Advaita Raut

Meet Advaita

📚 What was Your Favorite Travel Experience or Story?

Ten years ago, my husband and I set off on a cross-state journey through Meghalaya and Assam – both northeastern Indian states. We had a trusty Royal Enfield motorcycle and two backpacks in tow. 

This was our first ever long-haul motorcycle trip, and we were as scared as we were excited. Along the way, we rode through Cherrapunji, India’s wettest village, which receives an average of 11,777 millimeters of rainfall each year. We stumbled upon stunningly blue waterholes, hiked to a centuries-old double-decker living root bridge, and wandered through a sacred tribal forest. 

Then, we had a most unforgettable encounter in Assam’s Kaziranga National Park. It is famously home to the world’s largest population of the Great Indian One-Horned Rhinoceros. 

We were on a jeep safari with two other tourists, keeping our eyes peeled through the evening fog in hopes of spotting the great beast.

We’d spotted other wildlife and birdlife, but no rhino. At the tail end of our safari, the forest around us fell deathly quiet, as though all its inhabitants had tucked in for the night. 

Kaziranga’s grassy forest stretched before us, tinged with amber light that dimmed with each passing minute as the sun sank lower. We resigned ourselves to returning to our hotel without the sighting we’d hoped for. 

Then, out of nowhere, we heard a low rumble. 

A one-horned rhinoceros charged toward our jeep. At this point, I should tell you that Indian rhinos can reach frighteningly impressive top speeds of up to 35 miles per hour. Its colossal grey form hurtled through the forest’s riverine plains like quicksilver. 

Everyone on the jeep froze, equal parts awed and terrified by the sight before us. Thankfully, our captain gathered his wits and executed a calculated retreat. Ultimately, we lost the rhino, who no doubt seemed to take great pleasure in running us out of his kingdom. 

I think it’s this unexpected side of travel that I’m drawn to. It’s both thrilling and scary at the same time, but that’s what makes it worth experiencing. 

🗺️ What’s Your #1 Expert Travel Tip?

Try to set aside a day to explore your destination with a local guide whenever possible. Many cities offer free walking tours led by residents. Some even offer food tours and hidden-history tours run by knowledgeable locals. 

Gaining access to a side of the city privy only to residents can add a rich layer to your journey. I know this isn’t always possible in every destination, but I try to incorporate a local-led tour into my itinerary whenever I can. 

🧳 Backpack or Suitcase?

Suitcase, mainly because it allows for better organization. But I’m also open to backpacks if the trip calls for it!

✈️ Window or Aisle Seat?

Window, always.

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