At 25, graphic designer Milly from Aotearoa, New Zealand, decided she wasn’t going to wait around for someone else to be ready to travel. After an unforgettable G Adventures trip through Southeast Asia, she joined 18-to-Thirtysomethings for a second adventure — this time through South America.
From hiking the Inca Trail and discovering incredible landscapes to making friends from around the world, Milly’s trip gave her the adventure she was looking for, while helping her become more confident travelling solo. We caught up with her to find out why she chose group travel, what made the trip so memorable and where she’s heading next.
Taking the leap into solo travel
"Kia ora! My name is Milly, I’m 25 years old, from Aotearoa, New Zealand, and I currently work as a Graphic Designer. Sometimes you have to stop waiting for someone else to join you and just go alone, so I booked the G Adventures 18-to-Thirtysomethings tour. As a solo female traveller, it gave me that extra peace of mind when it came to safety, while still letting me experience the adventure I was craving. It’s also a great way to make lifelong friends with people from all over the world."
From Southeast Asia to South America
"In 2025, I travelled to Southeast Asia with G Adventures 18-to-Thirtysomethings and had the time of my life, so I decided to join them for a second time in South America! All I knew was that I wanted plenty of adventures, new experiences and to push myself. My last G group was one-of-a-kind, so my expectations were set really high, and somehow this group matched them! It ended up being one of my favourite parts of getting to know everyone."
"As usual, the trip exceeded my expectations. I met the most wonderful people, saw the most incredible landscapes, immersed myself in the local culture, pushed my body to the limit and soaked up every possible experience I could."
Conquering the Inca Trail
"As an avid hiker, I was super excited to do the Inca Trail — four days and three nights surrounded by nature. The views were unbelievable and I felt so connected to the culture walking in the footsteps of the ancient Incas. It was by far the hardest multi-day hike I’ve ever done. The trail really pushed me with its extreme elevation, but it’s the best thing I’ve ever done! At the end of each day, I felt a huge sense of accomplishment and euphoria."
"The guides were absolutely amazing too, filled with knowledge and endless positive reinforcement. I also have so much respect for all the porters who carry everything needed for us to complete the Inca Trail."
Why group travel is perfect for a reset
"As a female traveller, I found the 18-to-Thirtysomethings tour was a great way to ease into the solo travel lifestyle. You’re surrounded by like-minded people and you get the freedom and adventure of travelling without having to stress about planning every single detail yourself."
"I think it’s a really great option if you’re looking for a bit of a reset or trying to figure out what you want from life. Being somewhere completely new, where nobody knows you or has any expectations of you, gives you the freedom to just be yourself."
"You can take some time to reflect, do a bit of soul searching and work out what’s important to you, all while having an adventure at the same time."
Pushing yourself and trying something new
"As a self-proclaimed adrenaline junkie and adventurer, I’m usually the first to sign up for anything that gets the heart racing. While I didn’t necessarily feel outside my comfort zone on this trip, it’s such a great way to build confidence and give new things a go! Whether that’s hiking, ziplining, rock climbing or anything in between!"
"Being in a group dynamic means you form close relationships with people fairly quickly, and there’s a lot of encouragement, support and kindness from others. Everyone looks out for one another, making sure no one is left behind."
From strangers to lifelong friends
Honestly, there’s so many things! But probably how quickly a bunch of complete strangers from all around the world become your friends within just a few days."
"You go from the initial awkward introductions to sharing multiple inside jokes, supporting each other through activities and making plans for the next adventure. I love you Pimpilalas! 🦋 And Sexy Llamas! 🦙"
"I was also impressed by how good everyone’s Spanish was. I probably should’ve done a little more Duolingo before I came to South America because I was relying heavily on the basics I learnt back in school."
"Luckily, I picked up more as the trip went on, and the group were absolute legends at helping me communicate when I got stuck."
Why the timing was right
"I’m very lucky to work for some awesome people who let me take unpaid time off work to pursue my travel dreams. South America had been on my bucket list and I wasn’t going to wait for someone to be free to come with me. I crave adventure and love getting out there, seeing new places and trying new things."
"The 18-to-Thirtysomethings tour meant I could just take that leap, meet a bunch of cool people and make some pretty epic memories along the way."
Finding confidence in travelling alone
"Absolutely! Two 18-to-Thirtysomethings trips later and I feel more than confident enough to head off on an adventure completely on my own. I think these trips have shown me that I’m more than capable of getting out there and figuring it out."
"I also feel more confident now because I’ve realised how effortless it actually is to meet new people and form connections when you’re travelling. You’re all in the same boat, so it’s really easy to strike up a conversation and make friendships."
"I’ve also learnt that you don’t have to have every single day planned or a jam-packed schedule. You can just take each day as it comes."
It’s not all about the partying
"I actually think it’s a few things, but when people hear “group tour” they assume it’s a jam-packed schedule where you have no time to yourself or explore on your own."
"The 18-to-Thirtysomethings experience offers a perfect balance of planned activities, optional activities and free time, so you have time to do the things you want to as well."
"I think a lot of people also assume that when it’s young people in a group tour it’ll just mainly be partying, and that couldn’t be further from the truth. Yes, you may go out a couple of times, but everyone’s there for the same reason: to experience a new country and to explore."
What’s next? Kyrgyzstan
"Absolutely, without a doubt! I cannot fault a single thing about these trips. Every time I go, I have the time of my life, new-found friends and memories that will last a lifetime."
"I already have my eyes on the Kyrgyzstan tour, which looks absolutely incredible. The nomadic living and breathtaking scenery definitely make it high on my list of things I want to do next."
