NEED TO KNOW Nikki Vontaya had been living in New York City for eight years before she decided to quit her job and go on a year-long journey of self-discovery

Since then, she has traveled to countries around the world, including Turkey, Vietnam, Spain and more

Now in month 10, Vontaya is exploring Peru and all the experiences it has to offer

In her 30s, Nikki Vontaya walked away from a successful career in advertising sales, left behind her New York City apartment and traded corporate burnout for a passport and a plan: 12 countries in 12 months.

What began as a personal reset quickly became a solo journey of discovery. Now in month 10, the Detroit native is in Peru — where she recently found herself swimming alongside sea lions in the wild waters off the coast.

“My first time traveling solo was for my 30th birthday in Cabo. I was super nervous, but it ended up being one of the most memorable trips I’ve ever taken,” Vontaya tells PEOPLE exclusively.

That experience gave her the confidence to take on this year-long solo journey — her second solo trip at 32. She mapped out four months in Europe, four in Asia, and now four in Latin America.

When she landed in Peru in late May, swimming with sea lions wasn’t on her itinerary — it was a spontaneous decision sparked by social media.

“I saw a random TikTok about swimming with sea lions and thought, ‘that’s weird,’ and would have usually never thought to sign up for this,” Vontaya admits. “But when would I ever get the chance to do this again, especially in Peru, especially solo?”

Nikki Vontaya on the speedboat in Peru. Nikki Vontaya

This year is all about saying yes to things she’d usually talk herself out of, so she went ahead and booked the trip. Her mother and family called her crazy and were more than a little nervous.

The speedboat ride took Vontaya — and around 30 others — about 40 minutes off the coast, far into the open water. Along the way, they spotted wildlife like penguins before reaching a sea lion community.

She was surprised by how smelly the sea lions were. “It was bad at first, but you get used to it,” she reveals.

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Nikki Vontaya swimming with sea lions in Peru. Nikki Vontaya

About 75 percent of the group chose to get in the freezing cold water, while others watched from the boat. The guides gave a safety briefing before the swim, ensuring everyone felt prepared.

“The instructor told us not to touch the sea lions and to keep our feet up in the water to show we’re not a threat,” Vontaya recalls. The sea lions were incredibly energetic, flipping through the water like “acrobats.”

“The noises they make sound like something out of a horror movie,” she says. “Definitely made me hesitate before jumping in.”

Sea lions in Peru. Nikki Vontaya

The scariest moment came when a sea lion swam uncomfortably close to Vontaya. For a second, she thought it might attack – but she stayed calm and reminded herself that the guides said the animals were curious, not aggressive.

“It brushed up against my leg, then ran off really quickly. My heart was racing, and I screamed, but nothing happened, and once I calmed down, all was well,” she says. “I was nervous from the moment I jumped in the water and was questioning why I even signed up for this.”

Nikki Vontaya in Peru. Nikki Vontaya

Nevertheless, the most memorable part of the entire experience was floating in the water, surrounded by sea lions in their natural habitat. “It’s something I’ll never forget,” Vontaya admits. “And it wasn’t as scary as I imagined it’d be.”

Her advice for aspiring solo travelers: take the leap — it’s always worth it. “After 10 months of solo travel, I’ve had highs, lows and moments that completely changed how I see the world and myself,” Vontaya tells PEOPLE. “You grow in ways you can’t plan for. Don’t let fear talk you out of the life that’s waiting for you on the other side of ‘yes.’”