Following several international group trips, it’s time to take off the training wheels and go it alone. It’s probably part natural progression and part necessity. Here are six things I learn on my first solo trip:
There are things I want to do that no one else I know has any interest in. In particular, I want to go horseback riding through the northern Patagonian Andes of Argentina. Even if I had a partner, he might not be excited to do that or other things I want to do. And the same may apply vice-versa. I know this is the case for a lot of people who are partnered. This is where being a solo traveler isn’t a limitation, it’s an opportunity, whatever your situation.
I want to sleep under stars you can actually see and cook over an open campfire. Just go off the grid and experience a different way of life for a bit. And admittedly, it vexes me that not everyone shares my enthusiasm for what I’m sure will be an epic adventure. In the words of one of my well-traveled friends, “That sounds really terrible.”
One woman’s trash is another woman’s treasure. I set about booking my first solo trip. It expands to include a couple of cities and one of the Seven Natural Wonders of the World. Because
it’s my trip, I make it what I want it to be, and I have the most amazing time. Solo travel is fabulous. I now have a real appreciation for its growing popularity and can attest to its attributes.
To be clear, traveling with a partner, a friend, or a group are also amazing experiences. I’m not suggesting otherwise. But I am encouraging people not to feel limited if they don’t have anyone to travel with. Don’t let that stop you. Consider opening yourself up to the opportunities solo travel presents!
When I tell people I’m going on a solo trip to Argentina, the responses are all over the place. I’m told I’m brave, adventurous, strong, crazy, stupid – yes really. By and large, safety is the biggest concern expressed. While I appreciate the sentiment, Argentina is at a minimum as safe as the U.S. Still others ask if I will be lonesome being all by myself for two weeks. Friends, hear me out. Traveling solo doesn’t mean being alone, unless you want it to. It’s your trip – you decide.
The genesis of my trip is spending six days and five nights horseback riding in Patagonia. I stay in an apartment downstairs from the proprietors of Cabalgatas Lago Puelo. We ride and have all our meals together along with another guest. Three of the days I’m up in the mountains with the other guest, our host, and two guides and I’m never alone.
“Meeting so many new people and learning about their lives adds another layer of enrichment to a trip that already exceeds every expectation.”
Before horseback riding, I spend three days in Bariloche. One day I am with a guide who takes me to all the must-see sights. On the final day, I visit Victoria Island with about 150 other people.
The last leg of my trip is Buenos Aires. I go on a whirlwind trip up to Iguazu Falls, near the Brazilian border. I meet people there from all over the world. I have dinner two nights with other guests I meet at the Alvear Art Hotel, which has a vibrant restaurant and lounge. On the last day, another guide takes me all around the city. I spend more time with more people on this trip than I do in my typical day-to-day life.
Traveling solo, you are far more likely to interact with other travelers and vice-versa. I encounter solo travelers at every turn and from every corner of the world. Meeting so many new people and learning about their lives adds another layer of enrichment to a trip that already exceeds every expectation.
I’m treating this point with a fair amount of sensitivity because I recognize that personal budgets vary widely. By no means do I want to come across as a free-wheeling spender. I am not, but I am always looking for the best value. Sometimes, the opportunity cost of spending more just makes better business sense – if it’s in your budget.
I’ve always been a quality over quantity decision-maker, in all things. Personally, I would rather take two or three outstanding tours with private guides than four or five mediocre group tours. But certainly there are merits to both approaches.
All things being equal, group travel packages (entire trips) are more expensive than solo travel. Group packages factor in a substantial margin of profit for the organizers, which is totally fair. No one is expecting them to do all that work for free.
With that in mind, I budget extra for guides on my solo trip. I figure I can splurge on private guides and at least break even on what a group trip costs. My three private tours (Bariloche, Iguazu Falls, and Buenos Aires) prove worth the spend.
On the other hand, I buy a ticket on a popular site for a group tour to Victoria Island. There are at least 150 people on this boat that ports out of Bariloche. It’s all in Spanish, which is fine. That is the national language here, after all. We are rushed through Victoria Island, which is stunningly beautiful. I wish I can explore on my own. I try a few times and am admonished for not staying with my group. Then they ferry us to the Arrayanes Forest, a hurried walk on a path with guardrails – no wandering off here.
