Action adventures prove top choice for solo travellers

Finding a holiday that offers a physical challenge is top of the agenda for solo travellers, according to the latest figures from tour operator The Adventure Company. While couples and families booking trips with the operator appear to prefer cultural journeys and wildlife encounters, those travelling alone are more inclined to book trips where their physical limits are put to the test.

Nepal was the most popular destination overall for solo travellers, according to figures gathered over the past three years. It was the top choice for men travelling on their own (one fifth of the total number) and the second favourite for lone women. Almost all of The Adventure Company’s trips in Nepal are trekking-based, covering both high altitude routes and adventures in the foothills, suggesting that solo travellers are lured by the challenge of the mighty Himalaya – and potentially the associated bragging rights. Amongst the Nepalese trips on offer are the ever-popular Everest Base Camp trek; the Annapurna Circuit; and an ascent of Nepal’s highest trekking peak, Mera Peak, which rises to 6,746m.

Another destination that attracted a particularly high proportion of solo travellers was Morocco, the most popular country for solo females and second most popular for solo men. Again, over half of The Adventure Company’s trips in Morocco are trekking holidays based in the Atlas Mountains and the remote Jebel Sahro region.

Turkey proved to appeal to solo adrenaline-seekers more than anyone else, with no couples booked onto the small group trips run by The Adventure Company. Trips offered in the region include Ararat and Kackar Treks, a 15-day trekking holiday incorporating a four-day climb to the summit of Turkey’s tallest mountain; and Turkey Activity Week, a multi-activity trip including sea kayaking, Scuba diving, mountain biking and river rafting.

The top three destinations for solo males are:
Nepal 20%
Morocco 19%
Tanzania 12%

The top three destinations for solo females are:
Morocco 14%
Nepal 13%
India 11%

James Ingham, marketing manager of The Adventure Company comments: “The concept of ‘adventure travel’ reflected in our trips is vast, encompassing opportunities to experience new things, explore new destinations and interact with new cultures, however we have noticed that those travelling alone often gravitate towards the more active or trekking trips. The ‘doing’ element is key for these travellers – their holiday is not a means of spending time with friends or family, so they often have a key target in mind, such as scaling a particular peak or trying a new activity.

“We should also remember that these solo travellers aren’t necessarily ‘single’. Many will leave partners behind at home who have absolutely no desire to spend days camping at high altitude or sea kayaking around islands. Our trips offer the chance of achieving your ambitions along with other like-minded travellers, without having to worry that your partner isn’t getting quite the same enjoyment out of the experience.”

Sixty-one per cent of those booking trips from The Adventure Company’s Worldwide Adventures brochure are solo travellers, with the average age of those travelling alone being 30 to 34 years old.

The company operates small group departures with an average group size of 14, giving solo travellers extra security and an added social aspect to their trip. Each group is led by a knowledgeable local guide, which also allows solo travellers to leave all the planning in the hands of an expert. The Adventure Company does not charge single supplements – all prices are quoted per person, no matter whether you are travelling alone or in a larger group.

For more information, visit Adventurecompany.co.uk.