How a Generation of Indian Women Are Healing Through Solo Travel (and How You Can Too)

From Instagram influencers to travel journalists, solo travel is now the “it thing,” a perennial trending topic. A casual scroll through the Instagram Explore page could leave you thinking that almost everybody has hopped on the bandwagon (and is making a living out of it, too). While the options for solo travel are plenty, it can often only be a reality only when you’re afforded certain privileges, to which women from more conservative cultures and countries—including India—are not privy.

In a society where girls are typically brought up to be “respectful” (read: meek and obedient), where marriage is advertised as the one key to unlocking certain privileges, pursuing one’s dreams alone comes with many challenges. For the generations of Indian women before us, the idea of traveling for pleasure—let alone traveling solo—may have been considered bizarre, as everyday routines were often structured around the comfort of the men in their lives. Well, not anymore. The solo travel movement has arrived on Indian shores, and women are leading the charge.

Solo travelers are now beginning to customize their routines to maintain a work-life balance, while also prioritizing their wanderlust. "I was also told that I couldn't travel all around the world after I got married. I just chose not to listen,” says Soumya Nambiar, a 39-year-old entrepreneur based in Bangalore. She works at home focusing on her businesses for 3–4 months at a stretch and then travels for the next 6–8 weeks. This routine has allowed her to explore 38 countries without company.

Others, like Purvi Patel, a 32-year-old creative director from Thane, maintain this balance by working remotely and traveling full-time. “Solo travel was a chance to break free from the confines of routine and responsibility. It helped me discover a newfound sense of freedom and empowerment,” she says. This thirst for freedom is what accompanied Purvi on her first solo escape to the hills of Meghalaya and then to Indonesia, Thailand, Nepal, Vietnam, and the Maldives … and it’s what unites these, and other, solo women travelers.

“I decided to start traveling alone when I was on a trip from college and tasted the freedom of going wherever and doing whatever without the restricting eyes of a chaperon. The last push came from a handful of badass women on Instagram who had already been traveling solo,” says Avantika Chaturvedi. Since then, the 24-year-old has been to Thailand, Bhutan, and the Maldives, and backpacked across Nagaland. She is now a scuba diver and full-time travel blogger who runs group trips to help first-time women travelers find community.

But work-life balance and thirst for freedom aside, the journey to being a solo Indian woman traveler is made a million times more difficult by that aforementioned smirk—the fear of which runs deep in Indian society. The smirk is the reason behind most families' refusal to support their children’s dreams. The smirk forces women to hide parts of themselves to fit in and forget their dreams. Many Indian women (myself included) have been on the receiving end of it. But this is where solo travel becomes a much-needed escape, allowing you access to a foreign land where there are no nosy relatives or prying neighbors. Where you can be yourself, wear whatever you want, stay out however late you want, and be as loud as you want.

Indian women also face some rather unique challenges while trying to cut loose from this generational cycle of patriarchal trauma. Apart from the general concerns regarding safety and sexual violence faced by women the world over, we are also the holders of a passport ranked 85th on the Henley Passport Index. “With our weak passport, we are considered as potential immigrants. Recently, I was trying to enter Bulgaria from North Macedonia. I was grilled for more than 30 minutes in the freezing cold trying to prove that I am not a potential immigrant,” Soumya shares.

Despite the struggles, solo travel provides an opportunity for self-discovery. Coming from a society that rarely celebrates individuality, solo travel becomes a platform to truly connect with yourself and heal your inner child. “Through solo travel, I have found mutual trust. Unlike in school, where academic performance determined the status quo, solo travel allows me to connect with people from all walks of life without any expectations or perceived notions,” says Purvi.

As with any other aspect of life, starting out is the hardest part of becoming a solo traveler. And the first step? Convincing your parents. “I firmly believe that to live an authentic version of yourself you will have to disappoint your parents more than once,” says Avantika. She also advises you to take some time out to sit them down and address any genuine concerns they might have. Keeping them in the loop regarding the places you are staying; the buses, trains, or flights you are taking; and maintaining honest communication are some other steps you can take.

If you’re a rather inexperienced traveler, solo travel can seem like a daunting task. For some, solo travel might not even be the right option. If you’re just starting out on your solo travel journey, consider joining a travel group for your first few trips. This way you can get out of your comfort zone, while also learning the basics of planning and executing a trip.

Once you’re used to the idea of traveling, you can try and see if solo travel is your calling. Start by going around your city and building up days as you go. Purvi and Soumya suggest Meghalaya, Himachal Pradesh, and Kerala as destinations that are safe for Indian women traveling alone. However you go about it, on the good days, solo travel can help nourish the parts of yourself you were taught to be ashamed of—whether that’s thanks to wearing a bikini on the beach (as I did for the first time in Vietnam) or speaking louder than you would at home and prioritizing your own needs and wants. On the other days, just trust your gut and keep going.

Related: 10 of the Best Solo Travel Destinations for Women