For around $100-$300 or so more, I can hire a private, English-speaking guide and a small boat to take me to these places. I can have the freedom to decide how long I want to linger in a place. I can also skip something altogether. And it will not take up an entire day. Unfortunately, I don’t find out about the latter option until it’s too late. We live and learn.
#4 – Things Will Go Wrong – And You Will Figure It Out
I am fortunate on my first solo trip as I run into very few snags. Overall, things go quite smoothly. I do have to make a few adjustments along the way. And this is to be expected on any trip, really. Things will go wrong, and you will figure them out. On a solo trip, it’s likely you will have to figure them out on your own. You discover how strong and capable and resourceful you really are.
My first minor snafu is in getting from Bariloche to Lago Puelo. I book a bus ticket well in advance via the BusBud app, which is very easy and convenient. It’s about $18 for the round trip. The hotel where I’m staying helps me arrange a driver to the bus station. On the way there, I discover that I have way more luggage than is allowed. My driver makes some calls and finds someone he knows who can drive me the two hours. The price is steep but I’m in a bind, so I agree.
We meet his friend Vivi at a convenience store, and I switch cars. This is the only time I veer from my travel plan. Everything seems fine but just in case, I go in the store and make sure every camera captures me. I have a conversation with a police officer getting coffee and casually mention a driver is taking me to Lago Puelo. And I buy something just so there’s a record of the credit card transaction. This is probably overkill but you can never be too careful.
It ends up being a delightful drive, particularly since it’s spring and the roads are lined with bright yellow-blooming Retama. Vivi speaks almost no English, and I speak very little Spanish. We manage with a few words and lots of charades and of course, a translation app. She agrees to pick me up and take me back to the Bariloche airport the following Saturday. That day comes and some things get lost in our exchange. She thinks I mean I’ll be at the Bariloche bus station. I’m two hours away and I have a plane to catch to Buenos Aires that afternoon.
I am facing spending another night in Bariloche. This also means missing what at this point is a non-refundable trip to Iguazu Falls, which is quite expensive. Thankfully, the couple who owns Cabalgatas Lago Puelo go above and beyond for their guests and this is no exception. They call someone they know and for a lower price even, she drives me to Bariloche. We are well on our way when Liza, the co-owner of Cabalgatas Lago Puelo, realizes I have left my laptop behind. She graciously meets us half the distance back so I can get it. I get to the airport just in time for my flight. The day is saved thanks to Ivan and Liza!
It’s always a good idea to budget for, and have extra cash on hand for unexpected hitches in your plan. Best case scenario, you don’t need it. But if you do, it can save you from even greater expenses or losses.
For reasons that are obvious, but often go overlooked, it is vital to make and share your travel plan. This is especially important for solo travelers. As a practical matter, taking the time to plan details in advance makes any trip more seamless and enjoyable. More importantly, it helps ensure your safety and reachability in case of emergency.
I share my travel plan with a dear friend. She knows exactly where I’m supposed to be and when, and I check-in at certain points along the way. As I feel so safe on this trip, I admit there are times when I am a little bit lax about this. But generally, she always knows where I am and that I am safe.
The one time I unexpectedly need to hire an unvetted driver to take me to Bariloche, I make sure to text my friend. I include details like where we are, the make and model of car, and the license plate. I realize it’s not likely that she’s going to be able to save me from danger from 5,500 miles away. But if I go missing alone in this foreign country, she will at least know where to tell authorities to start.
Another good reason to make and share your travel plan is in case of emergency. Things happen. There are earthquakes and forest fires and any number of natural disasters that can strike without warning. In this day and age, planned attacks or even wars breaking out is not a wild stretch either. Loved ones will want to know you’re safe as soon as possible. And if you aren’t safe and accounted for, they will want to alert authorities. Being able to share your most recent whereabouts is vital information they will need.
I know nobody likes thinking about these things but you need to – it may save your life! At the very least, it will give those closest to you peace of mind.
Last but certainly not least, solo travel is empowering. Now I feel like I can do anything – and I plan to! I’m already planning my next trips, spreading my wings and testing my limits a little further.
Certainly, there are places I will not go by myself, or even at all. But my first solo trip really opens up the world for me. So much to do, so much to explore – and I am ready for it!