My First Mountain Solo Travel 🗻

On the morning of 3rd June 2025, I set out on a journey I never imagined I would take alone. It was my first solo travel experience to the mountains. More than just a trip, it felt like the first step toward becoming an independent girl with big dreams in her eyes and the determination to achieve them.The day began early. Around 7 am, a senior person from my organisation dropped me at the bus stop. He bought my ticket and made sure I got a window seat. The bus was Vishwanath, chosen carefully because it was my first time traveling so far alone. I was nervous, but at the same time, a wave of excitement ran through me. As the bus started, it felt like a new chapter of my life was opening, one that would take me closer to my dream of becoming financially independent and standing strong on my own feet.The first part of the journey was smooth. The road till Rishikesh was mostly plain and the weather was pleasant. Though I felt hungry, I did not eat anything because I was afraid I might get sick later. Instead, I sipped some water and later ate a little garlic bread I had packed. I spent time looking outside, capturing the beautiful scenery through my camera and in my mind.

After some time, the bus stopped at a small pahadi dhaba. I stepped out, thinking I should eat something. I saw Maggie on the menu and thought, why not complete my dream of having Maggie in the mountains (Pahado wali Maggie)? I decided to order it and enjoyed every bite with all my heart, feeling happy about ticking something off my small bucket list.

Once the bus started again, the real mountain journey began. We entered narrow roads with steep turns and high hills, and it started raining too. I could feel my fear coming back. My heartbeat was fast and my hands were cold. I had always been afraid of heights and I had never imagined traveling through such roads alone. At that moment, I realized that solo traveling is also about fighting those silent fears inside us.

After a while, one of my organization’s colleagues, like an elder didi, came and met me on the bus. I felt a bit more relaxed, even though the nervousness of starting something new still stayed with me.Finally, after around ten hours of long travel, I reached my destination and met one more Didi, another colleague. Meeting both of them felt like meeting elder sisters who were there to support me. The moment I stepped down from the bus, I saw the beautiful mountains in front of me. The fresh air, the green valleys, and the peaceful surroundings made me forget all the fear and tiredness. I felt happy and proud. I had not only traveled alone for the first time but had also overcome my biggest fear of heights.

I felt more confident and stronger than ever before. I realized that stepping out of your comfort zone is not easy, but when you do it, you discover a new side of yourself. I understood that it is okay to feel scared, but we should not let fear stop us from exploring new paths. It felt like a journey with my own soul.This journey was not just about reaching a new place. It was about finding my hidden strength and proving to myself that I am capable of much more than I ever imagined. I learned to trust myself and to believe that if you take the first step, the rest of the path will reveal itself slowly. “Sometimes, the most beautiful journeys are not about where you go but about discovering who you are.”

Here’s to more journeys, more mountains, and more stories waiting to be lived.