India pulsates with a spectacular mix of people, traditions and landscapes. Her cities buzz and confuse you, they overwhelm but welcome you. Your mouth waters at the never ending food experiences as you fry, simmer, sizzle, knead, roast and flip across a deliciously diverse repertoire of dishes. The culture, people and landscapes inspire, frustrate, thrill and confound you all at once. The best way to embrace India’s unpredictability is to embrace her soul and what better way to discover her soul than to explore on foot through heritage rich cities.
Chennai – The Mylapore Walk
Mylapore is one of the oldest residential neighbourhoods of Chennai and is known as the cultural hub of the city. Mylapore’s tree-lined avenues are home to elegant old-style houses, beautiful temples, church and mosques, vibrant music halls and some of the finest schools in Chennai.
The walk: The exquisite Kapaleeswarar Temple, the lovely central temple tank, the tranquil San Thorne Basilica, the beautiful 16th century Luz Church, the quiet and sprawling Sri Ramakrishna Mutt, and the ever active Music Academy. Then make your way through narrow, fascinating lanes that are busy with fruit and vegetable sellers, flower sellers and tiny old shops selling just about anything – from jewellery to silk to herbal oils and powders to interesting local crafts and ware to music and religious memorabilia. Once you’ve finished your walk, you can stop at Saravana Bhavan to enjoy Chennai’s famous coffee and snacks.
Mysore – The Mysore City Walk
Mysore (now Mysuru) is the roaul city of Karnataka and was the capital of the erstwhile Mysore Kingdom ruled by Tipu Sultan. The city’s glorious heritage and history is evident in its fabulous palaces, monuments, art galleries and universities. The Mysore Palace, of the Wodeyar royal family is one of the grandest and most beautiful palaces in India. Mysore is also famous for the production of sandalwood, incense and fine silk.
The walk: Explore Mysore’s culture and heritage through its impressive colonial style buildings, and traditional yet exciting city markets: begin with the Big Clock, then move onto the Town Hall, Freemasons Hall, Chamaraja Circle, Palace Gates, K R Circle, Small Clock, Devaraja Market, K R Hospital, Mysore Railway Station, Maharani College, Maharaja College, DC Building, Mysore University and finally the Oriental Research Institute.
Goa – The Panjim Walk
To discover a slice of Goa’s fascinating history and heritage, walk through Soa Tome, the oldest district in Panjim, that is quaint and brimming with Latin heritage. See charming bungalows, churches, houses and cafes on a quiet and pleasant walk through this part of Panjim. Next, walk through the lanes of Fontainhas, which gets its name from the Phoenix fountain which used to supply water to the area. Finish the walk with a stop at one of the nice cafes here for tea and snacks.
Mumbai
We recommend two special walks in Mumbai.
The Worli Walk
Walk through the busy and fascinating Worli fishing village where the Koli fisher folk community still follow traditional ways of work and living. See the fisher folk set out into the sea with their nets and boats, and wait for the mornings catch as it comes in, walk through the incredibly busy and noisy fish markets, and experience a day in the lives of the hard working Koli. Also visit the Worli Fort, built by the British in 1675.
The Dadar Walk
Take an early morning ‘tree’ walk in the lovely green Five Gardens in the neighbourhood of Dadar, also known as Dadar Parsi Colony, the largest Zoroastrian enclave in the world. Learn about all kinds of tree species, the history and culture associated with them, and hear interesting anecdotes about Mumbai and its localities.
Delhi
We recommend two special walks in Delhi.
The Humayans’ Tomb Walk
Humayan was the second Mughal Emperor to rule parts of northern India from 1530 – 1540 and again from 1555 – 1556. His tomb was built in 1570, and is unique because it was built as the first garden-tomb on the India sub-continent. Humayans’ Tomb is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Walk the beautiful tree lined path to the spectacular vision set against the Delhi skyline that is Humayun’s Tomb. Walk up its steep steps and around the monument. Next, take a stroll through the green and elegantly laid garden complex below, in the midst of which stands the stunning tomb. On your way back down the same path, walk through the lovely Nai Ka Gumbad (Barber’s tomb), Isa Khan’s tomb and finally finish at the Nila Gumbad.
The Old Delhi Walk
In 1638 when Emperor Shahjehan shifted his capita from Agra to Delhi, the Chandni Chowk Bazaar came into being. Many generations later, families are still in the same business, having built reputations for themselves. Today, Chandni Chowk is perhaps Delhi’s busiest market square, its narrow, crowded lanes filled with jewellery shops, silversmiths, repair shops, special clothiers, show shops, super street food, spice markets, traditional sweet shops and much, much more. It’s mind boggling, fascinating and amazing all at once! This is where Delhi’s rich and diverse social and cultural heritage and history come together beautifully.
