251 Days of Nomadic Solo Travel

I once dreamt to be a travel nomad. The dream materialized sooner than expected. When I gifted myself (you see no one gives me any gifts) with an epic 251 days of nomadic solo backpacking trip after resigning from my job as an Editor. You can do the eye-roll that another wannabe traveller has mentioned the word "epic". I was expecting that particular eye-roll. No hard feelings here. The number of days could have been stretched a bit more, but unfortunately I ended up sick, and thereby had to cut short the whirlwind solo trip.

Here is a short, very short pictorial snippet of these unforgettable (you are welcome to forget it) 251 days of travel across India🇮🇳 and Nepal🇳🇵, covering more than 74 places in 16 States in India and 3 places in Nepal. All the places mentioned are my first time visit except Delhi, Ahmedabad, Bangalore, Chennai, and Rishikesh.

These following places saw the solo traveller with her small red backpack clicking hundreds of photos, munching on the local food, talking with the locals, and leaving a part of herself wherever she went:

1. Maharashtra: Mumbai, Matheran
2. Delhi
3. Uttarakhand: Valley of Flowers, Hemkund Sahib, Badrinath, Haridwar, Rishikesh
4. Jammu and Kashmir: Srinagar, Gulmarg, Ladakh (Lamayuru, Alchi, Leh, Diskit, Hunder, Turtuk, Pangong Tso)
5. Himachal Pradesh: Shimla, Bir-Billing, Kinnaur-Spiti (Recongpeo, Chitkul, Kalpa, Roghi, Nako, Tabo, Dhankar, Kaza, Mud, Key, Kibber, Chicham, Langza, Hikkim, Komic)
6. Rajasthan: Bundi, Chittaurgarh, Ranthambore, Abhaneri, Bikaner
7. Madhya Pradesh: Orccha, Khajuraho, Gwalior, Sanchi, Udayagiri, Bhopal, Chanderi, Mandu, Maheshwar
8. Uttar Pradesh: Varanasi, Sarnath, Kushinagar, Lucknow
9. Bihar: Bodh Gaya
10. West Bengal: Kolkata, Darjeeling 
11. Odisha: Bhubaneshwar, Puri, Konark
12. Sikkim: Gangtok, North Sikkim
13. Gujarat: Ahmedabad, Mandvi, Bhuj, Ekal ka Raan, Dholavira, Kalo Dungar 
14. Karnataka: Bangalore
15. Tamil Nadu: Chennai 
16. Kerala: Trivandrum, Kovalam, Varkala
17. Nepal: Kathmandu, Pokhara, Lumbini

I solo travelled most of the time and covered all these places by public transport (either by bus or train). Flight travel was used only once during the entire trip; the flight was from Mumbai to Delhi.

I prepared absolutely no fixed itinerary. The original plan was to travel only to Mumbai, trek to Valley of Flowers and Hemkund Sahib, Srinagar, Leh, and Spiti valley. I enjoyed the trip so much that it gave me the necessary impetus and confidence to go the whole way. And I simply went with the flow. The only thing that needed planning was booking the Mumbai-Delhi flight one month in advance. 

Now, are you ready for the travel marathon? You can go for a coffee break, chai break, Kit Kat break, loo break...and come back to enjoy wherever you left off. To make it easier, I will narrate my solo trip in a chronological order with short visual descriptions. My journey commenced from Chennai (Tamil Nadu) on 4 August 2017 and it ended in Varkala (Kerala) on 11 April 2018.

Chennai (Tamil Nadu)

Chennai had been my home for 2 years. It was the noon of 4 August 2017 when I bid adieu to Chennai. Chennai Mail brought me safely from Chennai Central Station to the city of dreams, Mumbai.

Chennai Mail from Chennai to Mumbai

Mumbai (Maharashtra)
Monsoon k bahane...when I landed in Mumbai. The first image given below was clicked from the window of the moving train right after leaving Khandala station. The train crossed many tunnels at this hilly stretch. Do you notice a small waterfall on the left? Monsoon makes Maharashtra fresh and green.

monsoon magic in Maharashtra 

Gateway of India all lit-up at night

at Andheri station platform

enjoying sea breeze at Marine Drive in Mumbai 

a letter-box waiting for your letters

the iconic Parsi bakery, Yazdani Bakery

Matheran (Maharashtra)
Leaving behind the crazy sea of people and the much loved SoBo in Mumbai, the greens of Matheran was a refreshing relief.

monsoon magic in Matheran

monsoon magic in Matheran

ofcourse, I will Matheran

Delhi
A short stay at my friend's place....

Valley of Flowers (Uttarakhand)
Endless trekking (approx. 4 hours and 30 minutes) from Pulna village to Ghangaria (base camp of Valley of Flowers), staying for the night at Ghangaria gurudwara, early next morning trekking to Valley of Flowers.

flowerland, Valley of Flowers 

the pink blooms were in abundance during my visit to Valley of Flowers 

a sensory delight at Valley of Flowers 

Hemkund Sahib (Uttarakhand)
The trek to Hemkund Sahib from Ghangaria was steeper than the trek to Valley of Flowers.

the trek route to Hemkund Sahib 

Hemkund Sahib 

happy to be at Hemkund Sahib 

Badrinath (Uttarkhand)
Landslides and roadblock, but eventually made it to Badrinath.

Badrinath temple

one for the memories on the steps of Badrinath temple

Delhi
Returned to Delhi for a short stay at my friend's place.

Srinagar (Jammu and Kashmir)
When the old Hindi song, "Kitni khoobsurat yeh tasveer....yeh Kashmir hai..." kept playing over and over again in my mind during my entire stay in Srinagar. The houseboats, the shikara ride, Dal Lake, Shalimar Bagh, the rolling meadows of Gulmarg...

a shikara on the placid waters of Dal Lake

rolling meadows of Gulmarg

Almond Garden, Srinagar

at Char Chinar, Dal Lake 

dargah sharif in Srinagar

local breads sold in Srinagar 

Ladakh (Jammu and Kashmir)
My travel happy heart danced in absolute joy when I set foot into this magical region. The three weeks spent here flew away so quickly. I realised one visit is just not enough.

Maitreyi Buddha as seen from Deskit monastery 

Khardungla 

Turtuk village on the banks of Shyok river

Pangong Tso

Delhi
Back to Delhi once again to annoy and pester my friend.😉

Kinnaur and Spiti valley (Himachal Pradesh)
It was early November. It was cold. It was devoid of tourists. Autumn colours all around. Plucking season of Apple almost done.

Key Monastery 

Mudh village in Pin Valley

at Tabo Monastery

holy Kinner Kailash as seen from Kalpa

Shimla (Himachal Pradesh)
The queen of hill station beckoned me with its British era colonial architecture.

relaxing on a bench on Mall Road, Shimla

Christ Church looks more beautiful at night when it is all lit-up

Bir-Billing (Himachal Pradesh)
When I paragilded over Bir-Billing...

at a monastery in Bir

the girl with her backpack bidding adieu to Bir-Billing

Haridwar (Uttarakhand)
There are some places which I wouldn't like to visit again. Haridwar is one such place.

Har ki Pauri, Haridwar 

evening aarti about to begin at har ki pauri, Haridwar

Rishikesh (Uttarakhand)
Faced my fears and ultimately did it - bungee jumping and river rafting. I can visit Rishikesh over and over again, and still wouldn't get tire of it.😊

hike to Neer waterfall, Rishikesh 

yes, I did it...bungee jumping

done with river rafting as well

Bundi (Rajasthan)
When I am in the desert state...
Bundi is slowly and slowly coming on the tourism radar. Bundi surprises you!

beautifully painted doors in Bundi

the facade of Bundi Palace

Bundi town as seen from Bundi Palace 

Chittaurgarh (Rajasthan)
...in the land of Rajputs

Chittorgarh Fort

Chittorgarh Fort 

Ranthambore (Rajasthan)
One of my friends, Gayathri joined me here. We wanted to see the majestic tigers, but alas the majestic tigers had other plans!☹

Ranthambore Fort

on an early morning safari at Ranthambore National Park 

Abhaneri (Rajasthan)
When Gayathri and I laid our eyes on Chand Baodi, the most photogenic stepwell of India with 3,500 narrow steps (gasp!!!).

Chand Baodi

Bikaner (Rajasthan)
In the company of camels, varieties of Bikaner snacks, rats rats rats encounter at Karni Mata temple...

