solo trip planning Archives - Cherry on Top

Every once in a while, we all crave to shove our daily routines of life and run away from people and duties around us. This is seen to be common among men but very rare for women. But things are changing, and many are opting for female solo travel in India. It has nothing to do with the warmest people around us. It is just that there are times when we girls prefer to spend some quality time with ourselves and to let us fall in love with ourselves.

To be independent and explore every corner of a new city without anyone second-guessing our decisions is a dream come true for us girls. Solo travel is empowering. It enables one to embark on a journey of self-discovery. However, for a very long time, India has been regarded as an unsafe place, especially for women. That is why we were often stopped from venturing out alone. But things have changed, and for good. Solo travel experiences for females in India have been gaining momentum in recent times.

These are just a few places in India meant for safe female solo travel that you might want to discover all by yourself:-

1. Ladakh

Ladakh is one of the ideal places for females travelling solo. Huge snow-covered mountains, arid plains, serene valleys, a cold desert, and the crystal blue waters of Pangong Lake are what make Ladakh one of the best destinations in India. Located in the heart of the Himalayas, Ladakh is truly a paradise on earth. Some popular destinations to explore in Ladakh are –

The Deskit Monastery,
Nubra valley,
Shanti Stupa,
Double-humped camel rides,
Pangong Lake,
Star watching at night

How to reach:

By Air: The nearest airport to Ladakh is Kushok Bakula Rimpochee Airport in Leh.
By Train: The closest railway station is Jammu Tawi, followed by a road trip (708 km long). It is better to fly and save time as one has to stay at Leh to acclimatize to the environment and altitude.
By Road: A lot of people prefer to ride on bullet bikes all the way from Chandigarh to Ladakh via Manali & Jispa, and they are considered to have one of the most memorable rides in life.

Coorg, Karnataka

Coorg is known as the Scotland of India. It is one of the most visited hill stations in Karnataka. Home to three wildlife sanctuaries, the pleasant little hill station lies between the arms of the western ghats, 300 km from Bangalore. Despite being crowded all year long, Coorg is one of the safest destinations for female solo travel. Some of Coorg’s must-visit places are –

Raja’s seat,
Abbi falls,
Nisargadhama, and
Tadiandamol Peak is the perfect place for nature and coffee lovers.

How to reach:

By Air: Either land at Bangalore airport or Mangalore airport, from which you can board a bus or hire a taxi.
By Train: The closest railway station is in Mysore.

Sikkim

Buried deep in the Eastern Himalayas, Sikkim is like the ‘abode of God’ itself, with untouched surroundings, pleasant summers, snowy winters, incredible places to visit, and rich Buddhist culture. To visit the northern parts of the state, you will need a government permit, but all of the formalities won’t seem like a hassle when you explore the paradise that is Sikkim.

Must visits are –

Gurudongmar Lake,
Yumthang Valley,
Tsongmo Lake,
Yuksom,
Nathu La,
Gangtok,
Pelling,
Singalila National Park,
Goecha La,
Rumtek Monastery,
Do Drul Chorten.

How to reach:

By air: Bagdogra is the nearest airport. You can book a car from there to your hotel in Sikkim or take a bus. You can also take a helicopter ride.
By Train: The nearest station is the New Jalpaiguri Railway Station. There are many options by road from there.
By Road: Once you reach Siliguri or New Jalpaiguri, you can travel by road. You can even reach Siliguri by bus or car from Kolkata.

Pondicherry:

Pondicherry is famous for its peaceful ambience and picturesque beaches. Its French-inspired culture and streets, Parisian cafes, colourful houses, and quiet, serene environment attract many soul searchers. Relaxing on its shores, visiting ashrams, cycling tours, and pub hopping are some incredible experiences that female travellers look for in Pondicherry. The must-visit place is Auroville, the safest place without any politics or religion.

How to reach:

By Air: The closest airport is Chennai International Airport. You can book a cab or a car to reach Pondicherry.
By Train: Villupuram Junction railway station is the nearest railway station.
By Road: You can book a car from Bengaluru and go to Pondicherry. There are many options like this in other neighbouring cities.

Goa:

When talking about female solo travel, you can never ignore Goa. From lazing around on beaches, indulging in adventure sports, and partying like crazy all night and day to exploring its architectural wonders, churches, and wildlife, and eating amazing seafood – there are endless things to do in Goa. You might want to plan a longer holiday than a quick getaway because, after all, it’s Goa! Must-visit places in Goa are –

Baga Beach,
Aguada Fort,
Basilica of Bom Jesus,
Dudhsagar Falls,
Anjuna Beach,
Calangute Beach,
Se Cathedral,
Our Lady of the Immaculate Conception,
Sinquerim Beach

How to reach:

By Air: Dabolim Airport serves as the main gateway for both domestic and international flights. The new Manohar International Airport, built at Mopa, North Goa, started its commercial operations on January 5, 2023. Most flights plying to Goa from Indian cities are direct and operated by IndiGo, GoAir, and SpiceJet.
By Train: Goa enjoys extensive rail connectivity with the rest of the country. Goa has two major railway stations, Madgao and Vasco-da-Gama, both located in the southern area of the state.
By Road: Goa is connected with all the major towns in India via the National Highways NH4A, NH17, and NH17A. In most places along the way, the highway roads are in excellent condition and motorable at fairly good speeds.

