Northeast India's Cultural Traditions Shine Bright, Courtesy This Woman's Initiatives

Curtain Call Adventures | While growing up in northeast India, Julie Kagti used to take the virgin forests and the traditional sustainable practices of the indigenous tribes and communities for granted. It was only much later when she was studying and working in Mumbai and Bengaluru that she realised how lucky she was as a child to have spent time camping outdoors over the weekends, being exposed to different traditional practices such as hand weaving and basket-making, and the quality of life that came with living in harmony with the more-than-human landscape. 

“It was the realisation of the value and importance of my childhood that made me look at setting up a tourism venture,” she says while speaking to Outlook Traveller.

Enter Curtain Call Adventures, which Kagti started in 2017 to help local communities in the northeast of India benefit economically by preserving their cultural traditions and showcasing their food, craft practices and farming knowledge. The company also offers immersive cultural experiences in Bhutan, Nepal, and Georgia. 

Julie Kagti Gets Up Close And Personal In Northeast India

Guests can expect a mixed bag of experiences, with an emphasis on the local cultures of Sikkim, Arunachal Pradesh, Assam, Manipur, Meghalaya, Mizoram, Nagaland and Tripura. They do this via cooking classes, excursions to local markets and farms, craft demonstrations, rustic walks with a naturalist, language classes, cultural performances, and interactions with local community changemakers.

For instance, visitors can interact with a local women’s cooperative involved in waste management in the Sangti Valley of Arunachal Pradesh or create their own artisanal and naturally dyed Eri stole with a master dyer in Assam. In all regions, guests can enjoy meals made with fresh local produce by home chefs.

Curtain Call Adventure's Commitment To Cultural Sensitivity And Sustainability

Curtain Call Adventures works directly with the communities, including local homestays, storytellers, young entrepreneurs, weavers, and craftspeople. According to Kagti, their attention to detail sets them apart from their rivals.

“We try to make the experience as authentic as possible,” she says. “For example, a two-day trip to Kohima will include visiting the museum and war memorial with a local storyteller to understand its historical significance; a curated meal in a home or small guesthouse; interactions with young entrepreneurs; a walk in the local fresh produce market and nearby paddy fields, where tea and local snacks will be served; an evening acoustic session listening to young talents; a forest walk with local guides with a picnic lunch; and time to visit craft entrepreneurs and beautiful craft retail outlets.”

Building and upholding trust with the communities in the regions where Curtain Call Adventures operates is paramount, says Kagti. “We value cultural sensitivity, sustainability and a commitment to preserving indigenous practices and traditions while ensuring that our guests have genuine, enriching experiences. Our aim is to create mutual respect and understanding between travellers and local communities,” she says.

Prices for a tour typically depend on the duration and activities, but generally they start around INR 85,000– 1,20,000 per person for a seven-guest group tour lasting eight days. The money is channelled back into the local communities, with artisans, guides, and home cooks receiving fair compensation for their work and consistent business opportunities.

The tours have won guests’ heart, with Kagti recalling a particularly touching review from a guest on a craft and rural culture solo trip to Nagaland and Assam. “They expressed gratitude for the personalised experience and highlighted how the depth of knowledge, safety and care from our local guides and host families made their trip memorable. They noted, ‘It was beyond a tour! A journey I keep close to my heart.’ Such feedback reaffirms our mission and inspires us to continue enhancing our offerings,” she says.

Looking towards the future, Curtain Call Adventures will introduce more slow travel programs, including creative workshops and nature and wellness retreats.