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INDIA , SOLO TRAVEL?

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I would be very pleased if you could give me some info about a girl solo trip to India.
17 years ago, July 24th 2006 No: 1 Msg: #6783  
I´m a 21 years old girl and I have a dream: travel to India.
I´m currently planning this travel so I need your help and information about the most beautiful and interesting places to visit.
Do you think a solo tavel it´s a good idea? It´s India a safe country for a girl tavelling by her own? and When is the best time to go?
Thanks a lot. Reply to this

17 years ago, August 14th 2006 No: 2 Msg: #7003  
Hi,
I am originally from south India. I have done my share of travelling throughout the country though. India is a huge place. It all depends on what you want to see and do.
Wherever you go in India, you will come across beautiful temples.
South India is generally more of a tropical climate. At North is the great Himalayan range.
There are a wide area of places to see. Himalayas is one of a kind. Sunrises are amazing!
Pick up places like Shimla, Kulu valley, Manali, Nainital, Darjeeling, Sikkim, Gangtok etc. You can hike to a few places if you are interested. Hike to Gaumukh glacier (origin of the river Ganges) is becoming popular.
Most of these places are reachable from the capital, New Delhi.

If I see from a tourist's eye, the state of Rajasthan is a must see. The great Thar desert is there.

If you have all your reservations intact, it is fine to travel alone. But tourists are charged more in local transportation. If that is taken care off, you can pretty much travel alone.

How long can you vacation? Depending on that, I can tell you how much of India you can cover.

It is a beautiful place. The railroads are very famous and well connected. You can pretty much travel anywhere in India by trains. Only the big cities have airports.

I would recommend March-May for almost all the places. Sometimes, the roads to cities in Himalayas open only by May- the ones above 10000 ft.


All the very best.
Happy Planning!
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17 years ago, August 22nd 2006 No: 3 Msg: #7132  
Hi there - Sounds fantastic. I've only travelled around Rajasthan - India's such a massive place! It took me 3 weeks just to see the main sites of Rajasthan. Varanasi and Udaipur were my favourites.

Pre-trip I was really worried about travelling alone as a female. I heard many different stories about women being hassled. In the end I signed up for an Intrepid Tour - 'Slowly down the Ganges' - which was a great way to start off and get comfortable, with a small group of relatively experienced travellers and a sensational guide. After that, on my own, I was confident travelling alone and had no problems. Maybe it helped that I always dressed respectfully - I hear this is more important in the north than south - wearing loose, baggy clothes that covered my shoulders, knees etc.

I would recommend Feb to April (absolutely not May - too hot) for travelling in that area. I was there in mid April and it was already 45 degrees. A guidebook should be able to tell you all of this though.

Anyway, have a brilliant trip - you'll love India. It really is incredible! Reply to this

17 years ago, September 1st 2006 No: 4 Msg: #7316  
hi there

i leave for thailand and india alone on sept.30th... one month in thailand one month in india.. check out my travel blogs as i write them as they will be pretty details... im 26 and this is my first major alone in southeast asia....

hope it helps!!! Reply to this

17 years ago, September 1st 2006 No: 5 Msg: #7320  
lil Lo
Have fun! Hope my country is all good to you :-)

Reply to this

16 years ago, July 2nd 2007 No: 6 Msg: #15911  
N Posts: 7
HI,
For tips about travelling in india you can contact me jacob.reju at gmail.com.I am a tourism proffessional and willing to help those who wish to travel here.Welcome. Reply to this

16 years ago, July 10th 2007 No: 7 Msg: #16340  
Namaste! I have traveled to about 22 countries (never enough, but a good start) and India was by FAR the most challenging. As a woman, you will have to have extremely thick skin; and to be honest, if you have any alternatives, I would not recommend traveling alone.

I don't think there is the same sense of "danger" as other places - ie being kidnapped, raped, etc - but you will encounter other challenges. The most obvious is an annoying habit of Indian men that has been termed "Eve Teasing." When in large crowds, the men will (very forcefully, and very painfully) grab your breasts, your bum, and your - ummm - front - and grab hard. I was bruised purple and blue the entire time. They are very clever and do it in such a way that you can't tell who did it. If at all possible, befriend a male traveler and walk in front of him, and the Teasing will stop - or avoid crowds at all costs.

I also second what another post said - absolutely, positively, respect the local customs in clothing. I highly suggest packing nearly nothing, and buying a salwar / punjabi (the long pajama-like top over the pants, with a long shawl) once you arrive. The people will respect you highly for respecting their culture, and you will fall in love with the outfit - they are the most comfortable clothes in the world, and you always look nice! Wearing jeans or pants is highly offensive - if you don't wear the local clothing, at least wear a long skirt.

Also buy a cheap gold "wedding band" (no fake diamonds, just a gold band) at Target or somewhere, and wear it. It is horribly confusing to the Indian culture to comprehend how any woman would ever travel alone, but somehow knowing that you "belong" to another man reduces the interest in you.

