JB

I am heading to India on Feb 16 and my travel companion may not be able to meet me. I am an American and would be by myself for 2 weeks. Is it safe? Any suggestions of places to stay? I land in Dehli.

oceania

It's not really recommended for even 2 females travelling alone let alone 1. However, if you already have your ticket booked don't cancel! Feb is a nice time to go to India and I'm sure you find tons of other foreigners. Just be preapred to be oogled at, groped and harassed endlessly! If any of the guys touch you shout at them and push them away, don't be afraid. Most of them are harmless and will back off if you show them you're not joking around. Of course use common sense don't go at night on your own etc. Other then that you'll have a fabulous time. The big cities cater to tourist and most speak english.

Bonita

Hello JB...YES, definately go, it is safe as both a woman and a American and DO not cancel your trip...!!..If you want to go to INDIA, GO!!...Of course, you must take care like any big city in the world, and you must keep your cool amongst crowds of people, and also, people starring occasionaly at you, but it is more out of friendliness and curiousity, then to mean any harm...Any foregin country can be intimidating, and India is so overwhelming at times, but just be travel savy, keep your wits and confidence, do your research, and in the end, the India expeience is like no other in the world... I am a American woman from NY who has ben traveling alone to INDIA for about 15 years, since I was in my early 20's..I live these years in and out of New Delhi, in between all my constant travels..I never tire of India and it never ever ceases to both amaze and dazzle me..Yes, it can be tough-going at times, but it is also sooo colorful and rewarding. India is a great fascinating hospitable country to travel in, spiritual, cultural, adventurous, and a Journey of the highest order...Yea, I love it....Please do contact me for any help in your India trip, in Delhi or elsewhere..I can definately help you out with Hotel, guide, sightseeing suggestions in Delhi or anywyere in India as a whole, as I have been almost everywhere and have endless contacts and such...Do feel free to E-mail me direct, or anyone else who needs some travel advice from a Woman with real in-country experience.. best regards..namaste.. [email protected]

Dolcevita

Bonita is completely accurate in her description and explanations. 'Journey of the highest order....' pretty much nails it!<BR><BR>I have travelled twice to India both solo (single American woman). The first time was for 2 months.<BR><BR>Yes, India can indeed be overwhelming and sometimes draining. Yet, it is infinitely fascinating and completely safe. Just be keen and alert, as you would travelling in any major, large city.<BR><BR>I really enjoyed my travels there and look forward to my third trip.<BR><BR>Have a lovely, exciting, journey!

smartraveller

Hello JB,
I am from India, stay in Bombay. I think the lady who has given her email address is a tour operator or in related business. Take that with a pinch of salt.
I personally feel it is not safe for a single woman to travel n India. It is not necessary that Govt. owned hotels are safe, specially in Delhi & Bombay. The South is in general not safe, and you should try going South after your companion shows up.
India is a land of vibrant colors & it does overwhelm you. Decide your interests and then plan your journey. Also avoid going out alone after dark. Better off in your hotel.
I can help you in Bombay & for the South. I'll try and get accross to some friends in Delhi and give you a feedback. you can mail me at [email protected]/[email protected]

smartraveller

Hello JB,
I am from India, stay in Bombay. I think Bonita is a tour operator or in related business. Take that with a pinch of salt. Oceania is quite right.
I personally feel it is not safe for a single woman to travel n India. It is not necessary that Govt. owned hotels are safe, specially in Delhi & Bombay. The South is in general not safe, and you should try going South after your companion shows up.
India is a land of vibrant colors & it does overwhelm you. Decide your interests and then plan your journey. Also avoid going out alone after dark. Better off in your hotel.
I can help you in Bombay & for the South. I'll try and get accross to some friends in Delhi and give you a feedback. you can mail me at [email protected]/[email protected]

