My journey to India was ignited over coffee with a university friend I'd met through an adventure club. He, an international student, had over the years shared stories of his life back home in Ludhiana, Punjab, and generously introduced me to his culture. During our catch-up, he mentioned he planned to return home to visit family and wondered if I wanted to tag along. We spent the following weeks pondering different itinerary options, customising experiences, and building excitement for the trip ahead.

A few weeks before we were set to depart, our plans changed, and I was left scrambling to coordinate a solo adventure in India. Through hours of research, it became increasingly clear that India wasn't a country I felt comfortable exploring as a solo woman. One blog recommended traveling with G Adventures, a company many of my friends had used in the past to travel across the globe.

Why did I decide to travel to India with G Adventures?

G Adventures, founded in 1990, has become a global leader in small-group adventure travel. Their ethos and tours aim to provide travellers with opportunities to interact with local communities and give back by staying at local accommodations, using local transport, and eating at local restaurants. G has established and supported over 100 social enterprises worldwide through this community engagement.

In India, I was fortunate to meet the wonderful women who worked within one of these social enterprises, Women with Wheels. This organisation provides livelihoods for women from disadvantaged areas across India through training and employment as professional drivers and is contracted by G Adventures to provide airport pick-up services for their India adventures.

The benefits of travelling with G Adventures became increasingly apparent as the trip progressed. As a solo female traveller, they provided the opportunity to use local transportation safely and meet incredible like-minded travellers. The company gave me the chance to explore parts of India that I wouldn't have discovered without the guidance of our trip CEO.

Booking a trip with G

While G Adventures offers many different travel styles, from their luxury-focused G-Luxe and National Geographic tours to their more budget-friendly options like Roamies by Hostelworld, 18-to-Thirtysomethings, and their "solo-ish" collection is specifically targeted toward solo travellers.

Booking a trip with G Adventures is incredibly simple thanks to their straightforward and accessible website. Keep an eye out for their last-minute deals and take advantage of their student discounts, loyalty rewards, and frequent sales. In late 2022, I paid $1,630.20 AUD for my tour, which included additional optional activities like a Jaipur hot air balloon ride, a cooking class in Udaipur, and a sunrise cycling tour around Jaipur. My Jaipur balloon ride was ultimately cancelled due to safety concerns about moderate winds so my trip cost just $84 AUD per day which is great value considering everything was organised for me.

The Trip: Uncover India: High Deserts & Markets

Trip Overview and all your questions answered!

The Uncover India: High Deserts & Markets Tour is targeted towards budget-conscious 18-to-Thirtysomething travellers who are seeking a fun and fast adventure through northern India. Across 15 days this tour visited Delhi, Agra, Jaipur, Tordi Sagar, Pushkar, Udaipur, Ahmedabad, Mumbai and Goa.

Who will you travel with and how large is the group?

You'll travel across northern India with a maximum of 18 other young travellers, visiting breathtaking landmarks, exploring several colourful forts and temples, and devouring the best of India's cuisine as you go.

Where will I stay on the tour?

Throughout the trip, you'll stay in simple hotels and hostels. Most were incredibly clean with amazing hosts, except for one unfortunate room allocation in Mumbai where my room had evidence of mould and dampness.

How will we travel around India?

For transportation, everything is taken care of for you! If you're lucky enough to get a small group like I was, you'll take a combination of local trains and private jeeps. If your group is on the larger side, you'll hop onto public buses, which I'm sure will add to the adventure and immersion into local life. You'll also have one internal flight on the trip between Mumbai and Goa and one overnight train, which is an incredible and very fun experience.

What is included in the tour and how much should I bring?

Your trip includes all the essentials: transport, a few key activities like visiting the Taj Mahal and Amber Fort, accommodation, and some meals.
Spending can vary depending on your travel style, but I’d recommend allowing around $50 to $100 AUD per day. That should cover your meals, drinks, souvenirs, tips, shopping at the endless bazaars, and any optional activities you might want to try. G Adventures lists the prices for optional extras in the Tour Details section of each trip page, so you can get a good idea of how much extra money to bring.
We also chose to tip our amazing CEO (Chief Experience Officer) at the end of the trip. G Adventures suggests around $30 to $50 AUD per person per week, which felt like a small thank you for such a memorable experience.

