Inside, looking out 🛫
Otherwise known as 'scanning international flights when there's a world in your backyard'.
A couple of weeks ago, this headline hit our feed.
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While it’s recorded that 99% of Indians travel domestically, compared to 1% who travelled abroad in 2024, (especially to destinations like Japan, Vietnam, and the United States), we have already surpassed pre-pandemic levels of travel for leisure this year.
The 1% (who, it’s safe to say, includes anyone who has gone on a trip abroad this year) also increasingly possesses the disposable income and motivation to invest in more experiential, ‘luxurious’, and exploratory travel.
Despite headlines like the one shared above, more and more Indian travellers are willing to risk personal financial loss, along with other unpleasant factors (xenophobia, for example) to become international jet setters.
The allure of the worn-out passport
In one of our team chats, we observed that even our closest friends are likelier to pick a quick vacay in Ubud over a week of soaking in the moist-deciduous forests of the Western Ghats. Or a safari adventure in the grasslands of Kruger over our neighbouring savannah in Kalpavalli, home to myriad fascinating creatures that hold as much wonder as big game wildlife.
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Why? (here, we’ll concede that as an organisation, we are also developing travel experiences beyond the border)
Is it the element of aspiration?
Is it the standard of travel infrastructure along with a sense of safety in the hands of experts?
Is it a sense of novelty?
Is it the thrilling idea of a well-worn passport with pages full of visa stamps?
Is it any surprise then, that even the Indian travel industry likens local destinations to foreign nations? Check out some examples below:
It could be all the reasons above, but this got us wondering… at the same time, are we somehow minimising the beauty and uniqueness of local destinations by comparing ourselves to foreign lands?
Is this what a colonial hangover looks like?
Here are some ads the Ministry of Tourism released in 2011:
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And the winner:
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Seeking knowledge within 🧘🏽
It’s a cliché to wax on about embracing our own ‘culture’, or looking within instead of hopping on a plane to Thailand for the weekend. We agree that it’s possible to do both. After all, the world deserves mention in our Instagram grids! exploration! ;)
But we gotta say it:
There is much more to the subcontinent than we know and appreciate.
Of course, there’s so much that’s problematic. Safety continues to be a huge concern for women. The profusion of unlicensed treks and experiences cropping up is concerning for all. It’s challenging to find qualified and trained guides. Staff and teams aren’t often compensated fairly. Bad road infra is (duh) hazardous. Good hygiene practices end up being a pleasant but unexpected surprise.
With enough in the pocket, getting out of here is a no-brainer.
But we have a proposition.
We want you, our guests, to take some time to explore the backyard with us. Despite the chaos, there is value in opening our eyes to what’s within India. Not only is it (mostly) more economical, but it is also enriching to see just how many different Indias exist.
We want to change the narrative around domestic travel.
Rebranding domestic travel
Our tiny (but mighty) travel company seeks to dispel the stereotypes and narratives surrounding travel within our borders. Through our concepts and journeys, we want to make you ponder questions like:
Can acknowledging ground realities add richness to my experience?
Embracing both — the realities of a region and the stunning locale — can and will contribute to the authenticity of the experience.
Is there something about India I don’t know?
Travel across the states, and after that, do you notice the profound differences in culture, peoples, mores, architecture, vegetation, and landscapes?
What makes travel interesting to me?
Is it the idea of bucket lists and worn-out passports? Is it a way to make your Instagram grid seem cooler? Does it include reality within a meticulously-framed shot (your best friend (eyes closed, mid-sneeze), or that stubborn plastic bag hanging from the branch, or that one dude taking a piss in the far distance)? Or does it exclude it?
Who benefits when I travel?
Is it just you? (And that’s okay! Treat yourself!) Is it the people you interact with? (not just monetarily) Is it both?
What is my idea of luxury?
Is it in the form of material comforts or the richness of experiences?
What is my idea of development?
Does it look different for different parts of the country? Can one size fit all? Is ‘development’ all about highways and skyscrapers? At what cost does this come, and is it even worth the loss of our natural wonders or the safety of our people?
Are the diverse habitats in my own country worth preserving?
Join us and decide for yourself.
If you resonate with this, send us a <3!
Moving on to our very own journeys
We offer several journeys in India, each fascinating in its own right.
The Binsar Forest Trail & Sweet Valley Crossing
We're taking a short break after running our Uttarakhand-based village-to-village walks through the summer. But we’ll be back again, and we’ve even announced when!
We’ll reopen the gates to the sanctuary for our Binsar Forest Trail on September 29.
We’re also running 6 walking holidays as part of our Sweet Valley Crossing experience starting September 29.
Check out both our walking holidays on our website!
The Brahmaputra Drift
We also announced the next round of river expeditions in the Brahmaputra, as part of our ongoing ‘The Brahmaputra Drift’. We’re only organising 3 Drifts on this particular stretch of the river, starting in November and ending in January.
We only take 8 people at a time and we’re nearly sold out, so get in touch soon!
Journeys in Ladakh
Check out our itineraries here to understand how we plan holidays in Ladakh. We do not plan for less than 8 days.
A tip from us: Don’t trust any itinerary that doesn’t give you at least 24 hours to acclimatise to these formidable altitudes.
Catch a glimpse of the three journeys we offer - with a fun blend of culture, nature, history, and food! (We’ll customise this based on your preferences after getting on a call with you.)