Discover sustainable travel in India! Explore our responsible package trips including enriching cultural and wildlife experiences. Carbon removals included!

Sustainable Travel in India | Yugen Earthside

Morbi in sem quis dui placerat ornare. Pellentesque odio nisi, euismod in, pharetra a, ultricies in, diam. Sed arcu. Cras consequat.

Praesent dapibus, neque id cursus faucibus, tortor neque egestas auguae, eu vulputate magna eros eu erat. Aliquam erat volutpat. Nam dui mi, tincidunt quis, accumsan porttitor, facilisis luctus, metus.

Yugen Earthside connects mindful travelers to responsible package trips around the world. CARBON REMOVALS INCLUDED WITH EACH BOOKING!

Connecting mindful travelers to responsible experiences around the world.

Prices exclude flights to/from the destination.

Prices are for double room occupancy unless indicated otherwise.

We proudly partner with wanderwell, a B-Corp-certified travel insurance agency and 1% for the Planet member.

Request a FREE quote for Trip Protection or Travel Medical coverage.

Discover self-guided, privately-guided, & small group tours around the world. Our sustainable adventures are customizable, and include carbon removals with each booking!

Trips | Yugen Earthside | Sustainable Adventures

This 12-day tour of North India combines responsible wildlife experiences with a mix of luxury, city, and village tours. Carbon removals included!

[12 days] North India Wildlife Tour | Yugen Earthside

This 12-day tour of North India combines responsible wildlife experiences with a mix of luxury, city, and village tours.

Visit Delhi, Agra (home to the Taj Mahal), Sawai Madhopur, and Ghanerao over the course of your stay. Witness incredible wildlife like Indian elephants, tigers, and bears, and stay in luxury wildlife lodges and charming homestays that directly impact wildlife conservation, rehabilitation, and local community development projects.

For example, the wildlife lodge in Sawai Madhopur and the homestay in Ghanerao are working with tribal women and pastoralists to create alternative incomes by selling camel milk products, and wool products, in addition to supporting a local school.

You'll also see significant cultural sites such as the Taj Mahal, the India Gate, and numerous other temples, forts, and monuments.

Visit a rescue and rehabilitation center for distressed wildlife

Stay in a luxury wildlife lodge for a guided safari in Ranthambore National Park

See Indian bears, elephants, tigers, leopards, camels, antelopes, and more

Spend time with pastoralists witnessing their nomadic life and camel conservation efforts

Hear lesser-known, unique facts about the famous Taj Mahal on our storytelling tours

Explore Delhi, including the President’s Palace and the India Gate

Discover craft, spice, textile, and jewel markets

Enjoy cultural tours at temples, forts, and prominent monuments

Optional: Walking tours for food tasting, visiting families working in artisanal products, and much more!

The combination of wildlife safaris, conservation projects, and cultural experiences makes this tour equally great for families, couples, kids, and solo travelers.

The best time to visit India is between September and mid-April. During this period, the weather is pleasant and comfortable. It is usually sunny and dry, with cooler temperatures in the north and more moderate temperatures in the south. Besides, India's important festivals, such as Diwali, Holi, and Dussehra, also take place during these months. Diwali is in November, and Holi is in March; exact dates vary every year.

Summers (May to August) can be scorching hot in Rajasthan. However, this season is great for the Himalayas and the North East.

This private tour happens on a date of your choice.

Cost of opting for a higher grade of hotels

Entry fees to any monuments wherever applicable. The government-set rates are INR 500 (per person per monument) and INR 1300 (per person for Taj Mahal).

Any changes in the itinerary due to circumstances beyond our control or an act of God

All accommodations on twin-sharing basis  at eco-friendly homestays, heritage homes, and farm stays

Breakfasts and special meals mentioned in the itinerary

Entry fee for all wildlife experiences and safaris

Price range is given for 2 to 10 travelers. Contact us with your group size for a quote.

Please contact us for solo traveler pricing.

Prices may vary during peak seasons such as during Diwali, Christmas, and New Year's.

We cap the number of travelers we host per year per destination to 500 to combat the risk of over-tourism. We stay free of touts (persistent salespeople) and do not do shopping for commission. Our trips support 8 of the UN Sustainable Development Goals (#1, 5, 8, 10, 12-15). We promote tourism dispersal by spending only limited time at bigger cities and main monuments, with the majority of the tour in less-busy areas.

Environmental Initiatives
Our many environmental actions include strict care of nature, using energy-saving electrical appliances in our homestays, and efforts to manage waste responsibly. We minimize plastic on this tour and provide safe and healthy alternatives to plastic plates, packaged items, and bottles. We leave behind zero waste. We locally source raw materials for meals. 
All accommodations are personally reviewed by our team. Our homestays and accommodations focus on local & organic food (vegetarian options available!), recycling waste properly, and striving to use energy-saving lights and appliances as well as solar thermal panels.

Sociocultural Initiatives
We pride ourselves on propagating and reviving local folk tales through storytelling. We support local artisans by involving them in tourism. This tour focuses on ethical animal and wildlife tourism. We do not indulge in animal slavery, cruelty, or luring through bait during the wildlife experiences. We visit rescue centers and speak with those caring for the animals.

