Meet the people behind the places

Grew up in the lanes of old Jaipur and has spent seven years showing travellers forgotten step-wells, family block-print workshops and rooftop views the guidebooks miss.

His family has tended the living root bridges of Nongriat for generations. Small-group treks that pair the trail with Khasi matrilineal history.

A mud-and-mirror-work Bhungas homestay with home-cooked Kutchi thalis and evening conversations around four generations of embroidery.

Intimate mornings at Key Monastery followed by a home-cooked Spitian meal and stories of high-altitude life.

A family pottery workshop near the Hampi bazaar teaching terracotta techniques used since the Vijayanagara era.

A fishing family whose kitchen opens only for guests — a genuine boat-to-plate Malvani seafood thali.

A family homestay overlooking Kanchenjunga, with morning tea-picking and evening momo-making sessions.

Five generations of Bandhani tie-dye, now taught in short workshops to keep the craft visible to travellers.

A women's handloom cooperative offering hands-on weaving sessions and direct sales without middlemen.

A bamboo-stilt homestay with mask-making demonstrations from the neighbouring Satra and sunrise boat rides.

A women-run guiding collective running offbeat treks away from the standard Gangtok circuit.

Small-group ghat walks and a private boat aarti viewing, with context rarely offered on crowded tours.