In recent years, the travel industry has become increasingly aware of its environmental and social footprint. Many travelers now seek to explore the world more mindfully, opting for sustainable experiences that minimize harm. But at Sodha Travel, we believe it’s time to go further—not just to preserve, but to revive. That’s the heart of regenerative travel, and it's the path we walk with our partners and travelers across South Asia.
Though the terms are often used interchangeably, sustainable and regenerative travel have fundamentally different aims:
Sustainable travel is about minimizing negative impact. It focuses on preserving resources, reducing waste, and treading lightly.
Regenerative travel, on the other hand, is about restoring and renewing. It asks: How can travel leave a place better than we found it? How can we actively support the healing of communities, cultures, and ecosystems?
In other words, sustainability aims for balance. Regeneration aims for abundance.
South Asia is a vibrant mosaic of landscapes and traditions—fields of golden mustard in Punjab, the tea gardens of Sri Lanka, the sacred Himalayan peaks. It is also a region deeply impacted by colonialism, climate change, and mass tourism.
Here’s how both sustainable and regenerative tourism can look on the ground:
Choosing eco-resorts in Kerala that use solar power and ban single-use plastics
Reserving tiger safaris in Madhya Pradesh with licensed conservation guides
Booking with companies that ensure fair wages and benefits for their team
Spending a day with a millet farmer in Tamil Nadu, learning ancient seed-saving techniques that support climate resilience
Joining a cooperative in Assam for a tea-harvesting experience that reinvests in local women’s education and health
Supporting a traditional artisan in Gujarat who is reviving lost embroidery techniques, with a portion of proceeds funding training for the next generation
At Sodha Travel, we design every journey as a chance to co-create, reconnect, and contribute. Our goal isn’t just to show you the beauty of South Asia—it’s to deepen your relationship with its people and places, and ensure that tourism plays a healing role in their future.
Here are a few ways we strive to be regenerative:
We don’t just plan itineraries—we co-create them with farmers, artists, educators, and grassroots organizers. This ensures that local voices are not only heard but centered.
From turmeric cultivation in Karnataka to composting techniques in Himachal, our guests engage in the rhythms of the land. These experiences directly fund soil regeneration and food sovereignty projects in rural communities.
We work with tradition bearers—not performers. Whether it’s a classical dancer in Chennai or a storyteller in Varanasi, our collaborations honor culture as a living, breathing inheritance—not a spectacle.
The money spent on our trips doesn’t just move through—it circulates. We invest in renewable energy for Himalayan homestays, artisan co-ops in Rajasthan, and reforestation efforts in Uttarakhand.
We believe regenerative travel transforms the traveler, too. Many guests return home inspired to support a cause they encountered on their trip—whether it’s donating to a village school or sharing a reflection that amplifies local efforts.
Regenerative travel is more than a trend—it’s a philosophy. One rooted in reciprocity, curiosity, and care. At Sodha Travel, we see every journey as a seed. Together—with our guests and our partners—we’re planting something that can grow.