Solo traveling can be quite daunting than traveling with friends and family. Usually, the places that seem more rugged in every aspect tend to be the more adventurous to go solo than with others.
You definitely won’t take your children thru-hiking the Appalachian Trail or any other long distance trail. You will have so much to carry and worry about than focusing on your travel.
And sometimes you have that deep urge of going alone, so you don’t need friends though you can expect making some on your travel.
The solo destination, therefore, becomes tricky to choose. You might be escaping your family and friends but end up in places where others came accompanied with their lot.
Then the place become so filled up with parties, bonfires, noise and all sorts of nuisance. That’s not what you want.
You want the freedom of exploring the unknown, least visited places on the planet. Sometimes it can be a scary prospect but that’s the fun part of it, the chance for self-discovery and adventure.
Keep in mind that all the planning and ground navigation is all up to you, so you need to know a bit more than the average traveler. Some of the destinations, however, have tour guides so you can pick one to lead you.
For those who yearn to travel solo but don’t know where, here are the top travel alone destinations in the world.
Hokkaido, Japan
Japan has a reputation of being friendly and as a matter of fact, you will feel so much welcome as a solo traveler. Of the four main islands of Japan, Hokkaido is the least developed yet well known for great outdoor adventures.
Located in the far northern part of Japan, Hokkaido’s remote and unspoiled landscape is perfect for hiking, cycling and camping from June to September and skiing and snowboarding during the colder seasons.
You can enjoy bird watching in one of the three national parks in Hokkaido; Shiretoko National Park on an unspoiled peninsula, Rishiri and Rebun near Hokkaido’s northern tip or visit the wildest national park in the region, Daisetsuzan National Park.
Furano town with its beautiful lavender and flower fields is a must see. Head to Sapporo for a cold beer, of course, the famous Sapporo beer and wind up at Niseko snow resort for breathtaking photo-shoots.
Nepal
Nepal has been continuously hit by earthquakes in recent years but most of the hiking trails remain largely unaffected.
If you are an altitude pro trekker, the Annapurna circuit in Nepal is a trail you can take independently. However, it’s wise to set out with an organized group or hire a porter as the steep is quite dangerous.
Trekking this Himalayan circuit will take approximately 3 weeks and it offers a marvelous way to get up close to traditional mountain people. That means you need quite little gear as these people will offer you comfortable teahouses and food along the way.
South Island, New Zealand
New Zealand’s stunning South Island offers a list of endless activities for solo travelers; horse riding, skiing, hiking, bungy jumping, jet boating, skydiving, kayaking, whitewater rafting, zorbing, and so much more. In simple words, the South Island is one small country with a big outdoor playground.
There are jaw-dropping scenery around every corner with mountains, lakes, glaciers and craggy coastline forming the backdrop of one place that has regularly earned a spot among the most beautiful places in the world.
Southwest, USA
The Southwest is famous for its breathtaking landscapes with the most popular being the deep red rock desert dotted with flat-topped buttes and towering pinnacles.
In this side of the world, it’s easy to get the sense that our own planet is part of something greater; the vast vistas from atop a mesa that extend to the edge of a curving earth and the boundless arc of the Milky Way stretching the night sky.
The big draw is the Grand Canyon which unfolds hundreds of millions of geological years as your eye will follow its wall downwards.
Join a horseback tour along Monument Valley and be sure to stop at the viewpoints on the way and photograph spanning shadows in the early morning or late afternoon light.
Guatemala
In all over Central and South America, Guatemala offers the best places to travel alone. It is a cheap place to travel and that means you can stay around longer to learn Spanish or perhaps volunteer.
Visit Guatemala for hiking adventures, kayaking and whitewater rafting. Explore the jungle and get up close and personal with the ancient Mayan sites and Central America’s active volcanoes.
The country is rich in agricultural produce and haggling for fresh vegetables in the colourful markets is an adventure of its own.
Bali, Indonesia
The ‘spiritual place’ as is commonly known has a lot to offer, from yoga to spas, massages, organic eateries and markets. Such diversity only amount to a staple destination for solo travelers from all around the world.
The people here are quite friendly and hospitable with a magnificent visual culture and that is a major factor as to why Bali is Indonesia’s number one tourist destination. Being a Hindu island, Bali is the ideal place for relaxing and spiritual retreat.
You definitely won’t be the only lone traveler in Bali. Due to their friendliness, you are sure to meet some amazing people along the way. Start your journey in Ubud where you are likely going to meet and mingle with other travelers and head inland to the Sacred Monkey Forest, if you love monkeys, that is.
Dubrovnik, Croatia
This historic city juts out into the deep blue waters of the Adriatic with so much to offer the solo traveler.
The best times to visit are April through September when the weather is warm and the cafes and restaurants are open for the season. Try to avoid the high summer though when cruise ships dock and passengers flock the narrow streets.
Take a walk along the city walls, relax on an island cruise with others while sipping sundowners or take a hiking or rock climbing trip with Croatia Traveller, where you will meet instant friends with the same interests.
Alaska
Located northwest of Canada, Alaska happens to be the largest and most sparsely populated U.S state. Yet, Alaska is no stranger to welcoming solo travelers with its diverse terrain of open spaces, forests and snow-capped mountains, with abundant wildlife and several small towns.
It is a destination for outdoor activities such as skiing, kayaking and mountain biking. Sit at the edge of the waters and watch the whales leap high into the air and crash back into the water. Glacier-filled fjords and majestic icebergs are also worth gazing at.
Alaska is the home to Denali National Park and Denali, formerly known as Mt. McKinley, which is the highest peak in North America. An Alaska cruise will offer a happy medium for solo travelers, with an immediate group of friends with whom to dine and enjoy activities together.
Final word
Solo travelling is one of the most rewarding ways of exploring the world. You can choose solo destinations based on your interests.
Perhaps you love hiking or backpacking, maybe you want to discover new foods, or you are the curious kind of person who just want to go new places and learn the culture of the local people.
Maybe you love sightseeing and wildlife watching or you enjoy water activities or simply trekking though city suburbs. And sometimes you may want a combination of adventures.
Your interests basically determines the right place for you to go. The best place to find these places is online; there is a vast wealth of resources that will make it easier for you to hit the road alone.
Even if you are traveling on a budget, you can be sure to find some spot somewhere in the world waiting to entertain you. In any case, our bucket list has some of the most adventurous and solo travel-fulfilling places on earth that you should not miss.
Travel cool.
