Safety, Sisterhood, and Stardust: The Solo Woman’s Guide to Christmas & New Year Group Trips

Christmas plans have a funny way of falling apart. One friend cannot get leave, another has a wedding to attend, and the one who promised to organise everything has gone mysteriously silent.

By the time everyone agrees on a date, December is almost over.

But your holiday does not have to depend on everyone else’s calendar.

If you want to spend Christmas in the mountains or welcome the New Year somewhere unfamiliar, joining a group trip is one way to travel without organising every detail yourself. For women who would rather not travel alone, a women-only departure offers the chance to explore with other women while retaining the freedom to book a trip independently.

Think mountain roads, shared accommodation, long conversations over dinner and a Christmas evening spent somewhere other than your living room.

Here are seven JustWravel trips to consider for the festive season, along with practical advice for choosing one that suits your travel style.

Why Consider a Group Trip as a Solo Woman?

Travelling alone can be liberating. It can also mean figuring out every transfer, accommodation booking and unexpected change yourself.

A group trip takes some of that planning off your plate. You have an itinerary to work with, other travellers to share the journey with, and a trip captain coordinating the experience.

For women who want a women-only holiday, JustWravel’s All-Girls Trips feature female trip captains, verified stays, vetted transport and on-ground support, according to its official website. Check the individual package for the arrangements that apply to your departure.

There is also the social side. You might arrive knowing nobody and end up sharing photographs, meals and stories with people you would never otherwise have met.

And no, you do not need to become best friends with everyone. Sometimes, a good trip is simply a good trip.

7 Trips to Consider for Christmas and New Year

1. All-Girls Manali, Kasol and Jibhi: For a Himalayan Christmas

Duration: 6 nights, 7 days
Starting and ending point: Delhi

If your idea of a December holiday involves mountain views, riverside cafés and a festive evening with fellow travellers, this is a good place to start.

The All-Girls Manali–Kasol–Jibhi backpacking trip is designed specifically for women travelling together. The seven-day itinerary gives you time to explore the Himachal circuit rather than attempting to squeeze a mountain holiday into a weekend.

It is worth considering if you want a women-only trip but do not want to plan the route, stays and transfers independently.

Best for: First-time solo travellers, mountain lovers and women looking for a festive trip with a women-only group.

Explore the All-Girls Manali–Kasol–Jibhi Christmas and New Year trip.

2. All-Girls Meghalaya with Kaziranga: For a Christmas Beyond the Mountains

Duration: 6 nights, 7 days
Starting and ending point: Guwahati

Not everyone wants to spend December chasing snow. Meghalaya offers a different kind of holiday, with waterfalls, caves, green landscapes and distinctive local culture.

JustWravel’s All-Girls Meghalaya Backpacking with Kaziranga trip includes Shillong, Cherrapunji, Dawki, Mawlynnong and Kaziranga. The listed itinerary also includes a safari in Kaziranga.

It is a longer nature-focused holiday for women who would rather spend the festive season exploring than following a conventional party itinerary.

Best for: Nature lovers, photographers and travellers interested in a women-only group adventure.

Explore the All-Girls Meghalaya with Kaziranga trip.

3. Himachal Explorer Edition: Five Destinations, One Long Holiday

Duration: 10 nights, 11 days
Starting and ending point: Delhi

For those who can take a longer break, the Himachal Explorer Edition covers five destinations: McLeodganj, Bir, Jibhi, Kasol and Manali.

The listed trip highlights include paragliding at Bir Billing, Jalori Pass and Serolsar Lake, river rafting, a Christmas celebration and a New Year’s celebration in Manali.

This is the option to consider if your ideal holiday involves more than settling into one hill station and spending the week in cafés.

Best for: Travellers who enjoy outdoor activities, multi-stop itineraries and longer group holidays.

Explore the Himachal Explorer Edition.

This is a group backpacking package, not necessarily a women-only departure.

4. Uttarakhand Explorer Edition: Christmas in the Hills, New Year by the Ganges

Duration: 9 nights, 10 days
Starting and ending point: Delhi

This itinerary combines Auli, Joshimath, Kausani, Binsar and Rishikesh. The listed experiences include an Auli chair-car ride, 16 km of river rafting, birdwatching in Binsar and Christmas celebrations in Joshimath.

The New Year portion includes a celebration by the Ganges, with Ganga Aarti, music and a bonfire listed among the highlights.

