Architecture holiday in India, Empire to village

Planet

We believe travel should broaden horizons without leaving a heavy footprint on the planet. As a small travel company, we are aware of our responsibility to address climate change and minimise the carbon emissions associated with our operations and the experiences we design. While travel will always involve some environmental impact, we are committed to making choices — both big and small — that reduce emissions and contribute to a more sustainable future for tourism.
We intentionally design our itineraries without local flights and long transfers. We encourage travellers to explore destinations by rail, public transport, or on foot. Walking tours and train journeys are central to the itinerary, not only because they are environmentally responsible, but also because they allow for a better connection with the places visited.
Choosing Sustainable Accommodation and Partners
We work closely with accommodation providers and service partners who share our environmental values. When selecting hotels and guesthouses, we prioritise those with demonstrable commitments to energy efficiency, renewable energy use, waste reduction, and water conservation. The Amaya up in the Kasauli Hills is a model for sustainability in its water collection and solar energy and its overall position within its wooded environment on a mountain side, alongside the engagement with the local community. It has planted over 1000 fruit trees to feed both the estate as well as to preserve the delicate hillside terracing, and this remains an ongoing project. From the Amaya website: ‘Amaya’s every element, from its dry-stack stone walls to its copper roofing, embodies the spirit of these mountains and people, and yet it is unlike anything that has been built before. Amaya draws more than aesthetic inspiration from its surrounding villages, it also embodies their harmonious way of living.’

People

With a deep appreciation of architecture and cultural heritage, we understand that every landmark, neighbourhood, and traditional or current practice is part of our shared legacy. We are committed to promoting responsible tourism that respects and safeguards sites of cultural significance. We partner with local guides, historians, and community organisations to ensure that travellers gain authentic insights without putting undue pressure on the very places we are visiting. As much as possible we direct the money spent by us and our travellers into local businesses where it will have a much greater impact.
Supporting Local Communities
Tourism thrives when local communities thrive. That is why we prioritise working with locally owned hotels, restaurants, and tour guides. This approach creates more authentic experiences for our travellers but also ensures that tourism revenues remain within the destination. By sourcing services locally, we help support small businesses, and foster economic resilience. At the Amaya up in the Kasauli Hills which is where the travellers spends 40% of the trip, all the food is locally sourced to provide an extraordinary Himalayan dining experience. The food offering at the estate is designed so that every part of the plant is used, from pickling to preserves. The creation of the estate has been a major supplier of employment within the local community. A local workforce was trained to build the site using local construction techniques and materials and much of this workforce is still employed as groundsmen and gardeners. Part of our trip is to engage with the local community and to support a local village next to the estate.