Birthdays usually come with familiar faces , family dinners, and the same yearly wishes. Vaishnavi's birthday came with 14 strangers, a birthday cake in the middle of Kaziranga, and a week that quietly changed the way she looked at people, fear, and even herself.
She booked a solo trip to Meghalaya with WanderOn that started on her birthday. What she thought would be just another birthday vacation turned into a week that challenged her fears, gave her memories she never expected, and reminded her that sometimes, the best trips begin when you stop waiting for someone else to join you.
When we spoke to Vaishnavi about her journey, we expected stories about beautiful waterfalls, scenic roads, and adventure activities. Instead, our conversation became about something much bigger. It was about saying yes to a Meghalaya group trip, stepping out of her comfort zone, trying new things, and discovering that sometimes, travelling solo doesn't really mean being alone.
Here's her story, exactly as she shared it with us.
Why I Chose Meghalaya for My Birthday Trip ?
We were curious to know why Meghalaya. Out of so many places, what made her choose the Northeast for her birthday week? It's a destination that's becoming increasingly popular among women solo travellers, so we wanted to know what made it the right choice for her.
She answered, “I work and live in Jamshedpur, so exploring the Northeast felt like the most convenient option. I had already decided that I wanted to travel somewhere, and since I was travelling alone, joining a group seemed like a better idea."
Like many people planning their first solo trip, she started comparing different travel operators, reading WanderOn solo traveller reviews, and exploring different itineraries before making a decision. "While researching, I really liked WanderOn's itinerary. The batch was starting on my birthday, so everything just fell into place. That's why I chose WanderOn for my birthday week trip."
The itinerary she chose was the Meghalaya with Kaziranga Road Trip, and looking back now, she feels that choosing this Meghalaya group trip for her birthday was a great decision.
First Thoughts About Solo Travel As A Women
Why Female Travellers Trust WanderOn?
For many women solo travellers, considering or even looking at solo trips for women, safety is often the biggest concern. We wanted to know if she had similar thoughts before joining a group of complete strangers.
Surprisingly, her answer was calm and practical. "Not really. Before booking the trip, I had already read reviews shared by female travellers. That gave me confidence."
She also remembered speaking to the destination expert before confirming her booking. "I asked him how everything works for solo female travellers. I wanted to understand the group structure and how things are managed. He explained everything very patiently and assured me that I would be completely safe."
Once the trip actually began, those worries disappeared almost immediately. Experiences like these show why solo trips for women are becoming a preferred way to explore new destinations with confidence. "Our batch had 15 travellers, and there were more female travellers than male travellers. It felt safe from the very beginning, and we had a lot of fun."
We asked her if anything changed once she had spent a day with the group. She said , “Honestly, I never felt uncomfortable and understood why female travellers trust WanderOn. All our co-travellers were kind and respectful. I felt completely safe throughout the trip."
The Birthday Surprise And Developing Friendships
When we asked Vaishnavi about the moment she truly felt like she belonged, she didn't mention a famous viewpoint or a waterfall in Meghalaya. Instead, she spoke about the very first day. “The group was travelling towards Kaziranga. Like every first day of a group trip, everyone was still getting to know one another. Introductions had just begun, conversations were light, and nobody really knew each other yet.”
Then dinner happened. And so did a surprise she wasn't expecting.
"The group came with a cake to celebrate my birthday. It was such a sweet gesture. After that, everyone pampered me throughout the trip. That was the icebreaker for me. I immediately felt included."
As the days passed, those conversations continued naturally.
Every evening, the group would gather after dinner - not because anyone had planned an activity, but simply because everyone wanted to spend more time together.
"We would sit together, talk about life, share stories, play games and just enjoy each other's company. It was never about gossip or making fun of someone. People actually listened to each other, appreciated one another and motivated each other. Even during our free time, nobody was left alone. We really travelled together as a group. It was super fun."
Listening to her, we realised something. The birthday cake wasn't the biggest surprise of the trip. It was the feeling of belonging that followed it.
Meghalaya Was Beautiful. But What Stayed With Her….
Every traveller remembers a destination differently. Some remember the food, while others remember a particular place or activity. When we asked Vaishnavi what stood out the most during her solo traveller experience, her answers were the people, the culture and the little moments that made her feel alive.
What was your first impression of Meghalaya?
"Meghalaya is a beautiful place, I really liked it. The waterfalls were beautiful, and the locals were very warm. One thing that really caught my attention is the cleanliness; every place we visited was very clean - be it waterfalls, villages, etc. Even the public washrooms were very clean, despite the charge; they were absolutely clean. We also tried the local food and experienced the local culture, which made the trip even more special.
We travelled in Meghalaya in March, and there was still plenty of water in the waterfalls. I know they are at their best during the monsoon, but honestly, I wasn't disappointed at all."
Krang Suri Waterfall, Shnongpdeng And A Peaceful Hidden Gem
When we asked her about her favourite places from the trip, she found it difficult to pick just one.
"Krang Suri Waterfall was definitely one of my favourites. We also had a bonfire and enjoyed water activities like boating and cliff jumping in Meghalaya at Shnongpdeng, which was an amazing experience. I also really liked Lyngshiar Waterfall. It was peaceful, there wasn't much crowd, and it felt like one of those places where you could simply sit and enjoy nature."
