Cultural and rural tour of Rajasthan

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. Our village accommodations use organic composting to process the waste. The farming has been transformed into organic over the last couple of years. Previously, pesticides were used, which had rendered the land useless. But slowly, the land has now revived due to organic plantations.

4. We do not use bait to lure Leopards or other animals in a safari. Any interactions you have with animals on a camel safari and in village life experience ensure safety without harm or exploitation.

5. The raw material for meals is sourced locally. Not only is it fresh, but it also reduces the fuel emissions caused by transportation from long distances.

6. 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.

7. The rural accommodations in Rajasthan are made of breathable materials like mud, brick, and stone. This regulates interior temperature in the hot climate in Rajasthan. It also helps avoid the use of heaters or air-conditioners.

People

1. Earnings from this tour are partly invested in supporting a co-ed school in Rani. The school provides primary and secondary education for children from nearby villages at an affordable cost for the parents. The school is community-owned and is in the same village, thereby reducing the time required for children to travel.

2. Your visits to tribal villages are on a rotational basis. We do not visit the same village every time to reduce the impact of over-tourism. Our group size is also small. Therefore, you can be easily absorbed into the village.

3. The activities designed for you involve local families as much as possible to utilize their skills in hand and wheel pottery, rug making, clay toy making, and carpet making. Women are involved in handicrafts like carpets and local dresses. We regularly advocate for women's empowerment through our social media channels and conferences. 100% of earnings from any handicrafts that you choose to buy are directly given to the artisan.

4. Drivers and guides are from the local community and are given fair wages, which are decided on a per-day basis so that you are not overcharged at any point. The drivers and guides are trained in hygiene, communication, hosting, and other factors necessary to give you an extraordinary experience. Your tour may partially be run by women drivers and guides also.

5. Rather than painting only a rosy picture, we share the social and economic issues such as rural-to-urban migration for employment, women and children, education, environment, and more.

6. The storytelling element in our trips is introduced to help you form deeper connections with the community, thus enriching both the traveler and the host. Storytelling also helps in creating mutual respect.

7. On your trips, you will notice the active involvement of both men and women in decision-making roles, be it hosting or leading local tours.