Five Best Places For Solo Travel In India

There are some things in life that you must do on your own, all by yourself and at least once. Solo Travel is gaining popularity among the travel community steadily due to the sheer spontaneity that comes with it. The quest to discover oneself along with spiritual rejuvenation and flow of adventurous adrenaline becomes a perfect reason to pack your travel bag and climb those serene mountains or stroll by silent beaches, all by yourself. Solo travel also allows you to not be enslaved by the whims and fancies of your fellow travellers, and your planning is largely unmarred by group dynamics. So if you want to trek up that hill on your next trip to the Himalayas, or watch the sunrise by the beach on your next trip to Gokarna, get ready to go! You get a sense of independence and freedom, from being out of your comfort zone while also getting cool stories to tell people back home! Here are some places you must explore if you've been bit by the little bug called wanderlust!

1. Lahaul-Spiti

One of the most unexplored terrains in the country, Lahaul-Spiti is definitely a trip of a lifetime. Mountains and monasteries await you here. You can either make a long road-trip of these two places while passing Manali, Rohtang Pass and Leh, these destinations can be visited individually also.

Getting There - This trip is strict to be taken by road to actually experience what it is all about. Some of the highest motorable roads in the world exist here. Best time to visit from May to October.

2. Puducherry

If you want to go to France but don't have the money yet, go to Puducherry instead! With French influence in its architecture, this sleepy little place is perfect for a serene, beach getaway. The food has a lot of French influence too and beer is cheap, making it a place to if you want a real culinary experience. The Auroville temple is a place to visit if you want to reconnect with your spiritual side.

Getting There ? You can get here by driving down from Chennai on one of the most scenic rides in India. While there, you can walk around town and explore. It's also famous for its incense at the Aurobindo Ashram shops. October to February is the best time to visit with the minimum temperature not going below 17 degrees.

3. Sandhan Valley

Referred to as the Grand Canyon of Maharashtra, the Sandhan Valley is a trek of a lifetime for the thrill-seeker in you. It's a combination of a valley with a canyon. Accessible from November to May, this water-carved valley has Ratnagad and Ajoba mountain ranges around it. Going back to basics, it is the quintessential tent-pitching camp where food is cooked in campfires with the aroma filling the air around. The trek takes five hours to finish with activities like rappelling to really get your adrenaline pumping.

Getting There - Reaching here is half the fun with a train journey to Kasara and then a bus till the Samrad village where it's located in the Bhandardara region. You can also fly to Mumbai and then go on with the train.

4. Ziro

The number of reasons stopping you from visiting Ziro is zero. Located in lower Subansiri district of Arunachal Pradesh, Ziro valley is another captivating destination for solo travellers. With enriched flora and fauna, this place is filled with pine groves and mesmerising orchids. The rivulets and streams and the crisp mountain air, will not fail to revitalize your tired soul. Dolo Mando is a trek to undertake here. There is also the Ziro Music Festival, which is ideal, amidst the hills for listening to some great music.

Getting There - The best time to visit would be from February to October and for the music festival in September. Tezpur is the closest location to get here by a train or air.

5. Majuli

Majuli is the world's largest river island, located in the Brahmaputra in Assam. Given the abundance of rainfall and water, much of this island is submerged during monsoon. With over 100 species of birds, this place is ideal for bird-watching and for neo-Vaishnavite culture and tradition. The local art and culture is quite a spectacle here and can be seen in the Satras.

Getting There - From Guwahati, Jorhat is a 7 hour bus ride away. There are also ferry rides to Majuli everyday, twice.