How to Reach Sattal from Nainital

By Road

The Pangot Bird sanctuary is located at a distance of 13km from Nainital city and can be reached by self-driving or by hiring a taxi cab. The Sanctuary is located at a distance of 355 km from Delhi and 365 km from Agra. Local cabs from Nainital are available for Rs 2,000-3000 per day. 

By Train

Kathgodam Railway station is the nearest railway station which is about 20 km from the Pangot and Kilbury Sanctuary. It is possible to hire a taxi leading to the sanctuary.

By Flight

Pantnagar Airport is the nearest airport which is around 95 km from the Pangot and Kilbury Bird Sanctuary. It is possible to hire a taxi leading to the sanctuary which will take around 2 to 3 hours to reach.

Where to Stay in Sattal / Pangot / Kilsbury

Jungle Lore Birding Lodge is the first birding lodge in India. It has four cottages with rooms built like British bungalows and is located on a hillside overlooking the vast open forest.

Pinewood Cottage is 15km from Nainital and offers facilities like bird watching, trekking, rock climbing, rafting, and night safari 

Kilbury Forest Rest House, built by the British, is equipped with all modern amenities. The walk from Pangot to Kilbury Forest Rest House is very popular as it traverses through thick oak, pine, bamboo, cedar, and rhododendron forests

Nainital to Sattal Drive

About 13 km away from the Nainital city is the Pangot village located at a height of 6,510 ft above sea level. Pangot village is a famous tourist destination as it houses over 580 documented species of birds. While birdwatching in Pangot is a big attraction, the oak forests and the blooming rhododendron trees make the landscape even more stunning.

Sattal Birding

We were woken up by the songs of a variety of birds that we had not heard before. Excited, we mounted the lens on the camera and rushed towards the backyard of the property. What we saw and captured in our camera for the next 2 hours was a celebration of winged creatures. I hope you enjoy this photo journal of Pangot, Bhimtal and Sattal Birding.

Verditer Flycatcher

While birding in Pangot, one is bound to come across the Verditer Flycatcher that is abundantly found here. It was one of the first birds we spotted while we were on our way to Pangot from Nainital. They were omnipresent in the area.

The flycatcher felt at home with our presence and happily posed for us. 

Blue whistling thrush

A blue whistling thrush played hide and seek outside our accommodation whistling to glory while the morning sun shone bright and glistened on his blue feathers. He slowly glided into the nearby shrubs, probably because he did not like the shutter sound of my camera.

Kalij Pheasant

A discussion about our interest in birdwatching with the hotel owner leads him to inform us that he has been observing Pheasants on his property. He was quick to ask the bell boy if he spotted any previous evening. We were hoping to capture him in our cameras.

While walking towards the backyard, we saw a black silhouette crossing the parapet between 2 properties. It only took us seconds to identify it but the red-eyed bird known as Kalij Pheasant had crossed the boundary wall to another side. But we still managed to photograph him!

Blue Winged Siva

Soon enough a pair of Blue Winged Siva descended on the marble bath of the property where we were staying. Their playfulness was so oblivious to our presence and they enjoyed their romantic bath together which lasted for a short time.

Black Chinned Babbler

Two spectacled biscuit-coloured birds now touched down on the water bath. They were playful but not comfortable sharing the bath with the Indian Black lored tit. The male made sure they did not want the Black Lored Tit there and shooed him away to have a private bath with the lady.

Black Headed Jay

A small movement in nearby bushes made us strain our eyes and neck to see who was hiding behind the branches. A blue mirage is all that we saw. Noiseless we stood there for the shy blue bird to come out. At some time there were not one but three black-headed jay on the tree. There seemed to be 2 males and 1 female as the males were doing a display pattern to woo the lady.

Rufous Sibia

There was a flutter in between the bright red rhododendrons. A rust-coloured bird flew by. On landing a couple of branches away on an old oak tree, it posed for us. The slender buffy-rufous coloured bird called Rufous Sibia, grew comfortable and flew to the parapet near the road and even posed for us.

