There's a world of adventure out there for solo travellers

Travelling alone will help you gain confidence, learn problem-solving skills, meet new people and become all round more educated and interesting. But it makes it even more important to plan and prepare for your trip. It is recommended to have a practice trip close to home before venturing further afield.

Now the world is opening up again, people are eager to make up for lost time – with some choosing to holiday alone.

Tour company Explore says more than half of travellers on its small group trips are travelling on their own, with 2022 bookings for solo travellers up 27% on the same period in 2019. Whether you’re a lone traveller seeking company or a practical way to explore, here are the best-value holidays designed for singles.

Best for… adventurers

Explore reports a big rise in “mid-life gap years” such as its 21-day Five Stans of the Silk Road trip. Following the Silk Road and crossing off the five Stans of Central Asia, it includes a few off-beat experiences, such as an Uzbek fashion show in Samarkand, a visit to the one of the largest collections of Soviet art in Nukus, and camping next to the “Door to Hell” – the eternally-burning gas crater of Darvaza, lit since 1971.

How: From £4,350 per person (including a 50% discount on single rooms from £890 to £445). Excludes flights.

Best for… nature lovers

An African safari provides an opportunity to see a variety of wildlife. A favourite with honeymooners, Botswana has a reputation for being expensive. But Kwara Lodge in the Okavango Delta offers affordable packages for lone travellers.

For five months of the year (November to March) Kwara and its sister camps (Lagoon and Lebala) are run with zero single supplements. During this low season period, the landscape is green, birds are in abundance, and rainstorms clear dust from the sky – making it a great time for photographers.

How: Reef & Rainforest offers an 11-day stay from £4,720 per person, with a guaranteed single room and all activities. Flights extra.

Best for… sustainable travel

Taking the train is not only a nostalgic way to travel; it’s better for the environment. Now it’s possible to save the planet – and pennies – by booking a holiday from Explore’s new collection of London2 rail journeys.

The 15-day escorted London to Istanbul rail adventure travels through French countryside and Italian cities, heads to the Balkans and finally crosses into Asia Minor. Pass through narrow-gauge railways, sample rural Serbian wineries and cover nine countries in two weeks.

How: From £2,245 per person (including a 50% discount on single rooms).

Best for… women

A chaotic mix of culture, bright colours and exotic foods, India is a mesmerising country. The challenges and rewards are captured in the film The Best Exotic Marigold Hotel, which forms the basis of a holiday offered by Wild Frontiers.

Travellers can follow in Judi Dench’s footsteps, with the reassurance of a group and tour guide on an 11-day trip through Rajasthan and the Golden Triangle of Delhi, Agra and Jaipur. Based on themes and locations featured in the film, the trip includes a stay at Ravla Khempur, the 17th Century palace that inspired the film’s title hotel.

How: From £2,155 per person (sharing with a same gender traveller), excluding flights.

Best for… cruisers

A floating hotel where life is easy and views change daily, cruises are an excellent way to visit multiple destinations without any upheaval.

Arena River Cruise offers single supplement deals on several of their itineraries, including a seven-day Springtime in the Gardens of Holland and Belgium – with Floriade trip. Travelling onboard new ship the MS Arena, it includes a stop at the once-in-a-decade Floriade Expo, a dazzling horticultural experience.

Also included are optional visits to other gardens, including the Appeltern Gardens, the National Botanic Garden of Belgium, and a day at the Keukenhof Gardens.

How: From £1,099 per person – saving £200, including full board, coach and ferry travel from the UK. Departs April 23, 28 and 29, and May 5.

Best for… history fans

Peru contains some of South America’s greatest archaeological treasures, including Machu Pichu.

Cox & Kings offers a nine-night Treasures of Peru tour, starting in foodie hot spot Lima and continuing to former Inca citadel Cuzco, followed by a train ride through the Sacred Valley to Machu Picchu. High rise Lake Titicaca also features on the itinerary, where there’s a chance to share lunch with a local family.

How: From £2,595 per person, excluding flights.