When I Said "I do" to Sustainable Travel

Itna toota hoon ke choone se bikhar jaaoonga (So broken that I could be shattered by a touch) ...

While the driver played this classic ghazal at least 10 times in 8 hours, felt like my spine was singing the same song too after that travel of 12 hours on the backseat of a shared taxi carrying 10 passengers.

Having travelled a bit around the world, I always wanted to explore our own country and witness Incredible India. Thanks to my traveller friend Anita Joseph, I could explore parts of the beautiful states of Meghalaya and Arunachal Pradesh just before the pandemic. The Millennial in me transitioned from tourist to traveller and I even got my first travel backpack 4 years ago!

As the country was opening up for travel for people who are vaccinated, my love for mountains and water was just calling me and I couldn't wait any longer! While I do my bit to live an eco-friendly lifestyle, this time I wanted to travel sustainably, by choice.

Over the last couple of months, I used sustainable means to travel to some of the best places of the season in the Northern part of India across the States of Uttarakhand and Rajasthan – Sunset at Munsyari, Havelis of Mandawa, Sunrise at Kausani, Bhujia, and Malpua at Bikaner, Forts of Jaipur to name a few.

I thought it could interest and inspire some of you if I share my learnings from my sustainable travel playbook:

1.???Empathy

Live how the local folks live, eat what and how they eat, Commute how they do.

Homestays are the best when you are a traveller. Warmth, hospitality, homemade food, community, and information/stories about the places - truly unmatched. Carrying a bottle of water, toiletries and linens are highly recommended. I happen to stay in a homestay @ Jaipur where I was truly elated by the hospitality and got a sneak peek into the Rajasthani household – something that I will always cherish and also the reason I rated them the maximum. Respect and gratitude to every family who runs homestays across the world.

Eat local food - I truly believe in consuming food based on the region and season. Bikaner is heaven for desserts and savouries. Street food in most places is hygienic and offers you the maximum variety of local dishes. I am still in awe of Kumaon delicacies like Sisunaak saag, Arsa, and Bhaang ki Chutney from Uttarakhand

Commute sustainably - I took a train from Delhi to Kathgodam for the first trip and I loved it. You will be surprised by the number of electric rickshaws in places like Jaipur, Bikaner, Nainital, etc and they even offer shared rides to places - cost-effective and sustainable too. Wherever e-rickshaws are not available, take public transport or shared auto rides.

2.???Carry less clothing

Pack only the clothes that you will need to live, not for social media pictures. It was a tough choice for a shopaholic like me to limit myself honestly.?

3.???Be ready to walk

Because you don’t want to take an auto and add to pollution, you might want to walk short distances. But make sure you are wearing hike shoes/boots. My Fitbit tells me that on average I walked about 15kms a day during my 2 weeks of travel. If you plan to hike, talk to the locals and they might even have a guide to accompany you early in the morning.

4.???No FOMO

You might have ten different things on your bucket list, but due to time constraints or spending a little more time in a place you liked the most – you might not be able to tick all in your bucket list. It’s Ok!?On my way to Munsyari, I took a break in Kausani. I loved the place so much that I camped there for a night though it was not in the plan. Witnessing the spectacular 300km-wide panoramic view of Himalayan peaks like Trisul, Nanda Devi, Pancha chuli made my travel worth it.

Sustainable Travel: Is it for everyone?

It makes absolute sense if you are traveling solo or as a group of friends. I wouldn’t personally recommend it to people traveling with kid(s).

TBH sometimes I did feel that I might give up - take a rickshaw or taxi than walking, choosing a luxurious stay. But that was the whole idea - to travel sustainably and I had to convince myself, only a couple of times. One of the local bus conductors was so happy to hear my story of how I am traveling sustainably - he stopped the bus very close to where my stay was.

Traveling in shared taxis does come with its perks - You get to meet more locals, they stop for lunch at lip-smacking food joints, Old Hindi Songs... What I also learnt is not to take the last seat of such shared taxis if I am continuing my journey and bargain for the front seat :), in which case even if Itna toota hoon Ghazal is playing, I can enjoy the song.

Now on, whenever I travel and especially solo - I vow to make an effort to travel sustainably, as much as possible. I do!