I have now travelled to India three times (for around 4 months in total) focusing on both the North (Delhi, Rishikesh and Rajasthan) and the South and, after much contemplation, have decided that the North tops it on the wow factor.

The South may have the stunning, palm fringed beaches and laid back atmosphere however, nothing beats the grand majestic forts, spiritual Ganges and mesmerizing Thar desert of the North.

I recently wrote a six-week itinerary to the South of India on Girls vs Globe (check it out here) so, if time is on your side, combine the two of these to create a trip of a life time…

Delhi – 2 nights

It is likely that when you fly into India you will fly into the capital, Delhi.

Delhi is the epitome of the hustle and bustle and mania of India but, on an overwhelming and sometimes scary scale. Therefore, if this is your first taste of India, please do not let it put you off. Hold hope…

Like any capital, Delhi is where you’ll find a lot of touts and scammers (here are some common scams to be aware of) so, be on high alert when you arrive.

Although Delhi was not my favourite place to travel in India, it does have the Red Fort, Lotus Temple and Gandhi memorial, which are all worth a day or two stay to explore before escaping to more serene and tranquil waters…

Rishikesh – 3 nights

6 hours North of Delhi lies one of my absolute favourite places in the world (now isn’t that a statement) – Rishikesh.

Rishikesh is a spiritual hub nestled in the foothills of the towering Himalayas and is renowned for being the ‘yoga capital of the world’. The Beatles retreated here in the 60s to disconnect from the real world to write one of their albums – and it’s easy to see why.

The prominent river Ganges soars through the city directly from the mountain ranges and ashrams, yoga retreats, temples and charming souvenir shops outline its waters.

Whether you want to invest some time focusing on yoga and meditation or, would simply like to escape the mayhem of the county’s larger cities, I can guarantee you’ll come away from Rishikesh feeling enlightened in one way or another.

Here are my top things to see and do in Rishikesh.

Varanasi – 2 nights

From one spiritual city to another…

Varanasi can be found 15 hours South of Rishikesh and is absolutely mind-blowing.

For Hindus, being cremated at one of the burning ghats in Varanasi is the ultimate way to pass into the afterlife. Therefore, from dusk ’til dawn, as you wander the streets of the city, you will witness bodies wrapped and embellished in vibrant cloth and ribbons being carried towards their cremation ceremony by their loved ones.

Tourists are able to watch these ceremonies from afar however, photography is strictly prohibited.

End your enlightening day in Varanasi by hopping in a rowing boat at sunset to watch the Aarti festival from the Ganges.

If you only have a short time in Varanasi, check out my guide to 24 hours in the city here.

Agra – 1 night

Around 9 hours West of Varanasi lies Agra, the city home to the magnificent Taj Mahal. Although there is not much else to occupy you in Agra, a trip to India would not be complete without ticking off this magical wonder of the world.

Head to the Taj at sunrise before the hoards of tourists arrive and watch as the sun ignites the grand, opalescent masterpiece in all its glory. 

Jaipur – 3 nights

Another few hours West you’ll find Rajasthan’s capital, Jaipur.

Jaipur holds a very special place in my heart as it’s where I did my volunteer project during my first trip to India and consequently, where my love for India flourished.

Bathed in a terracotta pink colour, Jaipur has earned its name as the ‘Pink City of India’ and has a huge number of sights worth visiting. From its exceptional shopping, textile factories and jewellery emporiums to its magical forts, temples and palaces, there is enough in Jaipur to keep you busy for at least 4 nights.

Jaisalmer – 2 nights

Home to the rolling Thar desert, Jaisalmer is where most travellers go to ride across the silky smooth sand dunes on camels before spending the night camping under the stars.

Jodhpur – 2 nights

Jodhpur is known as the Blue City of India. Originally painted to reflect the sun, from afar, the city looks like it has been draped in a dusty blue blanket.

Weave your way through quaint alleyways lined with cows, temples and hole in the wall shops before checking out the city’s star attraction – the Mehrangarh Fort.

Udaipur – 3 nights

Udaipur aka. the ‘Venice of India’ is located 4 hours South of Jodhpur and has been captivating its visitors with its idyllic beauty for centuries.

Wander around the city’s tranquil lake admiring the locals doing their morning wash, learn about the ancient Maharaja’s at the City Palace before heading to the Monsoon Palace to watch the sunset.

Mumbai – 3 nights

BOLLYWOOD!!

