More Indian women over 45 are travelling solo, but business trips remain rare after 50: Report

Once considered a pursuit for the young, adventure travel is now being embraced by Indian women over 45. Women aged 45-55 constitute the largest segment of solo travellers in India, accounting for 50% of all female adventure travellers, according to a 2025 women travellers' survey.

“Over the last 30 years in adventure travel, 50% of solo travellers have been women seeking the outdoors to feel liberated,” said Vaibhav Kala, Founder of Aquaterra Adventures India.

The report highlights that most women in their 50s, with higher disposable incomes and fewer family responsibilities, often choose to travel solo or with close friends.

“Safety is their biggest concern, as is travelling with like-minded people. Adventure travel is seen as a safer form of self-expression—offering travel in secure environments, small groups, and with experienced leaders trained in wilderness safety and first aid—while also allowing them to push beyond the conventional boundaries of travel,” added Kala.

Rather than travelling entirely alone, many of these women join group expeditions or travel with female friends, seeking companionship and the opportunity to connect with like-minded adventurers.

Meanwhile, the survey also reveals that just under 10% of women travel primarily for business, indicating that leisure and self-exploration remain dominant motivations for female travellers.

Another striking trend the survey highlights is that while most women embark on solo travel in their 50s, only a little over 5% of women aged 25-35 do so. This reflects the immense responsibilities they shoulder at this stage—whether in their households or careers—leaving little room for independent travel. Interestingly, women under 25 are more likely to travel solo than those aged 35-45.

Mountains emerged as the top choice among surveyed solo women travellers, with many drawn to iconic ranges worldwide. Popular destinations include the Dolomites in Italy, Aconcagua in Argentina, the Mont Blanc Circuit spanning France, Italy, and Switzerland, Kilimanjaro in Tanzania, and the Manaslu Circuit in Nepal.

However, the survey does not provide insights into the average per capita income of these travellers, leaving unanswered the question of whether solo adventure travel is a privilege reserved for a select few or a growing trend accessible to women across different income groups.

Beyond trekking, there is a growing interest in skill-based adventures like kayaking, while high-adrenaline expeditions on India’s Tons, Zanskar, Siang, and Subansiri rivers are attracting more women each year.