This iconic cultural tour of India’s Golden Triangle (Delhi, Agra, & Jaipur) is the perfect way to become acquainted with “Incredible India.” Carbon removals included!

[7 days] India: Golden Triangle Cultural Tour | Yugen Earthside

Note: This tour is customizable according to your budget, the number of days, and your choice of experiences.

This iconic cultural tour of India’s Golden Triangle (Delhi, Agra, and Jaipur) is the perfect way to become acquainted with “Incredible India.”

How do you experience a country as massive as India? Especially great for first-time visitors, this immersive tour introduces you to the main attractions and hidden secrets behind the scenes. Our storytelling and cultural immersion enhance your experience and put this tour a class apart from just sightseeing. From walking tours to craft experiences to food tasting and spirituality, this is a holistic introduction to India.

Golden Triangle tour of the highlights: Delhi, Agra, and Jaipur

Beautiful homestays with families in Delhi and Agra

A stay in a vibrant heritage hotel in Jaipur

Walking tours focused on food, artisans, spirituality, and heritage

Participate in Indian festivals with the families (see Seasonal Notes)

Optional: If you have more days, ask us for customization. We recommend adding Jodhpur, Udaipur, Jaisalmer, and several smaller towns in western India.

This tour is perfect when you have a limited number of days (7-10) to spare. On this private tour of the Golden Triangle, you will experience not only the main monuments but also those hidden secrets about the three cities that tell the entire story behind their history and current society.

For example, it is incomplete to see the Taj Mahal itself unless you do a storytelling tour of old Agra and visit the busy streets just the way locals do. You can choose from a range of activities within the ethos of sustainability and customize your tour of the Golden Triangle.

5 reasons why you should not miss this cultural trip to the Golden Triangle:

Storytelling makes your experience far more enriching than what typical tours and websites say about the Taj Mahal and other monuments on the tour.

In Delhi, delight your taste buds with delectable street food, stunning views of UNESCO World Heritage sites, and vibrant markets.

Your cultural understanding of India will be highly broadened, as you will participate in local festivities, see traditional handicrafts of marble inlay and embroidery, and stay at charming homestays. As India is a culturally diverse destination that attracts people from all over the world, you will also see traditions and practices from many different countries.

The block printing workshop in Jaipur uses the traditional technique of printing patterns on fabric using carved wooden blocks. This workshop connects you with the artist within you. 

Our walking tours give you a pleasant introduction to spirituality in multicultural and religiously diverse India. See daily morning rituals at beautiful temples from a local´s perspective.

The best time to visit India is between September and mid-April. During this period,  the weather is pleasant and comfortable. It is usually sunny and dry, with cooler temperatures in the north and more moderate temperatures in the south.  Besides, India's important festivals, such as Diwali, Holi, and Dussehra, also take place during these months. Diwali is in November, and Holi is in March; exact dates vary every year.

Entry fees to any monuments wherever applicable. The set government rates are INR 500 (per person per monument) and INR 1300 (per person for Taj Mahal)

All accommodations on a twin-sharing basis (eco-friendly homestays, heritage homes)

Fee of all storytellers, activities, and workshops

As an award-winning tour for our sustainable practices, we prioritize responsible tourism by limiting our visitor capacity to 500 per season and embracing the principles of slow travel. We are committed to supporting the United Nations' Sustainable Development Goals, specifically numbers 1, 5, 8, 10, 11, 12, 13, and 15. By doing so, we aim to contribute to a sustainable future for both the environment and local communities

This trip is designed to prioritize environmental sustainability and animal welfare. We are committed to adhering to strict standards that ensure no animal-harming tourism. Our focus is on conserving ecosystems and preserving biodiversity during this holiday. We also prioritize low-carbon impact activities and have avoided in-destination flights to minimize our carbon footprint.

In addition, we emphasize vegetarian and vegan restaurants to reduce the environmental impact of our food choices. We have taken measures to minimize waste, including avoiding single-use plastics and water bottles.

To trim our carbon footprint, all of our cars are in line with the latest emission standards. However, we always recommend taking trains whenever possible. If our guests choose to travel by car, we ensure that it is an eco-friendly option. We provide all our guests with reusable stainless steel bottles to reduce single-use plastics.

Our focus is on sustainable eating, and we encourage vegetarian meals as they have more options in India.  However, non-vegetarian meals are also available. Our artisan visits ensure that guests only buy sustainable and Indian products, supporting local communities and businesses. Additionally, all of our raw materials for meals are sourced locally to promote sustainability and reduce our carbon footprint.

Our approach to tourism involves steering travelers away from popular tourist destinations and instead introducing them to lesser-known areas. By doing so, we promote tourism dispersal, which can help alleviate over-tourism.  Additionally, we educate travelers on responsible behavior in the destination, in order to raise awareness and promote sustainable tourism practices.

