Guide to choosing the right tour group for solo female travelers

Are you a woman captivated by Kangana Ranaut’s hit film?QueenDo you dream of embarking on the adventurous world of solo travel? Or have your plans to travel the world with friends been stuck in WhatsApp group chats and solo travel is your only option? Don’t worry – the trend of travelling alone but joining a group of like-minded adventurers is here to save the day. Tour operators now cater to people without travel companions, forming groups and managing all the logistics, allowing you to focus on your trip.

Travelling is a treasure trove that allows you to explore different cultures, civilisations and most importantly, yourself. Once a male-dominated activity, solo travel is now a popular means of self-discovery for women, who are breaking social norms and reclaiming their freedom. While many women travellers opt for such group tours, believing that this will solve most of their travel challenges, safety remains a concern.

We in ABPLiveI spoke to some of these daring women who choose to travel alone and asked them what factors they consider most when booking with tour operators.

What the women said

Even after 78 years of independence, it can be difficult for society to allow a woman to live freely. With the news full of crimes against women, it takes great courage to embark on a journey where you may know little about the place and nothing about the people accompanying you. However, many women traveling alone have discovered ways to stay safe and fully enjoy their adventures.

According to Tanni Mandal, who has been travelling solo for years, it is important to keep an open mind because not everything will go as expected. “When I decided to try travelling alone, I looked into travel agencies. I was hesitant at first because they can be a bit more expensive, but I soon realised it was worth it. They take the stress out of me, give me peace of mind and organise trips with like-minded people, which made my travels much more enjoyable and rewarding.” “Trusting tour guides leads to discovering new places, people or foods that become memories for life.” He added, recalling his trip with a travel company in 2023.

Another woman, Sneha Goyal, who has been travelling since 2016, spoke about how tour operators are judged by their speech. “As a solo female traveller, I make sure I have two or three calls with the agents or tour team to find out more about their speech. I prioritise safety and quality, and ask how many women are travelling in that group.” She also suggested not to miss the terms and conditions, the itinerary and the Google reviews, especially regarding safety and group dynamics.

Tanni, Sneha, Kalyani and many others said they only prefer small groups. “I prefer smaller and more diverse groups for a more personalized experience, like on my last trip to Manali where we were a small group of 6-7 people,” Sneha said.

Kalyani Kapdi, who has been a physiotherapist and avid traveller for decades, advises checking hygiene en route, toilet facilities and nutrition standards, focusing on female participants.

Another explorer, Natasha Khanna, said that she travelled to Himachal, Uttarakhand, Leh Ladakh, Rajasthan and Kerala as a solo traveller with various tours and found this phenomenon revolutionary. She mentioned, “I usually check the pictures and reviews on their social media pages before deciding on a tour company. I check if any of my friends have travelled before or heard of those names. Also, checking the reviews is a must.”

Tanya Chaudhary credits vlogging for the first-hand information it provides her. “YouTube and the new vlogging culture has been a blessing. I make sure to look up the company there and read video reviews.”

Most women travelers also talked about how important it is to stay informed with their families and a few close friends about daily schedules, routes, details of the stay, etc. This allows them to create memories and reduces their stress level.

Read also: Lost your passport abroad? Step-by-step guide to return home safely

Factors to Consider When Booking Travel as a Solo Female Traveler

Based on conversations with experienced female travelers, here are the key factors to consider before deciding on a travel agency:

1. Prioritize security over cost reduction

Traveling has become more accessible and affordable, especially for young people, but cutting corners on adventure travel can be dangerous. It is a human tendency to always look for cheaper packages, often ignoring the potential sacrifice of safety measures taken by travel agencies. No matter how popular a travel agency is on social media, prioritize safety and quality over price because cutting corners can cost you your life.

2. Group size matters

Knowing the group size is another important aspect. Ideally, a group should consist of 10-12 participants, but no more than 20. Find out what the tour company’s average group size is and ask for the exact number of participants. From fun to management, group size influences everything. Most women travelers prefer smaller groups as it ensures better accommodation, safety, and attention from the guide.

3. Review the terms and conditions

Most people do not read the terms and conditions carefully. Always read the terms and conditions section twice as it will give you an idea of ​​the company’s values ​​and priorities. Find out whether women’s safety and comfort are on their priority list or not.

4. Read Google reviews

Always check reviews from previous tour participants. This will give you valuable insight into the company’s operations on the ground and whether they deliver on their promises. Reach out to previous participants and ask them about their experiences, especially regarding the treatment of female travelers.

5. Women leaders and participants of the walk

Before making full payment, make sure that the tour includes a female guide. Having a female guide will bring you comfort. Also, check how many women are in the group. If you ever feel threatened or uncomfortable, having a woman around you will be an important support.

6. Research is the key

When booking a tour, thorough research is your best ally. Start by checking the credibility of the company, the experience of their guides, and how long they have been in the industry. You should also check if they subcontract to local operators, as this can lead to unexpected issues. Make sure you understand the itinerary, quality of accommodation, food provisions, and any additional costs you may have to cover.

7. YouTube vlogs are your backup

Watching videos of bloggers who have traveled with the same company will give you first-hand insight into their services. Try looking for female vloggers to gauge how the company addresses women’s safety and needs.

8. Consider custom groups just for girls

Many tour operators now offer customized girls-only trips, making it easier to convince your parents and providing a safer, more comfortable and convenient option for women traveling alone.

9. Keep your loved ones informed

The most important thing to do when traveling is to keep your loved ones informed. Share the contact numbers of your tour guides and some participants with your close friends or family members. Also, provide them with the tour itinerary and your real-time location so that they can contact you in case of an emergency.

Read also: Dark tourism: From Wayanad to Chernobyl: what draws people to places linked to death and disasters

Additional security measures

While it’s important to trust tour companies and guides, ultimately your safety is your responsibility. Bring essentials like a compass, pepper spray, and a Swiss Army knife to be prepared for emergencies.

Sonia, an experienced traveller, advises: “Create a safe space around yourself and maintain boundaries. Don’t let everyone into your personal space right away. Take your time to observe people before sharing any personal information.”

It is also a good idea to keep a small diary with all the details about routes, places and emergency contacts for family, friends and local authorities. This guide will come in handy if you find yourself in a difficult situation.