Modern women are self-reliant and are either ahead of men in all fields, or walking in step with them. A woman, who proves herself in her office, can easily handle her clients and handles all her work alone, gets a little nervous on question of being a solo traveller. Even if, she plans to go on a trip alone on her own, there comes many questions and objections in her way, such as where to go, whether the place is worth visiting alone or not, or whether there will be any kind of problem over there! Also, family members also object to this, because there is a general perception that traveling alone for a woman in India is not safe from the point of view of safety.

According to the latest report of the Ministry of Tourism, the number of solo women tourists in India is increasing rapidly every year. This article is about some of the tourist places in India, where any woman can easily travel alone and enjoy her holidays.

1. Goa

Hosting a 132 km long coastline, Goa is known all over the world for its beautiful beaches, temples, architecture and churches. If you are a peace loving and nature lover and you love the waves of the sea, then Goa is the perfect place for you. There are about 40 small and big beaches here, the most popular of which are Anjuna Beach, Baga Beach, Miramar Beach, Colva Beach etc. This place looks even more beautiful during the rainy season. In many places here you can also enjoy water sports like scooba diving and boating etc. Whether it is the Church Basilika of Bom Jesus in Old Goa, or the Mangeshi Temple in Panaji, the Shantadurga Temple and the Shri Ganesh Temple of GanpatiPhule, every place is worth visiting. If you have a passion for nightlife and if you like cruises and casinos, then a trip to Goa can be quite memorable for you.

You hardly have any inconvenience in travelling to Goa alone, as Goa is the safest place to travel as a woman in India as per the report of Plan India and Ministry of Child and Women Development. There are many hotels and resorts to stay in Goa, which you can book online by doing a little research. You can reach Goa by flight, train or by road.

2. Ladakh

Huge snow-capped mountains, dry plains, serene valleys and crystal blue waters of Pangong Lake make Ladakh an attractive tourist destination. Ladakh, situated in the lap of the Himalayan Mountains, is truly a paradise on the earth. Some of the popular places to visit in Ladakh are Deskit Monastery, Nubra Valley, Shanti Stupa, and Double Hump Camel Ride. There are resorts, hotels and guest houses for your stay in Leh Ladakh, which are completely safe. If you want, you can also opt for a home stay, which will give you a chance to know the culture and tradition of the place more closely.

3. Gangtok

Gangtok, the capital of Sikkim, is one of the safest places for women, who love travelling alone. The beautiful scenery here naturally captivates the mind. If you like trekking, then the paths between the snowy mountains, the blue clear water lakes and the local animals will not let you get tired all the way. If you want, you can also enjoy rafting in the Teesta River. If you visit Gangtok, do not forget to visit Gurudongmar Lake, which is one of the highest lakes in the world, located at an altitude of 17,800 feet. Its beauty rivals the glaciers of Iceland. It is considered sacred by Buddhists, Sikhs and Hindus.

The nearest airport to Gangtok is Bagdogra, which is about 78 km from Gangtok. You can reach Siliguri (47 km) by train and from there you can reach Gangtok by sharing cab, bus or private taxi.

4. Shillong

Shillong, the capital of Meghalaya, is also known as the ‘Scotland of the East’. By coming here you will feel as if you are going to heaven. Here the clouds pass over your head as if there is a competition between those clouds to touch you. There are many tourist spots to visit in Shillong, That’s what makes this city special. Here you will find many waterfalls, mountain peaks, museums, zoos, as well as you will also be fascinated by its interesting and ancient culture and tradition. Here women are highly respected and they are also the head of the family.

Meghalaya is also famous for its sacred trees. These are small or large parts of forests, gardens or natural wealth, which the local people have been worshiping as a symbol of a local deity for many generations. It has been believed since ancient times and according to them, the Holy Spirit resides in these trees. It is forbidden to cause any kind of damage or break to their leaves and other parts or to the organisms living in them. Mawphlong Sacred Forest also known as “Law Lyngdoh” is one of the Sacred Forests of Meghalaya. It is located at Mawflang, about 25 km from Shillong . It is a holy place with a natural vision, where holy Rudraksha is also found. You can see them, but you cannot break them.

You can also visit Cherrapunji and Mausinram by road from Shillong to the south road, which are some of the most famous tourist destinations in Northeast India. About 100 km from Shillong is the Umangot River, which is famous all over the world for its clean and clean water. The water of this river is so clean, that you can easily see it up to its bottom.

Although Shillong does not have its own airport, there are Umroi Airport and Guwahati Airport located at a distance of about 30 and 120 km from here. You can choose between the two according to your convenience. After that you can cover the remaining distance by cab. You can also reach Shillong by rail. The nearest railway station is Guwahati railway station, which is located at a distance of about 90-100 km. Depending on your location, you may also consider travelling by road. From here you can take a bus. Apart from this, you can also hire a taxi to reach Shillong for your journey. You will find many resorts and hotels to stay in Shillong.

5. Nainital

Nainital is a beautiful hill station located in the serene hills of the Himalayas located in the state of Uttarakhand. According to the beliefs, a part of Goddess Sati’s body fell here. Due to the fall of Sati’s eye here, this place was named Nainital.

This place of Uttarakhand is known for its natural beauty as well as the special hospitality and friendly mood of the people here. For this reason, it is a better place for girls or women coming from many places of the country to roam alone. There is a good number of people living and visiting the place, so you will never find yourself alone even if you are alone. Situated at an altitude of 2084 meters, this place receives snowfall during winters. You can enjoy boating here, take a walk on the Mall Road, or go on trekking among the dense pine trees in the nearby forest.

There are ample accommodations available for solo female travellers. You can book according to your safety and convenience.

The nearest airport to reach Nainital is Pantnagar, which is connected to all parts of the country. If you want to come by train, then the nearest railway station is Kathgodam, from where you can reach Nainital by taxi or bus. Nainital is also well connected to other parts of the country by road.

Tips for a Solo Female Traveller:-

If you are going on a trip alone, keep these things in mind:

• Do complete research before planning the place.
• Book your resort or hotel and cab in advance. Most hotels also offer pick and drop facility. Talk to them and confirm.
• You must share all the information related to your journey with your family members.
• Keep your luggage light. The less luggage you have, the more you will be able to enjoy the trip.
• Keep your route plan and map with yourself.
• Dress according to the place, otherwise you may feel awkward.
• Keep a paper spray, a first aid kit, some basic medicines, torch and needle thread with you.
• Keep your money in different places.
• If possible, take travel insurance.
• Do not mix too much with an unknown person.
• Do not share any of your personal information.
• Don’t let anyone other than the driver sit in your personal cab.
• Don’t trust anyone easily even in trouble.
• Do not share your card details with anyone.
• Do not wear precious jewellery.