Bhaba and Pin Valley trekking holiday in India

Planet

Many of the places where we travel are environmentally pristine. We work with locals and those who travel with us to take simple actions to respect and protect the natural environment for this generation and the next.

On this trip you’ll see some practical initiatives we’ve taken on educating school children in Sarahan, Kafnu and in Tattapani on how they can minimise and manage waste, particularly plastics. This involves discussing wastes with both older and young generations together - to see how what lessons from older times can be followed again.

We and those who travel with us also have responsibilities for wastes created and it’s important that we demonstrate good practice to the locals. We minimise the use of plastics: bags, bottles and other items, using instead metal bottles or re-useable bags made from natural materials. You can get involved with our Asra Charity in helping convey these important messages and by recycling these wastes in Shimla. These are simple but life-changing tasks that will keep these beautiful areas clean.

People

An important element of any of our trips is to enable interaction between Travellers and local communities. Our Founder Director grew up in this region and so we know a good understanding of how best to support local people and their economy.

Many of those who travel with us are keen to get involved in a meaningful way in small projects but which have long-term benefits. On this trip you’ll see some practical initiatives we have taken such as supporting villagers to continue with local crafts that help pass on traditional skills to their children, bringing communities together and providing much needed income from sales of bags, baskets and mats sourced from local materials.

We have unique access to hilltop villages where these traditional and sustainable skills are dwindling but still practiced, especially in Pin Valley in Spiti for this trip. Working through our Asra Charity, we are looking into developing regular workshops for villagers and possibly a craft centre, to provide them with space to make items and to sustain skills built up over centuries. The involvement of our Travellers can inspire and encourage locals.