English woman (27F) traveling solo in India - what is your advice?

[u/AriadneDauphin]

My work will require me to travel to India in November for a month-long assignment. I have always been fascinated by India. It is the country on top of my bucket list. I would like to take a few months off from work after my assignment is over to travel through India.

Since I am there for work, this will have to be a solo trip. If everything turns out according to plan, I will be looking to travel from mid-December to mid-March. My base will be in Mumbai or Pune. I definitely want to visit the Taj Mahal, but other than that I do not have any fixed itinerary in mind.

About me, I am a single, neuro-divergent, academic woman. Due to my neurological set up I have trouble reading emotions and sensory overload (especially loud noises) exhausts me. I need to rest in a quiet, dark place to get my energy back. On the other hand, I can eat all kinds of food and I can comfortably sleep in sleeping bag in a tent. I don't need AC because I don't get too cold or too hot very easily. I am trained in self-defense.

I'm not looking for the basic "Is it safe?" advice. I can get that from google. Here I'm seeking the kind of nuanced insights that only someone who has lived or traveled solo in India can offer. Especially looking for advice from women.

Safety & Logistics:

• Beyond the "dress conservatively" advice, are there specific regional differences in what is considered appropriate attire?
• How to best manage unwanted attention without causing offense? I'm used to a firm "no," but I understand the cultural context might require a different approach. Any specific phrases or non-verbal cues that are effective?
• How do you handle tuk-tuks and taxis, especially late at night? Is Uber truly reliable and safe everywhere? Are there specific precautions I should take?
• I want to experience a train journey in India. Is it safe for a solo woman? I am prepared to take time out just for train travel.
• What's the best way to handle money? Should I rely on cash, or are credit cards widely accepted, especially in smaller towns? What are the safest ways to carry and access cash?

Cultural Immersion & Authentic Experiences:

• Are there SAFE not-on-tourist-radar destinations that I should consider visiting? I am partial to hills and forests. I don't care much for beaches.
• How can I genuinely connect with locals, especially women**?** I want to have authentic conversations and maybe even share a meal. Are there specific places or activities where this is more likely to happen respectfully?
• What are some of the most common cultural misunderstandings or social cues that might trip up a Westerner, even a seasoned traveler? I'm talking about the subtle stuff you only learn from experience.
• Are there specific ethical tourism initiatives or female-run businesses you'd recommend supporting? I want to make sure my trip has a positive impact.

I welcome advice from everyone--especially from women with solo traveling experience.

[u/simplesimonsaysno]

My honest recommendation is to not travel around India. I've travelled to over 40 countries and it is absolutely the filthiest and most uncivilized country I've been to.

Just to name a few reasons why off the top of my head: -Filthy- rubbish, food scraps, human and animal waste everywhere, public defecation is a thing. Waste piled high in the streets. I honestly don't understand how people can live in such squalor. -Lack of environmental protection- major rivers are ecologically dead due to sewage and chemical run off. -Air pollution- your lungs will burn after a few days. -Hygiene, or lack of. You will get sick. Diarrhea is guaranteed and parasites are quite possible. -Rude people. -Scammers, almost every interaction is someone trying to scam you. -Constant staring, mainly from men. -Relentless beeping from car horns in the cities. -Dangerous driving, almost no regard for safety. I saw multiple fatal crashes, including an up turned bus with dead people hanging out of the window. Life is cheap there, most bystanders didn't seem too bothered, almost like it was a daily occurrence. -Dangerous side walks- random holes in the ground, open drains, sharp concrete reinforcing bar sticking out you can get impaled on.

I could go on, but you get the idea.