Last month I embarked on my first ever solo trip. It’s something I have always wanted to do and though it was just 4 days long, it was everything I thought it would be and everything I wanted it to be.
Have you ever felt overwhelmed with everything going on in your life? I had a moment like that a couple of months ago where everything seemed ‘too much’. ‘Too much work’, ‘too much stress’, ‘too many expectations’. I felt the need to get away, and on a whim I booked three nights at ‘Mussoorie’ in Uttarkhand, India. Why Mussoorie? Because I wanted peace and quite and what could be more peaceful than a sleepy town nestled in the midst of the Himalayas. So while North India may not necessarily be the best choice for a solo female traveller, I chose it anyway.
Once upon a time Mussoorie was the favourite summer escape for British officers and their bored wives who made it their homes for the few months of the year when the Indian heat was too much for them to bare. Today, it’s mostly frequented by families and honeymooners, who come to experience the beautiful vistas and quaint locales, that still distinctly remind you of a bygone era.
So what do you do in Mussoorie if you are on your own? Well, you can utilize half a day to see the main town (if you do not have enough time, this is avoidable) and if you love books like me, you can visit Mussoorie Library, which seems to have remained unchanged in the last 100 years. While only members are allowed, it’s usually empty and the friendly librarian is sure to let you in and have a look and spend some time there. I spent a couple of hours sitting on their verandah reading.
I would also recommend going to Lal Tibba which is the highest point in Mussoorie and which is approximately 5km from the main town. You can either get there by foot or by taxi and it is well worth the visit. The remaining tourist spots are avoidable as it is thronged with loud tourists.
The rest of my time was spent in treks and hikes. Its a good idea to do a lot of research before choosing a certified tour guide. Treks can range from half a day to 15 days with plenty of different options. I opted for one half-day trek and two hikes during my stay there. The views were fantastic, and the hike that took us through the villages was the best. The friendly locals give you an insight into their lives and are very welcoming of the random people invading their space. The hike through the pinewood forest was also fantastic as you were surrounded by lush greenery. I would also recommend sitting down at one of the many ‘Maggie Noodle Stalls’ that you will find peppered all across Mussoorie and the neighboring areas. While it’s just instant noodles cooked and served hot, for some reason it tastes better when you are sitting in a tiny stall overlooking the valley.
Accommodation: I stayed at the JW Marriot Walnut Grove, which was a beautiful property with large comfortable rooms and amazing views of the mountains and valleys.
Pros: The food was good and they had tones of activities (incase you found time after all the hiking and trekking!). I started each of my days with 1 hour of yoga on the lawns with their instructor and then proceeded with a heavy and elaborate breakfast buffet before I started my day. The L’Occitane Spa located within the hotel was also brilliant.
Cons: While my trip was brilliant, there is one thing I should mention. If you are female and travelling alone, be prepared to be stared at! It is quite unusual to find solo female travellers in that part of India and therefore I was subjected to a lot of blatant blank stares from a lot of people in the main town. While no harm was meant, it was still unnerving at the beginning.
My overall experience was, however, not hampered by this one negative aspect and I hope it does not deter anyone from visiting Mussoorie.
To conclude, I will go back to the beginning, if you ever feel overwhelmed and over worked, do take some time off for yourself and take off on your own, even if it’s for a short duration. Doing so was almost a therapeutic experience for me and I am already planning my next solo break!
Any Questions or Tips to add?