Vipul Kumar, Director
Vipul started his career in tourism seven years ago as a tour leader escorting group tours in India and Nepal. He has unparalleled knowledge of India and its history and is a mine of information. He knows what makes travelers tick and feels passionately about the importance of meeting people whilst traveling – it is the people that you meet that makes a holiday truly memorable.

Vipul realises the potential that tourism has to improve local lives and create livelihoods in the community. This is the key ethos of Virasat Journeys and is why the company came in to being.

Darren Odell, Director
Darren has over twenty years experience in the travel industry. He started his career in travel as an over-land expedition leader, leading tours across Africa, the Middle East and the Indian Subcontinent. On his first visit to India he drove from London to Kathmandhu; an epic trip which took 27 weeks. He then went on to work as a tour leader in India before starting his own responsible travel company. Other roles have included working as India Sales and Product Manager for a leading UK tour operator. He has traveled the world, but India remains his true passion.

Darren strongly believes that the tourism industry can be a force for good; " I believe 100% in the ethos of Virasat Journeys - we only use local guides and staff and also contribute to the community in a wider sense by working with NGOs and donating part of our profits. The great thing is that our clients contribute to all of this, but also have an amazing experience in the process!"

Akshat Mathur, Operations Manager
Akshat is a Jaipurite born and bred. He has a huge fondness for this fascinating city and has witnessed its rapid growth and the detrimental effect that this has had on the walled city. He has devoted much of his leisure time to heritage development and to encouraging the locals to contribute in the restoration of the old city.

At the age 23 he joined Jaipur Virasat Foundation as a guide for heritage walks around the old city. At the beginning of 2011 he joined Virasat Journeys as Operations Manager and he also guides heritage walks for the company. He has built close relationships with the local community and has unparalleled knowledge of the walled city, its traditions, history, architecture, music, cuisine and arts. Akshat is fluent in English, Hindi and Rajasthani.

Malgosia Odell, Communications and Marketing

Malgosia first came to India aged 18 and has returned many times over the years. She moved to Jaipur in 2010 and worked for the Jaipur Virasat Foundation for almost a year. Whilst at JVF she worked on the marketing and communications for the Rajasthan International Folk Festival, which is held each October in Mehrangarh Fort, Jodhpur and on the Jaipur Heritage International Festival.

Malgosia has many years of experience working in marketing, internal and external communications, web editing, PR and project management.

Sankalp Kulshrestha, Heritage Walks Guide

Sankalp has a scientific background, having attained a Masters in Science in Biotechnology; however his true passion lies in his home town of Jaipur. He has explored Jaipur extensively and knows lots of hidden gems, which many locals, let alone tourists, do not even know exist. He understands the importance of conservation and feels strongly that the best way to preserve the walled city is to give the inhabitants a sense of ownership, not only of their own property, but also of their neighbourhood. Working for Virasat Journeys he knows that he is helping to contribute to heritage conservation.