Plenty of volunteers arrive in India on their own and leave with a list of places they still want to see. Traveling solo here is rewarding: you set your own pace, you meet more people than you would in a group, and you learn to trust yourself in a country that is never dull. As anywhere, it pays to prepare and use your common sense.
These five places are popular with solo travelers because they are relaxed, easy to find your way around and full of other travelers to share a meal or a taxi with. None of them is a trip we run, but your coordinator is happy to help you plan the journey.
1. Udaipur, Rajasthan
The City of Lakes is Rajasthan at its most romantic: white palaces on the water, rooftop cafes looking over Lake Pichola and lanes of craft shops in the old town. Tour the huge City Palace, take a boat out at sunset, and spend an evening watching Rajasthani folk dance at Bagore ki Haveli. Udaipur is an overnight train or a long day’s drive from Jaipur, or a short flight from Delhi.
2. Rishikesh, Uttarakhand
Where the Ganges leaves the Himalayan foothills, Rishikesh draws pilgrims, yoga students and adventurers alike. Join the evening aarti on the riverbank, wander through the ruined ashram where the Beatles stayed in 1968, drop in on a yoga class, or go white-water rafting between about September and June. The town is vegetarian and alcohol-free, which suits its calm. It is around six hours from Delhi by bus, or by train to nearby Haridwar.
3. McLeod Ganj, Himachal Pradesh
Above Dharamshala, McLeod Ganj is home to the Dalai Lama and a large Tibetan community. Walk the pilgrims’ path around the Tsuglagkhang temple, eat momos and thukpa (noodle soup) in tiny cafes, and sign up for a Tibetan cooking class. Strong walkers can hike to the Triund ridge and back in a day for a close look at the snow peaks of the Dhauladhar range, best in spring and autumn. Overnight buses from Delhi make it a long-weekend trip; see our guide to monasteries in India for more.
4. Pushkar, Rajasthan
About three hours from Jaipur, this small holy town wraps around a lake lined with 52 ghats, the stone steps where pilgrims bathe and pray at dawn and dusk. It has one of the very few temples in India dedicated to Brahma, a laid-back bazaar and plenty of rooftop cafes, and like Rishikesh it is vegetarian and alcohol-free. In October or November, the Pushkar camel fair brings traders and visitors from across Rajasthan. At the ghats, people offering flowers or a blessing usually expect a donation; it is fine to decline politely.
5. Fort Kochi, Kerala
At the other end of the country, Fort Kochi is a walkable old port of Portuguese, Dutch and British buildings, giant Chinese fishing nets on the waterfront, art cafes and spice warehouses. Watch a Kathakali dance-drama, visit the Paradesi Synagogue in Mattancherry and St. Francis Church, and take a day trip into the backwaters. It is a flight from Delhi, which makes it a good place to unwind at the end of a placement.
Tips for traveling on your own
- Tell your coordinator where you are going and when you expect to be back, and keep their number in your phone.
- Book your first night before you arrive, and try to arrive in daylight.
- Use prepaid taxis, reputable ride apps or transport arranged by your hotel, especially at night.
- Dress modestly. It helps you blend in and draws less attention.
- On overnight trains, book an air-conditioned sleeper class and keep your bag locked to your berth.
- Keep digital copies of your passport and visa, and carry only the cash you need for the day.
- Trust your instincts. If a person or situation feels wrong, walk away.
For more advice, read how to stay safe traveling solo in India and what it’s like to be a solo woman volunteer. Planning to volunteer first? See our programs, or email info@volunteeringindia.com.