There is no doubt that the solo travel market is growing rapidly. And finally, tour operators are responding by running single supplements (surcharges for solo travelers but enough space for two people) and special promotions for those of us traveling alone.Read more: Traveling in the Singapore direction? Don’t miss the essential tips for this trip
We’ve rounded up six of the most exciting deals for solo travelers, from the peaks of the South Island to the jungles of Peru.
Solo Travel 2024
Bali’s Escape Haven
Owned by Janine Hall, a Kiwi expat now based in Bali, Escape Haven already specializes in catering to solo female travellers. Most people are drawn to its yoga, surfing, fitness and meditation workshops, which include meals, unlimited spa treatments and transfers.
Escape Haven’s latest offer is a free overnight stay for guests who book the Bali Women’s Retreat week-long package before the end of October. You’ll also receive an additional US$100 credit to use on any of the resort’s healing or wellness services, such as chakra balancing, or a “Let Go” ceremony conducted by a Balinese priest. This offer is valid for any retreat from September to March, with weekly retreats timed to coincide with Air New Zealand travel dates.
Rainforest Cruises’ Delfin III in the Peruvian Rainforest
For solo travelers, being flexible on dates and booking at the last minute can be hugely beneficial, with tour operators offering extra discounts at the eleventh hour to fill empty rooms and seats. Case in point? Rainforest Cruises, a provider of riverboat and small cruise ship packages, is eliminating the single supplement for Peruvian rainforest cruises on the Delfin III departing October 21, 31 and November 7.
The luxury boat has room for just 44 guests, creating an intimate experience where days are spent exploring the Amazon Park or Nauta Canoe Creek, home to silverback tamarillo monkeys and sloths. Meanwhile, nights are spent drinking pisco sours, taking cooking classes or admiring boat artwork, handcrafted by local women on boats.
Cosmos Tours’ North American and Europe Tours
Last minute booking is not the only option. Another strategy for closing a deal is to plan far ahead. It’s becoming increasingly common for tour operators to set aside a number of places in their itineraries dedicated to solo travelers – but you’ll have to get in fast.
It’s the same with Cosmos, which drops singles supplements on select North American and Europe tours for 2024, including stops in Prague, Vienna and Budapest, and departures for the Canadian Rockies. Passengers are advised to book early, as only five “no single supplement” seats are set aside for each departure.
Pure Trails New Zealand’s South Island Departures
For first-time solo travelers, exploring some familiar terrain can help you build the skills and confidence to head out on your next solo adventure. If the South Island is on your list, NZ-based cycling specialist Pure Trails is waiving the single supplement on October and November departures for total savings of up to $545.
Choose from a six-day trip along the West Coast Wilderness Trail; A six-day exploration of five of the Queenstown area’s most iconic cycling trails, including the Lake Dunstan Trail; Or the Alps 2 Ocean Route from Mackenzie Country to Oamaru. Do you want to travel in late spring? Contact Pure Trails directly for more special rates.
Maruia River Retreat
Marua River Retreat may be in New Zealand, but as soon as you step into the lush rainforest outside Murchison, you’ll feel as if you’re a world away. Not to be confused with nearby Maruia Hot Springs, the all-inclusive South Island Wellness Resort is known for its yoga retreats, which offer time to reset and recharge.
Its popularity with solo travelers also means it often has special rates for solo travelers. Current offers include the Reconnect with Nature package – which includes a daily yoga and forest bathing experience – starting at just $950 for solo travelers, a savings of $100. Similarly, the Personal Restoration Retreat – which includes breathwork, mediation and sound healing – starts at $3250 for solo travelers, providing a savings of $2250.
