A traveller arrives in a mountain village just as dinner is being prepared. The kitchen smells of wood smoke and fresh rotis. Stories are exchanged over a shared meal, and the night ends with laughter rather than room service.

This is the kind of travel more people are seeking today.

For years, travel largely revolved around ticking off famous sights. Now, a growing number of travellers want their journeys to support local livelihoods, respect ecosystems, and offer experiences rooted in everyday life. Across India, several travel companies are shaping this shift by working closely with communities and ensuring tourism benefits the people who call these places home.

This list brings together Indian travel initiatives that place local livelihoods, culture, and care for nature at the centre of every journey.

NotOnMap works to create alternative livelihoods in villages and reduce distress migration. It connects travellers with rural families through homestays and........

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