Junagadh Fort

rats everywhere at Karni Mata temple 

gewar, a sweet dish at a shop in Bikaner

Orccha (Madhya Pradesh)
Beautifully surprised by this small town on the banks of River Betwa. I can't wait to go back there again.

the reflection of the cenotaphs on the placid waters of River Betwa

Orchha Fort

Khajuraho (Madhya Pradesh)
In the land of exquisitely carved temples...

exquisitely carved temples of Khajuraho

Varanasi (Uttar Pradesh)
Many a names you have whether Varanasi or Banaras or Kasi. The Ghats, Ganga aarti, boat ride on River Ganga, the famous Blue Lassi shop, Banarasi paan...

at the famous Blue Lassi Shop in Varanasi

bamboo parasols at the ghats in Varanasi 

life at the ghats in Varanasi 

Sarnath (Uttar Pradesh)
Om Saranam Gacchami!
One of the holiest site for the Buddhist community, the place where Lord Buddha preached for the first time after attaining Enlightenment.

Dhamma stupa in the far background in Sarnath and archaeological remains 

at a Chinese Buddhist Temple in Sarnath

Bodh Gaya (Bihar)
Om Saranam Gacchami!
One of the holiest site for the Buddhist community, the place where Lord Buddha attained Enlightenment.

Mahabodhi Temple in Bodh Gaya

the 80 ft. tall statue of Lord Buddha in Bodh Gaya 

Kolkata (West Bengal)
Landed on Christmas Eve in the city of the iconic yellow-coloured taxi, rosogolla, misti doi, maccher jhol, ilish maach.

the iconic yellow-coloured taxis of Kolkata 

hand-pulled cycle rickshaw

Christmas festivity at Park Street in Kolkata 

Bhubaneshwar (Odisha)
I was joined for the Odisha trip by one of my school friends, Kalpana.

Tribal Museum in Bhubaneshwar, Odisha

my friend and I strike a pose with the Odishi dancers in Bhubaneshwar 

Puri (Odisha)
Had a hard time getting an accomodatation on New Year's Eve since we hadn't done any advance booking. A mistake on our part! And then out of nowhere, we got a perfect place right on the beach. Happy us!

fresh fish at Puri Beach 

Konark (Odisha)
The glorious Sun Temple, the clean Chandrabhaga beach, the magnificent Puri-Konark marine drive...

the magnificent wheel of Konark Sun Temple

Darjeeling (West Bengal)
The hills, the toy train, the sunrise at Tiger Hill, the tea gardens, and above all it was freezing.

the popular bookshop in Darjeeling 

Ghum Railway Station in Darjeeling

Gangtok (Sikkim)
So clean, so organic, so pretty.
The huge Rumtek monastery, people watching at the colourful and eclectic MG Marg....

at Tsomgo Lake

Rumtek Monastery

Lachung & Lachen (North Sikkim)
A long long drive through difficult, but equally beautiful terrain to see Zero Point, Yumthang Valley, Gurudongmar Lake...

map direction for Lachung and Lachen from Chungthang  

partially frozen Gurudongmar Lake 

Kathmandu (Nepal)
The first time when I stepped out of India.
Thamel received my love.

creative wall art in Kathmandu

at Kathmandu Durbar Square

colourful Tibetan prayer flags adorn a street in Thamel 

Pokhara (Nepal)
The clean setting of Pokhara felt heavenly after the dust laden Kathmandu.
Phewa Lake, the sight of Fish Tail (Macchhupichure), the trek to Sarangkot...

International Mountain Museum in Pokhara 

colourful boats in Phewa Lake, Pokhara

Lumbini (Nepal)
Om Saranam Gacchami!
One of the holiest site for the Buddhist community, the birthplace of Lord Buddha.

at World Peace Pagoda in Lumbini

Mayadevi Temple in Lumbini, birthplace of Gautam Buddha 

Kushinagar (Uttar Pradesh)
Om Saranam Gacchami!
One of the four holiest site for the Buddhist community, the place where Lord Buddha breathed his last.