Bonita

Namaste...I think I really must respond to whomever is the so-called smart traveler from Bombay, India...To be honest, i have never heard such unknowedgable one-sided advice about India, and it is very obvious the person has not traveld so much in her country..However, to give her credit, perhaps for a Indian woman solo traveler, the experiences would far different, as percieved so out of the norm..First off, let me say that stating the whole of South India is unsafe for Woman is ludicrous..(actually the South is much safer then the North)- relatively speaking..Very literate, educated, calmer, etc..esp., kerala.. What else,well, not to go out after dark, that is common sense in anyplace ina foreign land for a single woman....I am a American woman from NYC who has been traveling ALONE to INDIA for almost 15 years..I write both from the heart, soul and from years of experience....I have been to almost every region as a solo traveler, from Kerala, Goa, Tamil, Rajasthan, UP, HP, even Kashmir and Ladakh,..I have been around, so I really KNOW WHAT i am talking about first hand....I am not saying it is for everyone, but if one wants to go to INDIA, if it is their dream, calling, etc., they should go...I have had more trouble as a woman in western cities...If you read my posting, I do say that one should be travel savy, and take the general precautions as in any big city, but it really can be a beautiful experience..Confidence is key..I have been all over the world alone, and there are many many countries much more difficult for a woman than India...<BR> Also, whoever you are, Smartraveler, it would probably be better if you did not make judgments or comments on other posters for you own personal benefit or whatever..I love this country, and I love to help others and to inspire others as a solo woman....Also, I gave my E-mail and menthioned to the young woman that I could help her out..I have givien many people advice over the months, and that's that..I know things and like to help break misconceptions, especially in this day and age..By the way, you also gave your E-mail..That's life...I am not going to judge your motives...Overall, I live in Delhi half of the year, and love this country with my heart and soul..I am involved in many many different endeavors in India, and when I wirte about this country and offer advice, I am speaking both from the heart and from my personal experiences...of course, anyone may react differently to India..For some, a solo woman jouney in India may be too difficult, and yet for other strong confident woman, it may be the most empowering experience of a lifetime...It is up to you and your stars...warm regards..Bonita.....

smartraveller

Here is what Bonita wrote to me. Was I, or was I not right? Note the inherent contradictions.Checkout the 9/11 sentence. Also note that she mentions a decade, whilst on this site states she has been doing solo since her early twenty's, for the last 15 years. Its up to you JB. And I am a male not female as assumed by Bonita.<BR><BR>To: [email protected] [email protected]<BR><BR>NNamaste..<BR>This is Bonita, who posted on Fodors..Just to let you know, I have <BR>fallen in lOVE WITH India 15 years ago, aa a solo woman, and have pretty much <BR>devoted my life to the Subcontinent...I have been on these boards givng <BR>advice and feedback from my personal perspective and experiences,traveling <BR>and liiving in India as a solo American woman for more then a decade, and <BR>there is no need for you to negate what I am saying and just assume or state <BR>she must be a Tour operator..<BR>I am a person who knows and loves India..Dil me Hindustani Hai..I have <BR>traveled almost everywhere, for ladakh to Kanyukumari...I have been invollved <BR>in sooooo many differerent projects in India, from Social, cultural, <BR>research,, etc..Over the past few years, I have also been hired as an India <BR>expert to MANAGE many big American professional, cultural, Medical, and <BR>tourist Groups throughout INDIA for many of the big Operators in the USA, but <BR>that is just an amazing addition to so much of what i AM doing in <BR>India.....Thus, I have endless honarable contacts and could always help <BR>people out in there travels..As a matter of fact, I love to..Ya see, I am <BR>soooo happy to see Americans comming back to India after 9/11..ya see, I am a <BR>New Yorker..So that's that..i am writing and speaking from the heart, and I <BR>beleive in India and that it is one of the most amazing countires on earth, <BR>historically, culturally, spiritually, etc..and, fascinating and safe for the <BR>traveler, male and female...maybe you could believe it <BR>too..Namaste....Bonita..<BR><BR><BR><BR><BR>

