Arvinder Singh Bahal, an 81-year-old who became the first Sikh space tourist and the second person to visit all 193 United Nations-listed countries, is now setting his sights on a new destination: The Wave, a famous sandstone rock formation in Arizona. He was in Amritsar on Friday to visit the Golden Temple.
New Adventure Awaits
Bahal, who resides in Manhattan's Beverly in the USA, is determined to secure approval from the US government to visit The Wave. Access to this natural wonder is granted through a lottery system, with only a limited number of visitors allowed each day. He wishes to enjoy and photograph the natural beauty, as he is a wildlife photography enthusiast.
Despite his age, Bahal remains undeterred. He stated that the real challenge is obtaining the permit, which he described as very difficult to secure. He emphasized that age is not a barrier for him.
Space Journey Memories
Reflecting on his space trip on August 3, 2025, Bahal recalled lifting off from West Texas aboard the Blue Origin NS-34 mission with five other crew members. The flight lasted about 15 minutes, providing lifetime memories. He described the experience: sitting in a capsule with 6,000 pounds of hydrogen burning beneath him, traveling at three times the speed of sound. Upon reaching the edge of space, he felt weightless and experienced microgravity. The return was equally thrilling, with a feeling of five times gravity and an elephant-like weight on his chest for 15 to 20 seconds.
He declined to disclose the exact cost of the space tourism.
Background and Travels
Born in Agra and raised in Jalandhar Cantonment, Bahal migrated to the USA in 1975. He ran a clothing business importing from India and Taiwan until 1989, then ventured into real estate in a Boston suburb in Manhattan. Alongside business, he pursued adventurous sports.
His passion for exploration has taken him to the North and South Poles, and he has skydived over Mount Everest and the pyramids. He believes travel deepens understanding of other cultures and relationships.
In 2002, at age 63, he took a polar plunge into freezing 23-degree Arctic water in only his swimming trunks.
His adventures inspired a coffee table book titled 'Tireless Traveler', and he is now working on a new one called 'My Planet My Playground', chronicling his experiences.
