About Us

Grassroutes is an organization committed to helping the urban world meet and discover rural India . We seek to do this by developing community managed tourism that will enable people from across the world to experience Indian villages in their most authentic forms . Outlook Business 2009 considers Grassroutes as one of the Top 50 social ventures in India. Grassroutes not only concentrates on community based tourism but also in sustainable livelihood in villages . Over the last few years we’ve seen increase in average household income by 18 % , Reduction in migration by 25% cause of opportunities to work in the village itself  and we’ve also noticed a revival of culture and tradition , and conservation in bio-diversity as the villager’s are pleased to celebrate their lifestyle and environment.

Breakup of income from tourists 2010-11 (in %)

Marketing of village tourism 40.4

Training & Monitoring in villages (Operations) 24.1

Village payments & village development fund 35.5

What we do ?

We endeavour to contribute towards the United Nations Millennium Development Goals. Our Goal is to reduce poverty through Rural Tourism.

How we do it.

1. Undertake Loans from Donor’s.
2. Tie up with NGO. Identify Villages with low income levels.
3. Explain the Village community benefits of rural tourism. Take their concurrence.
4. Train the Villagers as Guides, cooks, Service providers, etc. Training on communication skills, operations, Checklists, Quality processes etc.
5. Sales and Marketing for the village trips.
6. Monitor tourism and village development

So far we have enabled two villages, and plan to reach 200 over next 10 years.

For our Guests

We endeavour towards “Connecting Urban World to Rural Communities” and ‘Unveiling Hidden India’.

Each trip enables people to explore their roots while indulging from over 101+ Activities

• Agriculture: Ploughing, Harvesting, Sowing, Chaffing…….
• Authentic Village Experience: Local Cuisine, Sleep in Village Homes, Village Festivals…….
• Live the Rural Life: Draw water from well, Milk the Goat, Chop Wood……..
• Rural Games: Sling shots, Lagori, Swings, Tyre Race……..
• Learn: Warli Art, Paper Mask Making, Optimal use of Natural Resources, Simplicity, Local Customs…….
• Village Sports: Kabaddi, Kho-Kho, Wrestling……..
• Explore Nature: Cycle Trek in Woods, Trek in Mountains, Swim in River……..
• Relax: Bird Watching, Watch Sunrise, Meditate in Hills, Laze in Shade on the Hills…….

And by the virtue of your holiday experience, enable the Village community to

• Improve Livelihoods and Reduce Migration
• Preserve Local Culture
• Enabling rural communities to be self-sufficient and empowering their local economies
• Increase respect for natural resources and awareness, that will help conserve and save our depleting natural heritage.