Grey-winged Blackbird

Our car crossed a black bird sitting on the road who seemed to be scavenging. We halted and walked back to the spot to find him still doing the same. On closer look, we saw that he was actually clearing the fallen leaves and making the area clean. Probably a fan of Swachh Bharat Abhiyan! We saw the female counterpart doing the same a couple of meters above the cliff. We have no idea why they were doing what they were doing.

Since we did not want to stay in Pangot, we never really researched for a day guide who could show us the birds around. We just walked through the valleys of forests and stopped if we heard a bird call or flutter of wings or just about any movement in the trees.

However, a couple of hours spent here were nothing less than a turbo charge for us which left us wanting more and planning a dedicated trip to Pangot and Sattal with a guide.

Sustainable tips for Birding in Sattal

• Wear camouflage colours that will easily blend with the surrounding – green and brown shades work best around the trees.
• Do not make noises when you spot a bird, it may get distracted and fly.
• Do not wear perfumes or body spray when you go birdwatching.
• Try to avoid bird call apps to attract birds or make them look your way for a good photo. It is just unethical.
• Do not dispose of wet waste or plastic in the jungle valleys.

Read About more Bird-watching destinations:

• Khijadiya Bird Sanctuary, Jamnagar
• Bird-watching destinations around Ahmedabad
• Gir National Park 

Read More Uttarakhand Posts

• Things to do in Rishikesh
• Gucchu Pani
• Is Dehradun worth a stopover?
• Places to visit in Nainital
• Chopta Chandrashila trek

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TU 142 Aircraft Museum

On the road opposite the submarine, the museum is the Aircraft TU-142M museum which was commissioned in the year 2017. After 29 years of service, the TU-142M aircraft of the Indian Navy was decommissioned and converted into a museum. If you are an enthusiats that loves aircrafts then this is one of the best places to visit in Visakhapatnam.

You can enter the actual aircraft, but before that there is an interpretation centre developed wherein various equipment and parts of aircraft are displayed inside an exhibition hall. Types of equipment like sonobuoys, propeller, engine, survival kit, anti-submarine missile, data recorder etc are displayed with all details. The design of the aircraft was inspired by the bird ‘Albatross’ by a Russian designer Tupolev. It is the world’s heaviest and fastest flying turboprop aircraft.

After visiting the exhibition hall you will enter into the aircraft. Photography is not allowed inside the aircraft. After seeing various equipment inside the plane you can come out of the aircraft from its front door to then take a photo of the aircraft. You need skills and a wide frame lens to photograph it in one frame!

Submarine museum Vizag entry fees: Rs. 70 per adult.

Camera fees: Included in entry fees. Photography is prohibited inside the aircraft.

Kailasagiri – Best parks in Visakhapatnam | Best places to visit in Visakhapatnam

All the local residents told me to visit Kailasagiri as it is one of the must-visit destinations in Visakhapatnam. Located in the heart of the city, it is perched at a height of 560 feet and offers spectacular views of the city and the east coast. You can take a ropeway to reach the hilltop.

Considered to be a well-known attraction due to the huge idols of Shiva and Parvathi, this is a well-known picnic spot amongst the locals and tourists alike which offers plenty of beautiful viewpoints like Shiva Parvathi Statue, Shanku Chakra Naama, Floral Clock, Jungle Trails, Food Courts, 7 Wonders of Vizag, Shiva Temple, Titanic View Point, etc. You can also hop into the toy train operating at the park which takes a circular tour of this garden at the hilltop.

Go there for the views of Rushikonda Beach!

Entry fees: Rs. 10 per adult (parking fees for vehicle/car/bus extra)

Ropeway fees: Rs. 100 per adult (round trip)

Toy car fees: Rs. 150 per adult

Bheemili Beach

Bheemunipatnam (popularly known as Bheemili)  is one of the longest beaches in the country. Unlike RK beach or Rushikonda beach, there are fewer tourists here which according to me are brownie points. It is easily one of the most offbeat places in Visakhapatnam and can also pass off as romantic places near Visakhapatnam for couples.

Located about 25 km from Visakhapatnam, Bheemili beach has its own character and is one of the hidden places in Vizag. Driving from Visakhapatnam to Bheemili is amazing as you can see the coast on your right side most time and mountains straight ahead in front of you. The Beemili beach is said to be safe for swimming as compared to RK or Rushikonda, but I’d not recommend it because I found it to be a bit dirty, thanks to a village settlement nearby.