The walk: Begin with the Dariba Kalan (the silver market) lane, then the Kinari Bazaar (for wedding trousseaus) and Paranthewali Gali (famous for the most delicious kinds of paranthas). Next, visit the Gurdwara Sees Ganj Sahib, go past the fantastic Jama Masjid mosque and then move on to see the temples and churches, all standing not too far from each other.
Want to explore India? Check out some of our Small Group Tours.
Track Snowleopards in the Himalayas – With an expert tracker, follow these ghosts of the mountain
Hornbill Festival – Experience a traditional Naga Warrior festival
Hemis Festival – Feast your eyes on the sacred dances and music, colourful masks and shimmering brocades robes.
Nehru Boat Festival – Deep ties of coastal people with the waters, make the boat races an integral part of village life as villagers train for months seeking out the famed trophy.
Durga Puja Festival – Every year the city of Kolkata takes on a new visage as the city celebrates Durgapuja, the largest and most vibrant festival of Bengal.
Stay up to date with the latest travel trends and new destinations opening up. To be the first to go, you need to be the first to know.
Travel professionals are welcome. For partnerships or agent enquiries, we recommend contacting us directly.
This category of tours involves light trekking, walking, cycling, rafting or kayaking for a few hours each day with a small amount of inclines and declines. You will require a reasonable level of fitness and good health to participate. It is important to note that due to the nature of some of our trips, they may take place in remote areas (with basic facilities) and can involve long travelling days on various modes of transport.
Suggested preparation : At least 3 months prior to departure, it is recommended that you undertake aerobic exercise (this may include jogging, cycling or fast walking) for 30 minutes, three times a week. It is also advised to walk on variable terrain and in variable weather conditions. For a cycling adventure, road cycling twice a week is recommended and for adventures which involve paddling and kayaking, it is important to gain confidence and rhythm rather than speed prior to departure.
This category of tours involve trekking, kayaking and cycling for period of 6 to 8 hours a day at a fairly consistent pace. Ideal for people looking to slightly increase the heart rate. For our moderately rated tours, you must have a good level of fitness and also be in good health. It is also important to be prepared for variable weather conditions. Altitude may also come into play. This category of tours may involve visiting remote areas where facilities can be quite basic. Accommodation may also involve camping, homestays or basic accommodation where facilities may not be considered of western standards. To enjoy this style of travel, it is suggested for travellers to have a reasonable level of fitness and health, a positive attitude, as well as a fairly active lifestyle. An open mind is also required.
Suggested preparation: At least 3 months prior to departure, it is recommended that you undertake 45mins – 1 hour of aerobic exercise, three to four times a week. Some potential exercises that could be beneficial include hill walking with a backpack on over variable terrain and weather conditions, as well as running and cycling dependent on the activity you plan on undertaking.
This category of tours involves trekking, kayaking, cycling or other adventure activities in remote areas for up to 8 to 10 hours a day. It is important to note that with the remoteness of some regions comes a variety of other challenges such as variable weather conditions, accommodation as well as facilities. You must have an excellent level of fitness and good health to be able to partake in this category of tour. You must have confidence in your own ability and be in good physical condition. Includes extended periods of endurance.
Suggested preparation: At least 3 to 4 months of strenuous exercise, four times a week. When preparing for treks it would be beneficial to participate in hill walks with a weighted day pack (approximately 5-8 kg) once a week for aerobic fitness and strengthening of leg muscles. It is also important to do this on variable terrain to prepare for challenging adventures. When preparing for cycling adventures, regular bike riding (at least 4 to 5 times a week for 1-4 hours is essential). It is also important to cycle on uneven surfaces or even participate in other aerobic exercises such as running or swimming to build up strength and stamina. Altitude may also be a factor in these tours.
This category of tour often involves extreme trekking, cycling or other extreme adventure activities. It is important to expect remote and poorly defined tracks and to be prepared for variable weather conditions for 10 to 12 hours per day (may sometimes be more depending on weather and altitude). These adventures are suitable for travellers who have prior experience in strenuous travel and activities, are extremely fit and have excellent health. It is also important to note that some of the terrain on these adventures will involve trekking in snow, at high attitude levels and may require technical equipment.
