Travelling Alone And Loving It

Is travelling alone fun?

Nirvana: There is a common misconception that travelling alone can be boring or depressing, but I don’t see it this way. By travelling alone, I get to do exactly what I want, when I want and have learned the joy of solitude and the pleasure of my own company. I love solo travelling.

Divya: For someone who has learned to enjoy her own company, traveling alone is so much fun! It’s like you are in charge of everything you do and can spend more time on things or places that truly connect to you. While trekking, I try to connect and communicate more with locals, and sometimes even climb up trees and jump in a local river. I feel like I am in my element.

Niroj: Travelling alone is fun and highly rewarding. Travelling is connecting with the locals and learning about their lifestyle, culture and environment. I engage with locals, listen to their stories, and document these in my photographs to share my experiences with the world.

I get to do exactly what I want, when I want and have learned the joy of solitude and the pleasure of my own company. I love solo travelling.

Nirvana Bhandary

Founder of the Feminism Project Nepal, Writer Filmmaker, and avid Traveller

Anisha: Travelling alone in the initial days was fun because I got to get out of my house and explore outside. I got to interact with new people and it taught me that we should not wait for others and just do it if we are willing to explore more. I try to have fun during my solo travels as I get to live like a local and communicate with them and know their stories.

Aayush: I have been a travel filmmaker since 2015, and since, have had the opportunity to travel extensively. During one of my projects, I witnessed scenes that I had only seen in Jackie Chan movies like a dancing dragon and face masks. Solo travel, in particular, teaches you a lot and is one of the best ways to break out of the box. It makes you an independent individual and pushes you out of your comfort zone.

Three insights from your years of solo travel?

Nirvana: The world is a huge and fascinating place.

• There are endless things to learn and experience.
• Getting out of your comfort zone expands your perspective and brings much self-growth.
• The world is not as dangerous as you think, and women are absolutely capable of travelling solo

Divya: I wouldn’t consider myself a solo traveler yet, however, with my little experiences here are a few tips I would love to share:

• Do your research; a proper intensive one. Read blogs, reviews, YouTube videos, or reels, and speak to people who have been to the place you are planning to visit. This can give you a great insight into the destination. For instance, when I did my solo Kerala trip, I watched 15 YouTube vlogs and texted random strangers to collect as much information as possible.
• Stay aware of your surroundings and be map-wise. Do not be afraid to come across as rude if need be. Always trust your instincts. Download offline maps for destinations that do not have reception access.
• Enjoy making new connections and be flexible with your plan. Solo travel doesn’t mean you have to do it all alone. Try connecting with like-minded people along the way.

Niroj: Travel has this transformative power with valuable life lessons and enriching experiences. It has shaped me a lot as a person. Travel humbles you a lot.

• Pack light and essentials.
• Check the weather forecast and have all the emergency contacts.
• Pack one book that is associated with that place

Anisha: Living in a city area like Kathmandu we don’t realise that we are living materialistically but when travelling, you get the real essence of life.

• You can be happy even in a minimalistic lifestyle.
• You connect to the roots of who you are.
• You get to discover how brave you are as you are responsible for everything and all the scenarios.

Aayush: Few insights about my travel:

• It teaches you not to be yourself. For example: When I was in Kathmandu I was a picky eater but travelling alone made me realise not to take anything for granted.
• Unplanning: No plan is the best plan but unplanning also requires a plan.
• The people and friends you meet widen your perspective.

How do you choose a destination and what are some fun activities to look forward to on any trip?

Nirvana: I choose my destination depending on countries that interest me, that I have not visited before, how far they are, and how expensive they are to travel within. I look forward to discovering the city on foot, visiting museums and art galleries, trying the local food, and exploring nature.

Divya: Of late, I have grown extremely inclined towards people, culture, food, and lifestyle, along with beautiful landscapes. And that’s how I pick where I want to visit next. Somewhere I have not been to and ticks all the above boxes. For example: Api Darchula blew my mind with its pristine beauty and its culture and lifestyle.

Believe in yourself. It’s your confidence that will lead you to places. Keep an open mindset. Do your desk job well before leaving. Solo travel without basic research is a big NO.

Divya Dhakal

Traveller and Digital creator

Niroj: The places and regions that I have not travelled to will be my priority while choosing the destination. I look forward to knowing the people, culture, historical events and geography of the destination I am traveling to.

Anisha: I choose destinations that challenge me like high-altitude places and mountains. Being from an athletic background I always look forward to long endurance activities like cycling, long-distance walks, and challenging my elevation as it gives me a kick of adrenaline rush. This is the idea of a fun activity for me.

