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Travellers exploring Jaipur's historic Amber Fort at sunsetSmall group walking through the lanes of Old DelhiSunrise over the Taj Mahal from across the YamunaTravellers sharing a meal with local hosts in a Rajasthani village
Led by Her · Loved by Explorers

Travel India,beyond the checklist.

Intimate small-group journeys hosted by Anna. Thoughtful travel rooted in meaningful connections, local stories and experiences you’ll carry home with you.

4.8/ 5 · 29+ reviews
12max travellers
Hosted byAnna
Confirmed departures

Trips that are happening

Each one already has the guides, hotels and itinerary locked in. Pick a date, secure your spot with a deposit.

Bir · Rajgundha · Barot
Invite-only

A weekend escape

Bir · Rajgundha · Barot

Three days | Two mountain valleys | One camp under the stars

Bir · Rajgundha · Barot 2N · 3D Hosted by Anna

Anima Pandey (Anna)

Founder | Host | Curious Traveller

Expert Spotlight

I'm Anna, and every Chalo Folks journey is personally designed and hosted by me. With years of experience leading tours across India, I create small-group experiences that go beyond landmarks, connecting you with culture, community and the stories that make this country unforgettable.

Storytelling
Local Access
Safety
Small Groups

Member Love

"I felt so safe and taken care of. I was nervous about coming to India but Anna made me feel so much better and had my back whenever I needed it."

Verified traveller• Delhi → Kathmandu · Mar 2025

Our story

From curiosity to community.

Travel, for me, was never about collecting destinations. It was about paying attention. The way a city sounds before it fully wakes up, the rhythm of markets, the pride in an artisan's voice when they speak about their craft.

Somewhere between leading tours for one of the world's largest travel DMCs and wandering solo, a question stayed with me. What if travel felt less commercial and more conscious? Less rushed and more relational?

That question became Chalo Folks. Read the full story →

Travel experience

Why choose us

The Chalo Folks difference.

We've reimagined the group trip experience to be premium, personal and packed with soul.

Small group trips

Maximum 12 travellers. Fewer people, deeper connections, flexible pacing.

Founder-led journeys

Every trip personally hosted by Anna, from planning to on-ground experiences.

No wildlife exploitation

We avoid unethical animal experiences like elephant rides and similar.

Local expert guides

Guided by people who live where you travel and know their cities intimately.

Heritage stays included

At least one heritage or family-run stay on every journey.

Support local women

We prioritise women-led cafés, workshops and community-run initiatives.

Sustainable by design

Thoughtfully planned to reduce impact while supporting people and place.

Safe travel first

Carefully curated routes, trusted partners and 24/7 on-ground support.

Plastic-light policy

Refill-first approach, reduced single-use plastics and mindful daily choices.

How it works

From booking to boarding.

Four simple steps from picking a trip to landing in India. No call centres, no scripted process.

01

Pick your trip

Browse the 5 upcoming 2026 departures, or talk to Anna and she'll point you to the right one.

02

Book your seat

Pay 50% if you book before 60 days, full payment otherwise. Secure checkout via PayPal or Razorpay.

03

Pre-trip details

Fill in passport, visa and insurance from your dashboard. We send a welcome pack with packing lists, visa guides and meeting points.

04

Travel with us

Land in Delhi. Anna and our local team take it from there. 24/7 on-trip support for the entire journey.

Travel Philosophy

They say coincidences don’t exist, only pieces of a larger puzzle. Travel has a way of placing the right pieces in your hands, often when you didn’t know you were looking for them.

Our commitment

Sustainable,
by design.

Thoughtful travel is not a luxury. It's a responsibility we take seriously on every journey.

At Chalo Folks, sustainability isn't a checklist. It's how we choose to travel. We believe the places we visit are not backdrops, but homes, cultures, and ecosystems that deserve respect.

From small group sizes and walking tours to heritage stays and local guides, every trip is designed to minimise impact while creating meaningful connections.

We support local communities and women-led initiatives, choose artisans over mass-produced souvenirs, and avoid experiences that exploit wildlife or people.

Along the way, we share conversations around responsible travel: about culture, conservation, and everyday life in India. So that when you leave, you carry more than memories.

You leave with understanding.

Verified reviews

Real words from
real travellers.

4.8/5

Average rating

from 29+ verified reviews

across 8 trips

Verified

Anima was amazing and really made the trip what it was! She is the BEST!

CF

Verified traveller

Golden Triangle · Feb 2025

Verified

From day one she made me feel comfortable as part of the group. By the end it quickly felt as if I was travelling with a friend. Professional, well-organised and so knowledgeable.

CF

Verified traveller

Delhi → Kathmandu · Mar 2025

Verified

I felt so safe and taken care of. I was nervous about coming to India but Anna made me feel so much better and had my back whenever I needed it.

CF

Verified traveller

Delhi → Kathmandu · Mar 2025

Verified

I felt she had my back. Diplomatic when necessary, firm when required. Unflappable and a credit to your company.

CF

Verified traveller

Golden Triangle · Feb 2025

Good to know

Quick answers, before you book.

How big are the groups?

12 travellers maximum, with an average of 8. Small enough that we can eat together, big enough that you'll have a few like-minded folks to explore with.

Is this trip right for solo travellers?

Absolutely. Over 60% of our travellers come solo. By day two it usually feels like travelling with old friends. We don't charge a single supplement on the shared-room option.

What's included in the price?

Hand-picked accommodation, all internal transport, daily breakfast, several meals with local hosts, every guided experience on the itinerary, and 24/7 on-trip support. International flights and visas are not included, but we'll send you a full guide.

When do I need to pay in full?

If you book more than 60 days before departure you only pay 50% now; the balance is due 30 days before the trip. Inside 60 days, full payment is due at booking. You can settle the balance any time from your dashboard.

What if I need to cancel?

See our refund policy. Short version: free cancellation up to 60 days before departure (full deposit refund), partial refunds 30 to 60 days out, no refund inside 30 days. We strongly recommend travel insurance to cover everything else.

Do I need travel insurance?

Yes. Comprehensive travel insurance is required by our booking conditions. It needs to cover medical, evacuation and trip-interruption. We're happy to recommend providers we trust.

Still got a question? We’re a quick reply away.

Where to next?

First dibs on new departures, member-only fares and short notes from the road. One thoughtful email a month. No spam, ever.

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