Immersive Tavel Kim Benjamin looks at the rise of immersive travel and investigates some of the best new experiences for solos

One step beyond

Kim Benjamin looks at the rise of immersive travel and investigates some of the best new experiences for solos Gone are the days of travel defined by ‘been there, done that’. Today’s travellers are craving more engaging and increasingly authentic ‘immersive’ experiences – ones that resonate with them on an emotional level, where they can give back to a community or bring lasting memories home. For solo travellers, this concept is proving particularly attractive. With many immersive travel itineraries focusing on local culture, visiting areas off the beaten track or based on particular themes such as food, adventure and wellness, travellers can focus on a particular passion, all at their own pace and with like-minded people.

“Travellers are seeking out more unique and immersive experiences across multiple areas in a destination,” says Brian Young, managing director at G Adventures. “They provide travellers with the opportunity to gain an understanding of the local way of life. Active-style trips are great for those looking to switch off, disconnect from everyday life and reconnect with themselves. People are opting for achievement-based trips where they can challenge themselves both physically and mentally.”

Exodus Travel launched Exodus Edits last November in response, it says, to a rise in requests from a younger demographic for experience-rich, small group tours and adventures with a similar age mix.

Whether you are looking to boost your adrenaline levels, indulge in a food-themed tour, deep dive into a new culture or you simply want to kick back and relax, solo travellers will be spoilt for choice when it comes to immersive experiences.

Machu Picchu is on most people’s bucket list and you can visit this and more with Exodus Edits’ immersive tour of Peru. It includes an introduction to Peruvian food and drink alongside trips to Rainbow Mountain and the Salineras de Maras salt flats. Travellers can also enjoy an authentic insight into rural community life.

For those in search of a more active itinerary, another option from Exodus is a tour through Jordan. Stay at the Wadi Rum UFO Camp where you can sleep under the stars and enjoy early morning camel rides across the desert. The trip also includes a journey to the Red Sea coast, hiking the Wadi Mujib trail and the chance to soak in the Dead Sea.

Riviera Travel offers several adventure-themed itineraries curated especially for solo travellers, featuring hotels in convenient locations and meals where the wider group is encouraged to come together. You can opt to visit Marrakesh in Morocco on a six-day guided tour, taking in the medieval medina and the city’s labyrinth of souks, before heading into the Atlas Mountains.

Riviera Travel has a 13- day solo tour to Costa Rica from the Caribbean to the Pacific. Highlights include the chance to explore the active Arenal Volcano, visiting the Monteverde Cloud Forest Reserve from hanging bridges and a zip line tour through the rainforest, as well as the chance to visit the remote Caño Negro Wildlife Refuge.

As part of its National Geographic Journeys with G Adventures collection, G Adventures’ newly launched Cultural Wonders of Mexico tour focuses on food and culinary traditions. Starting in Mexico City, travellers can immerse themselves in the local cuisine with a visit to the city’s bustling food markets, where they can try some traditional delicacies.

They can also enjoy a Mexican-style breakfast following a sunrise tour of Mexico City’s Xochimilco, a system of canals built by the ancient Aztecs. In Oaxaca – widely acknowledged as Mexico’s foodie capital – highlights include a visit to a local family’s kitchen, learning how to make chocolate at a grinding mill, a tortillamaking workshop and sampling Mezcal, a local beverage made from the agave plant.

You can also experience food and drink closer to home, with Riviera Travel’s wine cruise taking in Burgundy, the river Rhone and Provence, where solo travellers can wind their way through some of France’s celebrated wine regions. As part of the tour, you can stop at various wine cellars, take part in tastings and explore the neighbouring countryside.

Natural wonders & wellness Get an unrivalled view of local wildlife on the Galápagos Islands with G Adventures’ onboard the Reina Silvia Voyager yacht, which offers two cabins dedicated to solo travellers. You can cruise the Galápagos and go kayaking, exploring the region’s more remote ports and wild, rocky coasts.

Check out some soulsoothing tai chi and relaxing yoga with Exodus Exits’ tenday journey through Vietnam, which also features leisurely cycle rides through the rural countryside and the chance to recharge with nourishing local dishes.

With travel plans likely to be disrupted for the next few months, it’s well worth looking at what’s on offer further ahead. AmaWaterways is launching an 11-night cruise and land adventure with its river cruise ship AmaDahlia, scheduled to set sail on the Nile in Egypt from September 2021. The immersive itinerary takes in Luxor and Cairo and offers travellers the chance to experience Egypt’s local communities and its historic sites.