Alyssa White, from Houston, Texas, is a seasoned solo traveler who plans every detail of her trips herself. Bhutan was the one place she couldn’t crack on her own. Here’s how one SoFe trip turned into two, with a third already on the calendar.
Bhutan was the puzzle I couldn’t solve
I’m usually a solo traveler. Bhutan had been on my list forever, but it’s not a place you just show up to on your own. The flights and the visa are both hard to sort out.
SoFe’s Nepal and Bhutan trip included the flights into and out of Paro and the Bhutan visa. That took the hardest part of the puzzle completely off my plate. I also loved the idea of an all-women group. That combination sold me.
The group part made me nervous
Traveling solo? Not at all. That’s my usual style. Joining a group was what made me nervous. Nepal and Bhutan was my first group trip ever, and I wondered how it would feel to give up some of the freedom I’m used to.
Would I like the pace? I did. Would I click with everyone? The groups made each trip better on a whole new level. Would it feel like being herded from stop to stop? It didn’t.
“It didn’t feel like I sacrificed freedom. It felt like I got to stay autonomous among a group of new friends.”
Letting someone else play travel agent
As someone who plans every detail of my trips, this was a revelation. No researching transport between Kathmandu and Pokhara. No figuring out how to get from Thimphu to Phobjikha Valley to Punakha to Paro. No wondering how on earth to reach Song Kul lake at 10,000 feet.
When I’m truly on my own, part of my brain is always on logistics. On these trips, all of that energy went into the experience instead. Which explains why I came home with roughly 1,908 photos and videos to sort through.
Our guides were awesome. Sonam and our driver Tandin in Bhutan, and Tatiana in Kyrgyzstan, knew their countries inside out and really looked out for us. Sonam brought kiras for all of us to wear. Tandin handled every one of those winding mountain drives. Tatiana made a group of strangers feel like family, and threw an impromptu karaoke party for good measure.
“With them in charge, I could stop being ‘on alert’ the way I am when I travel solo.”
Tiger’s Nest and karaoke in Thimphu
The hike to Tiger’s Nest monastery was a real physical challenge and absolutely phenomenal to look at. Karaoke in Thimphu was a total blast. The people, the food, the dzongs, the largest sitting Buddha, the prayer flags, the dogs, the vibes: 10/10.
Nepal had its own once-in-a-lifetime moments, like seeing the current Kumari, Kathmandu’s living goddess, and meeting a former one.
Then I booked Kyrgyzstan
It worked out so well that I booked Kyrgyzstan a few months later. By then, the nerves were gone. Mountains and horses! I was counting down the days.
This time we were six women from different countries and walks of life, ages 28 to 76. That small size was perfect.
SoFe got us to the World Nomad Games: the Opening Ceremony, a US vs. Kyrgyzstan kok boru match and the women’s horseback archery. I could tell the logistics were complicated. There wasn’t a single hiccup. All I had to do was show up and soak it in.
Horses. Mountains. Mist.
My favorite moment of both trips was our first horseback ride in Kyrgyzstan. We left a gorgeous yurt camp in Chon Kemin and rode out into mountains shrouded in mist.
“Horses. Mountains. Mist. Serenity. Peace. This is what I came to Kyrgyzstan for, and it delivered on every level.”
Runners-up, because I can’t help myself: lunch in a family’s home, hearing how their village has changed as Kyrgyzstan has modernized. Meeting a traditional eagle hunter, plus his eagle and his taigan puppy. A six-hour horse trek over a mountain pass. And the total peace of Song Kul lake, surrounded by herds of horses.
Bonded for life
I’m still in touch with women from both trips. When you’ve hiked to Tiger’s Nest together, cheered at a kok boru match together, or sat in total silence by Song Kul together, you’re bonded for life.
Fourteen women in Bhutan meant someone new to talk to at every meal. Six in Kyrgyzstan felt like a little family. And on both trips, karaoke happened.
For the solo traveler who’s hesitating
What surprised me most was how much I enjoyed group travel. I was worried it would feel restrictive. Instead, it opened doors.
“You’re not giving up your independence. You’re gaining a crew, a brilliant local guide, and experiences you could never piece together on your own.”
Even if you’re a self-described socially awkward introvert like me, you’ll come home with new friends, new book recommendations and new travel inspiration. Oh, and pack an extra memory card.
I just booked SoFe’s Rwanda and Uganda trip for summer 2027. My solo trips are still part of my life. Now group trips with SoFe are too.
