What is Solo Travel & Where Can You Begin

Solo travel in India was once an outlandish concept. Vacations meant afternoons of tea with extended family or kicking back with banter and shenanigans among a bunch of friends. By 2019 though, the trend was topping the list of travel trends in India. Instagram feeds were full of colourful pictures of lone travellers breathing easy against sunny landscapes.

We have surely come a long way, but even today, there are many who have questions that seem too commonplace to ask, and concerns that seem too serious to answer. In conversation with an 18-year-old on my way from Delhi to Jim Corbett, I encountered some of these queries and set out to answer them. Here are a few of them jotted down for you:

What is Solo Travel?

The term ‘solo travel’ often triggers big leaps towards traipsing the world with a threadbare backpack. That is not what it is (at least not just). Solo travel is commuting, exploring and discovering new places alone and as per one’s own will. But there are many ways of doing that. You could be trekking undulating terrains as a part of a solo travel group, or you could be taking a drive in your city for a coffee with yourself.

Where Should I Begin?

This was a question that bothered me too, some two years ago. And once again recently, I met a girl who was caught in the same web. The truth is, I found solo travel to be intimidating in the beginning, for my notion of the concept involved exploring unique, offbeat destinations, for in my head, it was otherwise of no value to set out alone.

Let me tell you, that’s far from accurate. In reality, baby steps are the way to go. Begin by setting out for a stroll in your neighbourhood. Take that to the next level by spending an evening at your favourite cafe, maybe with a book in hand. Once you’re comfortable with yourself, you’ll realise that the character of the place holds little consequence when you’re content from within. Soon you will find the confidence in exploring new places around you, which can go on to translate into longer trips in the unknown. 

Where Should I Go for a Solo Vacation?

Deciding where to go for a solo trip can seem overwhelming, but is not all that different from choosing from places to visit with a companion. You make a list of interests and figure out the logistics, and head to the destination that checks both.

To decide my next destination, I do the following:

1. Decide if I want a rejuvenating trip or an explorative adventure.
2. Research on the best places to visit in the month when I’m travelling. This could be based on seasons, festivals, events and other characteristic details about places.
3. Match a place with logistical requirements, like preferred mode of connectivity, duration of stay, etc.

What Do You Do on a Solo Trip?

I have always loved isolation. I love the hills and the quiet valleys, and need little to keep myself occupied. But this was not always the case. The first time I was alone away from home was in Ranikhet, Uttarakhand. As my first day descended into nightfall, the silence of the valley began to take over me. I had never felt so quiet, and was taken aback by how quiet life can get if you decide to do nothing. That night, I passed time watching an episode of Big Bang Theory. But you don’t want to remain glued to the screen on your vacation right?

Instead, equip yourself with hobbies and bucket lists. Travel prepared. I always carry a book with me, no matter where I am. I like to colour, and be sure to pack a set of colours and a pocket friendly colouring book. Invest in good earphones, resourceful books, maps to navigate you through the city and other equipment that keeps you motivated. Before leaving, be sure to have a basic itinerary in place. You don’t have to spend days idling away or wondering what you want to do next.

My new acquaintance, though, was someone who was scared of doing it all by herself. And that is understandable—travelling solo and living with yourself can reveal parts of you that you didn’t know existed, and put you in situations you’ve never experienced before.

So apart from being prepared to help yourself, also allow yourself the time and space to grow. Begin with destinations that have a lot to offer in terms of social life, sightseeing, adventure, culinary traditions or whatever it is that attracts you. If isolation and experimentation bothers you in the beginning, look out for well connected and sufficiently inhabited places. The allow yourself to meet new people, discover uncharted territories and find new ways of enjoying the quiet with yourself.

But take the first step. Who knows what you might chance into. Inspiration can strike anywhere, just like a train ride to Jim Corbett struck me with the idea for this blog post!