When was the last time you did something for the first time? This year, maybe go ahead and say ‘yes’ to that solo trip you’ve been relegating to the distant future. The first time can be daunting. But our time-tested travellers promise it gets better. Their suggestion: make solo travel a habit.      

1. Just do it  

Life happens outside your comfort zone, believes Jaipur-based Neeru Saluja (71). This advice has stood her in good stead during the last 14 years that she’s spent globetrotting from the Galapagos Islands to the Atlantic. “My husband and I always loved to travel,” Neeru explains, momentarily reliving their many rendezvous on the Vespa scooter, having breakfast in one city, lunch in another, and dinner in a third. 

After her husband passed away in 2010, travel took a backseat for Neeru. But instead of being wistful about the past, she decided to reclaim her adventurous side and booked herself a solo trip — a Christmas cruise through Europe in 2014. Since then, there has been no looking back.  

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2. Help will arrive when you need it 

Despite all the meticulous planning, there is bound to be a sticky moment or two during your solo expedition. This is what the years — and 50 solo adventures — have taught Chandigarh-based lawyer Shvangi Sharma (34). 

When Shvangi was travelling from Kerala to Tamil Nadu by road in 2016, she recalls having forgotten the RTO permit. Years later, her takeaway from the incident isn’t the mistake, but the kindness of a police officer who stepped in to help. “When I told him about my permit issue, he called someone from the RTO on the way and got me a permit without having to visit the office. That incident fuelled my confidence for the rest of the trip,” she says.

Another solo travel aficionado, Vimal Geethanandan (30) from Andhra Pradesh, underscores the same lesson. Though Vimal has been backpacking since 2016, it hasn’t always been a breeze. Take, for instance, that time in 2021 when he contracted COVID-19 while on the road. “I was in a forest area and did not have the energy to cook for myself,” he shares. But, he adds, “The Universe is always looking out for you.” He explains how a social media follower played good Samaritan, got him medical help, and even arranged his stay at a local temple. 

3. Experiment and let yourself be surprised 

Snails aren’t Neeru’s favourite starter. But when in Nagaland, she went all in. This was her way of embracing the local culture. “We had snails that were brewed with herbs and served with rice beer. It is custom for the local communities to keep refilling the glasses before they run dry, and so we ate and drank for hours before we couldn’t possibly eat any more,” she explains. Travel introduces you to foods that might evade desi perception. Don’t shy away from trying them, she urges. Shed your inhibitions, she adds. 

Experimenting isn’t always limited to gastronomy, we learn by watching Shvangi’s expeditions, which are almost always offbeat. They include visits to Kerala’s Kodinhi village, which is known for its unusual number of twin births, and Thrissur’s Marottichal village, which sings praises of the tea seller who reduced alcohol consumption through chess boards.

4. The rough times? They’re part of the ride  

Consider setbacks a rite of passage during a solo trip. Not all of Vimal’s travels have been coloured with sunsets. He shares about days when, while caravanning, the water supply would run out as would the power, and he would be looking at a night filled with mosquitoes and rats. “But, the lonely nights, the adversities are as much a part of travel as are beaches,” he says. 

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And, there is a silver lining. The more solo trips you take, the more these unstructured moments will seem fewer and farther between. You’ll learn from mistakes, make new ones, and become adept at handling any crisis.  

5. In Rome, live like the Romans. But, learn from them too

The sole purpose of travel isn’t to experience the world in all its glory but to carry souvenirs back home. And no, we aren’t talking about fridge magnets. For Neeru, these souvenirs are the learnings she gains from different cultures. At the Galapagos Islands — the world’s foremost destination for wildlife viewing — Neeru marvelled at the locals’ mindfulness towards their fauna. “There is a lot of consciousness among the citizens. If you are doing anything incorrect, they are there to point it out to you.” It was the same with Antarctica. On returning from a trip, she implements these salient ideals.  

6. Don’t consign your travels to luck 

You don’t need to contend with exorbitant budgets while planning your solo trip. Shvangi points out a solution — volunteering.

“There are several hostels, homestays, and hotels that need volunteers to manage daily operations, host guests, or create content,” she shares. This, along with aiding your budget, will also help you get an authentic experience. “Make a brand out of yourself,” she adds, elaborating on how monetising your trips could help you fund future ones. 

Edited by Khushi Arora