Intrepid Travel has introduced women-driven electric rickshaw tours in Varanasi, India, as part of a new initiative to support gender equality and sustainable travel.
The project, developed in partnership with local NGO ACCESS Development, sees women trained to drive and maintain e-rickshaws, which are now featured on several of Intrepid’s India itineraries.
This program, funded by a AU$55,000 investment from The Intrepid Foundation, not only promotes greener travel options but also provides women with financial and business literacy training. In Varanasi, known for its historic streets and significant air quality challenges, the initiative is seen as a step toward reducing pollution while giving women a foothold in an industry traditionally dominated by men.
How to get onboard
The new Holy City e-rickshaw tours will be incorporated on six of Intrepid Travel’s India itineraries: 10-Day North India Highlights, 10-Day Premium India, 11-Day Indian Getaway, 15-Day Real Delhi to Kathmandu, 15-Day Delhi to Kathmandu and 22-Day North India Revealed.
Here, travellers will have the chance to experience India’s bustling streets from the back of an e-rickshaw driven by local women. This partnership gives these women a platform to thrive economically while offering visitors a more sustainable way to explore neighbourhoods in cities like Varanasi.
“The project aims to support greater female economic inclusion in India, where women still contribute only around 18% to the country’s overall GDP, despite making up 48% of the population,” Intrepid Travel General Manager for India Rama Mahendru said.
This initiative builds on the success of a similar project in Jaipur, where since 2017, over 200 women from low-income households have been trained as rickshaw drivers. Now, with the Holy City Rickshaw Program, 50 more women will join the movement, providing a crucial source of income while also contributing to India’s transition to greener transportation.
“We’re always looking for ways to create real, lasting change, and The Holy City Rickshaw project does just that,” Biheng Zhang, General Manager of The Intrepid Foundation said.
“Not only will it create new opportunities for women, but it helps promote sustainable travel and tourism in the region.
“We know that an investment in women has benefits that flow throughout the wider community and onto the next generation, and as we look forward, I’m excited about what this initiative will bring to both the women involved and the travellers who will get to experience Varanasi through their eyes.”
Creating change beyond the wheel
What’s unique about this initiative is the long-term impact it aims to have on women’s lives. Beyond driving, participants are also trained in vehicle maintenance, financial literacy, and business management. The goal? To give these women the tools to own a piece of the rickshaw industry and break the cycle of poverty.
“At Intrepid, we’re committed to not only advocating for women’s inclusion but actively implementing it. We’re working hard to achieve balanced female tour leadership and enhance gender diversity,” Mahendru said.
“Today, women make up nearly 1/3 of our local team in India, and by 2025, we hope to double the number of tour leaders country wide.”
So for travellers, this means more than just a ride from the railway station to the hotel. It’s a chance to interact with the local community, support gender equality, and make a positive environmental impact.
Driving towards a sustainable future
As part of its broader commitment to decarbonising tourism, Intrepid’s e-rickshaws help reduce air pollution in Varanasi, one of the world’s most polluted cities according to the World Health Organization. The company’s focus on electric vehicles is a small but significant step towards reducing the environmental footprint of travel in India, one of its top four destinations alongside Vietnam, Morocco, and Sri Lanka.
What’s in it for travel professionals?
For travel agents and industry professionals, this program is an opportunity to tap into the growing demand for sustainable and socially responsible travel experiences. Intrepid’s commitment to empowering local communities, reducing carbon emissions, and providing meaningful travel options is increasingly in line with what modern travellers are looking for.
As women-led e-rickshaw tours are integrated into Intrepid’s popular itineraries, agents have the chance to promote these exclusive, eco-friendly experiences that also contribute to gender equality. With sustainability becoming a deciding factor for many travellers, this partnership offers a fresh angle to attract clients seeking purpose-driven travel.
The road ahead
Looking forward, Intrepid Travel plans to expand the Holy City Rickshaw Program to other destinations in India, with a goal of welcoming 30,000 customers to the country by 2030. This would mark a 300% increase in customer growth, demonstrating both the increasing popularity of sustainable travel and the appeal of immersive, small-group tours that focus on authentic, community-based experiences.