I am a bit adventurous and sometimes overly brave or stupid, you should not go out at night by yourself. Bring some books, you will be staying in a lot.

And that brings me to my final point - as I mentioned above, you might not be in the same amount of "danger" as other places; but traveling in India alone would be nearly impossible pscyhologically. I traveled part of my trip alone, and then a friend met up with me - and if he didn't come, I would have left early. It's a beautiful country and your trip will change your life - but there are certain parts that are so amazingly difficult you just need someone by your side to make sense of it all. And, unfortunately, being a solo woman WILL add astronomical challenges to your time there. I travel the world by myself, but if you have any options of finding a friend to go with you, I highly recommend it.

Of course, this is all assuming you are going to do actual traveling and back-packing. If you are going to visit some yoga or spiritual retreats and won't be out and about in the country, then disregard the above, and someone else can give you advise. ;-)

Best of luck!


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16 years ago, July 10th 2007 No: 8 Msg: #16347  
Check out a site called Travel India Smart they have loads of information on popular tourism places in India as well as how to get there. A rail pass is the best and cheapest way to see India. Reply to this

16 years ago, July 14th 2007 No: 9 Msg: #16430  
Hello Friend ,

Wishing you Goodluck and welcome India for your coming visit , In North India you can visit Amritsar city that's very famous for it's Golden Temple and a worth visit . India is safe for woman simple be alert and don't trust any local guide untill u having a package from reputed travel agency.... any help u need In India you can talk more with me and be friends😊 MICKEY.. DKHURMI_8@HOTMAIL.COM !!!
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16 years ago, July 19th 2007 No: 10 Msg: #16633  
N Posts: 19
Hi,

October - February is a good time for India, weather-wise. If you plan to cover Punjab and Delhi during October and move to Mumbai towards the end, that would be ideal. Punjab will become colder as you go down till January, whereas, the more tropical Mumbai will be just good at the end of October. You are coming down in the post monsoon period...mozzies will be in action! But you need not worry. Just go through the threads here on Mozzie protection.

Thanks,
John
www.travelplans.tv
Reply to this

16 years ago, July 28th 2007 No: 11 Msg: #16946  
N Posts: 7
hello, Om Sharma from Rajasthan, Any who want to come Rajasthan for see folk dance, culture, dress, tempal, traval and fun also want to see unknown place of interior Rajasthan. I can supopprt them, girl and couple welcome call me 919414676552 Reply to this

16 years ago, July 28th 2007 No: 12 Msg: #16953  
Well it's been almost 5 months since I have returned from my trip to Thailand and India. I have travelled to a few places and India is by far one of my favourite places. In my 6 weeks in India I managed to hit new and old delhi, agra, jaipur, mumbia, and goa....

Here are some tips for female solo travelled as I did it alone but had homestay along the way.

1) NEVER ever wear clothing that do not cover your shoulders, upper arms, and above the knee. This just adds unwanted attention that could get you into trouble. If you have tattoos your best to cove them.

2) Dont smoke until its in private. Not only is it gross with the heat and humidity but you will make yourself even more a target for "bad" attention

3) Learn some of the language before you depart. It will make your trip much less stressful and will gain you some respect. Hindi is the best though some Urdu will help you.

4) Be prepared for sensory overload. Sites, sounds, smells, and foods will definitely overwhelm you for the first few days. Use common sense.. Dont eat some places that look unsanitary or you see them touch raw meat and then veggies... ABSOLUTELY no chai glasses or running water unless you want to be really sick.

5) Pay attention to your intuition. If you are feeling something is not right back away politely.

6) Bargain your heart out. Do not accept the first price and dont give up, have some fun with it.

7) If you decide to go to Goa (AMAZING BEACHES and locals) do not go out at night alone . Meet some fellow travellers and arrange to go with them. I have heard some horror stories of women travelling alone and going out to the bar or club at night or just walking back to their hotel. Better safe than sorry

8) If you are taking a train be prepared to claim your space. IF someone is inappropriate on the train or in public do not be afraid to use aloud voice.

9) If you find yourself in trouble or in a risky situation, find a man that looks proper and respectable and say "Bah-hiya, (spelt wrong, sounds right) can you help me?!" It means brother and its respected.

10) It's preferrable that you dont go alone. Set yourself up with homestays or tours if possible.

11) Be open to great experiences, pay atttention to your surroundings, and enjoy one of the greatest experiences in your life. I'd go back in a heart beat.


Enjoy your travels.... Hope that helps... You can see my blogs for pictures and experiences.

:D Reply to this

16 years ago, July 28th 2007 No: 13 Msg: #16955  
Great advice Loretta - will be checking out your blog. E Reply to this

16 years ago, August 8th 2007 No: 14 Msg: #17539  
For some excellent travel and shopping tips check out www.travelindiasmart.com This site has loads of information for foreign tourists visiting India. Reply to this

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