There is a major Dutch settlement of the 17th century near the beach. The town also contains one of the oldest Christian cemeteries on the coast.

Have more time on hand? You may plan a Visakhapatnam to Araku valley by car and Borra Caves. Read about Beach camping.

Entry fees: Free

Dolphin’s Nose

A fascinating viewpoint offering gorgeous views of the city as well as of the coastline, the Dolphin’s Nose happens to be one of the must-visit places in Visakhapatnam. Named after the large rock viewpoint that resembles the shape of a dolphin’s nose, there is also a lighthouse which is one of the sought after attractions.

I did not have the time to go all the way, it is about 10kms from the city, but clicked it from RK beach, so yes it is visible from far.

Entry fees: Free

VUDA Park – Visakhapatnam Best Places

VUDA Park, also known as Visakhapatnam Metropolitan Region Development Authority Park (VMRDA) is a perfect family outing and picnic place in Visakhapatnam. With a lovely manicured garden, a skating rink and a musical dancing fountain it is favourite among the locals and the tourists. Many Vizag Tours Packages include this park in their list of things to do in Vizag. The park is located near RK Beach.

Entry fees: Free

Visakhapatnam Film City | Ramanaidu Film Studio

Probably the newest addition to Visakhapatnam Tourism, the Ramanaidu film studio is located at the top of a hill. Surrounded by hills on one side and sea on the other side, this film studio is used by several film producers of nearby states to produce movies in national and regional languages.

Entry fees: Rs. 35 per adult, Rs 40 per camera

Simhachalam Temple 

Out of the many Hindu Temples in Visakhapatnam, Simhachalam Temple is one of the most popular and frequented temples in Visakhapatnam. It is a famous religious site that is frequented by the locals and all the pilgrims from Andhra Pradesh. The temple is dedicated to Lord Vishnu and has a history that dates back to the 9th century when the Later Cholas founded it. It is one of the best places to visit in Visakhapatnam for the journey within.

Entry fee: Free

Visakhapatnam famous food

Although the traditional Andhra Pradesh food is on the spicier side, there is no dearth of street food in Visakhapatnam that is more ‘suited’ for the tourist’s taste. While Idli and Dosa are popular, other typical Indian street foods like Pav Bhaji and Chat are available in plenty. 

Punugulu Karam is a populr snack. It is a deep-fried snack made with urad dal and rice batter. These crispy orbs are served with peanut and coconut chutneys.

What is a good beach without the Tomato Bajji? Tomato Bajji is readily available on the beaches of Visakhapatnam. This is made of fresh tomatoes that are coated with gram flour and deep-fried and cut into half, like cups, with the tomato flesh scooped out. Served with crunchy peanuts these are a must-try!

Kalakand is Visakhapatnam famous sweet. Made with milk, cottage cheese and ghee, Kalakand makes its presence felt in every local festival. It comes in two variants, brown and white and the brown Kalakand is more popular than its white counterpart in Visakhapatnam.

Weekend getaways from Visakhapatnam – Araku Valley

Araku Valley is one of the best weekend getaways from Vizag. Situated only 100 km away, a one day trip is possible, however, it is ideal to spend at least a day here exploring Coffee museum Araku, the waterfalls and especially Borra Caves in Araku valley. Borra caves are naturally formed Stalactites and stalagmites caves that have interesting shapes that lend a surreal aura to the caves. I have been to such caves before – Mawsmai Caves is one of the top tourist places in Meghalaya and Halong Bay, Vietnam.

Best time to visit Visakhapatnam

Visakhapatnam gets super hot and humid during summers and it becomes difficult to move around as a tourist. The best and comfortable time to visit Visakhapatnam is in winter in the months of October to March.

How to Reach Visakhapatnam

By Air
Visakhapatnam airport is connected with many major cities of India like Mumbai, Delhi, Chennai and Hyderabad. The airport is 16 km away from the city centre.

By Train
Visakhapatnam as a train station and good connectivity to Chennai to Delhi stations.

