Travelling solo in India can be exhilarating yet intimidating. Yet there are those amongst us whose sense of adventure far outweighs our timidity in exploring new geographies, particularly a country like India. The kaleidoscopic wonderments and charms of this ancient land are something you should definitely make a part of your experiences in the Oriental world as a foreigner, regardless.

Encapsulating India's cultural heritage and people-to-people connections, the regal city of Jaipur in Rajasthan is ideal for solo travel. Warm hospitality is the key driver for your local experiences. “Padharo Mhare Des”, meaning “Welcome to my land”, as you step onto Rajasthani soil, immediately makes you feel wanted as a special guest.

The beautiful greeting, ‘khamagani’, to a guest is one of the most elegant regal forms of welcome in India. Stripped to its bare essence, it reflects the generational tradition of hospitality and respect deeply embedded in the culture of Rajasthan. From its rural enclaves to its urban landscapes, from its desert lands to its forested expanses, it’s a greeting which enfolds you in an embrace of warmth and belonging.

For the solo traveller, it's one of the most abiding allurements of visiting Jaipur. In fact, the shades of terracotta pink tinting the buildings of Old Jaipur, which gives it the moniker “The Pink City”, symbolise the welcome note scripted by Maharaja Sawai Ram Singh II to welcome the Prince of Wales (King Edward VII) on his visit to Jaipur in 1876. This “pink wash” of the Old City is an abiding reminder of that beautiful tradition to this day.

This all-embracing signature tone follows you around the Old City of Jaipur as you wander around its iconic palaces, monuments, museums, and bazaars. Do remember to follow traditions, like respecting the elderly by bowing your head slightly and greeting them with a khamagani and taking off your shoes while visiting the home of a local host. These are just common courtesies that earn you a smile of acceptance by the household.

What gives you extra comfort being on your own in Jaipur is that it's a pretty solo-friendly city. That’s lovely for solo female travellers who like to wing it on their own on their journey of discovery.

Distilling the charms of Jaipur, without being bogged down by the push and pull of fellow travellers, is one of the best ways to get to love the Pink City.

Also, instead of getting mired down by stray instances, the trick is to obviously follow the rules of single travel, as sensibly as you would in any other city around the world.

Rule of thumb applies here as well; go with your gut feel, avoid getting waylaid by traps by touts, choose hotels and local transport (Ola/Uber, e-rickshaw, and tourist taxis) wisely. Sakha ‘Women with Wheels’ is a social enterprise that offers safe and reliable transport services by women in select cities like Jaipur (Rajasthan), Delhi NCR, and Kolkata (West Bengal). For evenings out in the town, remain alert and be careful of your choice of venue. For example, it’s better to visit Amber Fort or Nahargarh Fort in the daytime with a registered guide. Also, shop where the locals do.

The safe and vibrant places of the city will draw you in with their many allurements, making you forget you are travelling solo. Be it the iconic Hawa Mahal, the “Palace of Winds” high above the vibrant Sireh Deori Bazaar, or the frantically busy Johri Bazaar (for jewellery), Bapu Bazaar (lovely traditional clothing, textiles, juttis and souvenirs), Tripolia Bazaar (lac bangles) and Chandpol (handicrafts galore). The Sireh Deori Bazaar itself hums with throngs made up of locals and visitors, diving into street snacks, shopping for handlooms, house linens and decorative items, and just hanging out at local eateries and cafés which have mushroomed along the route.

Find solitude and solace at the serene Govind Dev Ji Temple, a popular local spiritual hub. Lose yourself amidst the extravagant display of regalia at the serene and atmospheric City Palace Museum. Insta-worthy spots like the gilded beauty of a nightly illuminated Hawa Mahal, or the colourful Patrika Gate, put the spotlight on Jaipur’s eloquent architectural and decorative arts. Spend a relaxed evening enjoying high tea on the lawns of the beautiful Jai Mahal Palace.

Lend your support to the city’s initiative for the empowerment of women from lesser privileged economies in Jaipur. Take a dawn-lit Pink City Rickshaw tour of this delightful state capital. Run solely by women, this is one of the most inspirational stories of enterprise and socio-economic upliftment. Pink City Rickshaw Company has swiftly embedded itself in Jaipur’s cultural offerings and features regularly in global tour itineraries of the city.

Let curiosity drive your explorations. Jaipur is a lovely city, and you deserve to enjoy its wonders in all their richness and traditional splendour. So, ditch your doubts as a solo traveller. Go find the soul of Jaipur with an open heart and open mind. It’s a banquet of history, heritage, and cultural blandishments not to be spurned.