"Of course, the Double Decker Living Root Bridge deserves a special mention. The hike itself was enjoyable, and finally walking on those naturally grown bridges felt amazing. I was in awe about it’s construction and the sturdiness it had. Watching this natural formation that has been shaped and guided for so long was definitely worth it. "
The Day I Finally Tried Cliff Jumping
While reading Vaishnavi's WanderOn solo traveller review before our conversation, one line had caught our attention. She had described cliff jumping in Meghalaya as one of her biggest personal achievements. We wanted to know why.
"Initially, I was very scared because I had never tried cliff jumping before. But everyone around me kept encouraging and motivating me, so I finally took the jump. Once I did it, it felt so good and so safe that I actually did it twice."
"Floating in the river was one of the most relaxing experiences of the trip. We also enjoyed boating together. The water wasn't as transparent as it looks on Instagram, but it was clean, and honestly, it wasn't disappointing at all."
Sometimes, the biggest achievement on a trip isn't ticking off another activity. It's doing something you genuinely believed you couldn't do.
What This Solo Trip to Meghalaya with WanderOn Taught Me
By this point in our conversation, it was clear that Meghalaya had given Vaishnavi much more than beautiful photographs. So, we asked her one final question about the journey itself.
What did you discover about yourself during this trip?
"I'm a very introvert person, and I don't usually interact with strangers very easily. But on this trip, I tried talking to other travellers, and it turned out to be one of the best parts of the journey. I realised that I actually can talk to strangers and enjoy their company. I'm also learning to swim, but I never imagined that I would jump into a river from a cliff. Doing that gave me the confidence to try even bigger adventures like bungee jumping in the future."
She then shared something that many travellers will relate to.
"We often create limits in our own minds and decide what we can or cannot do without even trying. I think we should be open to new experiences first and then decide. I also used to think the Northeast was too far to explore, but I finally made it there with a group of strangers. Now I know that travelling with people I don't know isn't something to be afraid of anymore. I didn't know I was capable of doing all this, but now it feels like an achievement."
My Meghalaya Itinerary In 7 Days
For those wondering what the journey looked like, here's a quick look at the Meghalaya with Kaziranga Roadtrip that Vaishnavi experienced during her birthday trip.
- Day 1: Arrival in Guwahati. Transfer to Kaziranga.
- Day 2: Morning Jeep Safari in Kaziranga National Park. Transfer to Shillong.
- Day 3: Transferred to Dawki via Laitlum Canyon, and Krang Suri Waterfall. Bonfire at camps in Shnongpdeng.
- Day 4: Water Activities at Shnongpdeng. Transfer to Cherrapunji via Mawlynnong Village.
- Day 5: Trek to the Double Decker Living Root Bridge.
- Day 6: Visited Mawsmai Caves, Nohkalikai Falls and Lyngksiar Falls before heading to Shillong. Evening at Police Bazaar.
- Day 7: Departed for Guwahati via Umaim Lake with a bag full of memories.
A Trip Captain Who Made Everyone Feel Included
She gave a special mention to Rahul - her trip captain. So, we had to ask what made him stand out.
"He made sure nobody was bored for even a single moment. Whether we were travelling on the road or relaxing after sightseeing, he always had some fun activity or game planned for us."
She appreciated the fact that he paid attention to everyone in the group.
"He had a way of making even the shy people feel included. He would joke around, encourage people to dance or sing, and make sure nobody felt left out."
For someone travelling alone, that made all the difference. It's little things like these that make a Meghalaya group trip feel welcoming, especially for first-time solo travellers. "People who join a group trip solo often wonder who they'll talk to or whether they'll end up feeling lonely. But Rahul made sure everyone was involved. He also gave clear instructions before every activity, so we never felt confused or stressed."
The Journey Didn't End When the Trip Did
One thing we were curious about was whether the friendships ended once everyone went back home. "Not at all. Along with me, there were 2 other women who had joined the trip solo. I'm still in touch with both of them and also with two other travellers I met during the trip."
Before wrapping up our conversation, we also asked her the question every traveller eventually answers.
Would you travel with WanderOn again?
"Definitely, yes. If the destination and the budget work out, I would love to travel with WanderOn again because I enjoyed the experience."
If you'd like to read her original WanderOn solo traveller review, you can find it here.
One Last Question Before We Said Goodbye
Before ending our conversation, there was one question we really wanted to ask.
What would you say to women who are still hesitant about taking their first solo trip?
She didn't think for long before answering, "I think we get only one life to live, and you shouldn't depend on anyone else to take that trip with you. Just remove the thought that you can't travel alone or that you always need company. The clock is ticking, and if you feel like travelling, just go. Don't overthink it.
I feel there are so many places I still want to explore and so many experiences I want to have. If we're lucky enough to see this beautiful world, then we should. And if you have the time and your own money, why not travel alone and discover what the world has to offer?"
If you're one of the many women solo travellers waiting for the "right time", maybe it's time to stop waiting.
Pick the destination you've always wanted to visit, book that trip with WanderOn, and let the journey surprise you. We'd love to be a part of your first solo adventure.
