Founded by Sheetal in 2014, Rainbow Journeys is a tour companyoffering curated, All-women inbound tours & treks across India, built on the principles of empowerment, sustainability, and immersive exploration.
With two decades of experience in the travel industry, we have curated thoughtfully planned itineraries that combine cultural immersion, wellness activities and wildlife encounters for a well-rounded travel experience. We offer fully supported treks in the Indian Himalayas, guided by experienced woman trek leaders.
At Rainbow Journeys, we are dedicated to promoting sustainable tourism and providing authentic experiences that go beyond the usual tourist attractions. By prioritizing responsible travel practices, we aim to create meaningful experiences that benefit both travelers and local communities.
“I love creating unique travel experiences, drawing inspiration from my deep connection with nature and heritage. I lead most of the groups myself to ensure that each trip is filled with experiences that not only showcase India’s rich culture and history but also offer a deeper insight into the lives of Indian women, highlighting their resilience. Our guests have the opportunity to fully immerse themselves in the vibrant spirit of India.
I understand the importance of ensuring the safety of women travelers in our groups. Our trek leaders are certified in wilderness first-aid. Each trip is either accompanied by me or an experienced woman tour leader who is committed to supporting our guests throughout the journey.
As a trained mountaineer & trekker, I have explored the breathtaking landscapes of the Indian Himalayas. I call a small community in the foothills of the Himalayas my home, where I live with my dogs, like-minded people, and dependable internet connectivity – all of which help me run my travel business smoothly.”
Sheetal Thakur
Dhruv Swamini
We’re excited to have Dhruv Swamini leading / co-leading our treks and expeditions now. She brings a whole new level of expertise to our offerings, allowing us to provide high-altitude treks in the Indian and Nepal Himalayas. Dhruv is a seasoned mountaineer who has conquered four 6000+ meter peaks in the Indian Himalayas and has taken on numerous other challenging treks. Dhruv attended IIT Delhi and INSEAD, France, and spent over 5 years at McKinsey & Company before launching DUPLAYS Gurgaon, a sports events company. Her love for trekking began a decade ago during a trek in the Indian Himalayas, and she has been hooked ever since. The mountains are truly her happy place. Dhruv is a certified mountaineer from the Himalayan Mountaineering Institute in Darjeeling and has trekked in various Himalayan regions in India and Nepal.
Our Philosophy
Tailor-made Tours / Treks is what we offer. Our goal is to assist you in crafting your ideal trip, from selecting your activities and accommodations to arranging unique experiences like staying in a village or participating in a cultural event. Tailor-made vacations are all about flexibility and meeting your specific needs.
Small Groups – the way to go! When it comes to group size, the smaller the better! Small groups ensure minimal impact on the places we visit and the people we meet. It also means we have the flexibility to use an incredible variety of transport and accommodation that is simply impractical for bigger groups.
We value connecting with the locals. We love immersing ourselves in the local culture whenever we can. Instead of just observing from afar and snapping pictures, we prefer to truly connect with the locals by sharing a cup of tea, enjoying a homemade meal, and engaging in conversation. Our goal is to provide an authentic experience in India where guests can interact and bond with the local community.
We promote local women guides, who are experts of their geographical area. We recognize that tourism can be a real help to the local communities providing income, positive cultural exchange and financial incentives to protect the natural environment. We stress upon – that your holiday is someone else’s home and leave nothing but footprints.
Testimonials
A definite „Yes“ – we had a very nice time with Sheetal. India is a fascinating country and I was able to get a different perspective and learned a lot. The itinerary was amazingly put together with a mixture of urban and rural. Sheetal is a great tour guide, she knows a lot and can pass it on, she is a warm-hearted, pleasant and extremely patient person (especially during our shopping tours and during dinner / lunch – when we were unable to make decisions what to order) but also assertive. I very much hope that you will offer the trip again also next year and enable more women to experience India
Karin Kosler Germany
Very many different impressions that have changed my view on India completely. Sheetal was a great tour leader, always giving new topics for discussion. It was great that the group was small. And we didn’t mind that she spoke English. If we had problems to understand things, there was always someone to help out (with a translation). With this tour leader: any time again!
Claudia Peter Germany
Thanks especially to Sheetal for a time that will always be remembered. Probably due to the small group size, we arrived as strangers and parted as friends. The accommodation always seemed to be well thought out and contributed greatly to the relaxing factor of the trip. Eating daily bliss. And the places visited were more than what seems possible.
