The Solo Traveller
Your independence, passion, and lifelong memories.
Departures
Chittorgarh Fort, a UNESCO World Heritage site, Chittorgarh City, Rajasthan, India. Photography: Chetan Soni @ Adobe Stock.
Solo, but never alone, in India
By Geoffrey Williams
India doesn’t just welcome you, it envelops you. This is a country of contrasts – ancient and modern, crowded and calm, and welcoming and complex. From the incense-laced alleyways of Varanasi to the high-altitude hush of Ladakh, India is a country that confronts the senses and stirs the spirit. It offers ancient wisdom and digital hustle, relentless noise and unexpected calm, sprawling cities and sacred solitude, often all in a single day!
Travelling solo here requires more than an itinerary – it calls for openness, patience, and a flexible spirit. But for those willing to meet it on its own terms, India offers experiences that stay with you long after you’ve moved on. In a country as vast and layered as India, organised tours offer more than just convenience – they unlock the stories hidden within its scale. From the dusty forts of Rajasthan to the lush backwaters of Kerala, and the temple towns of Tamil Nadu to the bustling spice markets of Delhi, India is a mosaic of languages, cuisines, customs and centuries of history.
A guide who knows each region’s rhythm helps you do more than see India, they help you understand it. Local knowledge helps solo travellers navigate complexity with confidence, opening doors to experiences and connections that independent travel might miss. Whether it’s a quiet family-run restaurant tucked away from the crowds, a deeper understanding of local customs, or simply knowing the best time of day to visit a popular site, these touches can transform a trip from good to unforgettable.
Houseboats on Dal Lake in Srinagar, the largest city and summer capital of Jammu and Kashmir. Photography: Raisa Nastukova @ Adobe Stock.
Kehren Eade and Rakesh Singh are the facilitators at Pillow Menu Tours, offering exclusive tours to India based on significant cultural events throughout the year, and the appropriate weather conditions in the places they visit. Timing matters, and weather can shape your journey more than you might expect. India’s vast size means climate varies dramatically across regions, and being mindful of anticipated climatic conditions not only helps you pack wisely, but also ensures you get the most from your journey.
Partners in business and in life, Kehren (from Australia) and Rakesh (from India) have developed tours that offer solo travellers an opportunity to travel in comfort and with ease, all the way across this startlingly beautiful land.
When Kehren first travelled to India, he was alone, frightened, nervous and excited. “I met so many amazing ‘culture-hungry’ people along the way,” Kehren tells The Solo Traveller, “… including people who are still my ‘buddies’. This rarely happens when one is travelling with others – you meet groups, not other individuals. Travelling solo can be lonely at times, but once you stretch out the hand of friendship, you are enveloped by the special connections with others that you create together.”
Rakesh had never been in a plane before, and his first time travelling to solo (to Mumbai) was an “… unbelievable experience! Meeting new people who were only too willing to help with advice was a major support,” Rakesh tells The Solo Traveller. “Travelling solo meant I met lots more people than I do when travelling with others, and the experience was not only fun but also educational.”
“Rakesh inspires me daily with his (very) Hindu approach to the way we view the world together,” Kehren tells us. “We have always wanted to create lifelong memories of travel, and India is the country of our passion, our commitment to each other, and the travellers that join us to share the experience of India’s beauty and uniqueness. One example of the measure of our success at Pillow Menu Tours that we are incredibly proud of, is that our upcoming ‘Secrets of India’s Soul’ tour in October, already has fifteen people booked to join us, and fourteen of them have travelled with us before!”
So, what is the single greatest life lesson you learned from travelling solo? “Don't take people for granted,” Kehren says, without hesitation. “Everyone is special and has something unique to offer.” And your top three tips for success as a solo traveller? “Friendliness, flexibility and empathy.”
Travelling solo in India is a journey of discovery, challenge, and connection. With the right guidance and openness, it may well become one of the most rewarding adventures you undertake. You can find out more about Pillow Menu Tours at www.pillowmenutours.com
Geoffrey Williams is the Founder and Publishing Curator of The Solo Traveller.
More than just the journey
At The Solo Traveller, we believe travel isn’t just about the places we go, it’s also about the values we carry with us. Whether it’s a grassroots initiative, an environmental project, or a community program, these are the efforts Kehren and Rakesh believe are making a real difference, and ones they encourage fellow travellers to learn about and support.
“Animals Australia is an animal rights group we volunteer for (weekly) whilst in Australia, and we also support many animal rights groups in Australia and several in India. All animals are sentient beings and deserve the love we would also like to expect for ourselves.” You can find out more about Animals Australia here.