It is a good option for travellers who want a mix of mountain scenery, nature and outdoor activities rather than a holiday centred entirely on nightlife.

Best for: Nature enthusiasts and travellers who enjoy an active itinerary.

Explore the Uttarakhand Explorer Edition.

Check the group format before booking if a women-only trip is essential to you.

5. Winter Spiti: For Women Who Want a More Demanding Adventure

Duration: 8 nights, 9 days
Starting and ending point: Delhi

Winter Spiti is not the trip to choose simply because snow looks good in photographs. It is a cold-weather journey through a high-altitude region where conditions can change quickly.

If you are prepared for the cold and understand that winter travel may involve itinerary changes, Spiti offers a very different festive experience from a conventional hill-station holiday.

Before booking, read the itinerary carefully, check the physical requirements and ask about weather-related contingency plans.

Best for: Adventure-minded travellers who are comfortable with demanding winter conditions.

Explore the Winter Spiti Christmas trip.

This is a group trip; confirm whether your selected departure is women-only.

6. Kashmir Winter Trip: For Snowy Landscapes and Slow Mornings

Duration: 5 nights, 6 days
Starting and ending point: Srinagar

If you would rather spend your festive break looking at winter landscapes than planning a packed schedule of activities, Kashmir is worth considering.

JustWravel’s Kashmir winter package is listed as a six-day group trip starting and ending in Srinagar. Check the actual itinerary for its destinations, sightseeing arrangements and inclusions before booking.

Keep your plans flexible: snowfall, road access and outdoor activities depend on the weather.

Best for: Photographers, scenic travellers and those looking for a winter-focused holiday.

Explore the Kashmir Christmas and New Year trip.

7. Rajasthan Backpacking: For a Festive Break Without the Snow

Duration: 7 nights, 8 days
Starting and ending point: Jaipur

A winter holiday does not have to involve thermals, snow boots and checking the weather every morning.

JustWravel’s Rajasthan backpacking itinerary connects Jaipur, Udaipur, Jodhpur and Jaisalmer. It is an option for travellers who prefer historic architecture, markets, regional food and desert landscapes.

The trip offers a change of pace from the mountain-focused Christmas options and gives you several destinations to explore over one extended holiday.

Best for: History enthusiasts, food lovers and travellers who prefer cultural exploration.

Explore the Rajasthan Christmas and New Year backpacking trip.

Confirm the group format and festive departure dates on the package page.

Before You Book: A Practical Safety Checklist

A group trip can simplify travel planning, but it is not a guarantee that nothing will go wrong. Before paying for your holiday, check the details that matter to you.

• Accommodation: Confirm the stay, room-sharing arrangements and occupancy.
• Transport: Check the departure point, transfers, overnight journeys and return timings.
• Trip captain: Find out how to contact the trip leader and what support is available.
• Emergency arrangements: Ask how illness, accidents, delays and weather disruptions are handled.
• Inclusions: Read the package details to see which meals, activities, permits and transfers are covered.
• Winter conditions: For mountain trips, check clothing requirements, road conditions and contingency plans.

Share your itinerary with someone you trust, keep your phone charged and carry essential medication. For remote winter destinations, follow the trip captain’s advice and avoid taking unnecessary risks to reach a viewpoint or activity.

Which Trip Should You Choose?

If you specifically want a women-only holiday, start with the All-Girls Manali–Kasol–Jibhi or Meghalaya–Kaziranga departures.

If you have more time and want a multi-destination adventure, compare the Himachal and Uttarakhand Explorer Editions. Winter Spiti suits travellers prepared for challenging conditions, while Kashmir offers a winter-focused trip. Rajasthan is worth considering if you prefer heritage and cultural experiences to mountain weather.

Check the duration against your available leave, and do not assume every package is women-only just because it is a group trip.

This Christmas, Make Your Own Plans

You do not need to wait for everyone’s calendars to line up before taking a holiday.

Whether you want a week exploring Himachal, a nature-focused trip through Meghalaya, a demanding winter journey in Spiti or a cultural escape through Rajasthan, choose a trip that fits your time, interests and comfort level.

And if travelling with a group of women makes taking that first step easier, start there.

Explore JustWravel’s All-Girls Trips for women-only departures, or browse the individual Christmas and New Year packages above to plan your festive break.

Frequently Asked Questions