Unforgettable Gap Year Trips For Solo Travellers

A leading gap year specialist, Real Gap have found that a massive 84% of their travellers go solo.

With a huge range of minimum-number trips, you’re guaranteed to make friends with likeminded people on the travel trip of a lifetime with Real Gap. The minute you touch down in your chosen country, you’re greeted by a local team and the rest of the group, ready to get to know each other. Sorted.

If you’re not too fond of flying alone, don’t worry; Real Gap can partner you with other people on the same flight so you can make friends before you even start your adventure.

In a recent survey, past travellers spilled the beans about their experience and what they got out of it. The results? 80% said they had improved confidence once they landed back home. But the best bit? 83% of employers agreed that travel helps a CV stand out and improves the chances of being shortlisted, plus 85% said they would actively encourage travel to improve confidence, decision-making skills and independence. All of this makes a solo gap year even more worthwhile.

So what’s stopping you? Check out these gap year trips for solo travel and new experiences…

Thailand Experience

Perfect for young, first time travellers, this is Real Gap’s most popular trip, hands down. From bangin’ Bangkok to the epic sandy beaches of Koh Phangan, often all 36 spaces are snapped up, guaranteeing you a fun, packed trip and tonnes of new travel buddies. Experiencing Bangkok, Sangkhlaburi, Kanchanaburi, Koh Phangan and so much more, this trip combines crazy cities and beach parties with relaxed cultures and embracing local communities. With the chance to volunteer in a local day centre or take part in building work, this is the perfect time to hone in those cooperation skills as you work as a team. Ending the trip on a true high, don’t forget the epic Full Moon party on Koh Phangan – unmissable.

Cambodia Experience

In these 21 days, you’re guaranteed to make friends for life. Working your way from Phnom Penh, Siem Reap, Battambang and Sihanoukille, this trip combines everything from temples and volunteering to bamboo trains and sandy beaches. With friendly guides on hand throughout the way this is a packed trip rich in history and culture meaning you get to experience an enchanting country in true style whilst making friends along the way. Highlight of the trip? Sunrise at the Angkor Wat is on everyone’s bucket list, so prime time to tick that bad boy off!

China Ultimate

Two weeks into your trip you’ll get to camp on the Great Wall of China and watch the sunrise… What more do you want? This 27-day trip is full of culture, experiences and incredible food (did someone say dim sum?!), bamboo rafting, panda spotting, Shanghai bar crawls, volunteering in local communities, Great Wall of China, Terracotta Warriors and so much more (tonnes of additional activities are available). The Real Gap team have a lot of love for this trip and if the view from Victoria Peak doesn’t win your heart over then the food certainly will.

South Africa Experience

Elephants, lions, leopards, rhinos, buffalo… you can see them all on this two-week experience. Roll your sleeves and get stuck in as a team behind the scenes of a private game reserve. For the first week, you’ll be working together on a range of tasks from fence maintenance, game drives and patrols to caring for the animals. Evenings will be full of getting to know your group with BBQs and star gazing – simply incredible. After witnessing the big five, you’ll pack in everything from surfing Jeffreys Bay (Surfers Paradise to the locals) and exploring Tsitsikamma National Park to soaking up the stunning Cape Town. Table Mountain is a must and with a cable car ride up to the top you’re in for incredible views around the coast.

Costa Rica Experience

Four weeks of adrenaline-fuelled adventure can be expected on the Costa Rica Experience. Expect surfing, white water rafting, zip lining, jungle treks and horse riding on this big one. After getting to know the group, you’ll kick off the trip with some volunteering at a turtle conservation centre (great for the CV!) and witness baby turtles hatching and making their way to the sea before hitting the beaches for surfing lessons. Hanging rainforest walks and trekking the foot of Arenal Volcano are all highlights on this trip, along with beach house accommodation on the Caribbean coast. With loads of team activities and volunteering, this is a must for solo travellers wanting to make lifelong friends.

There are loads more adventures that are perfect for solo travellers on a gap year at www.realgap.co.uk/real-experiences.