Solo travel is all about empowerment and finding intricate details about your inner self.
Whether it is the call of the mountains or the allure of the wilderness, travelling alone will let you speak to yourself and excavate beautiful details that you weren’t previously aware of. Travelling Solo will make you brave, independent, instil a sense of freedom, help you gain strength, push yourself to the limits, expand your horizon, make you love yourself and even help you make new friends. There are many other benefits to Solo travel, but you have to figure that one out yourself.
Is travelling alone that easy? What about the various hassles you may face? What are the safest places for a woman to head to? Believe me, you won’t give these a second thought after planning a trip to these destinations.
This article gives a great representation of the 50 Worst (& Safest) Countries For Solo Female Travel.
Let’s give a purpose to your restless feet and help you embark on the 10 safest places to travel in India.
Get ready to venture into the most inspiring trip: Your first Solo Expedition.
1. The top most place in this list is Goa
Goa, known for its amazing beaches is the most visited destination by people from all walks of life. Goa is equally popular among thrill-seekers, adventurers and backpackers. They visit here to chill on the beaches, chug beers on a lazy afternoon, and treat themselves with the sea-food delicacies. Goa is always brimming with people thus allowing a perfect getaway for women as it’s usually crowded. You can read an experience of mine in this Goa blog where I have mentioned the best places to be.
2.Parvati Valley
Who doesn’t know about the magical nest of wilderness perched at the height of 5184 ft? And when it comes to exploring its remote villages, it is absolutely safer for women and even little girls to travel alone. Although the valley is referred to as the paradise of ‘Stoners’, it is an equally amazing retreat for backpackers looking to hike up the lush green mountains.
You can live a few blissful days if you are a hiker at the heart. Head on to Kasol which is a small bridge that serves as a gateway to thrilling treks deep into the valley. You might want to thank me if you don’t have an idea about Parvati Valley.
The place is just something out of the world, and yes it has cute dogs that you can’t help but pet. Parvati valley offers great accommodations and can be visited throughout the year. The major attraction here is the hot spring of ‘Kheerganga’ that is said to have seen Lord Shiva meditate hundreds of thousands of years ago. But before you start climbing to the place, heed my words that it is a 15 km long trek. You’ve got to be an avid trekker to reach there without getting too exhausted, but women and children can easily trek all the way up as the oxygen gets richer due to pure wilderness. Parvati also throws high-adrenaline psytrance parties in the jungles deep in the valley. Whatever your purpose, Parvati valley is worth the shot and don’t forget to explore the offbeat villages only a few travellers know about. Here’s a video that you can watch to experience the virtual magic of that valley until you start your journey.
P.S- Email or dm me on my social accounts to know awesome offbeat places in Parvati Valley that are less explored.
3.Coorg
Coorg has consistently ranked the best among travellers and backpackers for its rich & wild environment. Coorg is referred to as ‘Scotland of India’, ‘Kashmir of South’ and ‘Paradise of Nature lovers, and houses beautiful, scenic places such as tropical forests, waterfalls, coffee and spice plantations, and mountains. The area is also brimming with wildlife and one can also spot tigers in this region if they look hard enough. Coorg is one of the most visited places in Karnataka with many notable attractions such as Abby Falls, Mandalpatti Trek, Chiklihole Reservoir, Harangi Dam, Kotebetta Trek, Mallalli Falls, Nisargadhama Exotic Bird Park etc. Out of those mentioned, Mandalpatti is one of the most visited trekking destinations in Coorg. The place is located in close proximity of ~4km to Abbey Falls in the northeast direction. You can hire a private vehicle or even reach the peak on foot since it is not challenging at all.
4.Manali
Manali is perhaps the best place for mountaineering enthusiasts and a sweet spot for women of all ages. Manali is equally interesting for trekkers, backpackers, families, and children who all can have thrilling personal experiences. Manali is a subtropical region with gargantuan mountain ranges that extend far beyond Ladakh. Manali also opens its ways to other mountain ranges such as Lahaul, Spiti valley, Rohtang pass, Zoji La pass, Keylong, Zanskar valley and more. The entire Himalayan region is safe for women to travel without a second thought. Since the people native to the mountains are very hospitable and friendly, you won’t have to worry about any consequences of travelling alone.
