Ranchi: In 2014, when Ranchi’s Ankush Kasera set out alone to Raigarh Fort during his college days in Pune, he wasn’t chasing a tourist checklist. He was chasing silence and found something far bigger.“At Raigarh, I understood life. It was poetic, spiritual, and also held a mirror in front of me. I went there alone but came back as a new person,” he said.Since then, solo travelling has become his life’s calling. From the cliffs of Meghalaya to the misty trails of Arunachal Pradesh, Ankush has wandered alone through the remotest corners of the Northeast. These journeys led him to pick up nature photography. “In the Northeast, I would trek alone in the rainforests, wait for the perfect light to fall on a bird’s wing or a waterfall. Solo travel teaches you patience and sharpens observation,” he said.Today, Ankush works closely with the Jharkhand govt, capturing forests, lifestyle, and tribal culture. He has solo-travelled to Gujarat’s Kutch, explored Rajasthan’s deserts, and continues to write poetry inspired by his journeys.Among Jharkhand’s young adventurers, solo travelling is emerging as a powerful personal movement, driven by the urge to disconnect, reflect, and rediscover life beyond the routine. Some seek solitude, others chase a poetic high or spiritual clarity. For some, it’s about bold storytelling; for others, it’s about mental relief.Social media platforms have also opened many avenues. But at its core, solo travel is about freedom, self-love, and resilience, learning to be alone without feeling lonely.For Samir Ranjan, a Tata Steel employee from Muri, solo travelling started during a stressful phase of life but ended up becoming a lifelong practice.In 2019, after completing his apprentice training, Samir faced the classic transition pressure moving from student life to job responsibilities. Feeling stuck and tense, he booked an impromptu solo trip to Varanasi.“I was scared of this new life phase, earning, adjusting, and being responsible. But when I sat at Manikarnika Ghat watching corpses burn, I realised life will always be uncertain. There’s no point carrying stress forever. That trip gave me clarity,” Samir said.“In group trips, you’re stuck between selfies, food debates, and time-wasting. I wanted to travel for clarity, not for social media posts,” he added.Since then, Samir has solo-travelled to Ladakh, explored Odisha’s hidden trails, and trekked alone to Pangarchulla Peak in Uttarakhand, a high-altitude summit that tested both his endurance and mindset.In a remarkable feat of endurance and courage, Kanchan Ugursandi, a senior pharmacist with the Govt of India, has emerged as the first solo woman rider from Jharkhand to cover 22 Himalayan passes, including some of the world’s highest motorable routes all on her trusted Royal Enfield Himalayan 411cc motorcycle.Originally from Ranchi, and currently posted in Delhi, Kanchan’s journey began from the Rann of Kutch, Gujarat, and stretched to the Uttarakhand-China border, passing through Gujarat, Rajasthan, Punjab, Jammu, Kashmir, Ladakh, Himachal Pradesh, and Uttarakhand.Among her most notable milestones are: Umling La Pass (Eastern Ladakh) at 19,024 ft, the world’s highest motorable pass; Sasarla Pass (Siachen Sector) at 17,250 ft; Nurbula Top (Eastern Ladakh) at 17,421 ft Lipulekh Pass (Kailash Mansarovar Road, Uttarakhand) at 17,500 ft, near the Indo-China border.“I received immense support from the Ministry of Defence and Border Roads Organisation (BRO). Security forces ensured I had the guidance and safety needed to access restricted terrain. I want to encourage women to travel on their own,” she said.While navigating treacherous terrains, unpredictable weather, and altitude sickness, Kanchan says mental strength was as important as physical preparedness.For women aspiring to travel solo, she advised: “Always inform your family about your route, carry satellite navigation tools, and wear full riding safety gear. Confidence is key, but preparation is non-negotiable.”For 25-year-old Abhinav Yadav, solo travel is not just a hobby; it’s his way of life. A resident of Sahibganj, Abhinav said he found his true calling not in classrooms or corporate jobs, but on the open road.“I shifted five jobs between 2018 and 2019. Nothing made sense to me. Then I took my first solo trip to Darjeeling and Sikkim, and I realised I didn’t want to travel like a tourist, I wanted to explore as a traveler,” he said.In the last five years, Abhinav has covered nearly 1.5 lakh km on bikes and another 20,000 km through hitchhiking. His hitchhiking routes have taken him from Kanyakumari to the Kartarpur Corridor in Punjab, the visa-free entry point for Indian pilgrims visiting Pakistan’s Gurdwara Darbar Sahib, and also to African countries.Pranay Sinha, a passionate biker from Ashok Nagar in Ranchi, has become the first solo rider from Jharkhand to reach the world’s highest motorable road in Chumar, Eastern Ladakh, a region secured by the Indo Tibetan Border Police near the China border. Pranay’s biking journey began in 2017 with a group ride to Darjeeling. Motivated by travel shows and a deep interest in India’s border cultures, he started solo riding in 2018, completing trips to Ladakh, Srinagar, Sikkim, Bhutan, Nepal, and Himachal Pradesh over the past 7–8 years.A mechanical engineering graduate from Delhi, Pranay originally aspired to join the Army or Merchant Navy.However, during a long waiting period, he began exploring remote terrains on his own, using self-drawn maps and riding gears.“Solo travel gives you a blank canvas. There’s no one telling you where to go or how to feel. You create your own story,” Ankush added.Samir agrees, “It teaches you that you’re enough. You don’t need a crowd to validate your happiness.”

