Worried About Traveling Alone But Want to Start Solo Traveling?
Thinking of going solo traveling but totally worried about traveling alone, especially if you are over 40? One way to step into solo traveling is going on group tours or booking some day trips.
I did a group tour with Intrepid Travel in Nepal for my first solo travel. The trip was a 30 day hike to Everest Base Camp and the Annapurna Circuit. This trip gave some much more than anticipated, and in a positive way.
Image above: All 13 of us in the tour group made it to Everest Base Camp with Intrepid Travel with lots of encouragement and heaps of laughter…best time ever.
Below are my top 3 reasons why starting with a group tour is a great starting point:
Meeting new people that are like minded and more inclined to engaged with the locals. I recall entering a shop in one of the villages along the EBC trail, where I found myself sitting down with a group of women who owned the shop. They generously shared some snacks with me since I was the only customer at that moment. I left feeling truly privileged that they trusted me enough to invite me to join them.
Boost self-confidence. Completing the Everest Base Camp trek and crossing Thorong La Pass in just one month at -26 degrees filled me with profound gratitude for overcoming the challenges I faced, reinforcing my belief in my ability to navigate life's uncertainties.
Creates lasting memories that are cherished. My experience in Nepal truly transformed and enriched my life, inspiring me to embark on solo travels to many other countries since then.
Image above: The Annapurna Circuit hiking group. After completing EBC, a few days rest in Kathmandu I joined this group to climb to Thorong La Pass.
However, not everyone enjoys group tours like the one I took to Nepal. While I did join a guided small group tour to explore parts of Vietnam—a two-week adventure that included hiking, biking, and kayaking booked through Intrepid Travel—I quickly learned that not all group dynamics are perfect. Though I got along well with most of the group, there was one person who, for reasons I couldn't quite understand, simply didn’t like me—and made it abundantly clear. So the best way I handled it was hanging out with the people who made the experience enjoyable, and spent time with them instead with some have stayed in touch since.
Image above: My tour group hiking in Fansipan Mountain Sapa and taking in the beautiful views before dining and sleeping at a homestay.
If a small group tour for two weeks or a month doesn't appeal to you, consider booking a few day trips at your destination instead.
I've traveled solo this way in several countries, often using website like Tripadvisor to find great options. During my visits to Iceland and Portugal, I found the best way to explore these countries was by booking hotels in key locations I wanted to visit, using them as a home base for day tours.
Look for day tours that last between 6 to 12 hours, as this provides ample time to fully immerse yourself in the experience, explore the local culture, and connect with like-minded travelers. On several occasions, I've found myself enjoying dinner with the people I met on the tour after the day’s adventure.
For inspiration, check out my articles Best Budget Winter Trip from Reykjavik, Iceland and A Blissful Escape: 5-Day Solo Female’s Trip to Portugal to see how I crafted memorable solo adventures with day trips as the centerpiece.
Amazing snowmobile experience from Reykjavik, Iceland. This was part of the Golden Circle day tour that was booked through Tripadvisor.
"Solo travel allows you to discover not only the world but also yourself." - Unknown
