Way back in 2007 I went on an amazing walking holiday in the foothills of the Himalayas with what was then a very new eco-tourist group called Village Ways. The project had been started to provide work for the the people of the Binsar Wildlife Sanctuary: they built guest houses in the tiny hillside villages and offered conducted walking tours from village to village.
As I see that they are now celebrating their tenth anniversary I realise that I must have been one of their first guests – but I am very glad to say that I was no where near one of their last! Far from it. The concept was so successful that you can now go walking with Village Ways not only in the Binsar Park but in Rajasthan, Madya Pradesh, Karnataka and Kerala in India, in the Sailung area of Nepal and in Ethiopia.
Although I continue to get their newsletter and to look longingly at some of their itineraries I have not gone again – for no other reason really than that I just haven’t managed to organise it. Ethiopia is, I must admit, very tempting….
Anyhow, it is a wonderful idea – I cannot recommend it more highly. So if you are wondering about a gentle walking holiday, either on your own or with a group, which would not only benefit you but your hosts, do check in to the Village Ways site. And to know more about how it works (and I am sure it has not changed much in the last ten years) see my original article here on the FM site.
Enjoy!