By the time I had reached Mumbai monsoon season had very much set in. However, I still managed to explore the city’s Elephanta Caves, be an extra in a Bollywood movie and eat a heck of a lot of Indian food (this was my last stop before heading home).

Mumbai is hectic, loud and up and coming meaning, the country’s hierarchy of rich and poor is very evident. It is home to one of the largest slums in the world yet, is also covered in tall lavish office blocks and apartments. It is tough to see however, Mumbai is India rolled into one, which is why it needs to make an appearance in your India itinerary…

Mix this itinerary up by starting in Mumbai and working your way up or, team it with my Southern itinerary on Girls vs Globe and start in Goa, Kerala or Chennai.

Whichever route you choose, you’re in for quite a ride. Enjoy and keep me updated :).

My answer? One million times, YES.

Therefore, as safety seems to be such a big worry for a lot of solo female travellers who want to go to India (it also once was for me!), I thought I would write this post with lots of tips and tricks on how to calm your nerves and be extra safe as well as, to give you that extra push to visit one of my favourite countries in the world.

Book your accommodation in advance

Not knowing where you’re staying when you arrive in a new place is likely to cause you some easily avoidable panic.

To avoid this stress, use Hostelworld/Hostelbookers/Booking.com or any other online booking provider to book your accommodation in advance. This way, you will be able to show your driver the address or, even better, request a pick up from the place you’re staying.

Don’t be put off by the staring

A lot of people who travel to India (especially women) say that they don’t like it when the locals stare at them. Although this is more than understandable as it can feel a little intimidating, try your best not to let it bother you. They mean no harm and are just intrigued by how different you are.

TIP: dressing conservatively will help you blend in with the locals and thus, should stop you from being stared at as much.

Stay in hostels

India has an up and coming backpacker scene (especially in the South) meaning hostels are quickly growing in numbers. If you are worried about being on your own for the whole of your trip, staying in hostels will pretty much guarantee that you meet lots of fellow travellers to share your experience with.

From staying in hostels I met people, which I travelled with for a week or two at a time and was even given the opportunity to be shown around Bangalore by a local I’d met at a hostel in Goa.

Book onto a tour/volunteer project

If you think you’d feel more at ease if you booked onto a tour or volunteer project, there are a great number of companies to choose from. The first time I went to India I did just this, and booked onto a volunteer project in Jaipur, which eased me into life in India and meant I met lots of other travellers.

Read up on India’s common scams

If you are aware of the common scams in India, you’ll be a lot more prepared to avoid them if needed.

Read other blogs (check out this post I wrote on scams in India), guide books etc. and you’ll feel a lot more prepped to dodge any scams, which may come your way.

Travel in daylight (as best you can)

If possible, I would recommend getting flights/buses/trains etc. in daylight hours. Like anywhere else in the world, travellers are more of a target at night-time and are therefore, more likely to feel at ease travelling in the day.

However, if you find yourself with no other option than to travel overnight, don’t feel as though it is unsafe to do so – most of my buses and trains were overnight on my last trip to India – I just feel more in control travelling in daylight when possible.

Like everywhere else in the world (even your home village/town/city), as long as you’re careful, stay calm, follow your gut instinct and don’t go off with strangers, you will be absolutely fine. India is my favourite place to travel and having to go on your own is not something, which should put you off.

India is known for being an extremely cheap place to travel, which it definitely is! However, as soon as you head closer to the touristy areas (especially in the South) you will notice the prices of food, drink and accommodation shoot up.

Having just spent 6 weeks in South India travelling through Goa, Karnataka, Kerala and Tamil Nadu, I have come across the cheapest of the cheap areas andddd… the not so cheap.

So, if you are thinking of travelling in India but are unsure whether you can afford it/how much money to budget whilst you’re there, here is my guide to what costs what in India.

N.B. This is based on travelling during peak season (Dec/Jan) in the South of India. Prices will be considerably lower as the season quietens down.

Food

The cost of food varies so much depending on where you are and what sort of food you like to eat. If you head to a restaurant popular with the locals and are happy to eat what the locals eat, you could indulge in a hearty Indian meal and a chai or two for less than 100 rupees (£1). Similarly, street food will cost around 8-20 rupees (8-20p) per piece.

However, as soon as you close in on the touristy areas such as, Agonda, Cochin and Varkala, expect a main course to cost you between 200-300 rupees (approx £2/3) plus 20-100 rupees (20p/£1) for bread/rice – I know, still very cheap in comparison to at home but if you have to stick to a tight budget (sorry to quote Tesco but…) every little helps.

