Rose Alateras

After several trips spent navigating Asia’s foreign customs, I have transitioned from a rookie tourist to responsible traveller. So, to help out first-time Asia travellers, I want to share some of the biggest lessons I’ve learned.

When feeling overwhelmed by the daily grind, I fondly recall India’s golden rule, taught to me by Varsha, my local Intrepid guide: “Just do the opposite of what would be normal anywhere else in the world”.

I wasn’t prepared for the variety of reactions I received when I told people I was going to India alone as a young female. Choruses of ‘be careful’ were sung and I was labelled as both ‘brave’ and ‘naive’.

In the days leading up my 16-day Real Rajasthan trip with Intrepid, my inner loner spent her time trying to catch my attention with reminders of my aversion to constant company. Luckily, I didn’t let it get to me and my inner loner was proven wrong.

Here are my essentials, tips and wonderful experiences of plastic-free travel through India.

The Himalayas have long bridged the extremes of outstanding natural beauty and exhilarating adventure. They are home to all 14 of the world’s 8000m-plus peaks, an impressive array of wildlife and for fans of folklore the fabled Yeti.