I've got nothing against package tours, and India can be a challenge, but there's no reason you can't wing it if you prefer an independent experience. People speak English all over India. You can even book a tour through your hotel or an agent in Delhi if you like. Like everywhere in Asia, the touristed areas are tout-heavy but most travelers experience very little crime. My wife traveled extensively in India before we were married, and rarely had a problem. Be prepared to dress a little modestly (no tanks, short-shorts or mini skirts) and that should keep lecherous men away from you.  As for where to go, I suggest that you overnight in Kerala, which will give you a real experience of the rhythms of the backwater (a day cruise is too short!); I also suggest that you go to Rishikesh and the upper townships along the Ganges, Lakshman Jhula being the sweetest place. If you follow this advice, reach out to the gentlemen at Red Chilli Adventure, raft guides, cyber-cafe owners and all-around excellent people: http://www.redchilliadventure.com/. 

Posted Dec 17, 2010

no -- don't wing it! plan ahead as much as you can! it's overwhelming once you there -- sensory overload, having a good plan can ground you -- create a loose itinerary with contact numbers/routes, and information before you go. my sister and i went in 2004 and hadn't planned at all. it was fun & interesting, but we spent many stressed  hours dealing with transport planning alone in train stations packed with wayward monkeys, rats, and travelers. yes, i guess you could say that's all part of the adventure, but really -- you'll feel so much better if you at least have half a plan. india is amazing -- and as a solo woman traveler, definitely do-able. 

Posted Dec 17, 2010

Definitely wing it, head to the far south (definitely more single-female-friendly than the north; especially Kerala state).  Food's better, too.

Have a grand time!

Posted Dec 17, 2010

If "winging it" is what you normally do, India is no different tan winging it in Cairo or Mexico City or in the US. Wherever I travel I am aware of my surroundings, blend in as much as possible, and always leave a copy of my passport with a trusted friend in addition to having a copy with me ( not in the same place as my real passport).

Posted Dec 31, 2010

It depends upon how much of a traveler you are. I'd wing it, with a good guide book in hand, but I am pretty experienced as a female traveling alone. The biggest hassle is getting the Indian visa.

Posted Dec 17, 2010

Wing it!  I did...  I promise you'll meet other solo travelers along the way and it's well worth the satisfaction of navigating your own path.  I met a guy in a train station outside Gokarna nearly 5 years ago who is one of my very best friends today.  Don't worry about booking accommodations either. I haven't ever had trouble, even in the midst of peak season.  

Dan Oko knows what's up, definitely go to Periyar National Park!   Kumily is a hill station so you'll get a little break from the heat and please, please take the early boat ride though the wildlife reserve, I think it's 7 am.  Take your camera, it's one of my favorite places to remember.  To warn you, if you take the public buses to Kumily (I recommend it!) it'll be an adventure...  I got yelled at by some random guy on the opposite end of the bus for hanging out the window to take a picture. Then the bus driver drove the entire bus to the closest police station and had the guy arrested.  I had no idea what was going on or how I offended him but it makes for an interesting story...

In all honesty, I thought the house boat ride was really boring.  We spent 3 days straight playing Mafia and drinking old monk.  I think, because it's on so many tourist's check list for south India, it's been overly saturated and a lot of the charm has faded.   If you're intent on going, I recommend the 6 hour ride or even hiring a smaller boat with just one guide so you have a more personal tour of the backwaters.   We left from Allepey. 

If you can make it over to Pondicherry and Auroville, give it a shot...  Style in Pondicherry is amazing!    And, it's one of the only places where you can flag down nearly anyone on a motorbike and hitch a ride (always side-saddle).  

I am filled with advise on India.  It's my own, personal flytrap.  If you'd like any tips, let me know where you're headed and how long you'll be traveling...

Safe travels!

Posted Dec 17, 2010

Winging it is what travel is all about. Plan for the unexpected and enjoy! Also, did you have a chance to read Lisa Abend's "Desperately Seeking Shiva" in AFAR Magazine's Sept/Oct issue? Pretty great story about a woman on a mission in India. Could give you some great ideas...

Posted Dec 18, 2010

Wing it! I did, as a solo female traveler around Rajasthan and it was sooo worth it. And like Rajasthan, Kerala is one of the more touristy areas in India, ie it is so easy to book a boat any time - and you can decide then whether or not to do an overnight or not. I overnighted and aside from the mosquitos, loved it. Kerala is gorgeous, the food's amazing. Definitely very different from other parts of the country. But I guess that can be said about every region. Forget the organized tour, plan as you go and enjoy!

Posted Dec 19, 2010

I was in India for a month (Jan '09) Mostly Rajasthan. There is very little English spoken on the streets/restaurants, but the people are remarkable friendly.  And yes it is very overwhelming. And personally, being very blond, I was stared at A LOT and followed (in a friendly way). I would book a short tour and then plan to do some things on your own. And the south (Kerala, etc.) is definitely easier for a single worm n.

Posted Dec 20, 2010

As long as you're willing to ask for help and be out of your comfort zone, wing it with a good guide book and a very open mind. India delights the senses! Have a great time trying the food but take precautions to avoid Delhi Belly.

Posted Dec 20, 2010

Hi Mj, winging it in India can and will be challenging. It's a challenge with organized group tours. I'd take a good guidebook, have some sense of where and what you'd like to do and practice patience and meditation. India can be a frustrating place to travel around. Winging it is a great part of travel and if you can do it in India you can do it just about anywhere. Good luck, have fun and be safe.  

