Greetings!

I will be traveling to India alone from 31 May (arriving at 12.30 in the morning from Frankfurt) to 18-19 June, I am looking for another solo traveler or group to share costs for the length of the trip. I will be flying into Delhi and plan and doing the standard Rajahstan loop plus a side trip to Varanasi. My idea was to rent a car with driver, rooms don’t have to be shared but would like to stay in mid-range places with one or two top of the line places thrown in.

I am fairly well traveled myself, lived in Italy for 4 years and traveled in SE Asia, Europe, and South America.

Thanks!

Ladakh in October

Hi, I’ll be travelling alone to Ladak late Sept, into October. I have no agenda as yet but want to do some trekking. I don’t want to carry a lot of gear with me as I’m travelling to multiple & varied destinations, so, the question is this….how easy is it to arrange a trek from Leh, ie join a group that will have all necessary equip supplied? can anyone recommend any particular company?
any info greatly appreciated,
KJ

Looking for one more people to join trek from chilling to leh 4days via machela on July 16th intrested contect soon.

18 year old Solo Female Traveller in India
Well, I’ve started to plan my RTW tour but my parents are a little apprehensive at me travelling solo around India. I’m not really to knowledgeable on the political situation at this time, but am taking their advice to seek more “stable” routes. I was curious if anyone knew about any fairly inexpensive tour groups that do 2-3 week tours. ALSO looking for advice on females travelling solo in India. Is it safe? Fairly easy to do? Any advice would be great Thanks!

1
Sunnshine, I am an older woman in india and have been three times. Bascially its safe and indians are good people. HOwever, your lack of experience in life and travel makes you very vulnerable to many scams and frustrations, and even dangers, that the comparative few unscrupulous indians like to torment unsuspecting tourists with. So yes, hook up with others when in india.

For arrival, especially in Delhi – when you are most vulnerable, book your hotel and and ask them to arrange an airport pick up for you. This will avoid the worst problems of arrival. For arriving in Mumbai, book your hotel room a month in advance to be able to take advantage of cheaper rates – mumbai rooms are expensive. I suggest the salvation army as it it is central and has many many experienced and other travellers staying there. Or the YMCA.

Borrow a lonely planet from the library and read all the warnings about scams and dangers. What you know cannot hurt you though it might scare you a bit. Its when you don’t know stuff that you are likely to get hurt.

Otherwise your parents suggestion is a good one. But then you might miss out on India which is a great place to travel. You could simply to go to Nepal instead of India. Or Sri Lanka.

2
I’m with NewIslander, especially on the “vulnerability” part. The initial onslaught when you pass through the airport gate is enough to send many screaming home.

The most stable, as you ask for, is to try to find a flight that doesn’t end up in either Delhi or Mumbai. Ahmedabad, where I am, is so backward, they hardly know a tourist from a tree trunk, so you’re not as hassled when you first hit town.

More good advice above, book whereever you’ll stay first, in advance (don’t give them credit card info, that is unnecessary), and unless they have airport pickup, use the PREPAID taxis that you will find BEFORE you leave the airport.

“Single girl” info: Read your Lonely Planet guide and learn before you get here what the customs are regarding dress. The biggest problem girls have is they think it’s ok to dress like they’re off to the mall or beach at home. That doesn’t work here, and makes you even that much more “attractive” to the less-genteel of the Indian men. Salwar kameez with modest necklines and dupatta (shawl) is the best thing you can do to avoid unwanted attention. And if you’re clever enough to have something talilored at home that is not extravagant, you’ll even look more like you “belong”.

Skip the tour if, once you study the guidebook, you decide that it’s not that difficult to see/get to all the places you want to go.

@ Newlslander: Thank you for the advice on what to do on my arrival in Delhi and for the places to stay in Mumbai. I agree that staying in hostels and the like are good ways to meet other people to travel with. This was my original idea. I also agree that the tour is not the best option in capturing India!=)

@ Pirate_at_50: Using modest clothing is advice I have received from many people and something that I respect. Thank you for mentioning it. Also, the advice about the taxis is great too! I’ll check out the guidebooks asap =)

I really would like to forego the tour. I’m not really a tour person. I’d like to discover India on my own terms and on my own time. I’d also like to have the option of staying somewhere that I fall in love with. I’ve travelled quite a bit in Brazil but unfortunately it’s a completely different culture than in India, so my experience there will not be of much help. I’m grateful for both of your replies, and will definitely check out several guide books to study.

I’ll still keep my eyes open for a tour though, just to keep my options open

4
Thank you for coming back to check replies. I’m in the middle of an email to you as I type this… You’ll get it shortly.

5
Hi
There’s nothing wrong with the political situation in India as of now. When there are elections, when violence can break out, staying away keeps you pretty safe. As the previous posters have said, India is safe but scams and petty things like that can trigger but violent crime is relatively uncommon if you keep clear off trouble areas and stay in well-trafficked areas. Look out for Indian thugs and goons who may be trying to scam you. It’s a better idea, however, to try to connect with some Indian locals you may know or hook up with some other travellers.

I think that you should look wary and strong and scamsters won’t be as frustrating. However, in well-trafficked areas, ther’re seldom violent provided you don’t fight back and don’t make them lose face. Just ignore them.
Have a safe trip and yes most Indians like us are good people and most Indians are friendly and helpful and can offer a hand should something happen.
Regards

Sikkim is one of the most peaceful and beautiful state of India. This Himalayan state is bordered by West Bengal, China, Nepal and Bhutan in the East. With a total area of 7,096 sq.km, Sikkim covers 0.22 percent of the total geographical area of India with a population of 540493 (2001 census). Climate of Sikkim varies from tropical to alpine. The maximum temperature during summer is 25 degree Celsius and the minimum temperature is 13 degree Celsius. During winter, the maximum temperature is 13 degree Celsius and the minimum temperature is 04 degree Celsius. Usually, the best season to visit Sikkim is April to June during pre-summer season and October to December for winter season. During summer, light woolens clothes are ideal to use while heavy woolens clothes are best during winter season.