Aayush: With the help of my studio, we try to make one cultural documentary every year. Since we started doing that, my solo travel also revolves around culture and festivals in Nepal. Wherever I travel to, I try to find a unique festival and understand the culture of people by living and communicating with the locals. We mostly search for unique festivals and then decide on a specific destination. I mostly look forward to spending time in ‘chautaras’, or going to the canteen near the school as they have the best food at affordable prices. In Nepal, we have been selling the mountains for way too long, but there are so many other things that are equally beautiful like the rivers, the wildlife, the forests, etc. The outlook should be more diverted and less commercialised. Travel is not about the destination, it’s about the experience.

There are sometimes cases of abuse during solo travel; how do you ensure that you stay safe while travelling alone?

Nirvana: I thoroughly read reviews of the hostels I will be staying in to know the experience of other travellers there. I make sure that I get a local SIM card straightaway, I do not travel with valuables, and book a taxi in advance if I am arriving at night. I do not walk alone in dangerous parts of the city.

Divya: In my experience, abuse is not just limited to solo travel. Of course, the risks are much higher when you are alone than in a group but I have not felt safe even when we were in a group of four.

• Staying aware of your surroundings and trusting your instincts is crucial.
• Plan your activities in the daylight. Don’t push anything after it gets dark. Could be beach dips, reaching another destination, or even a sunset hike.
• When you are solo, you have to be extra cautious. Always let your friends and family know about your location and situation.

Niroj: While travelling alone, be confident in yourself and plan and research about the destination way before the travel dates.

Travel has this transformative power with valuable life lessons and enriching experiences. It has shaped me a lot as a person. Travel humbles you a lot.

Niroj Sedhai (North)

Adventure Photographer and Adventure Guide

Anisha: While travelling you should always research the place you are about to go. Choose female-led tea houses for safety and better hospitality. Understanding and researching the place, and dressing according to the place you visit is important.

Aayush: I have faced many cases of profiling because of my appearance and my dress-up. We should make a safe place to travel alone because if I can do it I should facilitate the same things for somebody else regardless of their colour, gender, caste, etc. Planning has to be done properly because you never know what’s going to come next during solo travels.

What essentials do you always pack?

Nirvana: A lightweight backpack, a combination lock, quick dry towel, essential toiletries, breathable clothes that can be mixed and matched, and comfortable shoes.

Divya: Essentials depend on where and for how long I am travelling. Here are a few basics: a first aid kit and my period cup (sanitary pads for emergency cases), sunscreen as it’s so important to protect your skin while being outdoors regardless of gender, a map, a power bank, toiletries, and a water bottle.

Niroj: Packing smart and light is key to a stress-free travel experience. I pack my essentials with specific needs, destinations, and the time of the year I am travelling. Basic first aid, a topographic map, a water bottle, a small rope, a Swiss knife, and a GPS.

Anisha: Wet tissue, Swiss knife, and a power bank.

Aayush: A nice water bottle, a quick dry towel, a small pocket knife, and a first aid kit.

How do you connect with locals and other travellers? Can you share a story of an unexpected friendship or encounter?

Nirvana: Staying in hostels is the best way to meet travellers from all parts of the world who are also solo travelling and are like-minded and friendly, as well as going on day tours. Years ago, when I was on an island in Croatia, a small boat docked near the beach I was on. The local woman who worked on the boat befriended me and we ended up becoming close friends that I still keep in touch with until today.

Divya: I don’t shy away from making the first move. If someone is sitting next to me or walking next to me and doesn’t have off vibes, I initiate a conversation. Sometimes with a random ‘hello, are you from around, or, where are you headed to?’ Last March when I was in Kerela, I was just walking down the street searching for a cafe. I saw a group of three walking down the same street. They didn’t seem local to me so I instantly said ‘Hi’, and asked if they were also out searching for a place to eat. They asked me to join in and we became friends in no time. Later, I spend more than a week exploring Kerala with them. You need to have an open mindset and stay approachable.

Niroj: One of the best parts of travel is connecting with locals and other travellers which leads to unforgettable memories. You can connect with locals and other travellers by staying open, curious and approachable. Once when travelling around the Annapurna region, I met with a fellow traveller on my second day of stay. I initiated the conversation as we were together on the local bus and after that, we had a good connection and travelled together for the next eight days. Later I attended his wedding and he is still my friend and we are in touch nine years after our first meeting.

