Davinder’s love for outdoors started early when he got his first travel bug in middle school; his father who was working with Indian Railways started taking him to exotic locations in India during his official trips.
A science graduate from Delhi University, Davinder had always been involved in outdoor activities. Having tried his hands as National Cadet & National Scouts, Davinder developed special affinity to the Himalaya and became more adventurous in his outdoor activities. Having meager pocket money at the age of 18 and could not afford flights, encouraged by founding fathers of DMA (Delhi Mountaineering Association) Maj. HPS Ahluwalia (Everester & Founder of Spinal Injury Hospital) & Sh. Murarilal (Ex Secretary General – Sikkim Vidhan Sabha & present President of DMA) he along with six friends traveled by different means of transport to Kathmandu including steam boat on Ganges & then trekked for 45 days to Everest Base Camp, climbed Kala Pathar & back from road head at Lamasangu. Davinder remembers this moment and fell in love with serious trekking and climbing. However, Davinder wasn’t satisfied just watching high-achieving mountaineers on TV – instead, he decided to become one himself. After standing first in rock climbing & mountaineering course organized by DMA & Nehru Institute of Mountaineering, Davinder joined Shikhar Travels, the then premium adventure company of India, and was put on 9 months rigorous training of product writing, product development, costing, equipment and store management & field operations. Davinder spent next 2 years escorting cycling trips and camel safari trips in Rajasthan, high altitude treks and climbing expeditions in Himachal, Gharwal, Ladakh, Zanskar, Darjeeling & Kashmir. Opportunities offered by different foreign expedition leaders, Davinder made to the summit of six peaks above 6000 meter.
There was no looking back for Davinder. He moved on to work for 11 years with Tiger Tops Mountain Travel where he had the opportunity to organize, operate and leading Wildlife, Cultural & trekking trips independently for A&K, Geographic Expeditions, National Geographic, Lute Gestard Adventures, Explore Asia & Wilderness Travel. Davinder particularly enjoyed leading Trans Himalayan Trek and setting up of deluxe camps in Bringhi and Pahalgam / Aru Valleys in Kashmir for high end trout fishing trips, organizing jeep safaris to Zanskar & on newly opened Manali/ Leh / Tso-Morari lake route. Davinder operated & escorted “Vogue” Magazine shoot in Ladakh with Cindy Crawford, organized and operated Anglia Production Film on “Mahseer Fishing” on Ganges and its tributaries. Davinder thoroughly enjoyed escorting Lady & Lord Hunt (leader of first successful Everest expedition) on a trek in Ladakh.
After Kashmir fell to political turmoil, Davinder moved to Nepal and continued working with Tiger Tops Mountain Travel. He led the first commercial trek to newly opened “Mustang Valley” besides leading Everest, Annapurna Treks several times. After memorable years with Tiger Tops Mountain Travel, Davinder became full time Asia Trip Leader for Geographic Expeditions, Wilderness Travel & Overseas Adventure Travel and broadened his geographic travel territory to Bhutan and Tibet. To name a few, Davinder led “Astronomical Society Trip” to observe / study total solar eclipse at Nawalgarh-Rajasthan, World Wild Life Fund USA in Bhutan, Smithsonian Institute in Bhutan (Twice), “Outward Bound” in Nepal and Bhutan, World President Organization (Twice) in Bhutan & India, American Museum Of Natural History (Twice) in Bhutan, Tibet & Nepal, H. E. Thomas Wiley, American ambassador to Nepal (Annapurna Trek), De Beer Family (world’s largest diamond merchants) in Rajasthan and South India, Dr. Kramer Family (Twice) South India and Rajasthan (Investor in power project in Orissa and inventor of Snore controlling devices), Barry C. Bishop, Sr. VP, National Geographic to Kashmir & Ladakh.
Davinder served as a “Regional General Manager - South Asia” for Overseas Adventure Travel (OAT) & Grand Circle Travel USA and had set up direct operations of the company in India & Bhutan and laid foundation for Nepal operations. Excellent Ratings by travelers went up from -42% to +89% and the company consistently met its financial goals. During the tenure, India Office became the “Top Performing Region” in “Quality Scores” and “Financial Goals”.
Davinder’s experience in adventure business and love for cycling landed him to prestigious C4C (Cycling For Charity) program which brought 200 cyclists from seven countries to cycle 300 km in rural Rajasthan with Glamping at 4 different locations raising thousands of dollars in charity for underprivileged children. The program was awarded by “President of India” on its “Innovation”.
Davinder conceptualized, constructed & operated “VanAAshrya” a Luxury camping resort on a 07 acre farm land with just 27 units, stone throw away from infamous haunted Bhangarh Fort and Sariska Tiger Reserve. VanAAshrya was the first resort ever built in the Tehla area of Rajgarh Tehsil, District Alwar. Now there are 27 hotels & resorts in the vicinity.
Davinder is holder of certificates on “First Responder”, “High Altitude Rescue” and is a life member of Delhi Mountaineering Association. Davinder is an avid photographer. He is holding a Black Belt in Judo.
Davinder established “Adventure World Experience” an adventure vertical of TWX (Trans World Experiences) one of the top five Destination Management Companies in India based on number of inbound passengers handled per annum and earning in foreign exchange.
Davinder is associated with several reputable travel companies consulting them on development and operation of adventure products, construction of luxury camping projects and operating their unique adventure & camping products.
Currently, Davinder & his wife Sukhi (an educationist) is running “Abhavya Holidays”, a tour company focusing on providing services to Inbound & Indian Industry by means of tailor made programs for group & individual travelers who would like to venture out for experiential values! Our areas of specialization are:
