Village Walks: Stories from India, beyond the Taj
February 13, 2026You’re Going to India ALONE? But Isn’t it Dangerous for a Solo Women Traveller?
The headlines in Western media when talking about travelling to India often scream sensational warnings like “Solo Travel Nightmare,” “Think Twice Before Going,”, etc.
Focused on isolated incidents, they categorically ignore safe, transformative journeys of thousands of solo travellers, including women from all over the world. So, without beating around the bush, let’s start with the key question head on:
Is India safe to travel for a solo woman traveller?
The honest answer is that India is as safe as many other diverse countries in the world. The safety and comfort depend on the different regions within the country you travel to, and how you navigate the trip.
The portrayal of India being unsafe for women is very generic. Yes, there are areas, including the capital city of Delhi, which is known more for its rather unfortunate safety concerns, but although it is the capital, it is not the ultimate representation of India – whether in terms of culture, environment, food, or festivals.
There are many solo women travellers in India itself – who regularly travel to the many lengths and breadths of the country. It has become more common than ever to bump into them while travelling to different offbeat parts of India beyond the usual Golden Triangle route that most regular tour operators promote.
Before founding Unfollow Travel, I have been a solo woman traveller myself for years – and this has made me discover the country much beyond the unfortunate rowdy, unsafe locations often in the news that hype up safety concerns about travelling in India. But painting the whole country as unsafe is unfair. A lot of us—both from India and foreign countries—have been travelling across the country for many years, exploring everything from remote villages to historic small towns, experiencing hyperlocal regional festivals, and savouring local cuisine beyond the usual butter chicken and tikka masala. It is just that the happier, fulfilling stories of solo women travellers do not get as much sensational buzz in mainstream media.
The Top Tip for Solo Travel in India: Choosing Your Destinations Wisely
For every unsafe Delhi, there is a safe mountain village to explore. For every rowdy, crowded Goa, there are the serene, welcoming backwaters of Kerala.
My most favourite suggestion for solo women travellers is to experience the warmth of Indian villages. India’s rural regions have the most welcoming, caring, and compassionate people who will go to lengths to not just make you safe but also comfortable and at home. Yes, there might be expectations of moderate dress code considerations according to the region and cultural etiquette, but it is nothing that any responsible traveller would be uncomfortable with.
At Unfollow Travel, if you are a solo woman, I will travel with you and you will not have to worry about the best transportation options, communication obstacles, or the safety and hygiene of accommodations. I tailor-make the itinerary for you with places I have explored myself with trusted vendors, so you can be assured of a safe trip and keep all your worries away. You can rest easy and keep away from the common question: “Is India safe to travel for a woman?” Because with Unfollow Travel, the answer is a big yes from the day you land to the day you leave for home.
A Real Story of a Solo Woman Traveller Who Experienced India with Unfollow Travel
A solo woman from Australia, Jude Weel, travelled for three weeks with me, and in her testimonial she says, “it was a truly life-changing trip that I will cherish forever.”
Jude’s journey took her deep into authentic Indian village life. She participated in the sacred Kanya Pujan ceremony alongside local women in a traditional village, where young girls are honoured and worshipped as the nine avatars of Goddess Durga. In the remote Kumaoni village of Peora, she witnessed the ingenuity of mountain living – from the family’s unique method of heating water without a geyser to the remarkable old Pahadi houses that have stood strong and sustainable for generations. Through these experiences, Jude discovered a side of India brimming with life and meaning, where stories revolve around simplicity, and people find contentment and happiness in life’s simple pleasures and in what they have rather than in material abundance.
Jude says, “Each day was filled with adventure, from scenic forest treks to Pandukholi and cultural immersion in the quaint villages of Dunagiri to the relaxing yoga and sound healing sessions. Living like locals, enjoying incredible homestays, and experiencing festive traditions made it unforgettable and a truly humbling experience.”
Travel with My Local Guidance
I’m Sayali and as an Indian woman, I know how, when, and where to navigate for the best experiences in India. As the founder of Unfollow Travel, I have crafted slow travel itineraries for more than two years now for travellers from Canada, Australia, Europe, the UK, and the USA.
