The Journey of a Young Solo Traveler
Solo travel has gained significant popularity in recent years, especially among Gen Z and millennials. This trend has led to younger travelers breaking records, with many embarking on their journeys at an early age. One such traveler is Arjun Malaviya, a 19-year-old from Westlake Village, California, who has already visited 118 countries alone.
Malaviya holds the title of the youngest solo traveler to reach 100 countries and the youngest person to visit every nation in Oceania. His travels have taken him through some of the most challenging and unique locations, including escaping Russian airstrikes in Ukraine, spending time with the Taliban in Afghanistan, and exploring Nauru, the least-visited country on Earth.
This achievement surpasses that of Lexie Alford, the previous record-holder for the youngest person to visit all sovereign countries. While Alford had visited more than 70 countries by the age of 18, Malaviya had already reached his 100th country at just 17 years and 228 days old.
His list of destinations includes both well-known and less-visited countries, such as Syria, Iraq, Iran, Myanmar, Venezuela, Tuvalu, Papua New Guinea, Australia, Germany, Bolivia, and Indonesia. These experiences have given him a broad perspective on different cultures and ways of life.
Early Beginnings and Determination
Malaviya’s passion for travel began at a young age, often accompanying his parents, Arpit Malaviya and Anita Venkataraman, who own an aviation software company, on business and family trips. By the age of 16, he had already graduated from high school and completed a general education course at Moorpark College, allowing him to transfer to a four-year university. However, he found the idea of being a 16-year-old on a college campus unappealing.
To fund his dream of traveling the world before turning 20, Malaviya worked multiple part-time jobs during high school. These included coaching tennis and working as an office administrative assistant. The pandemic further fueled his wanderlust, as did his lifelong love for geography, which inspired him to visit the far-flung places he had only read about.
In June 2023, at the age of 17, Malaviya embarked on his epic journey, armed with a plan, a backpack, and no safety net—despite never having flown alone before. His motivation came from fond memories of family trips, where he learned about different cultures and developed a deep curiosity for the world.
Exploring the World
Malaviya started his journey with Southeast Asian destinations like Japan and South Korea to build confidence, then moved on to more ambitious plans in Oceania, South America, and Europe. Some of his favorite experiences include teaching English to language exchange students in Iraq, visiting the remote Rock Islands of Palau, and exploring villages in Myanmar. He also spent time in Caracas, Venezuela, and helped rice plantation workers in rural Indonesia.
Malaviya has also experienced rare religious festivals in Iran, negotiated special access to Saddam Hussein’s Babylon Palace in Iraq, and spent time in villages across Papua New Guinea and Nauru. His travels have taken him to Brazil’s favelas, Bolivia’s salt flats, Norway’s Northern Lights, Sri Lanka’s elephants, and Slovenia’s iconic castles.
Despite the beauty of these places, Malaviya has also encountered deeper-rooted issues in remote regions, such as limited access to fresh food and the challenges faced by youth in isolated island nations. He has met with Taliban members in Afghanistan and religious leaders in Iran, finding kindness and curiosity in unexpected places.
Challenges and Growth
Malaviya’s journey has not always been smooth. He has faced harrowing situations, including escaping Russian airstrikes in Odessa, Ukraine, and being detained at a Venezuelan airport. These experiences have taught him to stay calm and think on his feet, which has been crucial in navigating difficult situations.
One of his key life mottos is learning to be comfortable with being uncomfortable. He believes this mindset has helped him grow beyond travel, giving him the courage to step outside his comfort zone. He emphasizes the importance of maintaining a calm and respectful attitude when interacting with locals, as it can make a significant difference in how he is perceived.
Advice for Aspiring Travelers
Malaviya’s biggest piece of advice for young people considering solo travel is to just go for it. He encourages others to see the world for themselves, as the news often presents a biased view of different places. He believes that personal experiences can provide a more accurate understanding of what is happening in a region.
Currently, Malaviya is a computer engineering student at UC Santa Barbara and plans to continue traveling until he visits the remaining 195 countries in the world. His journey serves as an inspiration to others, showing that with determination, curiosity, and a willingness to embrace discomfort, anyone can explore the world and gain valuable insights along the way.
