One traveler describes why visiting Dharamshala in Himachal Pradesh was perfect for solo female travel in India. She’ll never forget
“I have wandered all my life, and have also traveled; the difference between the two being this, that we wander for distraction, but we travel for fulfillment.”
~Hilaire Belloc
Solo Travel Himachal Pradesh
A recent study shows that the human brain remains active for seven minutes after the heart stops, going through its most precious keepsake: the memory bag.
THAT for me will be seven minutes filled with impacts.
That is what I decided I would live my life for, collecting as many memories, as many moments, as many feelings in as many places as I possibly can, all for those last seven minutes.
That was the beginning of a whole new world of adventures, moments, emotions, feelings and goosebumps, which I saved up, but there is so much more yet to come.
All my life, till I turned 18, there would be vacations every year, with friends and family to beautiful locations; it had become routine.
And if you ask me:
- What do you remember from those trips?
- How do you remember the trip?
- How was the place?
- How were the locals?
- How did the air there smell?
I would not have an answer to any of those questions because all I remember from those trips are the people I was with.
That little circle of people completely absorbed in themselves.
With a whole world of fellow travelers and nature going past through them in a blur called time.
So why did I go on so many vacations?
Living in lavish hotels, eating the most royal food and spending time with the same people when I cannot even remember what the place where I spent so much time, was?
Time to Break the Routine
So that year, I took a decision to break that routine.
I sat my parents down and I told them that I want to go to Dharamshala in Himachal Pradesh. Alone. It was an instant no. I did not know what to do.
Days I convinced my parents and I told them about full phone connectivity there and that it was a very safe place to travel.
And a good ten days later, they sort of agreed and that was good enough for me.
It was a short trip, but I came back with so much.
I roamed around in the hills clicking pictures, chatted with the locals, played with the furry dogs, said bye to cars passing by and sat in the church with the locals.
I visited monasteries, chatted with monks, got to know what Tibetans really feel about their political scenarios, had the most locally made food in roadside dhabas, met people from all over the world having coffee in cafes.
Travel Changed Me
When I came back, I realised how I slowly realised that things were different.
I would smile more, acknowledge people around me, greet others, notice small things like the seasons’ change, enjoy warm get-togethers rather than loud fun, I was less irritated and soon, people around me started being happy.
When I was down, I would plan one of my future adventures in the Himalayas.
Everyday problems in life still existed, but how to look at them and tackle them, had changed.
People around would still get the worse of me, but I learnt how to get the better of them.
And I realised where it all came from. A few habits, a few hacks I picked up on, in the hills had actually sunk into my everyday life.
Taking on New Adventures
One adventure, alone, went to another one and then another, mostly through the Himalayas. I started understanding terrains, the local cultures, folklore, beliefs and superstitions, crafts and lifestyles.
The more I got acquainted with life at different metres above sea level, the more I was intrigued to know, the more memories I added.
That’s the thing about solo soul-searching.
The search never ends when you explore on your own.
What you notice and how you notice it changes a one eighty degrees because somewhere you know, this is one thing you are doing for yourself after days and months in the city, trying to live in the monotony of metro societies.
Today, in a world and a time where, the morning newspaper generally greets you with shadows of the previous few days, where we often forget where the time went and where we walk over our own desires for so many situations, solo travel is your break, your key into your world.
It is your space, where you get to know yourself, where you imbibe the positive energies around you into yourself. It is the time, everyone needs to spend with oneself.
Worry Free in Himachal Pradesh
To all the women out there, there are so many places which are safe for you all! Himachal Pradesh is one such state.
A matriarchal society and happy worry free people, this state is one, where you have absolutely nothing to worry about.
Travel in local buses, interact with locals, meet new people.
I have been staying with the locals for years and they are the most warm and fuzzy people to be around.
You to them, you will be family and there will be so many things about the place and surrounding areas, that the locals would tell you about, which outsiders would hardly ever know of.
My crazy adventure to Kinnaur to meet the master weavers of the famous Kullu Shawls is a testimony to that.
There is so much to see out there. To spend one night in the mountains, staring at the sky with big eyes thinking whether the entire Milky Way has descended towards you, the cold in the air pressing down and a cricket chirping in some distance and not a worry in mind.
A break everyone should take for themselves once every few months, to get away from the extremely fast paced struggles in the city and to spend the much needed time with yourself, exploring, discovering and memories.
So, open that map, mark your spot, figure out the bus routes, pick a weekend, pack that bag and fly solo to discover yourself. Just as you need to make a house, home; you need to make a trip, an adventure, a journey.
That journey will have a hundred stories in one and you will want to live it a thousand times over.
And every moment of that is worth it.
Read Next:
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7 Hill Stations Near Delhi: Experience True India
Solo Travel in India – Tips from an India Solo Female Traveler
Himachal is a heaven on earth. It is a land of gods and goddesses . And you very beautifully described it’s beauty . Thank you . Keep up the good work. ?
Very useful information. I am in love with this place Thanks for sharing!
Inspiring post! I never have been there alone. Actually, my friend visited last year. He told me it was a fantastic experience. But, you’re a female and you are gone alone, hats off to your spirit and energy level! Himachal Pradesh is my favorite, beautiful place, peaceful environment, nature, surrounded by the valleys/mountains Ahhhh! really love it! I will be planning a solo trip soon. Thanks for sharing!
really informative stuff. Awesome post. Thanks for sharing.
Wow, this is simply amazing information. And some really great pictures and images. Hats off to your solo travel.
Solo traveling is not an easy for female. I am finding for Himachal Pradesh information for traveling and i get your blog. You share valuable information about Himachal Pradesh solo female travel in India. Thanks a lot for this beauty Enjoying article with me. I appreciate it very much!
Great Post. Lovely Pics. Thanks for sharing
Hey, an awesome post…
What did you do for accommodation in your solo travel? Did you book it online or were you able to agree a local to let you stay at their place? If so, how?
one of the best destination in India Shimla Manali Dharamshla Dalhousie. i always love to visit with may famity in summer time.
Very informative and encouraging for solo female tourists, but it would be helpful to remark on the natural splendor of the place. You know, when you speak of a getaway, and because most people like to also go there because its so green and pristine!
We visited Dharamshala last week, It was trip 7 days and we really enjoyed our trip. Your Photographs are amazing. Keep sharing
Hey! Thanks for sharing this post ,really appreciate your spirit of travel. Solo travelling is a way to explore more oneself and your surroundings. Other than Himachal, there are many other safe places in India best suited for solo female travel. Must try, as India is rich in its culture,nature,and much more. Adding to this,to Go to any new place one’s need proper planning, strategy and to follow some guidelines to take best of your trip. And yes, We Maavalan travels meticulously developed custom private tours that will enhance your experience when you travel to India. Get in touch to have more information
Well done! Himachal Pradesh can do that to travellers; its my favourite state too!
thanks for the great post! This article inspires me to go to India.. someday.
Looks like such a fun post. Kudos Abhinanda. Hope you have lots of travels and adventures!