Suggested preparation: It is important to note that physical fitness should be an ongoing activity, commencing around 5-6 months prior to departure, or even before if you have no prior fitness. Exercise should focus on building maximum endurance and stamina. Four to five hard sessions of 40-60 mins per week should be completed and can include exercises such as going to the gym, running, swimming or cycling to focus on building aerobic stamina. It could also be beneficial to prepare by hiking on rough terrain, in extreme weather conditions or partake in altitude training.
Our Signature Tours are the cornerstone of the Crooked Compass journey: meticulously designed small-group itineraries that balance authenticity, comfort, and ease. These are destinations where travel can be complex—from navigating evolving logistics to reaching places far from the usual tourist path—yet our expertise ensures your experience feels smooth, effortless, and deeply rewarding.
From the moment you arrive, every detail is handled with care. You’re welcomed personally on arrival and met for a private transfer to your accommodation, where you’ll join the rest of your group. Your guide will walk you through an orientation, helping you understand the rhythm of the journey ahead and settling you in with clear, practical insights from the very start.
Accommodation is selected for both comfort and character, reflecting the richness of its locality through thoughtful design, creative ingenuity, and a genuine sense of place. Whether it’s a boutique property, a sustainable lodge or a homestay, each choice is made to connect you meaningfully with the destination.
Cultural integration sits at the heart of our approach. Every itinerary is crafted with respect for local communities, aligning sensitively with their values and protecting the authenticity of their culture. Through this, travellers experience a deeper connection —stories shared firsthand, traditions encountered in their true context, and moments that shift perspectives long after returning home.
With a maximum of 12 travellers and our most trusted local partners, you explore with confidence, guided by teams who combine deep regional knowledge with an intuitive understanding of Western traveller expectations. Through the powerful medium of storytelling, our journeys inspire personal reflection and spark genuine emotion, turning travel into something transformative.
For travellers seeking even more flexibility or personalisation, our Tours By Design journeys are crafted with the same care — mindfully designed around your interests for a more tailored experience.
Why travellers love our Signature Tours:
More about our Tour Styles.
Our Founders Tours are rare, one-of-a-kind journeys personally hosted by Crooked Compass founder, Lisa Pagotto. Designed for the traveller who seeks more than just adventure, these exclusive small-group expeditions uncover places few have ever seen – experiences not featured in our regular collection, chosen for their depth, beauty, and story.
Each itinerary is hand-crafted by Lisa to offer meaningful connection and unique access built through years of trust and collaboration with local communities. Travelling alongside her gives you an unparalleled perspective into the world of ethical exploration – from the behind-the-scenes partnerships that shape our journeys, to the human stories that inspire them.
With an intimate group size and seamless support from our expert team, a Founders Tour is less a trip, and more a masterclass in discovery.
Why travellers love Founders Tours:
More about our Tour Styles.
Set sail on a rare journey across remote islands, wild coastlines, and untouched ecosystems aboard a small, luxury expedition vessel. Travelling by sea unlocks access to places few travellers ever reach – from isolated villages and pristine reefs to dramatic landscapes that can’t be accessed by land – while each evening, you return to the comfort of your beautifully appointed cabin.
These voyages blend adventure with refinement. Expert-led excursions bring you face-to-face with raw nature and vibrant cultures, while exceptional onboard dining, service, and comfort allow time to unwind and reflect.
To complete your experience, Crooked Compass can seamlessly craft pre- or post-cruise land extensions, ensuring your journey flows effortlessly from sea to shore.
Why travellers love our Expedition Cruises:
More about out Tour Styles.
Our Tours by Design experiences are private journeys curated exclusively for you by the Crooked Compass team. Whether you’re drawn to one of our existing itineraries, wish to adapt a small-group tour for private travel, or want to design something entirely new, we’ll craft a journey that reflects your pace, passions, and sense of discovery.
Why pay for inclusions that don’t fit? With Tours by Design, every detail is intentional – from the destinations and experiences to your style of travel and choice of accommodation. Each itinerary is hand-built through our deep local partnerships and expertise, ensuring authenticity, comfort, and connection in every moment.
Why travellers love Tours by Design:
More about our Tour Styles.
Our Partner Tours are carefully chosen group journeys operated by our long-standing, in-country partners — experts who share our values of authenticity, cultural respect, and meaningful connection. These departures, averaging between 17 and 22 travellers, are designed and delivered by our partners, while Crooked Compass manages your booking and provides full support from start to finish.
Enjoy the reassurance of booking through an Australian-based company, delivering our same personalised service and attention to detail you expect from Crooked Compass. We take care of the logistics, so you can focus on what matters most – the journey itself.
Why travellers love our Partner Tours:
More about our Tour Styles.
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