ColePhelps

I actually appreciate your question and am a little annoyed by the slightly holier-than-thou tone of some of the replies. Your question is valuable to me personally since I (medically, dear saints) cannot risk being near especially dirty conditions, excrement especially. I am also not interested in paying my hard-earned money to be depressed. I really want to go to India. So, I am glad you asked. I am aware of the toileting habits in this country. I will be asking Indian friends how to go about this trip before departing. Thank you for asking this question, I think I will not travel there alone because of the frequent sexual battery and not uncommon rapes.

Dieuwer

Are you considering a tour?
If so, I thought about that but the high prices and "single supplement" are putting me off.

ColePhelps

I'm guessing that a place that (I am told) considers street groping of women culturally axiomatic [it's virtually unheard of to be groped on the street in the U.S. It's utterly unacceptable and illegal.] would not be "friendly" to a person who is openly homosexual, or transgendered. Obviously, there is homosexuality practiced everywhere, so there must be a mode of behavior/dress that is acceptable.

Yes, but have not looked into it. I REALLY don't "do" bus tours. It's just not me. Also, I consider it a security risk on it's own since robbers and terrorists would spot you as Western or as "rich" riding around in (or getting off) a clean, air-conditioned coach. A friend of mine who is Indian told me a friend of his was killed by classmates who were jealous of his possessions and money. They killed him to steal his stereo and a few other trifles that would charm a small mind. It could happen in the U.S. but this would be investigated by the police. The Indian police found the guys but did nothing. This will not deter me, but makes it clear that traveling with a guide is paramount.

Thank you for this thoughtful, and helpful answer. I was thinking A&K when I responded to the original inquiry. A tour bus sounds just awful in terms of removing you from TOO much of the travel experience. I think I have a sense of what "flash packing" might mean. But I am not clear. Would you offer an explanation of this style of travel? I tend to load up a knapsack style backpack with locally-obtained deli goods and head out to whatever museums and vistas I planned to see for the day, returning to the hotel late afternoon for some quality napping. And then out for dinner/movie meeting others. But that's in no way back packing...

oliver2002

India has been a destination for gay men since ages. Granted, there are no CSD parades, but male homosexuality is not seen as an issue at all.

gottaluvNW

But it is still illegal (on paper...)

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Homosexuality_in_India

oliver2002

Well, that is true for most of Asia.

LHR/MEL/Europe FF

Yes! It is somewhat possible!

The biggest benefit we found from our couple of trips to India was to book a private car and driver to pick us up from each airport, and then to take us around the city for a day.

Arriving tired to be faced looking for a taxi in the heat and humidity, with plenty of touts, was tiring and added to frustration levels.

Once we cottoned on that a car was the way to go... everything was a breeze! Met by the driver, air conditioned, comfortable car (can still be very cheap), no need to worry about the safety of the vehicle, or whether they were taking you the 'long way'.

And if your arrival is a breeze, it sets you up in a positive way to enjoy the following days.

As for the rest - the noise, the crowds, the activity, the touts... it's all part of the fun! It's all safe enough... we never felt threatened. A [firm but polite] 'no' is enough to make touts go away.

jadecocoa

I have considered some tours that fit the flashpacking model from Intrepid, Explore, Exodus, etc. No single supplement if you are prepared to share a room; otherwise the supplements seem reasonable.

Dieuwer

Flashpacking?

Gynob001

The OP should see smily faces of the poor, people living on less than a dollar a day and yet with high spirits, hard working street vendors who walk miles everyday and who haven't had a day of vacation in their entire life.
I have a suggestion to the OP. Go to India (you can claim that you visited India), stay in the Airport Hotel and watch TV or downloaded Taj Mahal videos. No Khajuraho as you could be noted as a porn viewer.
However, to a few posters here, don't expect India to change because you want to travel to India.