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Changing sociocultural attitudes and growing financial independence has emboldened women to travel on their own more frequently. As hospitality businesses, destinations and tour operators work to make their services safer for female travellers, it’s worth understanding women’s own preferences of the places they enjoy travelling to.
According to a recent Outlook Traveller-Toluna survey, Kedernath came out on top as women’s favourite spiritual destination with 35 per cent of interviewees responding favourably, followed by Tirupati in second with 31 per cent popularity. South India was perceived by 37 per cent of respondents to be the safest region in India, while 40 per cent considered North India to be the least safe. Finally, some of the most preferred travel destinations were mountains (67 per cent), nature and wildlife spots (63 per cent), and urban cities (62 per cent).
In lieu of these findings, here are some recommendations for women hoping to travel to these places.
This temple town is located in the Rudraprayag district of Uttarakhand and is one of four holy sites which make up the Char Dham yatra. The Kedarnath temple is dedicated to Shiva and is made up of grey stone slabs. It sits at an altitude of 3,580m against the backdrop of the Kedarnath peak and Kedarnath Dome. Besides the actual temple, here are three more places to visit in the area.
Also known as the Gandhi Tal, it’s a couple of kilometres from the main temple and it’s not just devotees who flock to its crystal clear waters. It is a popular picnic spot where visitors can soak in the panoramic views.
An underground cave which can hold only one person at a time, the Kedarnath Cave is worth visiting to find stillness and quiet during your pilgrimage. The cave is furnished with a single bed, a washroom with geyser and running water, and a heater. Bookings are required to access the cave.
An expedition to Vasuki Tal is a test of endurance but every kilometre reveals stunning vistas and a deep appreciation of the living world. The 8km trek winds upwards at an altitude of 4,135m and the lake itself is beautiful to behold. Tall peaks surround the lake and it is believed that Vishnu bathed in its pristine waters.
An important pilgrimage destination in Andhra Pradesh, Tirupati is home to the Sri Venkateshwara Swami Temple. It’s dedicated to Venkateshwara, the Lord of Seven Hills, and is one of the richest temples in the country. Devotees arrive throughout the year to pay their respects and admire its exquisite Dravidian art. Here are three more locations visitors should check out.
This 460 acre garden is the source of all the flowers which grace the altars of Tirupati’s numerous temples. Its manicured lawns and ornamental design are a treat for the senses. Spend some time here to relax and enjoy the pretty surroundings.
This is a natural arch some 2km from the Venkateshwara temple and a protected heritage site. In the Telugu language, sila means ‘rock’ and thoranam means ‘a garland strung over a threshold’. It’s worth visiting for a chance to marvel at this geological formation.
If you’ve ever harboured dreams of feeding deer then look no further than this reserve. Visitors will be treated to a diverse array of flora and fauna and be able to observe the behaviour of the deer. Vendors sell fruits and vegetables to feed them and a fence separates the animals and people for both parties’ safety.
The highest peak of the Western Ghats, Anamudi Peak is famously known as the ‘Everest of South India’. Sitting at an altitude of 2,695m above sea level, it’s a popular trekking spot and is part of the Eravikulam National Park in Munnar, Kerala. Various wildlife call this area home such as the Nilgiri tahr, Asian elephants, gaur, Bengal tigers and the Nilgiri marten, among others. Tea and spice plantations are common here and the area abounds with evergreen forests of bamboo and teak trees. Its green meadows are a popular spot for picnics.
Twenty kilometres away from Kodaikanal is Perumal Peak, the highest point in the Perumalai Hills of Tamil Nadu. The peak is 2,440m tall and offers breathtaking sights of the Nilgiri Hills and the Western Ghats. Local belief has it that the peak was once an active volcano which stopped erupting a thousand years ago. A hike takes a refreshing four hours and trekkers can also camp for the night.
This is the second highest peak in the Nilgiri Hills and stands at an altitude of 2,630m above sea level. It is close to Ooty in Tamil Nadu and the area has beautiful tropical trees and timberlands. The peak provides enchanting views of the surrounding valleys and high mountains.
Kudremukha National Park covers 600 square kilometres of Chikkamagaluru, Udupi and Dakshina Kannada districts in Karnataka. It is home to several species of birds like the imperial pigeon, Malabar trogon and great pied hornbill, and mammals like leopards, tigers, common langurs, sloth bears and Malabar giant squirrels. The green hills, forests, grasslands and streams in this park are a sight for sore eyes. Don’t miss the Kudremukh peak which looks like a horse’s face.
This national park in the Palakkad district of Kerala is situated in the Nilgiri Biosphere Reserve and is one of the last undisturbed tracts of mountainous rain forests in India. It is spread over 237.52 square kilometres and has exceptional floral and faunal diversity, consisting of over a thousand species of plants and at least 41 different types of mammals, 211 types of birds, 49 types of reptiles, 47 types of amphibians, 12 different fishes, 164 different butterflies and 400 species of moths. The lion-tailed macaques are a flagship species and indigenous tribal groups like the Irulas, Kurumbas, Mudugas and Kattunaikkars live within the park’s boundaries.
Covering an area of 321 square kilometres, the Mudumalai National Park sits in Tamil Nadu alongside the borders of Karnataka and Kerala. It has been part of the Nilgiri Biosphere Reserve since 1986 and the animals which have made it their home include leopards, tigers, sloth bears, striped hyenas, dholes, golden jackals and Asian elephants. The Moyar river separates Mudumalai from Bandipur National Park in Karnataka. Trekking, birdwatching and safaris are popular activities for visitors.
With monikers like ‘the city of palaces’, ‘heritage city’ and the ‘cultural capital of Karnataka’, Mysuru should undoubtedly be on your travel itinerary. Not only is it one of the cleanest places in India but it was also the capital of the Kingdom of Mysore from 1399 to 1947. The Mysore Palace is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and the city is a hub for visitors during the Dasara festival. Its silk sarees are renowned for their quality and beauty and Mysuru is the birthplace of Ashtanga yoga. It is frequently touted as a safe place for women.
This city is the southernmost tip of the Indian subcontinent and is called ‘Land's End’. It is the meeting point of the Arabian Sea, the Bay of Bengal and the Indian Ocean, and is rooted in Indian mythology, with stories linking it to the virgin goddess Kanyakumari Devi. Its geographical location and cultural heritage combine to make it a popular destination for tourists. The Vivekananda Rock Memorial, the Thiruvalluvar Statue, the Kanyakumari beach, the Thirparappu waterfalls and the Gandhi Memorial Mandapam see plenty of footfall. The city is generally considered safe for women.
Popularly known as Vizag, this port city is the largest and most populous metropolitan city in Andhra Pradesh. It is known for its picturesque beaches and a rich cultural past. The Araku Valley, Yarada beach, the Borra Caves, the Submarine Museum and the Katiki waterfalls are just some of its well-known tourist spots. The city is generally considered safe for women.