Solo Travel Safety Tips for India

But if you are a female travelling solo – you need to keep these things in mind –

Research thoroughly about the place you are visiting, gathering knowledge about the locals, their culture, and the region you are staying in for your own safety.
Avoid public transport and book a car or two-wheelers.
Choose accommodations with good reviews that are solo-friendly.
Get along with the staff, as they can be very helpful.
At night, try to visit crowded places.
Be proactive and confident, as that will keep unnecessary attention away.
Stay alert and cautious of your surroundings.
Carry all essentials and maintain hygiene. Keep a notepad handy with a to-do list and a not-to-do list too.

So, all you lovely ladies out there, I am sure by now you are super excited and feeling like booking the tickets, packing your bags, and just leaving all the work and tension behind and travelling solo. Well, I surely do! So, what are you waiting for? You must have a travel bucket list! Share the list in the comments section. Let’s find out how many of them have been checked.

The Destination

Choosing your destination wisely is very important while traveling, especially if you are a woman. It really unfortunate to say that not every place is safe for an unaccompanied woman. Not only the safety of women but also the feasibility of transportation, communication, and basic needs are something that needs to be considered while deciding your travel destination. One should always go for locations that are not too remote or desolate. Make sure your destination is well-connected to where you live. Make sure to research on the nearby places to eat, hospitals or health centers, and administrative or governmental organizations/offices.

The Documents

You can never be enough careful about your documents. Carry multiple copies of important documents like Voter ID card, Adhar Card, Pan Card (you never know!), tickets etc. Also, keep the documents scanned and added to Dropbox or any other services like that so that if your luggage ever gets lost you have a back up of the documents. If you are pre-booking your hotel or transport then keep the related screenshots with you in case of emergency. Before leaving, make sure your family has the details of your credit/debit card, bank, and hotel.

The Transport

Choosing your transport wisely is very important in case of solo traveling. If your destination is connected with a railway and you want to take that option, it’s totally fine. But, with affordability comes hassle. For a faster transport, you should always consider airways. When you’re traveling solo, you might not enjoy sitting on your seat for hours and hours having no one to chat. Music or books can be your friend but the question is, for how long? Also, traveling by airplanes is hassle-free, comfortable and relatively safe.

Spicejet can be considered the best airlines in terms of domestic transportation. It is the third largest airlines in India by the number of domestic passengers carried. It offers traveling in a very affordable fare that is significantly lower than most of the airlines in India. With the modern interior and comfortable seating arrangement, Spicejet gives you the most convenient way to fly. It also has a very proficient staff including experienced pilots, well-trained and cordial cabin crew, and skilled ground maintenance staff. The Spicejet team is always ensuring that your every flight is a remarkable one. You can book your next Spicejet flight now.

Source: boeing.com

The Accommodation

If you are traveling alone, not always things might fall into places. To be safe, book your accommodation beforehand and also do your study on the distance of the hotel from the main areas of the town/city and from the airport and railway station. You cannot just waste the entire day in traveling from hotel to the main market. You are there to explore new places and not the route to your hotel.

Make sure the hotel you are choosing has a good rating and reviews. You can use any app/websites to book a hotel for they have customer reviews on hotels and also you can get good deals on bookings too. Most of the apps and sites also provide you fuss-free cancellation (just in case).

The Locals

Knowing about the locals is very important while planning a solo trip. These are the people you have to rely on in case unanticipated situation occurs. Knowing about the local culture, food habits and language is more important than you might have imagined. It’s a basic thing to learn some of the local language, especially some common words like HELP, FOOD, WATER, MONEY, THANK YOU, COME WITH ME. If you don’t remember then note them down on a notebook or your phone.

I hope the above-mentioned points will be helpful for you. There cannot be enough of these safety measures for solo travelers but these are some basics you must consider. Above all, solo traveling is all about exploring one’s self and nature, it’s all about confidence and determination. One must not lose the true essence of it by being too much conscious.

That was it for today’s post. I hope you found this post helpful. Make sure to share it with your family and friends if you did. Pour in your thoughts in the comments. Your comments encourage me a lot! Do subscribe to our Newsletter so that you get notified whenever there is a new post on the blog. Will talk to you in my next post. Till then, be safe & keep smiling! Follow me on Facebook, Twitter or Instagram for regular updates and also Subscribe to my YouTube Channel!