Drinks

Drinks such as, water, coke, juice, tea and coffee cost around 20-60 rupees (20-60p) in both shops and restaurants whereas, location dependant, alcohol can come at a bit more of a price (especially in Kerala where prohibition is supposed to be in place).

In Kerala a large Kingfisher beer will set you back around 180 rupees (£1.80) and a spirit and mixer will cost approx 200 rupees (£2). HOWEVER, if you’re heading to Goa, you’ll be pleased to know that a small Kingfisher will only cost you 60 rupees (a whole 60 pence)! Dangerous…

Accommodation

Accommodation fluctuates a lot with the season. In peak season you will be able to find a room in a budget guesthouse for around 800-1500 rupees (£8-15) and a bed in a hostel for about 500 rupees (£5) including brekkie. If you don’t book in advance, it’s likely you’ll be able to barter the price down on the spot.

Most rooms will go down as much as half in price when the season quietens down.

Travel

If you’re happy to travel around the same way as the locals do then transport around India is dirt cheap.

Non air con, Government buses will cost you around 140 rupees (£1.40) for a 5/6 hour journey whilst short trips can be as little as 8 rupees (8p). For overnight transport you are probably better off booking a sleeper bus, which can cost anywhere between 600-1200 rupees (£6-12) depending on how long the journey is and where you are going to/from (if you are travelling to a very touristy area such as, Hampi, you may find the cost is a little higher than other, similar length trips).

Alternatively, you can hop on a train. If you don’t mind travelling in the sleeper class, trains can be extremely cheap however, they book up VERY fast. A 3/4 hour journey will cost you around 150 rupees (£1.50) and an 18 hour trip will be around 600 rupees (£6).

For exact prices and bus/train times check out Cleartrip.

Have you ever been to India? Was it cheaper or more expensive than you’d expected?

If you have had a read of my most recent ‘Postcards Home’ post (if you haven’t, find it here), you will know that I instantly fell in love with this majestic city.

Worlds apart from the coastline of Goa, Hampi is bathed in outstanding landscape, history and atmosphere, making it a must visit in the South of India.

However, this area has not always been as peaceful as it now appears. Due to its architectural heritage, the people of Hampi have been put through turmoil. In 2012, the government sadly made the decision to bulldoze parts of the bazaar overnight leaving locals homeless and in despair.

Despite this distress, the people of Hampi are still smiling, adding to how incredible this city is.

Although you could probably cover Hampi’s temples in a day or two, it is worth sticking around for a little longer to soak up the calm backpacker vibe. Whether you decide to stay on the bazaar side of the city or, on Hampi island, there is an abundance of things to do to keep you busy.

Here is my guide to five great things to see and do in Hampi:

Go for a wander around the bazaar

Hampi bazaar is full to the brim with cute stalls selling jewellery, souvenirs and fruit as well as, the bustling sound of locals and tourists haggling with the smiley stall owners.

Located right next to the Virupaksha temple, the bazaar tends to be packed with people heading to the temple to make offerings to the Gods, buying coconuts and flower garlands from the market on their way.

Watch Lakshmi the elephant being washed in the lake

Every morning at around 7.15am, Lakshmi the elephant, who lives in the Virupaksha temple, is led down to the lake to be washed, scrubbed and pampered by her owners (she has now been passed down through two generations of the same family).

Head to the lake with a sweet chai to witness this heart-warming occasion or, get comfortable in one of the many rooftop restaurants with a view of the lake.

Rent a bike/moped

To soak up this enchanting city to its full potential, you are best off renting a bicycle or moped.

As the temples are randomly scattered throughout the city,  we decided to join a bike tour to ensure that we didn’t get lost and to also help us understand what we were looking at.

We found a tour run by the tourism office, which started inside the Virupaksha temple and explored the temples in the Royal Centre (an area around 2km from the bazaar where a lot of the temples are). Starting at 9am and finishing at around 2pm (450 rupees), we had a fabulous morning cycling through peaceful banana tree-lined roads, tasting yummy sugar cane juice and learning about the fascinating history of each temple we visited.

You can find this tour to the right of the entrance to the temple (next to where you buy your ticket).