By Road
Visakhapatnam has well serviced with public transport services. There are numerous routes going towards the city from the main metropolis of south and central India including Chennai (829 km), Hyderabad (620 km) and Vijayawada (355 km).

Local travel in Visakhapatnam | Cab services in Visakhapatnam

While Visakhapatnam cab rental is possible through a travel agency, App-based cabs like Ola and Uber are available in the city and up to a few places around. It may be difficult to get a cab at Bheemili beach so one might want to book a few hours rental. Other than this, Auto-rickshaws are also easily available but they do not follow a rate card and may charge more once they know you are the tourist. 

You may want to hail an autorickshaw for places such as the RK Beach, Naval Submarine museum and Aircraft museum as everything is near to each other.

Where to stay in Visakhapatnam

Stay options are great in Visakhapatnam with beach view properties. There are many options from luxurious resorts to humble homestays overlooking the best views. Here are some of the options for accommodation in Visakhapatnam.

Since I was on a work trip, I was put up at Fairfield by Marriott Visakhapatnam which is very close to the airport. Not very far from the city, but one cannot walk to the city centre. You need some kind of transport to get there.

Luxury: Novotel Visakhapatnam Varun Beach, Four Points By Sheraton Visakhapatnam

Mid-range: Ginger Vishakhapatnam, Best Western Ramachandra

Homestay: Kushi HomeStay Guest House

Hostel: Sree saptagiri hostel

Quick Visakhapatnam FAQs

• How Visakhapatnam got its name?

A few centuries ago a King of the Andhra Dynasty camped on the site of the present Head Quarters Town of Visakhapatnam while he was on a pilgrimage. He was impressed with the place, had built a shrine in honour of his family deity called Visakeswara to the South of the Lawson’s Bay from which the district has derived its name as Visakheswarapuram which subsequently changed to Visakhapatnam.

• What does Visakhapatnam mean?

Visakhapatnam got its name from Lord Visakheswara Temple (Also known as Lord Karthikeya). When the Britishers built a port along the natural harbour here, they pronounced the original name as Vizagapatam. But when they wrote it down, whoever read it pronounced it as Y-zag-ah-patam. Thus visakhapatnam became Vizagapatam and in short, Vizag.

• Why is Visakhapatnam railway station famous?

Visakhapatnam is one of the major railway stations in the south-central zone of Indian railways. It is announced as the cleanest railway station in the country by the Quality Council of India and earned a platinum rating for being environmentally friendly from the Indian Green Building Council.

• Why is Visakhapatnam called waltair?

Vala means Fish Net and Theddu means Oar. Since Visakhapatnam had a colony of fishermen, it was called ‘ValaTheddu (Vala meaning fishnet and Theddu meaning Oar). The name subsequently turned into Walatedu and finally Waltair by the Britishers.

• Why is Visakhapatnam also known as Vizag?

During the British rule, Britishers found it difficult to pronounce Visakhapatnam. And like most Indian cities, it was renamed to suit their tongue. 

• Why is Visakhapatnam called the city of destiny?

Visakhapatnam is also called the City of Destiny, because of its stunning landscapes and attractive beaches.

• Visakhapatnam is famous for which industry?

Visakhapatnam is famous for its steel industry.

• What is Visakhapatnam weather like?

Vizag is hot and humid for the most part of the year like all Indian coastal areas. Though the days are hot, the city cools down during the evenings. The city receives a good amount of rainfall between June and September and has pleasant winters.

Sustainable tips for best places to visit in Visakhapatnam

• Do not use single-use or disposable plastic. Even if you do, do not litter it on the beach or any tourist area.
• Respect the places which prohibit photography. There is a reason for it.
• Do not write on equipment or machinery in museums.

Disclaimer – This post contains affiliate links. It means it adds no extra cost to you if you book through the link but I get a referral bonus which helps me earn a little to keep this website up and running.

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Reasons behind that one perfect shot for the gram/blog

Research

Travel bloggers put in a lot of research before they travel to a particular destination. Self-safety, as well as the safety of the gear they are carrying (which is sometimes a couple of thousand dollars worth), is kept in mind while planning the travel. 

