Leisure travel startup Wandertrails raises $1 million

City-based online travel startup Wandertrails on Monday announced raising $1 million (Rs 6.70 crore) in seed funding from British venture capital firm Earlsfield Capital to expand its operations across the country.

"We aim to build the country's largest network of experiential stays and immersive activities by 2020 from 5,000 stays in 65 destinations across 12 states presently," said Wandertrails co-founder and Chief Executive Vishnu Menon in a statement here.

The states are Assam, Delhi, Goa, Jammu and Kashmir, Himachal Pradesh, Karnataka, Kerala, Madhya Pradesh, Maharashtra, Rajasthan, Tamil Nadu and Uttarkhand.

The six-month-old leisure travel website enables customers to choose from a range of stay options spanning home stays, tree houses, house boats, heritage homes, tented and camping to boutique resorts.

"We raised the fund in a turbulent investment scenario, reaffirming our vision and giving a strong financial cushion for a pan-India expansion," Menon said.

The startup also offers treks and adventure trails, culinary sessions, heritage walks, art trails, wellness sessions and cycling tours.

"Users can book stays, activities or choose to combine them and make an experience-led trail, as the offerings have been crafted to meet aspirations of the new-age travellers," asserted Menon.

The offerings include stay in a jungle lodge and safari on foot, in a tribal settlement and go for honey-gathering with a tribal chieftain, stay at a desert camp for a camel safari or in an apple orchard at the foothills of Himalayas.

"Our focus is on creating great experiences and the stays have been hand-picked to ensure that," added Menon.

The startup has also a concierge service to help customers plan trips with a detailed itinerary and provides back-up support.

"We believe Wandertrails is the next iteration in travel and are positive that it is building a strong business with good fundamentals," said Earlsfield Managing Partner Meraj Alam in the statement.

--IANS

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