What do I need to know to prepare for my trip?

India is unlike anywhere I’ve ever travelled. Even when exploring with a group, it can be a challenging destination. There’s noticeable pollution, especially in Delhi, poverty is present in both cities and villages, and the crowds are on a whole different level. Cultural differences around things like privacy and punctuality can take a bit of adjusting to as well. Be ready to be approached for photos at almost every monument, and stay open to making plenty of new local friends wherever you go. It’s all part of the experience.

Safety tips for female travellers?

Like anywhere in the world, it is important to take a few extra precautions to stay safe while travelling. In India, it is a good idea to dress more modestly than you might at home. Clothing that covers your knees and shoulders is generally recommended. Keep an eye on your belongings, stay aware of your surroundings, and try to travel in pairs or groups at night, as wandering the streets alone after dark is not advised.

The Highlights

Our G Adventure CEO and Local Guides.

Dushyant, affectionately known by our group as "The Duke," has been guiding tours across India and Nepal since 2010, and he was truly the best guide our group could have hoped for. From our very first night in Delhi, when he took us to visit the serene Bangla Sahib Gurudwara Temple, to our daily Masala Chai runs from the best local vendors, and even organising fireworks for my birthday dinner in Udaipur, Dushyant went above and beyond to make sure every moment was unforgettable.

Throughout our two weeks in India, his hospitality was second to none. He also arranged for incredible local guides to show us around iconic landmarks like the Taj Mahal in Agra and the City Palace in Udaipur. These guides brought the places to life with their deep knowledge, passion for the history, and even a few tips on the best photo spots. Thanks to Dushyant and everyone we met along the way, we felt truly welcomed everywhere we went.

The Experiences:

Sheroes’ Hangout

After an afternoon spent marvelling at the beauty of the Taj Mahal and wandering through its immaculately kept gardens, we had the chance to dine at Sheroes Hangout. This inspiring café, founded in 2014, is a powerful social initiative that works to break the stigma surrounding acid attack survivors by offering them meaningful and dignified employment.

Every woman who served us that evening was a survivor, and it was an absolute privilege to sit with them, share a meal, and hear their stories. Their strength, grace, and warmth left a lasting impression on all of us. It is an experience I will carry with me forever.

Jaipur

Our time in Jaipur started on a high note with an open-top jeep safari through the city’s vibrant streets. We zipped through bustling markets, cruised past the Hawa Mahal, and made our way up to Nahargarh Fort just in time to watch the sun set over the city.

The following day, we experienced the magic of Bollywood with a film at Raj Mandir, India’s largest single-screen cinema, which seats more than 1,300 movie lovers. After that, we explored the stunning Amber Fort, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, and dove into the rich history behind this incredible architectural masterpiece.

Udaipur

Known as the Venice of the East, Udaipur was my favourite city on our tour through Rajasthan. Situated on several breathtaking lakes, it is famous for its stunning palaces, beautifully decorated homes, and mazelike streets. Udaipur had a lively arts scene, with artists showcasing their works in quaint shops at every turn. We explored the City Palace, at dinner at some of the most incredible restaurants, cruised along the lake at sunset and met many of the locals who called this city home. Within Udaipur, some members of my group and I had the opportunity to learn how to cook some traditional dishes in the home of a lovely Indian Auntie. Having the opportunity to learn how to make some of the best of India Cuisine whilst drinking chai and learning all about her life in India through endless family picture books gave us all a glimpse into the magic of India’s rich cultural history.

Final Verdict

This tour is perfect for young travellers who are keen to immersive themselves within the culture of their destination and don’t mind not staying in upscale hotels and are willing to embrace the challenge of navigating public transportation. I had an incredible time on my trip to India with G Adventures and still keep in touch with some of fellow travellers over a year later. If you’re planning a trip, I would highly recommend travelling to India with G Adventures as it’s well-planned trips, integration within the community and reputation will ensure that you have an incredible time.

G Adventures Trip Review: Two Weeks Uncovering India’s High Deserts and Markets