Sonder

My most unique travel experience shaped my life. And inspired me to start an empire. Here’s how it began.

In 2011, on of my trips to the hills, I went to Sattal — a picnic spot — as referred to by the locals’ way back then. A serene lake reflecting the green of pine trees stood flanked by 7 different shores (hence the name Sattal). I was so puzzled. Here was a beautiful place — with all the natural resources that people crave, so accessible to travellers from Delhi and yet it had almost no traffic. Compared to the erstwhile Nainital, most poplar of all summer getaways where 200+ hotels enjoyed an average occupancy of 60–70% year round! Nainital saw more and more people, while traffic piled up, additional concrete was used to make newer hotels and mall road was worse than Chandni Chowk!

I believed then that if we could solve the problem of infrastructure we could build an alternative summer getaway. And since 2011 that exactly what I have been doing, starting with Sattal and spanning 100+ new destinations!