In a conversation with TOI’s Shikha Yadav, city-based therapist and mental health expert Dr Keshav Jee explains how travelling solo is no longer just a leisure trend but a potential wellness tool. Excerpts:- Q. What benefits can solo travel have on one’s mental and emotional well-being? A: Solo travel is a deeply personal experience. From choosing your destination to deciding where to stay and what to eat, it’s all in your control. This sense of agency can be incredibly empowering, especially for those who often feel emotionally dependent on others. Travelling alone can act as a reset button. Whether you’re going through a burnout, heartbreak, or a professional setback, time away from your routine allows for introspection. You’re free from judgment, from social expectations, and you get to live as your most authentic self. That, in itself, can lead to significant emotional growth. It’s challenging at first, but once you experience it, it can become one of life’s most enriching adventures. Q: How can being alone in an unfamiliar place positively rewire thought patterns or behaviour? A: Immersing yourself in a new culture forces you to adapt. You’re exposed to unfamiliar languages, customs, and social norms. Navigating these by yourself builds resilience and problem-solving skills. You become more self-reliant. Also, it helps dismantle negative assumptions about yourself, leading to a healthier mindset and improved confidence. Q. Is solo travel a healthy coping mechanism during life transitions, like breakups, job loss, or burnout? A: Absolutely, but with precautions. If done mindfully, it is a healthy way to cope with life changes. It creates space for self-reflection without distractions. However, it’s important to stay grounded: avoid excessive substance use, and don’t make reckless choices in the name of “finding yourself.” Q. How does solitude during travel differ from loneliness?A: Solitude is intentional and nourishing. It’s choosing to spend time with yourself, whether it’s after a stressful work week or just to breathe freely without external pressures. Solo travel lets you embrace this kind of solitude. Loneliness, on the other hand, is feeling isolated even when you’re with others. Some introverts may often confuse solitude with loneliness. Q. What precautions should solo travellers, especially women, keep in mind to make it a rewarding experience?A: Planning is key. Research your destination well, especially in terms of safety. Choose places with accessible public transport, accommodation and try to immerse yourself in the local culture. The goal must be to have a perfect personal trip and with stories, and lessons you’ll carry for life.

In recent years, many of the Mediterranean’s iconically sunny destinations like Italy, Greece, France and Spain have become increasingly besieged by devastating heatwaves, leading unsuspecting tourists to come up with creative solutions to keep cool.

“Our hotel had AC technically, but it groaned like a dying fan and gave up by mid-afternoon,” said Fowkes. “The tap water came out warm. There were no blackout curtains. I tried sleeping with a wet towel on my chest and a bottle of frozen water under my knees and still woke up dizzy. At one point, I moved my pillow to the stairwell and lay on the tiles like a Victorian fainting lady because that was the only surface remotely cool.”