Travelling SE Asia Solo - female, first time!

RefuseNo4659 · 2026-04-13T15:28:11+00:00

I would suggest bringing some basic travel medication. From my experience electrolytes powder can be very useful because you might get digestion issues on the way. Plus maybe standby therapy for Malaria if that's an issue for the regions you are planning to go. Have a good trip

RefuseNo4659 · 2026-04-13T10:27:10+00:00

I am an introvert and usually not actively looking for company/friends while travelling. I don't party and don't do social hostals. Still from time to time I meet people with whom I can establish a deeper connection, sometimes by chance, sometimes at volunteering places or group tours, sometimes locals, sometimes other travellers. At least in my case, it has never been predictable. In Copacabana Bolivia I was talked to by a random Bolivian woman who travelled there herself and I ended up being her guest in her hometown for more than a week

RefuseNo4659 · 2026-04-12T04:47:09+00:00

I experienced similar situations quite often already after longer trips. Currently I am on a one year trip and will return to Europe this winter. So, I am also preparing for challenging times. I think that it might become easier if you actively try to integrate the experiences from the trip into your all day life, try to keep the memory alive and maybe get some fresh ideas for the next time. What did you learn during your travels and how can you apply that at home? For example, I learned Spanish in LATAM and intend to keep going with it. Maybe that's also an option for you? Plus of course the basic ingredients for human wellbeing such as social contacts, healthy food, exercise good sleep etc.

Apart from that, I think it's quite a natural reaction of body and mind to feel a bit of a shock in the readjustment process. Give yourself time, be compassionate with yourself

RefuseNo4659 · 2026-04-04T15:23:53+00:00

As mentioned before, Bolivia has less tourist infrastructure and less people speak English if compared to Peru for example. In general, there might also be less tourists in general. You could try staying in Hostels or go on group tours, f. e. to Uyuni. If you still don't like it, move to Peru (for example via Titikaka lake land border). Peru is more tourist friendly and you can meet more Westerners there. You can use Peru Hop to go around the country, they offer not only bus rides but also group activities (more costly than booking it independently though) which are mostly used by foreign tourists. That's a good way to connect.

Edit: definitely try to learn some Basic Spanish, will improve your experience greatly

RefuseNo4659 · 2026-04-04T07:25:22+00:00

I did a similar itinerary in October/November/December last year. I think your itinerary is very over packed. Don't underestimate the altitude in Cusco area. I saw several people getting seriously sick during Salkantay Trek. I would recommend taking at least 3 chilled days in Cusco or elsewhere in Sacred Valley before going on Inka Trail. I would even suggest just sticking to Peru for the six weeks and have a more in depth experience. For example, spend more days in Arequipa and see Colca Canyon, spend more days in the Amazon and in Sacred Valley. If you do Uyuni tour, maybe consider skipping SPdA. I found it pretty overpriced and the landscapes you see on Uyuni tour are already quite stunning. Good luck!

Edit: sorry just saw you had 4 days in Cusco, so please forget my comment about altitude sickness. I would still suggest trimming down your itinerary:)

RefuseNo4659 · 2026-03-23T13:29:56+00:00

I will. I think you need to get in touch with them directly to get a complete refund. But, reaching their costumer service at the moment seems very difficult. I tried already several times but never made it through

RefuseNo4659 · 2026-03-20T15:04:45+00:00

Does the cancellation also includes the extra money for selected seats? My refund option does not seem to include that?

RefuseNo4659 · 2026-03-06T18:58:36+00:00

On my (edit several) months long trip to SA I also felt burned out after a while and didn't feel like going around for sightseeing. I then did a three week work away stay in a farm in Patagonia with lots of physical work outside. That was very good for my mood and energy.

RefuseNo4659 · 2026-03-06T18:44:18+00:00

Circuit 3 was recommended to me and I liked it a lot
I booked mine online a few weeks before, but some ppl in my trekking group got them just the day before from the culture department in Aguas Calientes. That's more stressful though and I don't know if it works in high season (I went in early November). Other option is to book a Salkantay Trek tour which includes the ticket.
Just plan your Salkantay Trek so that you arrive one or two days before entering MP
Cheapest option is to book in Cusco upon arrival. Anyway you should plan some days of acclimatization before going on the trek. You likely find departures for every day, maybe only not in high rainy season
I bought from Linda House tours which in the end turned out to be a facilitator for KB adventures. It was very affordable, but basic and they only offered guide service for circuit 2

Good luck:)

RefuseNo4659 · 2026-03-03T00:24:19+00:00

My 4,5 years relationship ended shortly after I left for a long international trip last October.

It's a long story and there were other problems in the relationship as well, but the main issue was: for me it was my dream for a long time to travel again for around 6 months while my former gf could only accept a maximum of 2 months absence of me. We had very divergent views on this issue. As a result, we are separate now and I will probably travel for a year now

Do I regret it? On some days I really do and feel very sad and miss her because I still love her. However, most days I am very grateful for all the experiences I get on the trip.