smartraveller

Here is what Bonita wrote to me. Was I, or was I not right? Note the inherent contradictions.Checkout the 9/11 sentence. Also note that she mentions a decade, whilst on this site states she has been doing solo since her early twenty's, for the last 15 years. Its up to you JB. And I am a male, age 52 years, a lawyer &amp; not a female as assumed by Bonita.<BR><BR>To: [email protected] [email protected]<BR><BR>NNamaste..<BR>This is Bonita, who posted on Fodors..Just to let you know, I have <BR>fallen in lOVE WITH India 15 years ago, aa a solo woman, and have pretty much <BR>devoted my life to the Subcontinent...I have been on these boards givng <BR>advice and feedback from my personal perspective and experiences,traveling <BR>and liiving in India as a solo American woman for more then a decade, and <BR>there is no need for you to negate what I am saying and just assume or state <BR>she must be a Tour operator..<BR>I am a person who knows and loves India..Dil me Hindustani Hai..I have <BR>traveled almost everywhere, for ladakh to Kanyukumari...I have been invollved <BR>in sooooo many differerent projects in India, from Social, cultural, <BR>research,, etc..Over the past few years, I have also been hired as an India <BR>expert to MANAGE many big American professional, cultural, Medical, and <BR>tourist Groups throughout INDIA for many of the big Operators in the USA, but <BR>that is just an amazing addition to so much of what i AM doing in <BR>India.....Thus, I have endless honarable contacts and could always help <BR>people out in there travels..As a matter of fact, I love to..Ya see, I am <BR>soooo happy to see Americans comming back to India after 9/11..ya see, I am a <BR>New Yorker..So that's that..i am writing and speaking from the heart, and I <BR>beleive in India and that it is one of the most amazing countires on earth, <BR>historically, culturally, spiritually, etc..and, fascinating and safe for the <BR>traveler, male and female...maybe you could believe it <BR>too..Namaste....Bonita..<BR><BR><BR><BR><BR>

Bonita

Greetings all..Namaste...This will be very short, as there is no need to reaaly comment on this...I am who I am, an American Woman who lives in Delhi, who loves the Subcontinet, and who has been traveling alone for more then a dedade..(fifteen years to be exact as a solo woman!)I am from NYC, and YES, I am sooooo happy to see Americans slowly travel again post 9/11.....///..I find it strange altogether that a Indian male is giving such travel advice to a foreign woman who plans to travel through his country, and is also on the rampage to attack me, a kind single spiritual woman who loves his country and whom has traveled ALONE with the greatest of enjoyment, charm, hospitality and overall enthusiasm.....So be it....Namaste Bonita ps..anyone who wants travel advice from a woman who reaaly knows what it is like to travel in India as a single foreign woman can always contact me [email protected]

Bonita

Namaste all..it is me again, Bonita...I just wanted to add two things, as I still find it somehat intersting and unsettling that a 52 year old Indian Gentleman is giving travel advice to a foregin female solo traveler, and in the process, negating and attacking the advice of another..I have always been very honest and heartfelt in these forums, as I am so passionate about the subject.. Also,in earlier postings I did introduce myself and give a description, and I did mention that among many other things, I have been a Tour Manager on various occasions to many destinations, including India, China, Nepal, etc......But that is just a small part of my present picture and NOT related to my solo woman travels in India or elsewhere for that matter..Traveling indep as a woman is a huge part of my life and GREATEST TEACHER!!!I have been all over the world indep., since Unviversity...It is my lifestyle to explore and to learn, and I am presently learning Hindi, Urdu and Nepali......I am NOT A TOUR OPERATOR, however...By the way, a Tour Manger is a experienced traveler, generally speaking, a student of the cultures, relgions, languages, histories of the Countires at hand, who gets hired by another as an expert and manages the logsitics and can also give info, help in various ways, give lectures, etc///...I get hired by others.....This is a something I do in my in my free time when I am in and around Asia.....It it a lifestyle that supports my other endeavors, research, studies, writngs, volunteer projects, etc...But my statements in this forum where not related to that AT ALL..I wAS giving honest personal travel advice to a solo female traveler from another...However, due to my connections, I can always help anyone if need be (and that is why I mention it)for I really DO know the ins and outs, I love helping others, and I really could make trustworthy reliable reccomedations..Take it or leave it...Not a problem........warm regards..bonita...