My favourite place to travel is Junbesi, a village in the lower Solukhumbu. I am slightly aligned towards wellness and yoga, there are less than a hundred people in the village and one can seek peace and tranquillity there. One activity I enjoy is meditating as I believe in energies and it helps me reflect on my life.

Anisha Gurung

Trekking and Mountain Biking Guide

Anisha: Connecting with locals is one of the best experiences. You have to communicate with them in their language and not make them feel inferior. When socialising you should also be willing to share relatable stories so that they feel more connected. An unexpected friendship I encountered was during my travel to Ghandruk where I met a local youth who had a progressive mind-set. He is based in the village and has the vision to do something there and has made a lot of contribution towards the betterment of it.

Aayush: Making local connections is a crucial aspect of travelling alone. Food and beverage are great conversation starters. The greatest places to indulge are in fields where kids are playing football or volleyball, or heading to public spaces in the evening where locals are socialising and sipping drinks.

Wherever I travel to, I try to find a unique festival and understand the culture of people by living and communicating with the locals. We mostly search for unique festivals and then decide on a specific destination. I mostly look forward to spending time in ‘chautaras’, or going to the canteen near the school as they have the best food at affordable prices.

Aayush Bista

Co-Founder, Ramailo Zindagi Studio, Explorer, and Documentary Filmmaker

How do you manage your finances while travelling solo?

Nirvana: I have an approximate daily budget and I try my best to stick to it. I keep track of my daily spending on my notes app on my phone. If there are some days I am spending less, then I might treat myself to a massage or a nice dinner the following day.

Divya: Everything has its pros and cons and one of the cons of travelling solo for me is that it gets a little expensive as you barely get to share the cost. I try to keep my budget as tight as I can. I take public transportation and stay in a local place. Eating local also saves a lot of money. Also, researching about the places before travelling helps to avoid a lot of unexpected spending.

Niroj: Most of my travel involves work as I take travel and photography assignments together; I don’t have to worry about finances on these trips. But while I am travelling on my own, I choose to travel by sharing transportation and staying in a local homestay. I would rather spend my money to support the local economy than spend on expensive places.

Anisha: Solo travellers are risk-takers. I earn and then travel and the cycle goes on. Mostly, at the end of trips, I am broke.

Aayush: When I am travelling, I try to collaborate with everyone. Collaborating helps me extend my travel as sometimes, for projects the stay can stretch to a month too. Through my company, I get to travel for my projects and this has led me to so many unexpected friendships.

Any must-visit places or activities?

Nirvana: In Asia, Thailand is an amazing country to travel to, it is close to Nepal, affordable and has endless gorgeous beaches and islands to visit. Travelling in Europe, Greece and in Latin America, I recommend visiting Colombia.

One of my favourite activities when travelling is snorkelling, some of the best snorkelling I have done has been in Indonesia and Ecuador. Doing free walking tours and bar crawls are also great ways to explore and enjoy cities.

Divya: Yes, I can’t stress enough on how raw and beautiful West Nepal is. If you are planning to head far west, please visit Api Base Camp once.

Niroj: I would recommend trekking in the western regions of Nepal during the full moon of September to experience the festivals that falls throughout the region. I would recommend the Everest region for trekkers. Try the Everest mountain flight experience to witness the majestic Himalayas.

Anisha: My favourite place to travel is Junbesi, a village in the lower Solukhumbu. I am slightly aligned towards wellness and yoga, there are less than a hundred people in the village and one can seek peace and tranquillity there. One activity I enjoy is meditating as I believe in energies and it helps me reflect on my life.

Aayush: The best place is to be out of your house. I am not a destination person rather an overall experience person. Far-West Nepal is one of the most underrated places.

What advice would you give to someone considering their first solo trip?

Nirvana: Just take the leap and go! There is so much information available on the internet that can help you prepare. Start with something small like a three-day trip somewhere local, and then slowly build your courage and confidence to go on bigger trips. I have met so many women solo travelling from all around the world. You can absolutely do it and it will change your life.

Divya: Believe in yourself. It’s your confidence that will lead you to places. Keep an open mindset. Do your desk job well before leaving. Solo travel without basic research is a big no.

Niroj: My advice would be just to plan and go.

Anisha: Don’t travel just because you are going through something. While solo travelling, keep an open mind so that you can make the most of it.

Aayush: Don’t think a lot, too many opinions spoil the broth. You learn your way of travelling and needs once you get out of your house and pick a destination and travel. Don’t travel for the sake of it, travel for the experience.