It is said that you won’t truly know yourself until you travel alone. Solo travel is still a dream for many considering many factors but the prime one being safety, especially in India. With almost 18% of the world’s population, you might expect India to lead the charts in aspects of crime, but you will be shocked to know that Venezuela with almost 98% less population and 23% more literacy rate than India retains the spot. In today’s blog, we will expound on the most preferred destinations for solo travel in India to ensure our fellow travellers’ utmost safety. So without further ado let’s jump into the list of must-visit places for solo adventurers.
Sikkim
Sikkim is a beautiful northeastern state in India. Sikkim is well known amongst the places for solo adventurers as you can enjoy trekking in the picturesque landscapes of Sikkim, with trails like the Goechala Trek offering stunning views and challenging routes, or engage in adventure sports such as river rafting and paragliding.
Must-visit places: Tsomgo Lake, Nathula Pass, Rumtek Monastery, Gurudongmar Lake, Yumthang Valley, Pelling, Lachung, Yumthang Valley, Yuksom
Best Time to Visit: March to June and September to November
How to get there:
By Air: The nearest airport to Sikkim is Pakyong Airport, located about 35 km from the capital city. However, flights to Pakyong are limited which is why the more commonly used airport is Bagdogra Airport in West Bengal.
By Train: The nearest major railway station is New Jalpaiguri in West Bengal, about 120 km from Gangtok. NJP is well-connected to major cities across India.
Coorg, Karnataka
Coorg, also known as Kodagu, is a beautiful hill station in Karnataka, India, famous for its coffee plantations, lush greenery, and serene environment. This ‘Scotland of India’ offers majestic views of plantations and rice paddies from the top. It is known for a lot of things like the Madikeri Fort, ravishing waterfalls, and the ancient Omkareshwar Temple.
Must-visit places: Raja’s Seat, Omkareshwar Temple, Abbey Falls, Madikeri Fort
Best Time to Visit: From October to March
How to get there:
By Air: The closest airport is Kannur International Airport (CNN) in Kerala, approximately 90 km from Coorg. If you’re flying from major Indian cities, you can take a flight to Bangalore’s Kempegowda International Airport (BLR), which is around 260 km from Coorg. From any of these airports, you can hire a taxi or take a bus to Coorg.
By Train: The nearest railway stations are in Mysore (about 120 km away) and Mangalore (about 150 km away). Mysore is the more commonly used station for travellers heading to Coorg. If you’re coming from Bangalore, there are regular trains to Mysore, from where you can take a taxi or bus to Coorg.
Pondicherry/ Puducherry
Pondicherry (Puducherry) is a coastal town in southern India, known for its French colonial architecture, serene beaches, and vibrant culture. Mostly famous amongst places for solo adventurers for delicious cuisines, both Western as well as South Indian and the town’s European style architecture.
Must-visit places: French Quarters, Auroville, Aurobindo Ashram, Paradise Beach, Basilica of the Sacred Heart of Jesus, Serenity Beach.
Best Time to Visit: From October to March
How to get there:
By Air: The nearest major airport is Chennai International Airport (MAA), which is about 150 km from Pondicherry. Pondicherry has a small domestic airport with limited flights.
By Train: Pondicherry Railway Station (PDY)in Pondicherry is well-connected to major cities like Chennai, Bangalore, and Delhi. However, train options are limited. Villupuram Junction, about 35 km from Pondicherry, is a major railway hub with connections to various parts of India. From Villupuram, you can take a taxi or bus to Pondicherry.
Ladakh, Jammu and Kashmir
When discussing places for solo adventurers, the first destination that will come to every Indian’s mind without a doubt will be Ladakh. Riding to Ladakh on a motorbike must have been on everyone’s bucket list and as it is also one of the safest places to visit in India, solo travellers can grab this opportunity as well. If you plan to visit certain restricted areas like Nubra Valley, Pangong Lake, or Tso Moriri, you’ll need an Inner Line Permit (ILP), which can be obtained in Leh.
Must-visit places: Hemis, Thiksey, and Diskit Monasteries, Pangong Lake, Nubra Valley, Magnetic Hill
Best Time to Visit: From May to September
How to get there:
By Air: Kushok Bakula Rimpochee Airport in Leh is the main airport in Ladakh. It is well-connected to major Indian cities like Delhi, Mumbai, and Srinagar.
