In a world dominated by influencers flaunting passports and paychecks, Ankita Rajendaran’s journey stands apart. With stamps from 108 countries and counting, she has managed to explore the world without ever leaving her full-time corporate job.
A solo traveller, author, and cultural enthusiast, Ankita has turned long weekends and public holidays into windows of discovery. “The trick is treating travel like a priority, not a reward,” she says—a philosophy that’s helped her journey from the deserts of Jordan to the rainforests of Uganda, all while excelling at work.
Ankita’s love for travel was sparked during her childhood in Muscat and nurtured through budget trips to Tamil Nadu temple towns with her family. A modest trip to Peru in 2014 with her husband reignited that passion, and there’s been no looking back since.
Unlike most long-term travellers, Ankita never took a sabbatical. Instead, she planned meticulously—aligning annual leaves with public holidays and budgeting nearly 30% of her income for travel. With smart use of flight alerts, visa prep, and travel loyalty programs, she made every rupee and vacation day count.
Importantly, her work never suffered. She credits consistent performance and clear communication for building trust with her employers. “Travel made me a better professional—more empathetic, calm, and broad-minded,” she reflects.
Her favourite destinations? Not the typical tourist hotspots. She lights up talking about Sudan, Guatemala, Taiwan, and solo journeys that taught her self-reliance. Today, Ankita curates group trips to offbeat places like Iraq and Madagascar, especially for Indian travellers seeking meaningful experiences.
For those stuck in the 9-to-5 grind dreaming of travel, Ankita’s message is clear, “Stop waiting for the right time. It may never come. Start small, plan smart, and go.”