India
Payal Mehta
Partner Private Guide
At a glance
Jack of all trades…
Fluent in Hindi, English & Gujrati
Over 13 years of guiding experience
Regional knowledge and expertise in India
Special interest in insects and spiders
Love accompanying all types of travellers
HELLO, I’M PAYAL
I am a nature guide, guide trainer, and hospitality consultant.
My husband is a naturalist too, and we are proud parents of a beautiful, rescue dog called Sufi. Together, we currently live in Bangalore, India.
A Partner Private Guide is someone in the industry we know and trust; an endorsed preferred expert in the region who embodies &Beyond’s core values and love for our guests and planet.
Questions and answers
GET TO KNOW ME
1. How many years of guiding experience do you have?
Over 13 years of guiding experience, and counting…
2. Where do you currently live?
My husband and I currently live in Bangalore, India.
3. Where haven't you been that you want to travel to?
Lake Baikal, Russia in summer
4. DO YOU HAVE A FAVOURITE ANIMAL OR BIRD, AND WHY?
Almost impossible to answer…
5. What qualifications do you have?
- Masters in Geology
- Diploma in Mass Communication and Journalism
- Certified in Advance-level Mountaineering
- Basic Level Yoga Instructor (RYS-200)
6. Do you have a favourite memory with guests?
I think it was the second day on our snow leopard expedition when my guests and I had the fortune of witnessing a mating pair of snow leopard, spotted by our amazing local trackers. The rarest big cat was on our doorstep and was here stay!
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What’s more, the snow leopard could be seen from a vantage spot just a couple of 100 meters away from our tented camp. It was incredible!
From that first sighting, we watched them every single day for the rest of our six-day tour. The natural history that unfolded in front of us was amazing, mainly because it was not just the two of them. The female snow leopard had a sub-adult cub who was also hanging around. She constantly had to make sure she kept her mate distracted and far away from her cub. Like that drama wasn’t enough, another male snow leopard entered the scene at some point. There were snarls, threats, and fights. None of us had ever imagined we would witness these dynamics. What made it even more special was that besides us, there was only the BBC filming crew present. Our experience was immortalised in the documentary – Planet Earth II.
7. Expertise and regional knowledge?
I have extensive experience in the hot desert of west India, the cold desert of north India (Transhimalaya) and central Indian highlands. I have also been fortune to spend time learning more about south India’s rainforest in the last few years.
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I love Bhutan where I not only guide but also have had the opportunity of living for two years. I have visited, and also enjoy guiding in the fascinating neighbouring countries of Nepal and Sri Lanka.
8. What do you love to do in your spare time?
I love spending time outdoors with my husband and our dog, Sufi. There’s nothing better than a good nature walk and picnic. Living in the outskirts of Bangalore gives us access to some of the most beautiful hills, grasslands, and lakes.
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We also enjoy taking long drives outside the city to explore other parts of our country with Sufi.
When indoors, I enjoy yoga, reading, and watching talks. My most watched channels on YouTube include World Science Festival, J Krishnamurti, and various stand-up comedy shows.
9. What sets you apart from other Private Guides?
As a naturalist, I call myself a “generalist”. And I think that is something rather special I offer as a tour guide for my guests.
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I am my happiest when I am able to deliver a holistic nature experience showcasing and sharing all kinds of life in any habitat – from tiny wildflowers to large mammals. I love discussing various topics that concern the destination and the natural world in general. My background in geology often adds an interesting layer.
Being (fairly) well-travelled, I’ve had the privilege of travelling to Canada, USA, Pantanal, Madagascar, South Africa, Thailand, and Borneo, in addition to the destinations where I guide. This has helped me understand and connect with people from all over.
Being closely associated with the Nature Conservation Foundation, a conservation organisation in India, as well as conducting guide training programmes for local communities across the country, has further provided me with a greater insight into and sensitivity towards on-the-ground conservation in our country. This is beyond impactful from a guiding and personal point-of-view.
10. Do you have any special interests?
I have a soft spot for insects and spiders. I find their life and natural history absolutely fascinating – it so different from ours.
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I am also becoming more and more interested in fungi, especially after reading Entangled Life by Merlin Sheldrake. My mind is blown!
11. Do you have a favourite travel itinerary?
I love all wildlife trips.
12. Who do you most enjoy accompanying?
No preference: I love accompanying all types of travellers.
13. What is your most memorable sighting to date?
In the western Indian desert, on a cool winter evening, just before nightfall we saw a striped hyena walk out of some shrubbery. Near her feet, out of an underground den, emerged three tiny pups. My guests, co-guide and I sat still and quiet on the ground.
We were at eye level with the hyena family but at a comfortable distance. We watched with pin-drop silence as they greeted and groomed each other. It was precious to watch these very cute hyena pups play with one another. At one point, the pups stopped and suspiciously sniffed in our direction. One of them decided to check us out. Its curious little nose got busier (making up for its weak eyesight) with every step it took in our direction. Just when it was close enough to make us nervous, wisdom prevailed, and it turned around and returned to its family. Did the hyena know we were there and still allowed us to observe them? I like to believe that. After a while, we got up as quietly as we could and left, one at a time.
I am my happiest when I am able to deliver a holistic nature experience showcasing and sharing all kinds of life in any habitat – from tiny wildflowers to large mammals.
Begin your adventure with Payal
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A SELECTION OF MY ALL-TIME FAVOURITE ITINERARIES
Wild India
Delhi | Bandhavgarh National Park | Kanha National Park
Promising a perfect blend of some of India’s finest wildlife highlights.
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