My First Solo Trip at 28: How the Taj Mahal Taught Me to Travel Fearlessly

At twenty-eight, I packed a small backpack, a heart full of nerves, and a dream that had lived inside me since childhood — to see the Taj Mahal with my own eyes. I wasn’t a seasoned traveler. I wasn’t brave in the way people imagine. I was simply a woman from Kochi who wanted to know what freedom tasted like.

And so, in 2022, I booked a ticket, took a deep breath, and flew into a new chapter of my life: my first solo trip — Agra & Delhi.

What I didn’t know then was that those three days would change the way I saw myself forever.

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Day 1: Kochi → Delhi — The First Step Into Freedom

Landing in Delhi felt like stepping into a new version of myself. The city roared with life — honking taxis, rushing crowds, and a rhythm that felt chaotic yet strangely comforting.

Humayun’s Tomb — Where it all began

My first destination wasn’t the Taj Mahal; it was Humayun’s Tomb, a place that felt like a soft introduction to North India’s history.
Walking through those red sandstone arches, I felt a strange mix of calmness and courage. It was my first moment truly alone in a new city — and I wasn’t scared. I felt alive.

India Gate at Sunset

As the sky turned orange, India Gate glowed with pride. Families laughed, children ran, and vendors sold everything from chole kulche to balloons.
I sat on the steps, watching the crowds, realizing:

This city doesn’t care if you’re alone or not. It accepts you anyway.

That night, in my budget hotel room, I wrote one sentence in my journal:
“Today, I began.”

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Day 2: Agra — The Day I Met My First Dream

I woke up before sunrise and took the early train to Agra, my heart racing with anticipation.

The Taj Mahal — My first bucket-list dream

Nothing prepares you for the Taj Mahal.

As I walked through the darwaza (the grand entrance), the monument slowly appeared — white, silent, glowing in the morning sun.
And for a moment, everything else faded. The noise of the crowd. The heat. My worries. My fear of solo travel.

It was just me and a dream I had carried for years.

I felt emotional — not because of the beauty of the Taj Mahal, but because I had brought myself here.
Me. Alone.
A woman who once feared stepping out of her comfort zone.

Agra Fort — The power of old stones

After the Taj Mahal, I visited Agra Fort, where every wall held centuries of stories.
I imagined emperors, queens, wars, love, loss — and suddenly, my own fears felt small.

Mehtab Bagh — The Taj in silence

In the evening, I crossed the river to Mehtab Bagh, where the Taj Mahal stands quietly, reflected in the Yamuna.
No crowds. No rush. Just a silent moment that felt like it belonged only to me.

I ended the day thinking:
“If I can do this, I can do anything.”

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Day 3: Delhi — A City That Challenges and Cherishes You

My final day was dedicated to exploring more of Delhi’s vibrant soul.

Qutub Minar — Touching history

Standing beneath the towering Qutub Minar, I felt tiny — yet powerful.
History has a way of reminding you that you’re just beginning.

Lotus Temple — Stillness in chaos

The Lotus Temple was the pause I didn’t know I needed.
I sat inside the silent prayer hall, breathing deeply, letting the last few days sink in.

Chandni Chowk — Chaos that feels strangely like home

My final stop was Chandni Chowk, where Delhi’s true heartbeat lives.
I wandered through spice shops, fabric stores, and narrow lanes filled with laughter, noise, and the scent of fresh jalebis.

I ended my trip with a thali that tasted like victory.