Partnership with local tourism/agency

Many a times, travel to offbeat places is arranged by a local tourism board or a local agency who knows the area well, know the roads well, how to safely reach an offbeat place and even the local language. Rural areas and offbeat places are thus best visited with a knowledgeable agent.

Prior permissions for Heritage sites/temples

Most travel bloggers get permission to heritage sites or temples where traditionally photography is prohibited. It is hence important to be ethical during travel.

Sustainable Travel for 2021

We cannot ignore the fact that the pandemic still exists and may stay longer than anticipated. This is where the role of travel bloggers comes into picture wherein they can inspire their followers and family about sustainable travel, armchair travel and backyard travel. Thankfully, there are already travel influencers influencing during the pandemic. 2021 trends point towards more sustainable travel which includes

Slow travel

Air travel is accountable for about 2.5% of global carbon dioxide emissions, and using the railways or roadways is one way to travel long distances without releasing as many emissions. Slow travel also allows people to spend more time in places and really be able to enjoy their experiences. Thankfully a lot of travel companies are realising important issues such as climate change and offering packages for slow travel.

Remote working has also made a lot of difference in people choosing to travel slow, exploring more in more time. 

Deep travel

Gone are the days when visitors only wanted to tick off popular places off the list. Now they want more meaningful experiences which is full of local culture and heritage. They want to enrol themselves into local cooking classes, or yoga or go on local food trails. 

There is an increase in the number of people who want to experience local festivals and visit in peak winters or summers. A large number of people in 2021 would be looking for meaning experience with lasting memories.

Armchair travel

People with ailments or otherwise may decide to stay in till the pandemic is over or till a vaccine is out. Virtual travel picked up during lockdown and it looks like it is here to stay, given the expected second/third wave. 

Backyard tourism

A lot of people are already chucking visiting foreign destinations to explore their own country or even their own city. Backyard tourism in 2021 will reign over the rest with Staycations, nature trails, short drives and luxury travel near home.

There is also a growing movement against geotagging on social media to avoid ruining some pristine locations from overtourism. 

So all in all 2021 looks like a sustainable travel year. How and where do you plan to explore next year keeping all the above points in mind? Let me know in the comments below.

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What is Sustainable Travel or What is Sustainable Tourism?

Sustainable travel means finding a way that tourism can be maintained long-term without harming natural and cultural environments. Sustainable travel should minimise the negative impacts of tourism and ideally be beneficial to the area in which it takes place.

Let us go over some sustainable travel tips to become a responsible traveler.

Sustainable Transport

The mode of travel is probably the first thing one thinks of while planning a trip. Depending upon the destination and distance one decides to use the train, bus or flight.

Did you know the flight’s takeoffs and landings create most of an airplane’s carbon emissions?

That is why overland travel is the best option.

Overland travel or Overlanding

Historically, “Overlanding” is an Australian term to denote the droving of livestock over very long distances to open up new country or to take livestock to market far from grazing grounds. But in modern times it relates to traveling on land, covering a long distance, wherein the journey is more important than the destination.

Modes of Overland travel include

Railways: Railways are however the best ways to travel comfortably within a country. They are safe, affordable and give you a good chance to have fun on the run. You can also catch up on that much-needed sleep. This is by far the best way of sustainable travel.

Roadways: Overlanding is also thankfully becoming more popular using campervans or private cars and it is better for the environment than flights.

Public transport: Buses, metro, sky trains, trams, trains are the best means of public transport which are time-saving and extremely ethical to the place of travel. Also, let’s face it, it saves a ton of money and you can get from one place to another in a quarter of the cost if you ride a vehicle or hire a cab. Plus you can catch up some sleep, listen to music or read up a blog while commuting.

Walk/Bicycle: Even better for the environment is exploring the new area on foot or by bicycle. While many Europeans countries use bicycles as their everyday means of transport, as visitors we can at least do our bit to rent them.

Sustainable Travel Products/ Eco-products

As zero waste living is slowly picking up as a lifestyle choice, it is important to start off somewhere with small changes during travel. Here are some great options.