How to visit Sikkim ?-

By flight:

From Delhi or most of the metropolitan cities of India, one can make a trip up to Bagdogra airport of North Bengal, the nearest port. One can even hire Pawan Hans helicopter service from Bagdogra to Gangtok, otherise, any one can hire taxi from Bagdogra to Gangtok which is three and half hour journey.

By road:

The capital Gangtok is well connected by roads with Siliguri, Kalimpong and Darjeeling. Private Buses and taxis are available.Sikkim Nationalized Transport(SNT) bus service run by Government of Sikkim too available from Siliguri to Gangtok and back. Bus and other private taxi services are available from Siliguri SNT bus terminus, Pradhan Nagar.

Different tourist spots:

Here we have as many as places of tourist interest in Sikkim. Local taxis and conveyance are available to visit these places from Gangtok. Permit to visit Nathula is available from Gangtok.

Travel agents, trek & tour operators

We have more than 120 travel agents and trek & tour operators registered and recognized by Government of Sikkim. They are very professional and hospitable who organize everything require for the esteemed tourists visiting in the State. They are well trained and equipped. Complaints can be lodged against any person who unnecessarily harass the tourist. “Tourists are our guest” is the slogan of every Sikkimese people according to our tradition and culture.

Write us for more info-info@trekhimalayas.net

Tools ‹ Trek Himalayas: The Blog — WordPress.Sikkim in mid April is going to be very pleasant, weather wise. It will be spring season, not too cold except in very high altitude places in Upper Sikkim. You may expect a bit of rain, though. But not enough to spoil your holiday

Pelling, the laid back, scenic, but rapidly swelling hamlet is situated at 2,085 m above sea level about 2 km beyond Pemayangtse. Pelling is famous for the magnificent view of the snow-capped mountains of Khangchendzonga. High above the forest covered hills, in an amphitheatre of cloud, snow and rock, the entire route from Yuksam over Dzongri La to the Rathong Glacier can be seen.

.

Pelling is about 133 km away from Siliguri and 125 km from Gangtok and well connected by bus and jeep services. Placid Pelling pulls most of the visitors for its representative status in history, nature and culture of the state. Situated at an altitude of 6,800 ft, including the Koktang, Kumbhakarna, Rathong, Kabru, Dom, Khangchendzonga, Pandim, Zopuno, Shimbho, Narsing, Siniyalchu and others.

Pelling itself consists of little more than a road junction, Helicopter pad and numerous hotels, creating the so-called “Bengali Boulevard”, a strip of highly unimaginative identikit concrete blocks. Luckily, from most angles this development is hidden by the forested slopes and Pelling offers numerous attractive walks and hotel terraces from where one can gaze in awe at the world’s third highest peak.

Pelling gives a spectacular views of the Mount Khangchendzonga, the Guardian Deity of Sikkim and the worlds third highest mountain along with other sister mountains bowing before the Godly figure in reverence. Pelling is an ideal getaway for tourists as its vicinity has numerous waterfalls, soft trek routes, villages and soothing atmosphere for all discerning.

How to Get to Pelling:
Foreigners visiting Pelling must possess an Indian visa. No special permit is required for either traveling or trekking inside Pelling. However, necessary travel documents need to be shown as and when required.

LOCAL TRANSPORT: Shared jeeps travel regularly until mid or late afternoon between Pelling and Ghezing; twice daily for Gangtok, and once a day for Siliguri. There is no direct service to Yoksum from Pelling but a daily bus leaves Ghezing and travels via Legship and Tashiding. One bus leaves Ghezing daily for Khecheopalri Lake and passes through Pelling, and two leave Pelling for Ghezing, and eventually back to Pelling.

AIR CONNECTIONS: Bagdogra Airport is km (hours) from Pelling.

ROAD CONNECTIONS: Pelling is connected with all weather metaled road with Siliguri, Kalimpong, Gangtok etc.

RAIL CONNECTIONS: Out-station trains (Indian Railways) generally come into either New Jalpaiguri or Siliguri. From there, visitors may proceed to Pelling by “Toy-Train” (journey time 6.5 to 7 hrs) or bus or taxi, Limo Van or Land Rover (journey time 3 to 3.5 hrs) to Pelling.

TOURIST CARS/BUSES: Tourist Cars, Tourist mini coaches and Taxis are available for transfer of passengers between Pelling and Siliguri/New Jalpaiguri Junction/ Bagdogra, and also for sightseeing at fixed rates and may be reserved through Tourist Bureau, Govt. of West Bengal, Pelling.

Where to stay in Pelling:
You can take your pick from a range of luxury and budget hotels in Siliguri besides star categorized accommodation. The various hotel packages offer the best of facilities. The well-furnished rooms place most of the comforts at your feet.

Chiminda Internationals
Dzongree Hotel
Hotel Garuda
Hotel Haven
Hotel Kabur
Hotel Pelling
Hotel Simvo
Hotel Sitara
The Touristo
Hotel View Point
Window Park
Kyide Khang
Magnolia Lodge
Norbu Gang
Phamrong Hote
Resort Stellate
Samtenling Hotel
Sister Family Guest House

Places to visit in and around Pelling:

* Pemayangtse Monastery
* Sangachoeling Monastery
* Khecheopalri Lake
Also pelling is best place in sikkim to start your Trekking to Third peak in world.

Book with us for your coming visit to Sikkim.

width="16" height="16" border="0" alt="Share" />