Posted Dec 20, 2010

If you've never been to India, you'll be overwhelmed on your own. With a good guide book and a daytime arrival, you should be able to manage. Dress modestly. Kerala is fabulous. Overnight on the inland water cruise will give you a good feeling for the region. You'll see more if you get local guides as you go along for a day here and there. Train reservations are a must, esp. overnight trains (it's all computerized). India is a grand adventure no matter how you do it, but it will challenge you in every way. Enjoy.

Posted Dec 22, 2010

Hi MJ, if u want to enjoy in group then join wing and enjoy only personal then hire a private tours with pre-guide book. Your choices  area are good and safely and the people are very supportive. So Welcome in India specially (Jaipur)

Posted Dec 22, 2010

I'd wing it but it does depend on how flexible you and how tight your schedule is. For the Golden Triangle tour, you should be able to get a driver with a local tour company based in Delhi but let them talk you into letting them book your hotels for you. You can use a guidebook (I used Lonely Planet) and called ahead and made reservations and the driver can take you to a more affordable and authentic hotel (ie. the one you chose).  Otherwise, they will try to book you in a very Western, generic, expensive one and your trip will be that much more expensive. In fact, our driver, when he found the place we'd booked (which, truth be told, wasn't very nice) in Jaipur, promised he could get us a better room for the same cost. It sounded like a racket, but it ended up being true! We stayed in a MUCH nicer place and (with AC) and paid the same. Win-win--it made us give our driver, Raj, a bigger tip, but we didn't exceed our budget by overpaying.

In terms of a houseboat tour in Kerala, we went on a day trip booked by a local travel agent when we stayed there. We didn't spend the night because it is so much more costly and we felt we could see more places if we just used the day on the boat, which was entertaining anyway. We didn't feel like we needed more time (or a personal chef, which is part of the deal when you spend the night--sounded great--just not necessary.) Hope you have a great trip!

Posted Dec 23, 2010

Wing it!  Be prepared that you will be completely overwhelmed...India is an awesome country in the true sense of the word--something amazing or tragic to see, smell or hear every step of the way.

I found that people were wonderful and helpful as soon as you were away from the train stations.  As a blonde, I attracted a tiring amount of attention, but I say if you feel game for it-- wing it!

Posted Dec 25, 2010

Well, I would say do part of both. As an individual born and raised in India, I would say that there is so much to see and experience. Decide on a theme and then wing it. 

Posted Dec 25, 2010

Wing it! Definitely a challenge worth taking up! Remember North India is less safe than the South, try and have a local contact wherever you go, and avoid late-night jaunts and too much skin-show. You should be fine. Just go with an open mind, and prepare yourself to be overwhelmed!

Posted Dec 28, 2010

Go on a tour.  Women are not as admired in the Middle Eastern countries.  If you want to free lance and go safely, then stick to Hong Kong and Singapore.

Posted Jan 04, 2011

the answer so much depends on the kind of traveler and how strong you are as a person.  I loved India as a child, but I was a little blond girl and that made me an oddity.  I would feel uncomfortable traveling in a place where women are not respected and where the life rules are so very different from my set list.  Listen to your self for the answer.  There is nothing wrong with a package tour, or a personal guide and if you choose to wing it.  Good luck and be safe.

Posted Jan 08, 2011

We winged it...and it was fine! We ended up hiring a car in Delhi and going to Agra(city gross-Taj-Awesome!) then to Jaipur(awesome) ...it was great to see the countryside and get out of the city smog. As long as you realize that it is total sensory overload , polluted and dirty you will be fine.  The people are great and helpful, the food is good. It was a trip. Just keep your sense of humor!!!!! Have fun!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Posted Jan 08, 2011

India might actually be one of the easier places to "wing it", since there is so much English spoken and the people are generally very outgoing and helpful. I traveled all over the country alone for 5 months, low budget, mostly by train, and encountered only minor problems. The best travel tip I got was from a (female) Indian friend, who advised me to "watch the Indian women, and do what they do." That really helped me adjust to the cultural differences, and avoid unpleasant situations and negative or unwanted attention from men -- which seemed to be an ongoing issue for other solo female travelers I met along the way. Have a great time!

Posted Jan 10, 2011

I agree with most here. Depends on how used to traveling you are.

Importantly I think you should wing it, but with a parachute :) And by that I mean that you should make sure that where you land have your hotel for at least the first 2-3 nights scheduled. That way you know things are ok for long enough to get on your feet and start winging it.

I usually have my hotel, guide book, some general ideas of what I want to see and time frames for where I want to be where- and I work out the rest in the middle when I am there :)

Have a great time!

Posted Jan 17, 2011

WING IT.  You will not be disappointed.  Just get to the train stations early and be prepared for the sight of your life. Bring a small chain and padlock for your backpack (don't worry , it is the norm).

Go to  shivananda or some kind of yoga ashram in Kerala for the treat and time of your life.  You will meet people to share the houseboat with you.

Posted Jan 17, 2011

Ya! Just do your research and make a gameplan. Once there you can always divert and go off on tangents.

Bring very little and then you can have a tailor make you some 'salwar kamez' or 'kurtas'

You will feel much more comfortable with loose, flowy clothes.

Try the spicy chai.

Oh.... and while you are winging it, have a look at my new travel safe options for women travelers  www.dovetailtravelinpeace.com

Namaste!

Posted Oct 25, 2011