What it's like to go on an eco-friendly, all-vegan tour in India

A decade ago, travelling as a vegan would have been a daunting task.

With the plant-based lifestyle having exploded only in the past few years, long-time vegans can probably recall fighting for scraps at restaurants and having to stand to the side in dismay while the rest of the tour group went on camel rides.

Yet gone are the days of surviving on lettuce and French fries.

Vegan tourism is on the rise and is tapping into an ever-growing market of travellers who care about sustainability and still want to indulge in delicious food and experience the local culture.

Authenticity is an important factor for modern-day travellers.

The United States-based Adventure Travel Trade Association says that people are becoming more interested in destinations that explore the less-popular tourist areas and provide genuine interactions between locals and guests.

We can all relate to the disappointment felt on a paid tour where most of your time is spent in an air-conditioned bus; the annoyance of waiting in line for hours to enter a famous sightseeing spot; and the feeling of being ripped-off in pricey restaurants or tacky gift shops that prey on tourists.

Whether you’re vegan or not, you can probably agree that leaving as little environmental impact as possible, and supporting local ethical businesses while on holiday, is essential.

Vegan tour companies