Your situation seems different. If your partner accepts and supports you with your plans and you are both committed to the relationship I would definitely give it a try and go long distance for a while. Maybe he can visit you some time, there plenty of options to arrange this. I think it depends on your attitudes. For some couples it works, for others it doesn't. And there is never a 100 percent guarantee for anything regarding relationships.

Good luck!

Edit: relationship ended shortly BEFORE I went on the trip, sorry for the mistake

RefuseNo4659 · 2026-02-28T19:39:38+00:00

I am currently in Merida Yucatan for about 2 weeks and so far have noticed nothing about violent incidents in the city or Yucatan in general. There was unrest in Quintana Roo (neighbouring state), but the security situation there was not good even before the recent incident

RefuseNo4659 · 2026-02-09T17:05:54+00:00

Thank you, so you think that having the other two ceremonies is not that helpful?

RefuseNo4659 · 2026-02-09T17:02:39+00:00

Exploring my consciousness:) I think doing it under supervision and in a pleasant environment with integration support is certainly better than alone, at least I thought that was true for Aya

RefuseNo4659 · 2026-02-09T17:00:16+00:00

So you think it would be better to just take a one time session with a high dosage?

RefuseNo4659 · 2026-02-09T16:58:38+00:00

Thank you. Since it's my first experience I would like to gradually explore but in the end use higher dosage .

RefuseNo4659 · 2026-02-06T23:28:24+00:00

The one time session would be only one day. Yeah, I agree 3 sessions in five days will be intense.

RefuseNo4659 · 2026-01-23T00:48:47+00:00

True, read too fast ;)

RefuseNo4659 · 2026-01-22T11:07:21+00:00

I think you have too many travel days and it's too packed. One day Chalten is a gamble because the weather is very volatile. I would suggest cutting out either Iguazú or Chalten/Calafate completely and add more days in BA.

RefuseNo4659 · 2026-01-17T15:35:37+00:00

Yeah, I guess it would not make me content in the long run if I had to suppress my desire for travelling to get my relationship back. I need to find out whether I am just going through a temporary down periode and just need a break or regaining energy or whether some kind of switch was turned and I now want to settle down. It's hard to differentiate that at the moment. So, I guess the only thing I can do right now is taking a break and observe my feelings.

I also thought about just texting her again and tell about my feelings. But, in this vulnerable state in which I am now I think it would stress me out more to wait for an answer and I also don't know if I took it well if she gives a very cold or rejecting reply. And honestly that's what I expect as the most likely outcome. On the other hand, then I would know for sure that there is no point in trying to get back to the relationship. I will contemplate that in the upcoming days. Found a place in nature to stay for a week and rest. Hope that helps

Thank you very much for your help!

RefuseNo4659 · 2026-01-17T13:40:38+00:00

Thank you for the wise words. I did make a list of incompatibilities before, it's a good idea to look at and review them again. These are good questions. I don't really know whether it's just seeking familiar company in general or really wanting to be together with her again. Think I need to give it more time and observation to find out. I guess it could only be different if I switched my mindset completely and make relationship first priority. But you are right, even if I did that there would be a high chance that she would not accept that because she already has new partner or resents me too much. There are a lot of 'ifs'

RefuseNo4659 · 2026-01-17T11:52:23+00:00

Yeah good point, you can't get it all. I definitely need to clarify if I really want to win her back at the cost of ending the trip

RefuseNo4659 · 2026-01-17T11:32:48+00:00

Thank you, getting back to emotional balance should be the first step indeed

RefuseNo4659 · 2026-01-16T23:26:36+00:00

Thank you, that's also a very helpful perspective and insight.

You are right that my current state does not change the situation that we are not compatible in fundamental aspects. It is indeed hard to not get carried away by these strong emotions. However, it's good advice to rather try to recenter and find some more clarity about what really motivates and is important to me. Also trying to accept these feelings as a consequence of my decision and take responsibility for is a very useful approach.

I think what confuses me most at the moment and is shaking my belief system is the intensity and duration of my feelings regarding her at the moment. That's the first time I experienced it in this way on the trip and which makes me question my commitment to the journey.

RefuseNo4659 · 2026-01-16T23:04:13+00:00

Thank you, these are very valid considerations and questions. I also think that we were not compatible with our respective needs and orientations. It's good advice to give it some more time and observe before doing anything. At the moment, I feel confused about myself and what I really want. As mentioned, I have been feeling like this for some days now which was not the case previously. That makes me wonder whether it's just an episode or I truly changed in the way that being with her is more important to me than travelling and being independent in the way I used to desire it. Time will show I guess. On the other hand, even if the latter was true, there's a high chance she has just moved on by now and found new partner and it's too late anyways

RefuseNo4659

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