Reusable bottles 

In developing counties, the water available at water ports is generally filtered and fit for drinking. In developed countries, tap water is the best choice. Gone are the days when you would have to buy a PET mineral water bottle while traveling. With an estimated 91 per cent of plastic going unrecycled, it’s better for the environment if travelers cut out the usage of plastic altogether.

You will find water filters almost at all tourism locations across Asia and it is highly recommended to carry your own bottle everywhere.

Refilling water is now considered cool and saves a lot of money and is environmentally safe. Sustainable Tourism in Luang Prabang is one such inspiring example of taking sustainability too seriously especially for tourist towns. 

Ecofriendly Toiletries

Wooden toothbrushes, chewable toothpaste, bath bars, shampoo bars, organic detergents, wooden combs. The list is unending. There has been a revolution in terms of eco-friendly toiletries not just for the travel community but for regular usage. And if you haven’t taken the ride on this yet, it is high time to switch.

Since we are on the topic of sustainable toiletries, it is important to mention the use of water instead of tissue paper! I just had to say this. Worldwide, the equivalent of almost 27,000 trees is either flushed or dumped in landfills which can be attributable to toilet paper.

Menstrual cups

When the PMS has to strike it will strike. It doesn’t matter whether you’re chasing waterfalls in Laos or admiring the tulips in Netherlands or camping in Rishikesh. Menstrual cups are emerging as the most eco-friendly solution as against disposing of tampons or sanitary pads which may take years for decomposition.

No packaging shampoo and soap bars

Liquid shampoos and soaps are harmful to the environment as they need the plastic packaging to fill them. Post usage they are chucked in the trash cans and on to the landfill site. A few of them may get recycled but most end up rotting in the landfill for years or sometimes in the ocean bed.

Packaging shampoo in a glass or metal bottle doesn’t make sense to a recycling a glass bottle is an extremely energy-intensive process. However, there are a few companies which allow you to return your bottles for cleaning and refilling. This means you buy a product from them and can return your empty when purchasing a new one. You don’t actually refill the container yourself, the company takes it away, cleans it, and refills on the production line. But I feel that also puts a burden of cleaning it.

The best option for this is switching to shampoo bars and soap bars. They either come in paper packaging or jute packaging and do not harm the environment.

Another organic shampoo is using of Aritha, also known as soap nut from India. According to Ayurveda, the nut has benefits for healthy hair and scalp, and been used for centuries as an anti-hair loss shampoo. You can make soap nut shampoo, even at home.

Ecofriendly cutlery

As a kid when I used to travel, I remember my mom used to pack spillable food in stainless steel containers and others would be neatly wrapped in a newspaper. Over time, I noticed people shifting to styrofoam plates, use and throw containers, plastic cutlery, basically, something you throw and don’t need to wash or take care of after the eating business.

This has harmed the planet in more ways than one!

Ecofriendly cutlery is the way ahead. From wonderfully flavorful edible spoons to arboreal eating utensils, from compostable cutlery made with Corn Starch to affordable bamboo cutlery, there are many eco-friendly cutlery options to chose from – perfect as the sustainable travel tips. They are high on utility especially while camping or traveling to remote places.

I personally carry a stainless steel cutlery pouch as I do not believe in disposing of anything even if it ecofriendly with alternative options. My pouch has a fork, spoon, straw which can be used anywhere – especially for street food.

Sustainable Accommodation

People often forget the importance of choosing sustainable accommodation while traveling. While it is the choice of most people, my personal preference and recommendation are to go for a local homestay. 

Homestays and AirBnBs

Homestays are a wonderful way to know the foreign land in a local way, staying with a local family. The interactions you will have with the family eating local food will carve a beautiful memory of your stay in a foreign locale. This helps a local family to earn some money and you save some!

Housesitting or Couchsurfing 

If you plan to stay for an extended period of time in a place, housesitting or Couchsurfing is one the most practical and sustainable travel tips. Housesitting is what a volunteer does when someone asks them to live in their home while they are away on holiday or travelling. Housesitting could be caring for the house, for pets or for the plants of the host. While you may not know the host in this way, you are living in a home away from home!

Luxury and Sustainability

While homestays are a perfect option, sustainability is not limited and there are many luxurious properties which believe in responsible tourism. Properties like Amari Residences, Bangkok and Luang Say Residence, Luang Prabang have made sustainability a part of their regime and even attract tourists with their ethics.

