Solo Travel at 62 it never too late
My Journey Through India and Bhutan as a Mature Traveller
Thursday, January 22, 2026At 62, I decided to do something that many people thought was brave, while others thought it was foolish. I travelled solo to India and Bhutan.
I won’t pretend I wasn’t nervous. Distance, heat, unfamiliar cultures, and travelling alone at my age all weighed on my mind. But what I discovered on that journey stayed with me long after I returned home, and it reshaped how I see the world and myself.
India: Chaos, Colour, and Unexpected Kindness
India greets you loudly. The noise, the traffic, the heat, and the movement can feel overwhelming, especially when you arrive in Delhi. The heat there is not something you simply “get used to”; it can feel empowering one moment and completely disarming the next.
And yet, within that chaos, I found extraordinary kindness.
People were curious, welcoming, and genuinely interested in my story. As a Black mature woman travelling solo, I stood out, but not in the way I feared. Locals wanted to talk, to know where I was from, and why I was travelling alone. Those conversations became some of my most treasured moments.
One of my favourite experiences in Delhi was visiting Humayun’s Tomb. Amid the noise and intensity of the city, the serenity of that place felt almost unreal. Walking through the gardens, I felt calm, grounded, and deeply present, a reminder that peace can exist even in the busiest environments.
From Delhi to Darjeeling: A Change of Pace
One of the challenges of travelling in India is the sheer distance between places. Journeys take time and patience, and that’s something mature travellers need to plan for carefully.
Travelling to Darjeeling was a turning point in my life. The contrast was striking. After the chaos of Delhi, Darjeeling felt peaceful, gentle, and reflective. The air was cooler, the pace slower, and the atmosphere calming. It gave me space to breathe and to process everything I had experienced so far.
It reminded me that travel doesn’t have to be rushed, especially at this stage of life.
Image: Darjeeling Train Station
Image: Black Crane Neck Festival
Bhutan: Better in Sight Than in Dream
If India challenges your senses, Bhutan soothes your soul.
Bhutan is a kingdom that is even more beautiful in reality than in imagination. The landscapes, the calm, the quiet confidence of the culture, it felt intentional, balanced, and deeply respectful of both people and nature.
Here, I didn’t feel hurried. I felt welcomed into a rhythm that values reflection over rush. For a mature traveller, that alone is a gift.
Bhutan showed me that travel doesn’t have to be about ticking off landmarks. Sometimes, it’s about how a place makes you feel.
What This Journey Taught Me
This trip taught me that:
- Fear doesn’t disappear, but confidence grows when you move anyway
- Kindness often appears where you least expect it
- Being visible as a mature solo traveller can open doors, not close them
- Slower, more mindful travel is not a limitation; it’s a privilege
Most importantly, I learned that age does not reduce curiosity; it deepens it.
A Message to Other Mature Travellers
If you are over 50 or 60 and wondering whether solo travel is “too much”, I understand that doubt. I carried it with me every step of the way.
But I also carried something stronger: the belief that my life and my dreams did not end at a certain age.
Travel, even when it’s challenging, reminds us who we are.
And sometimes, it shows us who we’ve been all along.
Image: Bhutan Moments of Stillness Beneath Fluttering Flags
Image: Bhutan Turn a Prayer Wheel, Find Your Peace.
And the Journey Didn’t End There
Bhutan was not the end of my journey. From there, my travels continued back to India, into the heart of the Golden Triangle. Delhi, Agra, Jaipur, and Udaipur each offered their own contrasts, challenges, and moments of wonder, reminding me once again that travel later in life is not about how far you go, but how deeply you experience each place.
That, however, is a story for another time.
Have you ever thought about travelling solo later in life? Or is there a destination that’s been quietly calling you? I’d love to hear your thoughts. Share them with us at EldersChat!
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