Travel blogger Amrita Das lists out her favourites.
Photograph Courtesy: Wikimedia Commons
Amrita Das quit her job at a major women’s magazine to hit the road in 2014 and has since traveled to six countries, 23 Indian states and three Union Territories. She blogs at Travelling Ides of March.
Here she lists out her top five destinations in India for solo women travelers.
1. Spiti, Himachal Pradesh
Photograph Courtesy: Amrita Das
Himachal Pradesh is one of the safest places in India.
People are friendly and warm and very welcoming, especially in the several villages that dot the state.
What to do in Spiti:
While you can do several things in Spiti, adventure sports like paragliding, skiing, hiking and witnessing the traditional arts and crafts should be on top of your list. Most of the households make stuff from clay and have the necessary equipment for pottery. This tradition is passed on from one generation to another.
Ensure you are in good shape before you visit Spiti.
How to reach Spiti:
There are two ways to reach Spiti.
The more popular one is to reach Manali from Delhi, which will take approximately 12 hours.
From Manali, one can take a bus to reach Kaza, which is the subdivisional headquarters of Spiti.
This journey will take another ten hours. This route is open from April to October.
The second is a longer route and goes via Shimla.
One can reach Shimla from Delhi, which will take approximately eight to ten hours.
From Shimla, one can take a bus or hire a cab to reach Kaza or Tabo. This journey will take almost 20 hours, and it’s advisable to make a pit stop at Reckong Peo.
Though it’s open through the year, it is also more dangerous.
Travelling in and around Spiti:
Traveling locally can be an expensive affair.
The best way to get around is by a cab, and one ought to pre-book a cab.
Where to stay in Spiti:
There are a lot of homestays in Spiti.
Apart from that, Sakya Abode is a good place to stay. (District Lahaul and Spiti, Kaza, Himachal Pradesh 172114, Ph: +91 94595 24103)
There’s another good hotel above the restaurant Taste of Spiti. (Ecosphere Office Old Bazaar, Kaza 172114)
2. Coorg, Karnataka
Photograph Courtesy: Amrita Das
Transport system in Karnataka is excellent; KSRTC is unbelievably good.
Though very few people speak English/Hindi, they are very helpful.
You can book tickets online and the buses have reserved seats for ladies, which makes solo traveling safe for females.
Though Madikeri and Virajpet are crowded, no one stares or makes a solo traveler feel uncomfortable. No one wants to be an unwanted chaperone.
What to do in Coorg:
Try homemade food. Coffee Trails Coorg is among the best.
Visit or hike around Shola Forest.
Visit Raja’s Seat.
How to reach Coorg:
One can take a six-hour bus ride from Bangalore to Coorg.
Private buses are available to commute between Madikeri and Virajpet.
How to travel in and around Coorg:
If you opt for a hotel in the city centre, most places can be accessed on foot.
Else, rickshaws with a fixed rate card are the best way to get around.
Where to stay in Coorg:
Every place in Coorg is called homestay, including hotels and guesthouses!
Rainforest Retreat is a unique hotel, where one can witness biodiversity. It’s blessed with rich flora and fauna. (Mojo Plantation, Madikeri, Karnataka 571201, Ph: +91 82722 65638)
What is the best time to visit Coorg
During monsoons (June to August), it’s green and beautiful!
3. Kumaon and Binsar, Himachal Pradesh
Photograph Courtesy: Amrita Das
The people of Kumaon and Binsar are the biggest reason to visit these places. It also helps that these places are absolutely fantastic to unwind from the madding crowds of cities we live in.
What to do in Kumaon and Binsar:
Traveling alone through mountains can get a little lonely, but one must observe that there are a lot of things in the surroundings.
Choli ki Jali and Jim Corbett National Park can be on your list.
You can also visit the locals’ houses and you will realize that they are extremely humble people, who will even give you a sense of security in an unknown land.
How to get to Kumaon and Binsar:
There are several trains that run from Delhi to Kathgodan or Haldwani.
One can hire a car for the next leg of the journey.
From Kathgodan, one can reach Nathuakhan in four hours.
Mukteshwar is another hour to hour-and-a-half away.
Binsar is five hours from Kathgodan.
How to travel in and around Kumaon and Binsar:
The best way to explore the surroundings is on foot. But this should be avoided after sundown.
Booking a car is a good option and it’s not too expensive.
A leisurely walk in Nathuakhan will give you the view of the Himalayas.
There aren’t many places to visit in Binsar except for the wildlife sanctuary, where you can either walk through or drive through.
Where to stay in Kumaon and Binsar:
Keanna Village Home in Nathuakhan is a great place to stay.
