At the Adventure Tourism Meet in Shillong, Dorjay Namgyal, Director of Kailash Expeditions India, shared his insights from years of experience running tours and expeditions across the Himalayas. Based in Ladakh, his company has been one of the leading adventure and experiential travel operators in the region, offering treks, climbs, and overland journeys in some of the most breathtaking landscapes in the world. “Adventure tourism is not new to Ladakh,” he said. “Our mountains, lakes, and high passes have always attracted explorers. But what’s new is the way people experience them — more consciously, more sustainably.”
Namgyal spoke of the immense potential that regions like Ladakh and the Northeast hold for both domestic and international adventure travellers. “Every corner of India has an adventure story waiting to be told — from the deserts of Rajasthan to the jungles of the Northeast,” he said. “What we need now is better training, stronger coordination between stakeholders, and infrastructure that supports safety and sustainability.” He believes that creating awareness and professionalising the adventure sector will be key to ensuring India remains competitive as an adventure destination.
Reflecting on Ladakh’s own evolution, Namgyal noted that while infrastructure has improved, environmental pressure has also increased. “We’ve seen more visitors than ever before, but the mountains can only take so much,” he cautioned. “Adventure operators need to take the lead in practising low-impact tourism — minimising waste, respecting local culture, and protecting fragile habitats.” He also highlighted the role of local communities in managing tourism sustainably. “Adventure is part of our culture in Ladakh,” he said. “When visitors trek or camp here, they are part of our ecosystem. We must make sure it stays balanced.”
Through Kailash Expeditions, Namgyal continues to champion the idea that adventure tourism is as much about stewardship as it is about exploration. “For us, it’s not just about taking people to the mountains,” he said. “It’s about ensuring the mountains will still be there, just as magnificent, for the next generation of adventurers.”
Namgyal found the Shillong meet to be an energising and forward-looking platform. “It’s great to see so many young people and professionals come together,” he said. “Events like this connect ideas from across the country — Ladakh, Meghalaya, Sikkim, Arunachal — and that’s how we grow as a national adventure community.”