Hi I'm Liva…If I'm honest, booking my flight to India was both exciting and terrifying.
For years, India had fascinated me. I had watched documentaries, read travel blogs, and followed countless backpackers online. Every photograph made me want to visit even more. The mountains, colourful festivals, ancient temples, cafés tucked away in the Himalayas, and the warmth of local communities all seemed incredibly inviting.
At the same time, almost every conversation I had before leaving Denmark included a warning.
"Are you really going alone?"
"Isn't India unsafe for solo women?"
"Why would you stay there for three months?"
The more opinions I heard, the more uncertain I became.
Some evenings I genuinely wondered if I should cancel the trip altogether.
Listening to My Dream Instead of My Fear
Despite all the doubts, something inside me kept telling me that India deserved a chance.
I wasn't looking for a luxury holiday.
I wasn't chasing famous landmarks.
I wanted to live slowly, meet local people, work remotely from the mountains, spend time in cafés, read books with views of the Himalayas, and experience everyday life instead of rushing through tourist attractions.
Planning such a long trip, however, felt overwhelming.
There were too many routes.
Too many blogs.
Too many opinions.
That's when I found Planout.
Instead of telling me where to go, they first wanted to understand why I wanted to travel.
That conversation immediately made me feel calmer.
Rather than dismissing my concerns, they acknowledged them. They shared practical advice, explained how to travel responsibly, recommended routes that suited solo travelers, and reminded me that India is a country of incredible diversity. Like anywhere else in the world, being informed and making sensible choices matters.
More importantly, they helped me stop seeing India through fear and start seeing it through curiosity.
My Journey Began in Delhi
Landing alone in Delhi felt surreal.
For a brief moment, every warning I'd heard came rushing back into my mind.
But something unexpected happened.
Nothing felt as frightening as I had imagined.
People helped me find my way.
The airport transfer was exactly where it was supposed to be.
The hotel staff welcomed me warmly.
Instead of feeling lost, I felt relieved.
After spending a little time in Delhi, my real adventure began.
The team had helped me arrange my overnight bus to Dharamshala and explained everything I needed to know beforehand. Knowing exactly where to board, what to expect, and having local recommendations waiting for me made the journey feel much less intimidating.
Sometimes confidence comes from simply knowing someone has your back.
Finding Peace in the Himalayas
The moment I reached Dharamshala, I understood why so many travelers never want to leave.
The mountains immediately slowed life down.
Prayer flags moved gently in the wind.
Small cafés overlooked endless valleys.
People smiled as they walked past.
Everything felt calmer.
Over the following weeks, I settled into a rhythm that quickly became my favourite part of the trip.
Mornings usually began with coffee and mountain views.
Afternoons were spent hiking, reading, wandering through local markets, or chatting with other travelers from around the world.
Evenings often ended with conversations that lasted much longer than expected.
Some of the people I met had originally planned to stay for a week.
Months later, they were still there.
I completely understood why.
The Fear Slowly Disappeared
Looking back now, I realise my biggest challenge wasn't India.
It was my own imagination.
Before arriving, I had built an image of the country based almost entirely on headlines, social media, and other people's experiences.
The longer I travelled, the more that image disappeared.
Instead, I discovered something much more meaningful.
Shop owners remembered my name.
Café owners asked where I'd been hiking.
Local families smiled and started conversations.
Other solo travelers quickly became friends.
Within a few weeks, places that had once felt unfamiliar started feeling surprisingly comfortable.
For the first time in a long time, I wasn't counting days.
I was simply enjoying them.
Three Months Changed More Than My Passport
Traveling alone teaches you a lot about yourself.
Traveling alone in India taught me even more.
It taught me patience.
It taught me confidence.
It reminded me that the world is often much kinder than the internet makes it seem.
Of course, I travelled responsibly. I listened to local advice, stayed aware of my surroundings, and made sensible decisions—just as I would anywhere else.
But I also learned not to let fear stop me from experiencing a place that had so much to offer.
If I had cancelled that flight because of everything I read online, I would have missed three of the most rewarding months of my life.
Until Next Time, India ❤️
When I left India after three months, I wasn't thinking about everything I had seen.
I was thinking about everything I had felt.
The confidence that grew with every destination.
The friendships that started over cups of chai.
The quiet mornings in the Himalayas.
The kindness of strangers who slowly became familiar faces.
I arrived in India carrying fear.
I left carrying gratitude.
And if there's one thing I'd tell another woman dreaming about travelling here, it's this:
Don't let someone else's fear become your story.
Come prepared.
Travel thoughtfully.
Keep an open mind.
Then give India the opportunity to introduce itself.
I have a feeling you'll fall in love with it, just like I did.