Pack Light, Pack responsibly

Give a break to yourself from lugging around the heavy bags. Did you know the heavier the luggage, the more fuel needed in the flight? I know it may become difficult to do so while visiting a cold country and posing in the same clothes for photographs but one can always be creative to mix and match clothes to make it look different. Also, why not try local shampoo and soap rather than carrying it all the way?

I always thought it is not possible to carry for a trip in a backpack, but trust me it not as difficult.

It is also good to be informed about the ingredients of your favorite products. Avoid packing and using shampoo, toothpaste and face packs with microbeads. Try using biodegradable organic products and ensure you leave the place clean for future visitors.

Say no to souvenirs from nature

I hear so many people say they pick up something from nature instead of manmade souvenirs to keep the memory alive. 

BUT.. You have got it all wrong! 

Don’t collect stones, shells or sand. It may be a souvenir for you but when you gift it/share its photo with others you are indirectly implying them to collect when they go. Yes, believe it or not, it does leave a little impact. 

Remember this tagline? – It’s only one straw, said 1 billion people.

Well collecting souvenirs from nature is something similar. 

Instead, shop something local!

Shop Local

Whether it is Ao Dai from Vietnam, A block printed saree from India, or a Kimono from Japan, shopping local products support local economies which also means encouraging traditional artists and craftsmen to continue their creativity. That’s a souvenir you must take back home!

If you are a backpacker and do not want to invest in clothes and prints, there are always edible souvenirs to carry with you – tea, coffee, snacks, chocolates, not that’s what I call a yummy souvenir.

Volunteering as a way of travel

Volunteering is the best way to enjoy like a local and earn some money (or not). Not to forget the amazing experience you’ll have for the lifetime for helping a community get water tap or roof for their house or biodiversity restoration or teaching kids in remote areas with no school. I have volunteered at Triund with an NGO in Himachal Pradesh in India. 

Give your electronics the much-required break

In the world when we are so obsessed with checking into every place we visit and snapchatting our journey and sharing what we ate on instagram, we are putting away our loved ones with whom we are traveling. If you’re traveling alone and need pictures for the blog/social media put them away till you are back home. Save energy by switching off the devices.

Turn off all electronic appliances when you leave your hotel room (except the refrigerator)

Hotels use huge amounts of electricity to make their property look beautiful. Let’s be responsible travelers and turn off the air conditioning, lights and fans on the way out of our room.

Choosing Eco trips, Wildlife trips, Nature camping

After the last few years, I have been consciously choosing my vacations to places which are close to nature. Being a wildlife enthusiast and nature lover, it acts as a major detox for me, which helps me unwind! Try it, you will love it too!

Thankfully, there are many such tours happening across the world, which helps you connect with nature. 

If you love wildlife trips, remember

Do not feed wild animals!

This includes monkeys, cows, birds in urban areas (yes, we have them all in developing countries) yes, in the city. Feeding animals makes them habituated to the food (example: pigeon menace across the world) and they do not put efforts to find food for themselves which nature has designed them to do. Leaving food in the zoo, national park or any sanctuary is a strict no-no!

Sustainable Gadgets

Solar chargers and sustainable laundry bags are some of the most responsible way of traveling if you are a frequent traveler. 

Solar chargers are available in all shapes and sizes, depending on the use and be installed on a campervan or carried in your bag. The Grouphug Designer Window Solar Charger has a bamboo frame which sticks using a suction cup and has a built-in rechargeable 3,400-mAh battery that absorbs power throughout the day and night. As a result, it lets you charge your iPhone up to two times and an Android phone 1.5 times.

There are laundry bags and portable machines which wash clothes vigorously and effectively without electricity. Simply fill it with your clothes, add detergent and water, then tap it with your foot or shake the bag. It’ll reduce carbon use and save you money on electricity and water. 

Also, check out these really cool Sustainable Travel Apps.

I hope these Sustainable Travel Tips have inspired you to travel responsibly? Do you follow any of these? Or do you do something which I have not mentioned here? Let me know in the comments below!

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