We offer a unique and authentic travel experience that connects travelers with the local community and culture. We prioritize meaningful engagement with locals and offer opportunities for travelers to stay overnight with them, providing an immersive experience and a deeper understanding of the local traditions and lifestyle. Besides, in the workshops we do, we engage local craftsmen and marginalized communities. 

We are committed to being mindful of local health and natural resources, ensuring that our trips are conducted sustainably and with minimal impact on the environment. We train and employ local guides only, and take great care to hire staff and contractors without any religious, racial, or gender bias, ensuring an inclusive and non-discriminatory work environment. 

Our experiences encourage interactions between guests and communities, while also educating both parties about each other's cultural aspects and promoting sensitivity. We offer small groups and private tours to ensure that we do not overwhelm the communities we visit and that each trip is conducted with respect and sustainability in mind.

This holiday goes beyond the typical tourist destinations and offers a deeper connection with the local community and culture.

Your days in India will support local businesses and the local community as a whole, not just a few businesses. With this trip, we provide local employment and fair wages as well as good and safe working conditions. 

Our travel company is committed to supporting local communities. One of the ways we achieve this is by training and employing local guides exclusively. This not only helps support the local economy but also ensures that guests have an authentic and insightful travel experience.

In addition, we engage local craftsmen and marginalized communities in workshops that we offer to our guests. This not only provides an opportunity for guests to learn new skills and crafts but also helps support local artisans and makes their traditional crafts visible.

We are proud to have a fair-wage policy that sets higher pay compared to the government guidelines. This ensures that our staff is well-compensated for their hard work and that they can support themselves and their families.

Our employment policy is also gender-neutral and based solely on a person's skill set. This ensures that all individuals, regardless of their gender, have an equal opportunity to be employed and contribute to the local community.

The workshops and conservation centers that we visit on our tours have an agreed payment policy with us, ensuring that everyone involved is fairly compensated for their work.

By purchasing goods directly from local artisans, you can be sure that any income generated goes directly to the grassroots community, helping support local businesses and families. We believe that supporting local communities in this way not only benefits them but also enriches the travel experience for our guests.

All the sustainable practices this trip implements have made it an award-winning one. 

This 2-week tour of Rajasthan blends cultural & heritage experiences, immersion in artisanal communities, and connection to nature & animals. Carbon removals included!

[13 days] India: Rajasthan Cultural Tour | Yugen Earthside

This 15-day cultural tour of Rajasthan blends cultural and heritage experiences, immersion in hands-on artisanal activities, and stay at charming homestays and heritage hotels.

Rajasthan is perhaps the most frequently visited destination in India for its vibrant colors, the Thar desert, palaces, village communities, and markets. These aspects give you a well rounded experience of western India.


This tour is designed to help you leisurely explore the main sights and the hidden treasures, such as nomadic shepherds and Bishnoi, Raika, and Bhil communities. It is also our endeavor to create employment opportunities for these communities via tourism.

Visit the artisan communities and participate hands-on in workshops such as miniature paintings, bangle-making, weaving, and marble masonry.

Live in traditional homestays or heritage properties for an authentic experience

Hands-on experiences with weavers, potters, bangle makers, and block printers

Taste the local cuisine & hands-on cooking

Village walks and interacting with nomadic communities

Emphasis on experiencing through storytelling

Optional: If you have more days, ask us for customization. We can recommend places and activities in the Himalayas or Varanasi.

This tour is great if you are a leisure traveler. You can expect to see and experience forts and palaces, heritage homes, intricately carved Hindu temples, ancient ruins, and local music and traditional tribal dances.

In addition to this, we also take you into the countryside. Experience stunning waterfalls, historic rock paintings, tribal communities, artisans, and much more..

For the animal lovers, we spend two days with camel herders understanding their nomadic lives. There’s an optional extension available where you can take a full-day, ethical leopard safari.

5 reasons why you should not miss this holiday in Rajasthan:

Storytelling makes your experience more enriching than what typical tours and websites narrate about the monuments and off-beat experiences.

Visit the stunning UNESCO World Heritage sites and vibrant markets.

You can participate in local festivities, handicrafts workshops, and stay at charming homestays to broaden the understanding of this diverse country.

You can choose to do this holiday as fully guided, partially guided, or completely independent. This gives you the flexibility to manage the budget and keep it as flexible as you wish to.

On our walking tours, experience India from a local's perspective. Visit those hidden eateries and temples, and markets that only locals hang out in.

Entry fees to any monuments wherever applicable. The set government rates are INR 500 (per person per monument)

All accommodations on a twin-sharing basis (eco-friendly homestays, heritage homes, or hotels)

Pricing varies between 2 and 10 travelers; contact us with your group size for a quote.

As an award-winning tour for our sustainable practices, we prioritize responsible tourism by limiting our visitor capacity to 500 per season per destination, and embracing the principles of slow travel. We are committed to supporting the United Nations' Sustainable Development Goals, specifically numbers 1, 5, 8, 10, 11, 12, 13, and 15. By doing so, we aim to contribute to a sustainable future for both the environment and local communities

India

North India Wildlife Tour

Golden Triangle Cultural Tour

Rajasthan Cultural Tour

Company

Fine Print

Newsletter