(February 15, 2026) Vandana Vijay gets her kick out of offbeat tracks. An outdoorsy person since childhood, her profound love for nature , especially the mountains and the unknown beyond often leads her to explore remote landscapes, interact with local communities, and dig into regional delicacies, sometimes all while cycling across countries.
What’s more, she bid goodbye to a cushy corporate job to satiate her wanderlust. That decision eventually led her to found Offbeat Tracks, a company dedicated to creating immersive, sustainable and experiential travel journeys. With a passion for responsible tourism, Vandana has spent over a decade curating unique travel experiences across India, Southeast Asia and Türkiye.
“The concept of slow travel — stopping to soak in the breeze and feeling the elements on your body — there is nothing like it,” smiles Vandana Vijay, in a chat with Global Indian. At Offbeat Tracks, she encourages travellers to dive deep into local cultures, foster meaningful connections with communities and landscapes, and contribute positively to local economies.
Over the years, she has curated journeys to Bhutan, Nepal and Sri Lanka, among other destinations, personally scouting remote and lesser-known regions before designing itineraries. Among all her experiences, cycling across Switzerland in 2025 remains one of her most memorable adventures.
The Birth of Offbeat Tracks
The seed for Offbeat Tracks was sown during a volunteering trip to Ladakh in May 2014, when Vandana was working with Facebook. “I took two weeks off to volunteer at a non-profit called LEHO in Ladakh. It was election season, and people were out voting amid the huge Narendra Modi wave,” recalls Vandana. She vividly remembers how Election Commission officials were heli-dropped into some of the remotest villages in the region.
That year, roads were closed due to an extended winter. At the airport, conveyor belts carried sacks of potatoes and onions flown in from the mainland. Food stocked for winter was nearing expiry. “I spent time trekking to remote villages in this pristine land and developed a newfound love and respect for the hardships that the magnificent Ladakhis endure.”
Those experiences compelled her to think of a way to serve these communities. “I wanted to build a platform that could show the world the real essence of India. That’s how Offbeat Tracks was born,” says Vandana, who now operates from Hyderabad and Pune. She has visited Ladakh five times since — and given the choice, she would gladly cycle across the region all over again.
Roots in exploration
Vandana had the privilege of growing up across India owing to her defence background. Her father and grandfather both served in the Indian Army. Raised in Army cantonments, she was surrounded by vast open spaces, smooth roads and minimal traffic.
“I took full advantage of that and cycled a lot,” says Vandana, who studied in Kendriya Vidyalayas and Army schools across the country. Her father retired as a Brigadier, while her mother worked as a corporate trainer. “My parents instilled in me a deep love for the outdoors. Because of my father’s regular transfers, I experienced India’s culture and diversity firsthand,” says the avid cyclist.
An all-rounder in school, she excelled academically and in co-curricular activities — serving as prefect in Class 10 and head girl in Class 12. She enjoyed swimming and hiking from an early age. Her father’s postings in scenic Wellington and Kashmir further cemented her love for the mountains.
The joy of the saddle
For Vandana, cycling is about feeling the wind on her face while travelling through some of the world’s most breathtaking terrains and breathing in crisp mountain air. “For me, personal accomplishments like cycling over one of the highest motorable passes or covering 120 kilometres in 11 hours are truly rewarding. But cycling through remote villages and meeting curious locals — those are the stories that stay with me.”
Her earliest memory of cycling dates back to when she was six or seven years old. “While living in Mhow, Madhya Pradesh, I learnt to cycle. My father held the seat and guided me as I pedalled for the first time. Later, in Ahmedabad, I frequently cycled to school. I was very active as a child.”
Discovering cycling expeditions
Her first major cycling expedition came in 2022, when she rode from Leh to Siachen Base Camp and back. It introduced her to an entirely new way of experiencing destinations. She later undertook a cycling trip from Kohima to Loktak Lake in Manipur and another to Kashmir’s remote Gurez Valley.
Switzerland: A memorable ride
Switzerland’s dedicated hiking and cycling trails, often more challenging than flat highways, left a lasting impression on Vandana. “Cycling through the countryside, passing farms and watching horses and cows grazing, was delightful.” One particularly memorable ride took her uphill to Brünig Pass, followed by a thrilling descent into Interlaken. “At the top of the pass, we found a toolkit for cyclists — such a thoughtful touch. After cycling around a lake, we would often change into our swimsuits and take a refreshing dip.”
The rank holder who chose another path
Coming from a family of Army officers, Vandana once dreamed of wearing the uniform herself. She topped the UPSC Combined Defence Services (CDS) Examination, securing All India Rank 1. So how did a CDS topper end up at Facebook? Growing up surrounded by olive green, she was naturally inclined toward the Army.
“I remember the pride I felt watching my father in uniform. I dreamt of marching down Rajpath on January 26,” smiles Vandana, who took the CDS exam while pursuing her MSc in Microbiology. The process was rigorous — written exams, SSB interviews in Allahabad, followed by medical evaluations. “Out of six lakh candidates, there were just 22 vacancies. Making the merit list was hard enough, but securing Rank 1 was something I never imagined. Unfortunately, I couldn’t join the Army due to personal reasons.”
The Facebook years
She later joined Facebook’s Hyderabad office in the Operations team. “We had offices in Hyderabad and Austin. The three years I worked there remain my only corporate experience. I was fortunate to work closely with some of the best minds in the world.” The work ethic, culture and professional discipline she absorbed there now guide her entrepreneurial journey at Offbeat Tracks.
Stories beyond Instagram
Some of her most cherished travel memories are simple yet profound — sharing Old Monk rum and apples in a Himalayan tent with guests and trek leaders, plunging into the freezing waters of the Zanskar River or Lake Zurich, or savouring a traditional Kashmiri wazwan meal prepared by village hosts.
For Vandana, travel must remain “non-Instagrammy.” “Be it witnessing moonrise from a floating homestay on the phumdis of Loktak Lake in Manipur or counting a billion stars in the remote village of Hanle in Ladakh — those are the moments that matter.” In 2025 alone, she undertook journeys to Sri Lanka and the United States. She only wishes she could pen down every memory and relive them again.
Travel trends: 2026 and beyond
Vandana believes the era of generic sightseeing is fading. Travel is increasingly being designed around themes, with a shift toward slower, more intentional journeys.
“There’s growing interest in wellness retreats, writers’ residencies, gastronomic tours and social-impact-based travel. Seasoned travellers are becoming far more discerning in their destination choices.” As a travel designer, she finds this evolution both exciting and challenging. “We spend extensive hours researching hidden gems and unique experiences that can make a vacation truly memorable.”
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On responsible tourism
Addressing rising instances of irresponsible tourist behaviour worldwide, Vandana feels the issue must be tackled head-on. “When you travel abroad, you are an ambassador of your nation. It’s on you to represent your country in the best possible way. We must train our children — who, in turn, will teach their parents — the basics of civic sense and public decorum.”
Looking ahead: Norwegian dreams
Vandana is now focused on expanding Offbeat Tracks into a company known for meaningful journeys and strong local partnerships. “It’s that local host in a remote village in Nagaland or a high-altitude settlement in Ladakh who motivates me. Their stories deserve to be told through the beautiful medium of travel.” A history and geography enthusiast, she devours books that deepen her understanding of the world.
And the next adventure? “I’m looking forward to cycling along the Norwegian coastline this year,” says Vandana — a foodie who loves experimenting with local cuisines during her long, endless travels.
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