Encounters Asia designs exclusive, customized itineraries and offers all travelers top-notch service, hand-picked stays, smooth logistics, exceptional guides, and granular expertise. For Encounters Asia, the value of each trip is measured by inspiring experiences. From larger-than-life festivals and curated events to bespoke camping and experiential expeditions, along with private transformational journeys, travelers can count on Encounters Asia to bring India to life.
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Meet The Owner: Amit Sankhala
Born into a "wild family," Amit was exposed to amazing wilderness experiences from a young age. Amit's grandfather was the founding director of Project Tiger, India’s first tiger conservation program. Their father carried this conservation legacy further by founding some of the very first eco-tourism lodges and initiatives in the country. Hence, the Sankhala family history is integrated with wildlife tourism and conservation, spanning back 40 years in India. Amit's father passed away when they were 20, and they have since run the business for 20 years, giving them the opportunity to focus on their creative side and organize epic trips not just in wildlife but also authentic experiential India, encompassing both cultural and spiritual aspects.
Their passion lies in exploring and organizing—from specialized walks in Rajasthan’s cities to exploring Varanasi at midnight, setting up camps in the middle of nowhere for authentic interactions, spending time with a spiritual guru, or facilitating transformational experiences at festivals that many may have never heard of. Encounters Asia are more interested in where their clients have been with them. In the last 20 years, the staff have traveled to over 60 countries, experiencing the same things that they would organize for clients in South Asia.
Sustainability
Sustainability and responsible tourism are key aspects of how Encounters Asia runs its business at every level. With generations spent in the wild, environmental protection is a top priority, and the family has been one of the pioneers of eco-friendly tourism in India.
Encounters Asia prioritizes sustainability and responsible tourism, supporting initiatives like Tomorrow’s Air and the Adventure Travel Conservation Fund. Led by Managing Director Amit Sankhala, they advocate for wildlife protection and support organizations like the Snow Leopard Conservancy. Collaborations with filmmakers highlight conservation efforts, while community development projects and eco-friendly initiatives minimize environmental impact. They promote cultural events, support local communities, and hire locally, sharing knowledge and implementing sustainable tourism practices.
This was our first trip to South America and we were a little nervous. But Adventure Life made things so easy! All our questions were answered before we left, and our guide, Vidal, was amazing! He gave us enough space to explore without rushing us along. He also knew where the best picture taking opportunities were, which was great.
Lindsay Gompf
23 hours ago
Very well ececuted. Hily recomended. Great experiance
Nancy Kaierle
2 days ago
Belize adventures
I've worked with Adventure Life before in planning trips and appreciate the quality of trips they put together. They use knowledgeable local guides, comfortable lodgings, and assist with transportation. I find trip planning stressful, so am happy to turn it over to them. They work within our parameters of time, budget, activity level, and types of activities to give us great experiences!
Kaesa Footracer
2 days ago
I was reading and it was a good story I need to recommend it
Delilah DeLee
4 days ago
We have been working with Adventure Life for 5 years now and it is very easy to plan out our trips. Our holidays include customization of activities and side trips along with the standard packages available on the Adventure Life website. Kevin, Jess, Mary Rose and their teams have many recommendations that have enhanced our travel.
Joe
1 week ago
We went to the Patagonia on the Chile side and Perito Moreno in El Calafate, Argentina. Eric of San Diego handled our trip with expertise. The preparation went smoothly, despite some changes on our part with scheduling conflicts. He offered great advice which made us feel at ease with all decisions on the trip. It was truly a great experience.