India is one of the most popular travel destinations on the planet. It offers history, beauty, delicious cuisine, and a truly unique culture that you will not find anywhere else on the planet. But if you are a woman and you are planning a solo trip around India, you may be concerned about your safety or how you should behave and dress. If that is the case, continue reading for a few tips.
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Join a Guided Tour
Rather than travelling totally alone throughout India, why not book a guided tour company that will allow you to meet fellow travellers and have your itinerary planned out for you already? Guided tours are fantastic ways to travel because they take the hassle out of planning and they will be sure to take you to the best places to eat and the best places to see throughout India. Click here to learn more.
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Be Assertive and Confident
While you may be used to being very polite when you are at home, when you are in India and you are travelling alone, you need to assert yourself and have plenty of confidence. Politeness may actually be mistaken for a sign of weakness, so never be afraid to speak up and stand up for yourself. If you have to, shout out when someone is hassling you, and do your best to just ignore people, particularly if they are trying to sell you something.
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Book Your Stay at an Ashram
Rather than booking a typical guesthouse or hotel, consider staying at an ashram instead. This is especially helpful if you are planning on travelling to a pilgrimage site or a large city. Although staying at an ashram isn’t for every traveller because they usually have strict rules for alcohol use and curfews, these places are safe and welcoming, especially for women. You also get the opportunity to meet fellow travellers, and you can enjoy a spiritual experience while indulging in clean food.
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Travel by Train
The best way to get around, particularly over long distances, in India is by train. Also, a lot of the longer routes have cars that are for women only, so you will feel safer in these. You should, however, book your seat in advance because these trains tend to fill up rather quickly.
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Dress in a Conservative Way
Because India is conservative, you shouldn’t show a lot of skin. Instead, you need to respect the country’s culture and dress conservatively. This will also prevent unwanted attention from strangers. Even your usual pants and tops may attract more attention than you want simply because they are Western, too fitted, or a little too revealing, so check out some of the local shops when you arrive and consider purchasing some lightweight Indian clothes that will allow you to blend in.
By simply keeping the above five tips in mind while you are travelling throughout India on your own, you’ll be able to stay safe while enjoying all of the unique sights and sounds.