(February 21, 2026) A nine-month expedition from the Arctic to Antarctica has been the most defining journey of Archana Singh’s life. A travel entrepreneur and founder of Travel See Write, she travelled through Greenland, Iceland, Svalbard, Norway, the USA, Panama, Colombia, Peru, Chile, Argentina, and finally Antarctica — watching landscapes change from ancient glaciers to rainforests to the frozen end of the world.
Ever since the wanderlust bug bit her, Archana has travelled to 110 countries. But the journey to Antarctica was like no other. It wasn’t about luxury or landmarks. It was about isolation, resilience, climate realities, border crossings, extreme weather, and understanding how fragile the planet really is.
“Seeing melting glaciers up close, living with remote indigenous communities, and navigating long stretches of uncertainty changed the way I look at travel and life,” smiles Archana, Director of Travel See Write, in a chat with Global Indian.
From setback to startup
Travel See Write was born out of chaos — and courage, says Archana. In 2014, during what was supposed to be her dream trip to Ladakh, the trip organiser disappeared with her entire payment. Overnight, she was stranded in Manali with two choices — go back home or continue alone in a place she had never travelled solo before.
“Ladakh chose me. That decision changed everything. Travelling alone for the first time, meeting strangers who showed me kindness, navigating fear and freedom together — something shifted inside me.”
When Archana returned home, her friend Anshul encouraged her to share those experiences online, because what had happened to her could happen to others too. “For the first time, I started writing and sharing my stories online, even though I had never published anything before. And guess what — it went semi-viral in 2014,” recalls Archana.
Finding her voice
Soon, people started sharing their own experiences and resonated deeply with what she had written. “I was no writer and had absolutely no idea how to click pictures. I didn’t even have a proper camera, and mobile phone cameras were terrible back then.”
But her travelogues had authenticity. “I continued travel writing alongside my corporate career,” says Archana, who, at the time was leading connection planning for Coca-Cola in the Philippines as Connections Director of Starcom Mediavest Group.
Travel with purpose
Travel means different things to different people. For Archana, travel means visiting offbeat places in search of untold human stories that have the potential to change someone’s life for the better.
“It definitely changed mine. Today, Travel See Write is not just a brand. It’s my journey, my philosophy, and my way of helping people travel deeper, smarter, and more consciously.”
Whenever she travels or plan journeys for her clients, Archana always ensures that at least one of these pillars — women empowerment, responsible tourism, climate change awareness, and social inclusion of the underprivileged — is part of the experience.
Born into discipline
Born in Ambala in an Army household, Archana’s mother was a homemaker, father an Army officer. “Today, whatever I am is because of him. He taught me to be fearless and a risk-taker, and always supported me in whatever decision I took.”
With her father’s transferable job, movement was a way of life for her. “New cities, new schools, new friends — change never scared me; it shaped me,” says Archana, who studied in Army Schools across India. Curiosity, adaptability, and confidence came naturally to her quite early on.
Early signs of a planner
She was always the one organising school trips and college outings — planning routes, convincing teachers, collecting money, building mini itineraries before she even knew that this could one day become her profession.
She was usually among the top five throughout her school and college years. “I was also an NCC cadet in college, which taught me discipline and resilience at a young age,” says Archana, who did her graduation in Industrial Microbiology from Kurukshetra University, and later completed her MBA from EMPI Business School, Delhi.
The corporate years
Before becoming a traveller-entrepreneur, Archana had a full corporate career with Starcom MediaVest Group, working in a global role in Southeast Asia on the Coca-Cola business.
“It was stable, exciting, and deeply rewarding. I learned consumer behaviour, strategy, leadership, and cross-cultural collaboration — everything that still helps me run my business today.”
By 2017, she took the biggest leap of her life and quit her comfortable expat role as a Brand Strategist with Coca-Cola in Southeast Asia and chose to travel full-time. “No contacts, no safety net. Just belief. Travel became the bedrock of my second innings — and storytelling became my voice.”
A Serbian turning point
Having travelled 110 countries, which one was the most memorable? “Each place holds unique memories that I’ll cherish for life. But there are a few moments that truly shaped me.” In 2018, during a four-month solo trip to Europe, she decided on a whim to visit Serbia because she wanted to see where Novak Djokovic was born. “Before going, I carried a lot of stereotypes — that it would be poor, dirty, unsafe, and that people would be rude.”
She was on a night train from Zagreb to Belgrade, alone in a cabin. She barely slept, guarding her luggage the entire night. “Everything seemed fine when I got off the train, but when I boarded a bus to buy a ticket, I realised my wallet had been completely emptied. No money, no international roaming and no one spoke English there.”
When she finally reached her hotel, the receptionist wouldn’t let her check in before 3 pm and didn’t understand a word she was saying. Archana broke down.
The kindness of a stranger
“That’s when a stranger named Bojna overheard me and offered to help. I was sceptical after such a terrifying start, but I took a chance. And that choice changed my entire trip. Bojna showed me a completely different side of Serbia,” says Archana, recalling that Bojna even contacted the Serbian Tourism Board, arranged her entire trip free of cost, got her a local SIM, and showed her around.
In just seven days, her feelings for Serbia went from prejudice to fear to deep love. “I learned empathy, learned not to judge. And I learned that after every setback, there truly is a roaring comeback.”
Journeys closer to home
Within India, Archana has travelled to all states except Mizoram, Nagaland, and Tripura. Her most recent travels were to Spain and Rajasthan. “Adventure travel is my favourite because it is one of the most sustainable forms of travel, keeps you physically active, and allows you to contribute to communities often neglected by mass tourism.”
The rise of conscious travel
Archana says 2026 will increasingly witness slow, conscious, and experiential travel. “Indians are increasingly choosing offbeat destinations, longer stays, and meaningful experiences over checklist tourism.”
While destinations like Thailand, Maldives, UAE, Nepal, Goa, Kerala, Rajasthan, and the Himalayas continue to remain popular due to affordability and accessibility, more and more Indians are now exploring Vietnam, Japan, Korea, Central Asia, Kenya–Tanzania, Scandinavia, Georgia, and even far-flung destinations like Svalbard and Peru, she says.
Building a global advisory
Archana’s focus is on developing her boutique luxury travel agency (Travel See Write) into a stronger global travel advisory and storytelling platform — building deeper itineraries, promoting sustainable travel, mentoring travellers, and creating journeys that go beyond sightseeing.
“While social media is full of beautiful images and curated moments, what we truly need are stories that don’t yet have a voice.” From women in Munsiyari (Uttarakhand) fighting social evils through community-run programs to documenting the struggles of nomadic tribes in Kyrgyzstan, Archana tries to use travel and storytelling to break barriers and foster empathy. “My goal is simple: fewer trips, better trips, meaningful impact.”
Travel as responsibility
Travel is a privilege, and it comes with responsibility. “Over tourism and irresponsible behaviour damage destinations, cultures, and ecosystems,” says Archana, highlighting that respecting local customs, protecting nature, and being culturally sensitive isn’t optional — it’s essential. “The future of travel depends on how responsibly we travel today.”
Beyond the boarding pass
When not travelling, Archana loves watching tennis, experimenting with photography, and actively associating herself with grassroots social and environmental issues. “I believe travel and responsibility go hand in hand, and I try to reflect that in everything I do.”
If there’s one thing she believes deeply, it’s that travel doesn’t just show you the world — it shows you yourself. “Every journey I design, write, or recommend comes from that belief.”
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