our philosophy
“We shall not cease from exploration,
And the end of all our exploring,
Will be to arrive where we started,
And know the place for the first time.”~ T.S. Eliot
Knowhere Travel is driven by a profound passion that seeks a deeper relationship with the world— including geographically diverse spaces, flora and fauna, human communities, varied traditions, and the interwoven layers of history.
It invites introspection and offers a chance to broaden our perspectives, to gain wisdom, and to simply notice things that usually pass us by, unseen. It fuels our sense of wonder and innocence as we rediscover aspects of ourselves we had lost touch with, uncover facets we never knew existed, and co-create new ways of being through meaningful encounters with the intricate web of life.
Tourism is a Lamp…
● Tourism is important not just for individuals, but for entire communities that depend on it.
● Tourism accounts for about 10% of the global GDP[1].
● 1 out of every 10 jobs is supported by tourism[1].
…that Casts a Dark Shadow
● The negative impact of tourism on ecology, culture, and communities is substantial.
● The global tourism industry is responsible for about 9% of the world’s carbon emissions[2].
● Each dollar spent on tourism generates 30% more carbon emissions than the global economic average[2].
● Tourists generate an average of 1.6 kg of waste per person per day— double the global average[3].
● Tourism is responsible for around 8-10% of global total deforestation[4].
● Around 50% of all recognised cultural heritage sites are damaged because of unchecked tourism[4].
● Tourism also contributes to other issues, including cultural erosion and homogenisation, gentrification, and loss of habitat for flora and fauna.
our approach to crafting better travel experiences
Our mission is to help travellers make conscious choices to minimise their negative impact by engaging in and promoting responsible, sustainable, and ethical travel practices that are aligned with wildlife and environmental conservation, heritage preservation, supporting local communities, etc.
Today, there is a serious disconnect with our cultural and ecological roots; the world is rushed, and in some ways, people are anxious and fearful. We want to create space for people to slow down, focus on relaxation, and maybe even take a pause, as opposed to a checklist-based travel that allows no downtime. Why travel at the same pace as your regular life?
We are striving to develop a wholesome sense of what luxury means, with the belief that less is more and true happiness is rooted in simplicity.
We wander far and wide, discovering the rarest of places for you to experience. This includes lush wilderness lodges, secret local homestays, organic farms, pristine beach houses, heritage homes, conservancies, and research stations across the length and breadth of India. We’ve also put together nature and community-centric activities for those who like gentle but active holidaying.
Our experiences are based on genuine connections and not just transactions. They are built on mutual trust, respect and confidence. We seek to form a bridge to close the gap between the urban, rural, tribal, and natural worlds in a meaningful, beneficial way. Our offerings are crafted not just for seasoned travellers, but also for those just venturing out. They are for anyone who wants to experience something grounding and real, with a lot of kindness for the land, and for the people and the beings that live there.
Our model strives for fairness, justice, and equity. It honours the local flavour of each region, and stewards travel that is compassionate.
[1] Travel & Tourism Economic Impact Research (EIR)
[2] Surging global tourism emissions
[3] WEF Insight Report 2025
[4] Sustainability In The Tourism Industry Statistics
who we are
Suman Sukumar
Founder
Bangalore-born and raised, founder of Knowhere Travel and Packrafting India, Suman Sukumar’s journey over the last 13 years of travelling across India’s remotest corners has shaped his work, and his perspective on life as well. What began as a desire to explore wild places back in 2018 gradually deepened into an understanding of how the land, its communities, and indigenous wisdom are inextricably linked. Years on the road taught him that meaningful travel isn’t just about places, it’s about people, cultures, and the stories carried through generations. His work today is a reflection of this learning: that travel can be a powerful vehicle for equity, cultural preservation and conservation, the kind that goes deeper than token sustainability narratives.
A NOLS graduate, Leave No Trace instructor, Wilderness First-aid certified, and fluent in five languages, Suman leads many of Knowhere Travel’s and Packrafting India’s journeys – both on land and water, combining his love for the outdoors with his passion for guiding. With Packrafting India, he has been at the forefront of pioneering immersive river expeditions in India, introducing travellers to journeys that are both adventurous and deeply connected to place.
His interests span anthropology, geopolitics, ecology, geography, and natural history. Whether it’s hiking, paddling, birding, enjoying a good single malt, or cheering on his favourite sports teams, his love for the outdoors and good conversation runs deep and finds expression in everything he builds at Knowhere Travel Co.
Dhruva Ghosh
Consultant and Strategist
Dhruva Ghosh’s work is shaped by a desire to learn across disciplines and to support projects that prioritise innovation and long-term impact. His unconventional career path has taken him from embedded systems and mainframes programming to quantitative analysis to exploring how systems thinking, research, and storytelling can come together in meaningful service.
As a multidisciplinary consultant, Dhruva has worked with management consulting boutiques, fintechs, software product companies, development banks, print media and new media organisations, filmmakers, etc., on a wide variety of subjects. He has experience across sectors like MSMEs, sustainability, renewable energy, waste management, conservation, capacity building, and community-led development.
His writing has appeared on platforms such as the LSE South Asia blog and The Speaking Tree.
Educated as an engineer, he continues to learn from the challenges of working at the intersections of worlds. Dhruva works behind the scenes of Knowhere Travel Co. to connect dots, build trust, and have great impact in strengthening the foundation of the company.
Dhruv
Operations Manager
Dhruv was drawn to the travel industry by the opportunities to explore diverse places, cultures, and traditions. In his time with Knowhere Travel Co., what started as a curiosity for wildlife and nature at a surface level has grown into a deep admiration for communities, cultures, traditions, and the more serene spaces of the world.
Dhruv is keen to help make a difference in the way guests experience various spaces and journeys. He’s particularly drawn to ways of travel that are immersive and personal, where the experience becomes less about checking boxes and more about forming lasting impressions, seamlessly translating the same into his work.
Dhruv brings his sales expertise, his fine taste in music and a fantastic sense of humour to his work at Knowhere Travel Co. His philosophy is based on a curiosity for the world and a desire to connect with it meaningfully, exploring every nook and cranny that makes a place a home for many.
Mayra
Senior Marketing Manager
Mayra is a trained naturalist, and multimedia artist. She graduated with a distinction in Public Relations and over time has discovered a deep interest in the parts of the world that are tied to people, places, and the planet.
Her training as a naturalist and ecologist, working in the field of wildlife conservation, has taken her far and wide- from the rainforests of the south to the tiger jungles of central India. As a classically trained Kathak dancer and performer, Mayra is equally drawn to the arts and to culture. She also has a deep interest in food, and particularly learning about indigenous ingredients and traditional culinary practices.
Mayra aspires to be a nature educator and brings her strong passion for storytelling into everything she does. At Knowhere Travel Co., she leads the marketing team, translating the work we do into meaningful, engaging media across formats: from video content to partner collaborations and everyday storytelling on our social platforms.
