Conversation with Ladakhi Councillor on Bringing Progress and Pride to the Remotest Villages When a local community participates in the decision-making, it paves the way for a comprehensive solution for local development. But while it’s often seen as an ideal approach, it is neither a common development practice, nor it is the first choice of...Read More
Once you’ve reached Leh, there are many options for you as a traveller to explore Ladakh. One such place, at a distance of 211km from Leh, in the peaceful region of Rupshu, is a small village called Korzok. Set on the banks of Tso Moriri, the largest high-altitude lake entirely within India, Korzok is perched...Read More
The concept of a homestay—where travellers choose to live in a local home instead of a hotel—first appeared in the 1950s, when Bob Luitweiler founded Servas International, a non-profit promoting travel for interracial and international peace. In the decades that followed, the homestay economy fast evolved into a multi-billion-dollar industry, providing a multitude of experiences...Read More
Located deep in the valley of Zanskar in the Indian Himalayas is the centuries-old village called Marling. Only the local natives or true wanderers reach this far into the mountains. It takes 20 hours by a vehicle on a dirt road followed by a long trek of 6 hours in a valley to reach Marling....Read More
The last decade has made the world become more aware of the consequences of its activities and with it, has come the realization that sustainability should be at the core of the choices we make in the coming years. The narrative was set and the rules were laid. ‘One should always make planet-friendly choices.’ ‘Respect...Read More
How would have the concept of hosting strangers in your house or staying with an unknown family on a vacation sounded a decade back? Hardly anyone would have been comfortable with such a concept. But we have seen people getting comfortable with staying in homestays, using Uber, sharing office spaces, and using many such peer-to-peer...Read More
Most of us had a travel bucket list at the start of this calendar year and suddenly we find ourselves confined to the four walls of our homes. The Covid-19 crisis has been a black swan event for the travel and tourism industry. World Travel and Tourism Council (WTTC) estimates a loss of 50 to...Read More
Ladakh, The land of high passes. Once a trekking destination for the West but as the gates opened up and development came in, Ladakh has now become a planned travel destination for everyone. Every year hundreds and thousands of the tourists visit Ladakh but how many can claim to touch its soul? For the majority...Read More
This is a story of unusual grit and passion. A story of a young man, Tsewang Dorje, who chose to stay in his village after completing his graduation. With only a primary school in his village, located near the world-famous Pangong Tso (Lake), Dorje had to literally earn his education. Development still hadn’t reached the...Read More
Over centuries, humans have shaped the world with inventions and modernizations at every stage of evolution. While such innovations have made mankind’s lives simple, easy and comfortable, our actions have also left a less than desirable footprint on the planet we all share. Growing industrialization, unabated pollution and over-population have triggered climate change, global warming...Read More