Based on your individual travel style and interests, you experience India with local support, guiding you through your holiday at a comfortable pace, following an itinerary specially tailor-made for you. No two itineraries are a copy-paste at Unfollow Travel.
We travel slowly to India’s untold side, exploring not just safe but the most comforting and welcoming regions of the country that often remain unknown to international tourists. Want to experience India’s untold side?
Fill out this short form with 5 quick questions and we can e-meet to explore all possibilities.
Things You’ll Want To Know
1) For how long should I plan a solo trip to India?
You can go as slow as you need! Ideally, I suggest a minimum of two weeks to explore a region to its fullest. For more regions, a minimum of three weeks is ideal.
2) Is travelling in India safe? Will there be a tour guide accompanying a solo woman traveller?
Yes, it is! If you are a solo woman traveller, I will be accompanying you and will take care of every end-to-end detail of the tour so that you can relax and focus on enjoying the experience.
3) Can a solo traveller experience festivals, events, or food trails as part of a customized itinerary?
Absolutely! All trips at Unfollow Travel can be tailor-made around festival dates and immersive food trails, allowing you to experience both major celebrations and intimate regional festivals as part of your customized slow travel itinerary, along with tasting many local cuisines.
4) How are the experiences curated for solo women travellers?
We collaborate with local entrepreneurs, village communities and verified vendors who welcome solo women travellers to experience their local cultures. All end-to-end arrangements are made and personally guided by me.
5) Is eating local food in India safe and hygienic?
Yes! Indian families are very particular about health and hygiene and we will only take you to places where safety along with taste is guaranteed.
6) What is the best way to travel in India?
Slow Travel is the best way to experience India. It is a large diverse country with varied landscapes, cuisine, and cultures and cannot be experienced by hopping from one place to another. The real India wants you to slow down, sit, talk, listen and engage in a different perspective, as you spend more time in a chosen region and have a more immersive experience in the place with its local people. Also, travelling to Indian villages is a very safe option to explore as people here don’t come with rehearsed hospitality terms to make profit out of a travellers’ dollars but treat them like guests with genuine warmth and care.
7) What is an ideal way to travel offbeat in India?
Offbeat trips are about experiencing lesser-known regions (beyond typical tourist circuits) through its culture, cuisine and people (beyond typical sightseeing and social trends) at a slow pace by engaging with your curiosity and channeling your inner traveler instead of being just another tourist.
8) Will travelling offbeat & slow in India be more expensive than regular tours?
No. Offbeat slow travel is not expensive. At Unfollow Travel, we work as per our guests’ budget. We tailor the itineraries accordingly, by choosing accommodations and including experiences that suit your budget.
9) Which regions in India are best for travel?
India has a lot to offer beyond the Golden Triangle. You can travel anywhere across India, but here are some of mine and our travellers’ favourites:
- Uttarakhand & Himachal for the Himalayas in North India
- Gujarat & Maharashtra for Sahyadris and village life in West India
- Assam and Meghalaya for tribal culture in North-East India
- Wayanad, Vagamon, Coonoor for Nilgiris and coffee plantations in South India
- Maharashtra in monsoons is also a unique offbeat experience.
10) When is the best time for UK/European/Canadian/Australian travellers to visit India?
The usual inbound travel season in India is October – March. You can travel anytime within these months.
However, one can also opt for the monsoon season for surreal road trips in Maharashtra.
11) Will I get help with my visa and other procedures?
Yes.
12) What are the inclusions and exclusions?
You’ll receive these in the product docket once you get in touch.
13) What’s the procedure to book a trip with Unfollow Travel?
At Unfollow Travel, I provide a wholly tailor-made itinerary for you to explore India at your own slow pace.
- Fill out this short form with 5 quick questions
- I’ll get on a 1-1 call with you to understand your interests, travel style and preferences.
- I’ll curate the trip entirely customized for you, around the kind of India you are seeking, adding selective delightful new experiences.
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