In search of the offbeat track

Travel group Insearch Outdoors believeS in going off the beaten track in every aspect, be it their eco tours, biking safaris or camps for senior citizens

If you love guided tree walks or nature trails and wish to enjoy the same experience outside the city, the guys at InSearch Outdoors have just the right package lined up for you. Started almost a decade ago in Pune by four nature lovers, it was aimed at creating a buzz about nature conservation. About four years ago, they set up a second branch in Dombivli, to cater to Mumbai's adventurous folk.


The magnificent ruins of Hampi at nightfall. PIC/ AFP PHOTO

"We began by conducting eco tours, jungle safaris and camps where experts pointed out the unique flora and fauna of the region, making people aware about how to preserve these fragile landscapes," says Surendra Desai, Mumbai Head, InSearch Outdoors.

A scan of their activities makes it clear how InSearch has covered almost every kind of outdoor activity. You can pick from adventure sports activities including river rafting, trekking, mountain climbing, trips to tiger and bird sanctuaries like Kanha, Bandhavgarh and Bhedaghat as well as weekend corporate trips to promote teambuilding. Kids can sign up for camps too; bikers can enroll for special biking expeditions that head to Malshej Ghat or even up north all the way to Ladakh. They'll even customise trips around India, depending on your budget.

Another service, which is probably a godsend for the infrequent traveller is the use of correct equipment. InSearch helps you choose the appropriate travel equipment, be it a rucksack, pair of trekking shoes or binoculars. So the next time you are bogged down with too many choices or are simply time-strapped, these guys will solve your packing woes.

"In a bid to do things differently, most of our tours are held in offbeat locations like Leh, Ladakh,Lakshwadweep and Bhutan. Similarly, we organise customised trips for the elderly who are keen on travelling where the intensity of the adventure is less keeping their health in mind," explains Desai.

Come holiday season and they will kickstart children's camps at Karjat, which are already a hit, thanks to the range of activities from cooking in the jungle to face painting, magic shows, treasure hunts and nature trails. They also have child skill development camps for children aged 5 to 10 years where their spatial skills are honed through games played in the middle of verdant forests.

At: 7, Krishna Niwas, opposite Ganesh Cold Drinks, Chiplunkar Road, Dombivli (East).
Call: 9820245594 / 9819091954
LOG ON TO: www.insearchoutdoors.com