5th century reclining Buddha in Kushinagar

Mahaparinirvana Temple, Kushinagar 

Lucknow (Uttar Pradesh)
In the land of aadab, nawab, kabab...😎

Asife mosque in Bara Imambara 

Husainabad Clock Tower in Lucknow

Gwalior (Madhya Pradesh)
The opulent Jai Vilas Palace, the huge Gwalior Fort, tomb of Tansen...

Gwalior Fort

Durbar Hall in Jai Vilas Palace, Gwalior

Sanchi (Madhya Pradesh)
In the town of the famous Sanchi stupa...

Sanchi Railway Station

Sanchi Stupa 

Udayagiri (Madhya Pradesh)
Archaeological treasure of rock-cut caves carved into a sandstone hill...

Udaigiri caves 

inscriptions on the wall of Udaigiri cave

Bhopal (Madhya Pradesh)
The land of begums and lakes...

Taj-ul-Masjid

a street sign in Bhopal

Chanderi (Madhya Pradesh)
Chanderi saree, many historical monuments scattered all over the small town...

wedding invitation on the walls of a house in Chanderi 

Badal  Mahal entry gate, Chanderi 

Mandu (Madhya Pradesh)
Mandu is love!😍 Can't wait to go back again.

Jahaz Mahal in Mandu

celebrating Holi with the locals of Mandu 

Rani Rupmati's Pavilion in Mandu 

Maheshwar (Madhya Pradesh)
Maheshwari saree, mini Varanasi...

intricate engravings on a wall of a temple in Maheshwar Fort

a ghat along river Narmada in Maheshwar

Maheshwari saree

Ahmedabad (Gujarat)
I had a 10 hours stop-over in this city. Just 10 hours...before catching the night train to Bhuj town.

vintage cars on display at World Vintage Car Museum 

vintage cars on display at World Vintage Car Museum 

Bhuj (Gujarat)
As the famous Gujarat Tourism ad says, "Kutch nahin dekha toh kuch nahin dekha."

block printing work in progress at Ajrakhpur village near Bhuj

ornate ceiling of 18th century Aina Mahal in Bhuj

Mandvi (Gujarat)
Forty minutes ride on a shared vehicle to the beach town to see the windmills, the beach, and the opulent mahal...

windmills at Mandvi Beach 

Vijai Vilas Palace 

sunset at Mandvi Beach 

Ekal ka Rann (Gujarat)
The endless salt flats of the Great Rann of Kutch at Ekal ka Rann.

barren salt flats of white Rann desert in Ekal ka Rann 

my backpack lying on the salt flats in Ekal ka Rann 

Dholavira (Gujarat)
A place of archaeological treasure...

archaeological and excavated site in Dholavira

at Dholavira 

Kalo Dungar (Gujarat)
When I arrived at the highest point in Kutch region...

looking at the Great Rann of Kutch from Kalo Dungar

highest point at Kalo Dungar 

Delhi
Had to come to Delhi again from Bhuj to take one of my luggage kept at my friend's place. Two nights train ride from Delhi to Bangalore...Phew!

train ride

Bangalore (Karnataka)
A city revisited and a short stay at my friend's place.

traffic jam in Bangalore

Chennai (Tamil Nadu)
Returned to the city where it all started...

Namma Chennai

familiar sight of these garlands at a street in Chennai

Trivandrum (Kerala)
Swaying coconut trees, appam and stew, puttu, mundu...hello once again to God's Own Country.

spiral-shaped Indian Coffee House in Trivandrum  

Napier Museum in Trivandrum 

Kovalam (Kerala)
Sun, sand, sea, beach, lighthouse...

sundecks and Kovalam lighthouse

Varkala (Kerala)
Sunny sun, grainy sand, foamy sea waves, cliff beach...and yes, I also fell horribly sick here and that's how the trip ended.

a beach facing restaurant all lit-up in Varkala Cliff 

beautiful wall-art in Varkala Cliff 

one for the memories at Varkala Cliff... 

Varkala Beach

Obviously, I haven't gone into any sort of detailed history like descriptions in this post. It's only a short pictorial outline of my 251 days nomadic solo backpacking trip across India and Nepal. I intend to pen down my encounter with each place separately. It will take some time to go into a detail chronicle, but I will do it making a separate travel posts for each one.👍

Thank you for stopping by!
Happy travelling feet!

© All the content and images are copyright of Hema Hazarika (thehaflonggirl).