A journalist for 25 years, Teresa Machan has written for national magazines and newspapers including The Guardian, The Times, The Independent and The Daily Telegraph. A seasoned traveller, her wanderlust has taken her from Antarctica to Zimbabwe and everything in between. Teresa especially loves travelling solo, and she recently joined Distant Journeys on one of our Exclusively Solos tours – the Treasures of Sri Lanka.

What were your favourite moments on the Treasures tour?

Seeing scores of Asian elephants in Udawalawe National Park – including baby elephants giving themselves a mud bath – is right up there. There were plenty of opportunities to meet and interact with locals on this tour, and we all enjoyed a walk through rice paddies to a historic family home for a cookery demonstration held in the owners’ beautiful garden.

I was wowed by the richly decorated cave temples at Dambulla and fascinated by the tea-making process. On our final day, we spent an afternoon wandering around the UNESCO heritage-listed Galle Fort. The city’s ramparts offer panoramic sea views and a handy vantage point over the famous international cricket ground. I could easily spend a week exploring the streets of the old town. Everywhere we went in Sri Lanka, food was a highlight, with tasty curries and snacks, egg ‘hoppers’ for breakfast and refreshing juice from the yellow king coconuts that are cut with a machete right in front of you.

How would you sum it up?

For a small island, Sri Lanka offers huge contrast. The Treasures tour really showcased this variety, with chill time at beaches, wildlife spotting in national parks and a fun scenic train journey into the rolling green hills of tea country. A food tour in Colombo also gave us an insight into city life. Temples and historical sights came thick and fast, but our guide did an excellent job of bringing it all to life.

What should be on the must-pack list?

Comfy walking shoes or trainers, a big lightweight scarf or sarong for covering up at temples, a hat and sunscreen, beachwear and plenty of light, breathable t-shirts. You’ll also need a decent-sized day pack. We were given water bottles upon arrival and were able to refill them on the tour bus. I packed a guidebook for bus journeys, which filled in the gaps around the country’s politics, language and cultural history and gave me an overview of places we were visiting.

Do you have any advice for first-time solo travellers?

Travelling on a guide-led solo trip offers the best of both worlds: a holiday that suits you, with company on tap. It helps to be sociable; time spent on the bus and communal meals were conducive to casual chat and helped forge friendships. Our group of 19 also bonded over many memorable shared experiences. Go with a positive attitude and consider trying a new activity. Remember that everyone is in the same boat and that you’re never really alone on a solo tour.

Where next?

This trip reminded me of how much I love Asia – primarily for its food, cultural sights, beaches and friendly hosts. I’m considering returning to Vietnam or Japan next.