Diving into the deep pool beneath Orkhon Falls, Mongolia's tallest waterfall, the cool water washed off the heat of the morning sun. I followed my new-found friends swimming enthusiastically towards the base of the falls. As the cascading torrent thundered onto my shoulders, I could hear their delighted shrieks and laughter echoing from behind the curtain of water. It was exhilarating.
Just seven days earlier, these people had been strangers; now, it was impossible to imagine this moment without them. Somewhere between the vast grasslands of the Mongolian steppe, hilltop hikes, evening campfires, horse treks and bone-rattling journeys across winding dirt tracks, we'd become friends.
© Georgie DuckworthThere’s a certain irony in booking a solo adventure only to spend it surrounded by other people. But travel has a unique way of bringing strangers together, and those unexpected friendships became one of the greatest joys of the trip. It certainly wasn’t what I expected when I signed up to cross central Mongolia with a small group I’d never met…
A new adventure
At 42, after 15 years of family holidays around the UK and Europe with my husband and our two sons, aged 11 and 14, I found myself craving an adventure that was just for me. Perhaps it was a midlife wobble, maybe mental preparation for my upcoming empty-nest era, or simply a growing desire to see the world and rediscover the adventurous traveller I'd once been.
© Getty ImagesThe problem was, I didn't have the confidence to do it alone anymore. When a friend returned from a small-group trip to Ethiopia telling tales of camaraderie and an instant community of travel buddies, I was intrigued but sceptical. Until then, I’d believed that group travel was all coaches, matching lanyards and guides waving flags. I couldn't have been more wrong.
This is an altogether different way to travel: small groups of like-minded people joining together to explore extraordinary places. As Jan, one of my companions in Mongolia, later put it: “With a small group, you can reach places that are difficult to explore independently, with the reassurance of a local guide and a handful of fellow travellers. It’s the perfect way to travel, especially for women.”
Why you should travel solo – in a group
It's a choice that's proving increasingly popular, especially amongst women. Research has found that 96% of women who have never travelled solo would be more likely to do so as part of a small group tour. Wild Frontiers, the company I travelled with, has seen solo bookings on its small-group tours increase by 30% over the past year alone.
© Georgie DuckworthCEO, Clare Tobin, believes the appeal lies in striking the balance between independent travel and built-in companionship. “These tours are a great option for people who want to travel independently while meeting similar people. For those who are new to solo travelling, a small group tour also provides a sense of safety and security.”
Focus on the destination
For me, the destination was never in doubt. Mongolia's endless landscapes, remoteness and enduring nomadic culture had long captured my imagination. When I found Wild Frontiers' two-week itinerary across the central steppe in a small group of 12, I cast off any nerves and confirmed my place before I could talk myself out of it.
© Wild FrontiersAnd so, I soon found myself rumbling across the vast grasslands of Terelj National Park, through the sand dunes of Elsen Tasarkhai and onwards into the Orkhon Valley, surrounded by majestic mountains and the tumbling Orkhon waterfall. All accompanied by a travelling band of Brits, Irish, Americans and a Canadian. Herds of horses, yaks and goats grazed beneath enormous skies while vultures soared overhead. The epic scale and beauty of the landscape were even more spectacular than I'd imagined, and discovering it together made it all the richer.
Led by our local guide, Jack, we spent two unforgettable weeks sleeping in traditional gers (yurts); hiking through volcanic valleys to remote hilltop monasteries, including Tovkhon Khiid, with its views across the wave-like summits of the surrounding Arkhangai Hills; kayaking rapids on the River Tuul; riding Bactrian camels across desert-like dunes; and sharing mutton dumplings and airag (fermented mare’s milk) with nomadic families who welcomed us into their homes.
© Getty ImagesMeet like-minded travellers
As anticipated, this style of adventure attracted the sort of people I'd hoped to meet. One fellow traveller, Kelsay, laughed at my observation. "Anyone signing up for two weeks in rural Mongolia is bound to be curious, adventurous and good company," she agreed.
She was right. Our group ranged in age from 29 to 83, a mix of solo travellers and couples. Within days, any awkwardness disappeared, replaced by the easy pattern of shared adventures, easy companionship and the privilege of exploring Mongolia together.
© Wild FrontiersWe celebrated reaching mountain summits, swapped snacks on long drives, became exceptionally competitive over shagai (a traditional game played with goat anklebones) and laughed our way through a few rain storms and upset stomachs.
I never felt lonely
Though travelling alone, I was never lonely: there was always someone to join for a hike, a swim, a beer or a belly laugh, yet never any pressure to be together. That balance – companionship when you want it, independence when you don't – is what makes small-group travel so special.
Along the way I picked up a few practical tips from my fellow travellers: biodegradable dehydrated wipes are a godsend; Hoka trainers are worth the hype; handwashing clothes is easiest in the shower; always take binoculars (even if you’re not a birder); and never, ever eat horse intestines.
© Getty ImagesBack home, the constant chatter of our ‘Steppe Nomads 2026’ WhatsApp group has inevitably quietened. But the friendships remain, along with the confidence that I don't have to choose between travelling independently and travelling alone. My greatest discovery wasn't just Mongolia, but realising that the right group of strangers can become one of the most rewarding parts of the journey. And as I begin thinking about my next adventure, I find myself thinking less about the destination and more about the people I'll meet along the way.
How to book it: Nomads of the Steppe Mongolia with Wild Frontiers costs from £3,080 ($4,084). An optional single supplement of £310 ($411) can be paid by solo travellers who would prefer not to share accommodation – where possible – during the trip.
Georgie was a guest of Wild Frontiers. All hotels and experiences have been independently reviewed by our expert writers, who are usually hosted on a complimentary basis, but this never affects our review process.
