Sustainable Travel In India | In the age of fast-paced tourism, where destinations are often reduced to hashtags and itineraries, Prasenjit Sharma is quietly crafting a different kind of journey—one that listens, lingers, and learns. As the founder of Six Degree Adventure and Kamakhya Walks, Sharma has made it his mission to create travel experiences that honour the land, elevate its communities, and connect people across cultures with purpose and humility.
Born in Assam and shaped by the years spent living and working across India, Sharma embodies a rare blend of wanderlust and wisdom. His passions, namely, food, motorcycles, photography, people, and storytelling, fuel his approach to travel. But it was his deep-rooted love for the Northeast, combined with a growing unease about the environmental and cultural impact of mainstream tourism, that led to the birth of Six Degree Adventure.
“I founded Six Degree Adventures to create experiences that respect nature, celebrate culture, and uplift local communities, making travel a force for good, not just consumption,” Sharma said in an exclusive interview with Outlook Traveller.
The name "Six Degree Adventure" stems from the theory of six degrees of separation, the belief that everyone on Earth is just six steps away from knowing one another. "Our adventures aim to bridge travellers to the landscapes, cultures, and communities they explore, creating authentic connections and shared stories that transcend boundaries," he said.
For Sharma, sustainability is not a trend; it’s a philosophy grounded in balance. The company champions value-driven tourism: longer stays, smaller groups, and deeper engagement. "It guides every decision we make, from partnering with local communities to choosing eco-friendly accommodations and minimising single-use plastics on our tours," said Sharma. This approach not only enhances the travel experience for guests but also provides tangible benefits to the host communities.
Six Degree Adventure partners with community stakeholders and conservation groups to set visitor limits, promote off-season travel, and ensure guests are briefed on cultural etiquette and environmental sensitivities. Their itineraries often include conservation talks, storytelling sessions, and opportunities to reflect, making the journey as enriching as the destination.
One of Six Degree Adventure’s strengths lies in its grassroots collaborations. "In Meghalaya, we work with local families in Mawlynnong to operate homestays that offer direct economic support. In Assam, we partner with the Manas Maozigendri Ecotourism Society, a village cooperative that leads nature walks and wildlife experiences. These partnerships are built on transparency, trust, and a shared commitment to long-term preservation," said Sharma.
Partners are selected based on their commitment to eco-friendly practices, fair employment, and local empowerment. Before onboarding, the team evaluates operational impact, resource use, and social initiatives to ensure alignment with the company’s values.
Adventure, for Six Degree, isn’t about ticking boxes. It’s about engaging all the senses and stepping out of comfort zones with intention. Their trips are designed to challenge travellers physically and mentally, while encouraging reflection on the surrounding natural and cultural richness.
"One memorable journey was a motorcycle expedition across Arunachal Pradesh’s remote valleys, where travellers stayed with indigenous communities and experienced age-old festivals. Another was our walking holiday around Nagaland, blending ecology and heritage," Sharma recalled. These experiences are curated to blend thrill with thoughtfulness.
Among the many underexplored regions in the Northeast, Sharma holds a special fondness for places that offer both ecological beauty and cultural depth. "In Assam, the river island of Majuli is a destination like no other—its monastic traditions, vibrant satras, and ever-changing riverine landscapes make it a living museum of Assamese heritage," he said.
"Beyond the well-known routes of Meghalaya, the living root bridges hidden beyond Nongriat provide a more secluded and rewarding glimpse into this extraordinary tradition of bioengineering."
In Arunachal Pradesh, Sharma recommends the Sangti Valley and Shergaon, both near Dirang. These valleys are rich in biodiversity and home to welcoming Monpa communities who retain their traditional way of life amid dramatic Himalayan scenery. For those willing to travel even further, the Dong Valley and Kibithoo, situated at the easternmost edge of India, offer an unmatched sense of remoteness and untouched beauty.
Six Degree Adventure doesn’t measure success solely through financial growth. Sharma and his team track the percentage of revenue directly benefiting local communities, the reduction of single-use waste on trips, and feedback from both guests and hosts about cultural sensitivity and environmental awareness.
The company promotes digital travel documents to minimise paper use, ensures vehicle fleets are well maintained for lower emissions, and provides annual sustainability training for guides. Regular audits and community feedback loops help them refine and evolve their practices.
Looking ahead, Sharma sees sustainable travel shifting from niche to necessity. As travellers increasingly seek transparency, authenticity, and regenerative experiences, Six Degree Adventure hopes to lead by example, sustaining destinations and actively improving them.
His advice to fellow travellers is simple yet profound: travel slower, stay longer, engage deeper. Choose local businesses, respect customs, and minimise waste. Because in the end, we are all guests passing through homes that belong to future generations.