled beauty of Paradise Beach, Greco-Roman arch structure at Bharathi Park, and the marble shrine at Sri Aurobindo Ashram. Start your mornings at Arulmigu Manakula Vinayagar Temple or The Basilica of the Sacred Heart of Jesus. Relax at the serene Ousteri Lake.
You must also witness the potent culture at Tasmai Centre for Art and Culture, or as you take a stroll down the beautiful French Colony known as the ‘White Town’.
2. Alleppey
Known as ‘Venice of the East”, Alleppey is one of the safest towns to visit that will surely be a background in many of your pictures with its scenic beauty.
A hidden gem of a city in Kerala, this place is famous for its backwaters. See the museum of maritime artifacts inside the famous Alappuzha lighthouse, and witness the beauty of the water as you ride on a speedboat at the beach of the same name.
Explore the backwaters on a houseboat, and stroll the Rosary Park at St. Andrew’s Basilica Church in Arthunkal. Birdwatchers can make a nest at the Pathiramanal island, witnessing hundreds of rare birds migrating from all over the world.
3. McLeod Ganj
A suburb in Dharamshala, Mcleod Ganj is a great pick to visit when travelling solo because of the safety it offers you.
The warm and welcoming people of the land are already well accustomed to tourists and the prevalence of Buddhism makes it a perfect destination for you. Brimming with nature, mountains, rivers, and valleys galore, McLeod Ganj is also the residence of Dalai Lama.
This hill station is an oasis if you want to experience Tibetan culture, from buddhism to their garments and ornaments, everything can be found here. You could picnic by the beauty of Dal Lake for a relaxing brunch.
Get acquainted with the Tibetan ways at Nechung Monastery or Norbulingka Institute. Take pictures by the Bhagsu Waterfall and visit the Bhagsunath Temple where you could take a dip in pools that are said to contain healing powers. Trek up the Triund Hill to immerse in the gorgeous scenery of snow capped mountains at Naddi View Point.
4. Gokarna
With clean, beautiful beaches, lush greenery of nature, and ancient temples, Gokarna comes in fourth on this list.
Owing to the religious ambience of this place, this small town near Bangalore maintains a more peaceful climate which makes it perfect for women. This town has the only shivling in the world that is made up of rudraksha at the Sri Mahabaleshwar Temple.
Explore the unique rock formations as you trek up Yana Caves which is a well known pilgrimage centre for its cave temple of Lord Shiva. Chill at the Kudle Beach, or the Half Moon Beach that has a crescent shaped shore, hence the name.
And walk through the Mirjan Fort, with its lush green grounds, which was the royal residence of the longest reigning queen in Indian History, Rani Chennabhaira Devi.
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5. Hampi
If you’d like to experience and imagine how the royals of the Hindu kingdom of Vijayanagar might have lived, Hampi is the place for you.
The last remaining capital of the empire, this city of ruins tells you all the stories (as does a good guide) while being a great place to travel alone. Hampi, a UNESCO world heritage site as well, is a hub if you like to backpack through nature and meet strangers that have the potential to become fast friends. Make sure you rent a moped or a bike as it eases the process of exploring the area better.
Hampi Bazaar, one of the oldest markets in India, will be the place to shop for hippie clothes or souvenirs. Shree Vijaya Vittala Temple is also a must, known for its stone chariot. You could also visit the Royal Enclosure, one of the World Heritage Sites, where the kings used to hold their court. Taking a coracle ride in the Tungabhadra river to experience the whirlpools and currents is a great option to see the serenity of nature. And a trip to Hippie island must not be forgotten if you’d like to have a fusion of Western and Indian cuisine from one of the local shacks.
6. Jaisalmer
This next city is the epitome of picturesque for all the lovers of history, art and culture. Book your tickets between November and March since this is the time the weather is perfect.
One of the most iconic celebrations, the Jaisalmer Desert Festival in February is when your exploration of their culture will be at a peak. From desert safaris, performances of their traditional music and dances, and competition of the longest mustache, this three day festival must be experienced by everyone at least once in their lifetime.
The Jaisalmer Fort, all the havelis (Patwa, Nathmal, Salam Singh), and places like Bada Bagh, give you a taste of the rich history with its grand architecture. Take a camel ride through the Sam Sand Dunes, which is also a place you can set up a camp, right under the stars. And the Gadisar Lake offers an entire day’s worth of activities from picnicking to boat rides, all with a beautiful view of the sunset.
7. Ladakh
The last but most definitely not the least on this list is the lovely union territory, Ladakh. A paradise of nature, Ladakh is home to the holy Pangong lake, where Bollywood movie 3 Idiots was shot.
You must also see the largest accessible glacier, Drang Drung, and the village of Lamayuru, which is also called the Moonland for its terrain that resembles the surface of the moon. The respectful culture and welcoming people are the reason behind the safety of this place.
Take a stroll through the largest monastery in Ladakh, the Thiksey Monastery, and glance at the views of Indus Valley. See the golden statue of Buddha at the Shanti Stupa, built to commemorate peace and harmony.
Exploring the nine-storey Leh Palace for its beautiful Tibetan Architecture is a must-have experience. Visit Nubra Valley, known as the ‘Orchard of Ladakh’ for its fields of flowers, to see the scenic view of the snow-capped mountains, the natural medicinal qualities of the Panamik Hot Springs, and the double-humped Bactrian Camels. The Kargil War Memorial is also a beautiful and humbling site that must be added to your itinerary.
Bonus hacks for solo women travelers:
- Always have internet access: It’s the easiest way to stay updated with everything and a great tool to have all the information of the new place at your fingertips.
- Carry enough cash: Other means of payment may or may not be available, but having cash will never fail you.
- Share the important details with other people: Your entire itinerary and important phone numbers of your hotels and guide must be shared with your family members and friends.
- Don’t venture out alone late at night: Always having someone with you in a new destination is a great way to safely explore and make new friends.
Whether you’re a young woman having the first whiff of the world or a homemaker who wants to enjoy some quiet time by herself, travelling solo can be one of the most rewarding and spiritual experiences of your life. So bookmark this list of Indian destinations for solo women travelers and plan your next getaway. Just make sure you’re safe and fully prepared to explore, no matter what the new terrain brings.
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Meet Our Guest Expert: Shalini Jain, the founder of Click 2 Travel, specializes in creating customized travel plans for solo explorers and corporates. Shalini also helps plan and organize customized trips for women solo travelers, providing them with a safe travel experience, called ‘Oh Solo Mio’.