2 Years, 2 Boots, Too Many Adventures

They ask me, “What’s your favourite place to roam?”
But how do you choose when every path feels like home?
Travel whispers stories in every breeze,
From mountain hymns to ocean tease.
I can’t pick one, but oh—
The memories? They glow.

Hey! Before I dive in, here’s a quick intro—
I’m Sne-Yeah, your mountain-hopping travel buddy and Experience Manager at Vagabond. Most days, you’ll find me somewhere between the trail and the treeline. Today, I’m sharing a slice of my Vagabond journey—the people, places, and magic that made these two years unforgettable.

Let’s rewind a bit
Three decades ago, I was a little mountain goat chasing my parents through the Sahyadris and the Himalayas. Every vacation led to the hills—and that’s where my love for travel and photography took root. That spark quietly shaped how I see the world and the life I’d one day live.

Not many know this, but I’m an MBA in Hospital Management. Wild, right? But the mountains? They always called louder.

The Vagabond Journey
Flashback to 2022—Vagabond needed a photographer for a New Year’s gig. I said yes. That single word changed everything.

What started as capturing moments turned into curating experiences. From behind the lens to leading treks, I found my rhythm with this wild, wonderful crew. Leading treks, chasing sunrises, and making memories have been my reality ever since.

Fast forward to 2025, and in these two years, I’ve:
Met people from every walk of life.
Watched folks rediscover themselves mid-trek.
Built friendships that feel like home.
Learned that travel isn’t just about places, it’s about people and their stories.

Vagabond gave me the life I dreamed of. And for that, I’m forever grateful to Elton, Shannon, and Nihar for believing in me.

The amazing humans who run the show Behind The Scenes
Elton: The big boss. Tough shell, golden heart—classic sakht launda meets softie.
Shannon: The boss who’s always up for our chaos and jam sessions (a die-hard Beatles fan), but keeps a wide berth from real bugs!
Nihar: My guiding light. Your wisdom continues to resonate with me on every trail.
Niraj: The bearded strategist. We’ve clashed, laughed, and grown together.
Regina (Gins): The voice of calm behind the phone. We bond over our shared love for writing and self-expression.
Aryan: From intern to design wizard. Your dedication to rebranding Vagabond has been inspiring to witness.

And of course, the beautiful madness we call “The Vaga’ Bitches”—Beulah, Bhakti, Drishti, Yamini, Adwait, Tony, Andie, Jheel, Arshia, Dhyana—y’all are my sunshine in this Vagabond clan.

Vagabond gave me a platform to live a life full of adventure, connections, and meaning. Every trek, every journey holds a story.

Here are a few favourites:
Bunbuni Trek, Parvati Valley: Sunset in the front, moonrise behind. A moment that felt suspended in time.
Hanle, Ladakh: Lying on the car bonnet, counting 25 shooting stars in 10 minutes. The universe was putting on a cosmic show, one that left us awestruck.
Shalimar Bagh, Srinagar: A quiet stroll led to a surprise meet-cute—with three Himalayan jackals.
Turtuk, Ladakh: Witnessing two comets streak across the night sky in one magical minute.
Parvati Valley, Himachal Pradesh: Somewhere deep in the forest, Raj Bhaiyya (our gracious host) and I foraged wild mushrooms and grilled them under the stars—peak Bear Grylls vibes.

Rezang La, Ladakh: Helped an Innova out of a glacier stream, then got stuck ourselves. The Indian Army came through like legends.
Lidderwat Trek, Aru Valley: My first time leading a group for this trek, and one of them was just 2.5 years old. That kid’s energy? Unmatched.
Spangmik, Pangong Tso, Ladakh: I always dreamed of seeing Pangong Lake blanketed in snow. Little did I know that a recent summer trip to Ladakh would turn that dream into an unexpected reality.

These two years with Vagabond have been more than just a chapter—they’ve been a transformation. And I owe it all to the mountains, the madness, and this incredible community.

Here’s to more sunrises, trail songs, and stories.
Until next time—stay curious, stay wild, and maybe... I’ll see you on the next one.

-With love & gratitude,
Sneha Gopalkrishnan | Experience Manager