By Train: The closest railway stations are Jammu Tawi (around 700 km from Leh) and Pathankot. However, these are far from Ladakh, so the road journey from there would still be long.
Varkala, Kerala
Varkala is a beautiful coastal town in Kerala, India, known for its stunning cliffs, beaches, and relaxed atmosphere. This is amongst the famous places for solo adventurers as a relaxation getaway. You can peacefully watch the Arabian Sea from a cliff, enjoy water sports at the beach, and visit the Janardhan Swami Temple.
Must-visit places: Varkala Beach, Papanasam Beach, Janardana Swamy Temple, Varkala Cliff
Best Time to Visit: All year round
How to get there:
By Air: Trivandrum International Airport is the nearest airport to Varkala, located about 50 km away. It is well connected to major cities in India and some international destinations.
By Train: Varkala has its own railway station, which is well-connected to major cities like Trivandrum, Kochi, and Chennai. Trains from cities like Delhi, Mumbai, and Bangalore usually pass through Trivandrum, and you can switch to a train heading towards Varkala.
Varanasi, Uttar Pradesh
Varanasi is one of the oldest cities in the world and a major spiritual centre in India. It is widely famous in India as one of the places for solo adventurers who are seeking a spiritual journey and transcending experience. Taking a boat ride in the holy Ganges river and attending Ganga Aarti is a must when in Varanasi. Explore narrow alleys and local markets to see India in her truest glory.
Must-visit places: Ganges ghats, Kashi Vishwanath Temple, Sarnath.
Best Time to Visit: From October to March
How to get there:
By Air: Lal Bahadur Shastri Airport serves Varanasi and is about 25 km from the city centre. It is well-connected with major cities like Delhi, Mumbai, Kolkata, and Bangalore.
By Train: Varanasi Junction is a major railway station and is well-connected to many parts of India. You can find trains from cities like Delhi, Mumbai, Kolkata, Bangalore, and Chennai. Book train tickets in advance, especially during peak travel seasons, as trains to Varanasi can get crowded.
Mussoorie, Uttarakhand
This little charming hill station nestled in the state of Uttarakhand of India has to be amongst the safest places for solo adventurers. Mussoorie is known for its serene beauty and pleasant atmosphere. Thousand of tourists visit this beautiful town. You can visit tempting waterfalls, take a cable car ride to hills, explore the Cloud’s End, and trek to Lal Tibba. If you are looking for something rather relaxing then take a stroll along the Mall Road.
Must-visit places: Kempty Falls, Gun Hill, Camel’s Back Road, Lal Tibba, Mussoorie Lake.
Best Time to Visit: March to June and September to November
How to get there:
By Air: Jolly Grant Airport in Dehradun is the closest airport, located about 60 km from Mussoorie. From here you can hire a taxi.
By Train: Dehradun Railway Station is the nearest major railway station, about 35 km from Mussoorie. It is well-connected to major cities like Delhi, Mumbai, and Kolkata. From Dehradun, you can take a taxi, bus, or shared cab to Mussoorie.
Udaipur, Rajasthan
When considering Rajasthan for travel almost all travellers consider visiting the ‘Pinkcity Jaipur’ and Udaipur mostly goes unnoticed. When talking about must-visit places for solo adventurers you simply cannot skip this ‘Venice of East’ off of the list. Udaipur is also known as the ‘City of Lakes’ and has many royal palaces you can visit and experience the majesticity of ancient Indian architecture first-hand.
Must-visit places: City Palace, Jagdish Temple, Saheliyon ki Bari, Lake Pichola
Best Time to Visit: From September to March
How to get there:
By Air: Nearest Airport is Maharana Pratap Airport about 22 km far from Udaipur. If you are coming from outside India, you can fly into major international airports like Delhi or Mumbai and then take a connecting flight to Udaipur.
By Train: Udaipur has a well-connected railway station with regular trains to major cities like Delhi, Mumbai, Jaipur, Ahmedabad, and more. Some popular trains include the Mewar Express and the Chetak Express.
With this list of must-visit places for solo adventurers, you can embark on not only a memorable but also safe journey to your next destination. Bon Voyage and remember to have fun, even when you are by yourself.
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