What is the best time to visit Kumaon and Binsar:
Late March to October; winters are avoidable as it gets extremely cold!
4. Panaji, Goa
Photograph Courtesy: Amrita Das
Panaji is a good place for newbie solo travelers, or for those who want to try solo traveling once in their life.
It has many distractions.
While connectivity is lacking or minimal in the above-mentioned places, Panaji offers great connectivity and good food!
If anyone is confused where to head, this is the place to be.
What to do in Panaji:
Visit Dr Salim Ali Bird Sanctuary, which is home to beautiful mangroves!
Hire a scooter and perfect your riding skills.
Try scuba diving at Dona Paula, with Dive Goa. (O Pescador Resort, Near Dona Paula Jetty, Dona Paula, Panjim, Goa 403004, Ph: +91 93250 30110)
Visit Churches in Old Goa!
Gamble at a casino!
How to reach Panaji:
Fly to Dabolim Airport, Goa and then hire a cab. Prepaid cabs are available at the airport.
Or, you can take a train to Karmali/Thivim. Bus services are great.
How to travel in and around Panaji:
If you stay near Fontainhas, everything is close and you can walk around.
Else, you can rent a bike (B & G Travels And Holidays, 206, 2nd Floor, Nizari Bhavan, National Talkies, Dr Pissurlekar Street, Panaji, Goa 403001, Ph: +91-832-2222786/ Baretto Car & Bike Rental, Head Post Office, Panaji, Goa 403001, Ph: +91-9822124943 – Ed) or take a bus from Kadamba Bus Stand.
Where to stay in Panaji:
Hospedaria Abrigo de Botelho (Rua De Natal, Fontainhas, Panaji, Goa 403001, Ph: +91 832 243 1084) and Afonso Guesthouse (No.173, Near St. Sebastian Chapel, Fontainhas, Mala, Panjim, Goa 403001, Ph: +91 832 222 2359) are great places to stay.
Old Quarters (Rua 31 de Janeiro, Altinho, Panjim, Goa 403001, Ph: +91 832 651 7606) is a nice hostel with good Wi-Fi and a bakery that serves the best delicacies.
If you want a more lavish stay, Marriott (Miramar Beach, Panjim, Goa 403001, Ph: +91 832 246 3333) is a safe bet!
What is the best time to visit Panaji:
All through the year!
If you want to visit the flea market (Saturday Night Market at Arpora), plan a trip between November and March.
If you want to avoid the crowds and have an inexpensive trip, June, July and August are the ideal months to head to Panaji.
5. Darjeeling, West Bengal
Photograph Courtesy: Amrita Das
Darjeeling is generally a safe place.
I don’t know if it’s the people or the place, but it makes you feel secure.
Though a lot of people drink here, nobody messes with you. And generally, people don’t cheat you.
What to do in Darjeeling:
Try Tibetan food at 7A Restaurant (Dr Zakir Hussain Road, Near Chowrasta).
Visit the Himalayan Mountaineering School (Himalayan Mountaineering Institute, Darjeeling, 734101, India). There’s a zoo and museum too in the same area.
Visit Happy Valley Tea Garden (Happy Valley Tea Estate, Lebong Cart Rd, Chauk Bazaar, Darjeeling, West Bengal 734101) and other plantations.
Watch sunrise and take a trip to the Kanchenjunga View Point.
Shop for winterwear at the flea market (Bhutiya Market) and bargain a lot.
How to reach Darjeeling
Take a train to New Jalpaiguri (NJP), followed by a three-hour cab ride to reach Darjeeling. Shared cabs are available for this journey. Make sure you claim the front seat.
You can also fly to Bagdogra and then take a three-hour cab ride of to reach Darjeeling.
How to travel in and around Darjeeling
Hire a cab from the taxi stand. Else, you can ask your hotel to arrange for a cab.
One can also indulge in a lot of walking.
You will invariably get lost, which isn’t a bad thing at all. Don’t try Google maps!
If you want to take the toy train, you can get share cabs from the taxi stand to reach the station.
Where to stay in Darjeeling:
Nestle Homestay (Convent Road, Below District Magistrate’s Office, Haridas Hatta, Darjeeling, West Bengal 734101)
Though it is away from city centre, it is located at a 10 minutes walking distance from the taxi and bus stand. It is close to Happy Valley Tea Garden, run by a lovely old couple.
It’s a clean place that also serves the best food!
What is the best time to visit Darjeeling:
Avoid the monsoons as Kanchenjunga is not visible.
Skip June, July and August and definitely avoid December and January.
Amrita Das spoke to Bhagyashri Pawar
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