Community based vacation in Indian Himalayas

Planet

1. Our back-office operations are 100% paper-free. All our client and internal communications are fully digital.

2. Each guest gets a high-quality NSF-certified reusable water bottle with an integrated filter that removes 99.9% of bacteria and viruses and filters up to 800 L of water (saving up to 1,600 single-use plastic bottles) before replacement.

3. All community-owned homestays partially operate on solar power for indoor lighting.

4. Community homestays use biodegradable waste for composting, and there is a government-run program to collect plastic waste (if any) from the villages for further processing.

5. Our birding and wildlife guides ensure that we leave no impact on the trail. We normally carry small bags to collect any waste.

6. All the vegetables for cooking are sourced from our own or neighbouring farms for minimal impact due to long-distance transportation.

7. All our vehicles comply with the recent emission standards applicable in India. Drivers are trained to drive within speed limits to optimise emissions. As per the latest norms, all passenger vehicles use up to 20% ethanol-blended fuel, further reducing tailpipe emissions.

8. Some accommodations will be built with natural materials such as stone, lime mortar, and mud. This building technique regulates temperature, lowers the need for heaters, and preserves traditional architecture.

People

1. Your guides are locals from the same village you live in. This not only provides direct income to the village but also prevents migration to cities.

2. Village women play a key role in several areas, including planning, managing accommodations, and conducting activities.

3. Storytelling is an important element in all our tours. Be it about the communities, villages, or the way they interact with the forest and wildlife.