Three years… 8,500 people… One man… On what made the travel start-up, Tent N Trek, a successful one is the 27-year-old, Manoj and his team’s courage and wit.

On a candid interview with the founder of Tent N Trek, I got opportunities to discuss a lot of travel goals, best destinations, tips to earn while travelling and more.

Let me walk you through the interview.

HOW IT ALL STARTED?

Manoj, a native of Madurai was working with a corporate company for two years. He hosted his first camp at Coutraalam for which two of his friends turned up. Later, he then camped at Kodaikanal. Seeing the impact of his first trip, a number of 52 people checked in. This motivated him. Now, he has completed three years and has hosted more than 8,500 people.

WHAT’S SO SPECIAL?

Tent N Trek has been reported as ‘Top 5 innovative travel startups’ which brought them under limelight. The company won the ‘South Indian Aspiring Travel Start-Up’ under SISA (South India’s Startup Awards). Currently, it is operating pan-India with almost 45 camping sites.

HOW DO THEY WORK?

• Scheduled Camping - For weekend getaways and group trekking.
• Customized treks - For pre-planned trekking with your friends where the destination can be of your choice.

RIDE ON ROADS

They are also arranging a 7-day road trip, at regular intervals. The adventurous roads of Himalayas, Meghalaya, Leh Ladakh, the northeast will be explored by the travellers. 

NEXT STEP, OVERSEAS ADVENTURE

Manoj’s team operates with a number of 15 members. Of them, Swapna, the marketing head is said to be an all-rounder and is responsible for everything. From this year, the team is also planning to start the overseas adventure. The basic aim is to be a one-stop solution for the travellers and trekkers, say the company crew.

HOW TO EARN WHILE TRAVEL?

Step 1: Travel with the team

Step 2: Write about the travel experience or do video blogs and click photographs of the trekking spots

Step 3: Get free trips and earn while travelling

Remember, creativity and passion for travel is the key here.

WHY ONE SHOULD TAKE TRAVEL?

• Detoxifies mental strength
• Enables travelers to meet new people
• Allows the trekkers to explore unique places around them

PERSONAL FAVORITE

Among a lot of places, Manoj calls Malana village in Himachal Pradesh, Prashar Lake, and Meghalaya as his favorite destinations.

DO YOU KNOW?

Do you know Asia’s longest cave, the Gandikota fort, is just 400 km away from Chennai?

Do you know Asia’s cleanest village is in Meghalaya?

Do you know Asia’s second largest paragliding is in Himachal?

Apart from that, we have beautiful deserts, coastlines, lakes, and snow covered mountains.

The list can go on when one thinks about why they should tick India as their travel destination, says Manoj.

WHAT SHOULD ONE LOOK FOR WHILE TRAVELING WITH TREKKING COMPANIES?

They are certain safety features that you should check before you set a deal with a trekking company, according to Manoj.

• Go with a registered company
• Check if the company holds the proper license and other necessary accesses
• Check their reviews and ratings
• Go with well experienced and well-known trekking groups
• Check if the company has proper medicinal kits. Also, monitor if they have the knowledge to understand the situations.

WHAT ARE THE BEST GO-TO PLACES IN INDIA?

There are a lot of private places and hidden falls. These will take you on good trekking spots. The team take the trekkers to such kind of adventurous places.

Other than this, the beautiful destinations in India would be Meghalaya, Himachal Pradesh, Spiti Valley and many other places that still have their originalities.

‘To our trekkers, travel is more than site-seeing. Also, those who feel things are not going right in their life, I would say, pack your bag and go on solo-trip or do trekking. Because travel changes you, travel teaches you,’ Manoj concludes with a smile.

Confused on how to plan your trip? Log onto Sulekha.com and get connected with the best adventure tour operators. Happy backpacking!