Walk to Vittala temple

Known as being the most spectacular temple in Hampi, the Vittala temple is situated around a 30/40 minutes walk from the bazaar. Although the temple itself wasn’t my favourite, the exceptional scenery on the way made the walk more than worthwhile.

Surrounded by mounds of charcoal coloured boulders, hidden ancient temples nestled in overgrown foliage, monkeys jumping from tree to tree and wicker basket boats bobbing along the lake, we felt as though we had been transported back into the old ages… or into a scene of the Flintstones.

Grab a fresh coconut and a handful of fruit and wander until your heart’s content.

Visit Hampi Island

Situated a 2 minute boat ride (10 rupees) from Hampi bazaar, Hampi Island is thought to be the more relaxing side of the city to stay on. Full of huts with hammocks and restaurants with cinemas, it is easy to see how it has gained this reputation.

Whether you decide to stay on the island or, just pop over for a day (like I did), be sure to make the 15 minute tuk tuk journey from the centre to the Monkey Temple. At the top of a staggering 570 steps, you will find a pearly white temple with sweeping panoramic views of Hampi and beyond – the perfect spot to absorb the city’s tranquility.

End your day with a crisp cold beer overlooking the luscious paddy fields.

Have you ever been to Hampi?  What were your favourite things to see and do in this bewitching city?

Despite it being a very small state in comparison to its larger neighbours, each of its beaches are diverse and have their own personality, which will either capture or break your heart.

After travelling through Goa for a few weeks, I have come to discover the highlights of this region’s pristine coastline.

Here is my guide to the beaches of Goa:

Anjuna Beach

Anjuna, known as the ‘hippie beach’ of Goa, is located around an hour and a half taxi ride North of the airport. Full of quirky backpackers relaxing in beach shacks and bopping along to reggae music, it is a brilliant beach to chill out on in the day and party on at night.

Be sure to head to the huge flee market, which pops up next to the beach every Wednesday and Sunday (night market).

Candolim Beach

If you’ve had a read of my first ‘Postcards Home’ post (if you haven’t, check it out here), you’ll know that I’m not Candolim’s biggest fan. Often referred to as ‘the Benidorm of Goa’ and situated around an hour taxi ride North of the airport, Candolim is a popular destination for families and groups of friends looking for good weather and cheap booze. Consequently, the beach has become overrun by sunbeds and beach shacks blaring trance music (even when you’re trying to enjoy a tranquil beach dinner… *jeez I sound old*).

If you are just after a beach to relax on for a couple of weeks then Candolim may be perfect for you however, as a traveller trying to escape the tourists, it wasn’t my cup of tea.

Khancola Beach

The polar opposite to Candolim, Khancola is a secluded beach nestled down a steep mountainside. Offering spectacular views across the ocean and forrest from the top of the mountain and a deserted alcoved beach with calm waters at the bottom, this was by far my favourite beach in Goa.

Accessible by tuk tuk, taxi or moped down a dusty dirt track, this beach is around a 15 minute journey from Agonda.

Agonda Beach

Agonda is a more picture-perfect version of Palolem. A pristine beach, popular with yoga and meditation fanatics as well as, herds of cows (they seem to be like the beach mafia here), Agonda is somewhere where you end up feeling really at home.

Although there is little to do in this area other than lay in the sun in the day and watch the sunset with a cocktail in the evening, I would highly recommend at least a day trip to this zen beach.

Palolem Beach

Palolem is the perfect combination of tranquility and tourism.

Lined with beach huts for every budget, chilled out bars and restaurants and panoramic views to die for, Palolem is the perfect beach to head to if you want to escape the mania of the North but still be surrounded by fellow travellers.

With its calm waters, Palolem beach is the best place to rent a kayak at sunset to paddle out to try to find dolphins (100 rupees per person for 1 hour).

Another prime place to watch the sunset – Neptune Point can be found to the far left of the beach (when facing the sea). Nestled behind palm trees, a mound of rocks and a restaurant, this point boasts an elevated view of the beach and ocean through the shadow of swaying palm trees. Watch as the sky morphs from pale pink to dusty purple and the beach lights up.

If Palolem is still a little too crowded for your liking, head 10 minutes down the road to Patnem Beach, a slightly smaller and quieter version of Palolem.

Although I was unsure about Goa to begin with, I soon learnt to appreciate how liberal the region is as well as, the relaxed vibe and fabulous scenery it has to offer.

I just hope that the already developed beaches stop developing and the undiscovered beaches stay undiscovered…