5.Shimla
Simla is bustling with people the entire year. Shimla is connected with good transport and provides ample facilities and is extremely safe for women for solo travel. Shimla is a hotspot for couples, adventure seekers and families alike and sees tourists from all over India. The town is perched on a mountain in the Himalayan region that is home to Tudorbethan and neo-Gothic architectures dating back to the colonial era when the British exerted influence on Indian territories.
The Viceregal Lodge- the once residence of the British Viceroy of India, and now known as The Rashtrapati Niwas- Town Hall, Jakhu Temple, Christ Church, State Museum, Kali Bari Temple, and the Himalayan Bird Park some of the must-visit places in and around Shimla. So if you are a backpacker, you can head straight to Shimla for a thrilling experience, but due to its crowded vicinity, Shimla is not something peace lovers would enjoy. One can go up a hiking trail to the Jakhu Hill to find the Jakhu temple and Rothney Castle, a heritage monument that was once home to Allan Octavian Hume, one of the founders of the Indian National Congress. It is just 3km from the Shimla railway station, so you can take a casual stroll up there without any hassles. Shimla is also cost-effective and offers Skiing adventures in the winters as well. So it is going to be a great spot for you to be in if you are travelling solo.
6.Ahmedabad
Don’t like mountains? Why don’t you pay a visit to the densely packed city in Gujarat? This is Ahmedabad, India’s 5th most populated city in India. Ahmedabad is a prominent economic and industrial hub, the second-largest producer of cotton in India, due to which it was known as the ‘Manchester of India’ along with Kanpur, which is my hometown. The city is rich in skyscrapers and the Sabarmati Ashram, Hutheesing Temple, Narendra Modi Stadium, Sabarmati Riverfront, Kankaria Lake are some of the major attractions travellers love to visit when in Ahmedabad. The city is leading all of India in commerce and construction in so many ways that In 2012, The Times of India chose Ahmedabad as the best city to live in after ranking third in Forbes’s list of fastest-growing cities of the decade in 2010. With insignificant crime rates, it is proven to be the safest city for women to travel solo. Talking a stroll on the streets of this city at midnight is as peaceful as if you were striding in your own backyard with maximum confidence. Do visit this charming city as the transport, lodging, and ambience are super safe for female solo travellers.
7.Udaipur
Welcome to the City of Lakes, Udaipur. The city breathes in the royalty which is eminent from its architecture and people. The city is a major tourist destination which is known for its rich cultural history, Rajputana Palaces, and sophisticated lake systems. Historic fortresses, museums, gardens, galleries, temples, and other structures have a high appeal among backpackers who come here throughout the year to explore the medieval history and opulence that has been consistently inviting travellers. And yes, the city is extremely safe for female solo travellers. So book a ticket and go to Udaipur and experience the Rajputaani vibe for as long as you want.
8.Munnar
Munnar is nothing but a lush green paradise waiting to be explored by your feet. This hill station is in, you guessed it, Kerala, God’s own Country. Munnar has beautiful pecks on the ground that we call mountains but are smaller than the ones I’ve aforementioned. The lower heights of these mountains help the flora and fauna to flourish unperturbed throughout the year, but you’ll mostly find tea plantations and tea plantations.
Munnar is also called the Kashmir of South, and the nearest airport is Cochin International Airport and which is 110 kilometres away. You can visit Munnar in Summers- March to May, Monsoon- June to September and Winters- December to February and participate in adrenaline-pumping activities such as trekking, rock-climbing, rappelling
Despite being nestled at 1,600 metres (5,200 ft) above sea level, Munnar is well connected with rural roads, National and State highways. It’s a subtropical region that means mild summers and cool winters just to be hospitable enough to not give you a sense of the cold dread as most mountain ranges give. So pack your bags girl! Head to this beautiful place and retreat deep into mother nature.