SOLO TRAVEL AT LEAST ONCE, A MUST

SOLO TRAVEL AT LEAST ONCE, A MUST

BY HARMIT AHUJA

With the little Monks of Kye Gompa. This is a Tibetan Buddhist Monastery located on top of a hill at an altitude of 13,700ft close to the Spiti River in the Spiti Valley of Himachal Pradesh, Lahaul and Spiti district. It is the largest monastery of the Spiti valley and a religious training centre for the lamas.

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Today the social media is filled with pictures of Solo adventurers taking the world. When Solo travel comes to mind it’s normal for so many concerns to arise, safety concerns, loneliness, and boredom can make solo travel scary especially for women. At the same time, one must consider that not every solo traveler is concerned of being alone, So is it really a good idea?

Let’s look at all my travels on account of business, in groups, with family, friends and by myself. ‘By myself’ is what I have been preaching upon since I started to indulge in solo travel. Solo travel represents freedom, independence, and of course wanderlust. Whether you travel independently or join a group, solo travel can be a very enriching experience. You can surely travel alone without being lonely.

Solo travel is literally the epitome of self-indulgence. You can do whatever you want during a trip, go wherever you want, do whatever you want, pick your own challenges and activities, make your own mistakes, learn from them and basically, triumph through all with a feeling of exhilaration

Rather than being focused on your companion, you’re focused on your surroundings including the people around you. You’re open to the world that in turn makes the world open for you. People start to step in the wide-open space created by you and the results are wonderful!

Solo travelers feel empowered when they return from a trip. They come back with a fresh perspective on life

With Chacha & Chachi at their Dhaba in Batal: Chacha & Chachi are the pride of Spiti’s unassuming Batal valley. Batal at an altitude of over 13,000 ft is a perilous region with no network signal negligible human habitation and only deadly roads. Despite that, this old couple has their make-shift Dhaba, ensures delectable food and comfortable accommodation.

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At Gurez valley. Gurez is a valley located in the high Himalayas, about 86 kms from Bandipore and 123 kms from Srinagar in northers Kashmir and southers Gilgit-Baltistan. Its a valley surrounded by snow-capped mountains. The valley falls along the ancient Silk Route and is famously known as the Crown of Kashmir.

& the confidence to face the world since they stepped out of their comfort zone. Given that you’re entering the unknown, opportunities do come your way to learn how to face various types of scenarios.

Most importantly solo travel gives you a chance to listen to your gut and control what direction you want to head. It gives you a chance to be in solitude which will allow you to embark on an inward journey to self-discovery. You have only yourself to rely on, which may seem scary but also invigorating.

Don’t wait for a friend for you to finalize your travel. If you are inspired to do the trip, do yourself a favor, just ‘Do it, just for you’.

Even if you can’t afford to take a trip now, just researching, planning and dreaming can give you a boost to build excitement for the time when you can afford to go. Include saving money as a part of your planning!

It’s the time where the only compromises you must make are with yourself.

I am now living my own solo wilderness fantasies and photographing them.

Travelling alone will be the scariest, most liberating, life changing experience of your life. Try it at least once

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Snow Drive Keylong. Keylong is the administrative centre of the Lahaul and Spiti district in Himachal Pradesh, 71 km north of Manali.

Snow Drive Atal Tunnel: The 9.02 km Atal Tunnel at Rohtang is a world record for being the longest single tube highway tunnel at an altitude of above 10,000 ft.

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My Pilgrimage to Gurudwara Manikaran Sahib Ji. Manikaran is located in the Parvati Valley on river Parvati in the Kullu District. Its a very famous for both Hindu's & Sikh's alike with both having their strong belief's about the place. Both Manikaran Temple & Manikaran Sahib Gurudwara are located next to each other featuring the famous hot water well where all the langar (the Community Kitchen) is cooked in!

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In search of the Bengal Tiger: Being a wildlife enthusiast i seldom venture into the wilderness in search of the Majestic Tiger which is considered to belong to the world's charismatic megafauna. Bengal Tigers are one of the most wondrous and iconic animals to walk the Earth. They are majestic and rare.

ABOUT AUTHOR:

HARMIT AHUJA is a Marketing Consultant based in Chandigarh with keen interests in wildlife & nature travel and photography. Also hold’s interests in music, cooking & international travel. Has so far been to over 35 countries. He believes in: ‘I travel not to escape life, but for life not to escape me’! He is active on social media ie facebook, Instagram and also has his own YouTube channel where he has tried to capture moments from all his wildlife and nature travel’s across India & Africa. His channel which has over 7.25 Million Views can be viewed on https://www. youtube.com/channel/UC9Zk1OVwDKQYzPmfcJ5ZIoQ

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