any recommendations for tours through inda?

[laurenbradley01]

Hi,
I'm wanting to visit India once I'm finished my contract. I've been advised not to travel alone since I'm female, Can anyone suggest any tours that they have done or have heard are good?

[grosje]

When my husband and I were there for 3 weeks in January, we met tons of women travelling alone. We also know one who is going it alone there now. If you are not a tour type of person, I would just plan it so that you are staying in places where it is easy to meet people (hostels). India is also a place where it is very easy and convenient to hire cars, drivers and tour guides to take you places. That is also an option. Overall, though. On a tour...you will not experience India the same. It really is overwhelming and difficult at times, but totally worth the effort.

[AC_in_Korea]

It can be done alone, as a woman, but just be extra careful.  It is best not to look people in the eye (men you see on the street), and I was told numerous times to stop smiling at everyone!

I did some travelling alone while I was there - taking a tour of South India, offered by the tourism board.  The tour was not fabulous, but it was okay.

I just stress the be extra careful part.  When are you finished your contract?  I was thinking of going back again when mine is done in June.

[dmhr25]

Please be careful.  I spent a few weeks there last summer and as a woman was sexually groped and physically assaulted by a group of about a dozen kids who tried to mug me.  It is a very scary place to be as a woman traveling alone.

[laurenbradley01]

Thanks everyone for your advise, i'm finished at the end of august, Anita. If you are still planning to go send me an email, laurenbradley01@hotmail.com

[TeacherD]

I spent two months in India and as has been mentioned met many women traveling either alone or just with other women. They had all come up against some obstacles but that is universal for anyone male or female traveling there. I would really say it depends how thick your skin is as to if it is a good idea to travel alone. The issue of “eve teasing” (sexual harassment of women) is real and still happens.  Unfortunately this is somewhat ingrained in the minds of some Indian men (not the majority in my experience but some). Just be a strong women call people out if they are being gross and make a scene if needed. As for safety I think its fairly safe. Sure people try and steel your geal, rip you off and all that, but walking at night is no more dangerous than say London.

[tandj]

We went through tourmyindia.com in Jan. 2011- and would NOT recommend them, it was expensive and when we got there they kept changing our plans-shortening things, substituting things etc, our guide/driver was very poor-innapropriate, lots of alcohol in his vehicle, etc.

I would be very careful in India, there are some GREAT people-some who really helped us out and made the trip, but it can be a scary place if you've never been there before, make sure you do some research and know what you're getting into...It's a lot more intense then other SE Asia travel in my opinion..

I would recommend train travel, they have a good system and it lets you see a lot of the country

[david415]

If you have any doubts about travelling alone in India then take a tour!  Intrepid Travel tours are excellent.  Many women travel alone through India (6 months or more), however, things can go very wrong very quickly in India.  If you're not confident then don't risk it. 

Enjoy!

[rhetoric]

Dress has a lot to do with the success of your visit to India.  Some people are adamant about maintaining their connection with their personal style during a tour, and that can cause problems.  You're best advised to curtail your appearance to within the bounds of a respectable archetype in Indian society, someone who would be beyond approach.  The signal this sends deters most advances.  Thus, a sari or a Shalwar.  In metropolitan areas you can venture into other things, but stick to the very conservative.  You can dress in a more experimental way at clubs and such (as do the locals) but insure that you have a private car to get you there and back.