Varun Vagish Interview
Q. You’ve inspired millions to travel through your MountainTrekker journey. For those who might not know you, how did this all begin?
Let me start with a story! It all started back in 2004. I was fresh out of journalism school at IIMC, New Delhi, working my first job at Navbharat Times. Even back then, my friends and colleagues knew me as that guy who loved to travel like a vagabond. I was already writing about my trips to the Himalayas, and believe it or not, that early work actually won me a national tourism award when I was just 23.
I've always been super curious, and I loved chatting with the foreign backpackers I'd meet. I even had this Australian guy stay at my place in Delhi. He’d rather crash with locals than be in a hotel. Seeing how they could travel for months on a shoestring budget, living in dharamshalas & Gurudwaras and eating at dhabas, it was just incredible. It proved to me that authentic travel isn't about having a ton of money; it's a mindset.
But the moment it all clicked was one evening when my editor asked me to interview a Russian tourist. He was also a lost backpacker exploring different countries. His story of leaving his home and job to travel so frugally blew me away. It was published prominently the next day, and that's when I realized that my style of travel could resonate with a lot of people and that there was a bigger story to tell.
Q. From being a journalist to becoming a full-time travel vlogger, what was the turning point that made you take the leap?
The big shift for me wasn't a single "aha!" moment, but more of a slow realization. I'd been a journalist and had some government jobs, but my love for travel never faded. I was always out exploring. The real turning point came in 2016 on my first international trip to Bangladesh. It was my first time getting a visa and crossing a border by land, and the whole process was so smooth I just had to share it.
I pulled out my phone and started recording everything. I wasn't trying to become a vlogger, I just wanted to show people in India how easy it was. I uploaded those videos to a channel I named MountainTrekker, a name that combines my love for the mountains with a passion for real exploration. I did the same thing on my next trip, an overland journey to Thailand and Cambodia.
I wanted to send a clear message, in Hindi, to the common person back home: that we can also travel the world on a shoestring budget, just like the foreign backpackers I’d met. At the time, nobody was really doing this kind of travel in Hindi on YouTube, and the response was incredible. When those videos started getting millions of views, I knew this was more than a hobby. It was a movement, and that's when I decided to go all in.
Q. You’ve travelled to remote corners and interacted with diverse communities. Could you share a moment that deeply shifted your perspective on life or travel?
It's not a single moment, but a collection of experiences that have completely reshaped my perspective on humanity.
For instance, in the Siberian region of Russia, I was a bit lost when a young woman went out of her way to help me find a place to stay. She connected me with two gentlemen, and one of them was so kind that he even lent me his jacket for the rest of my trip because he saw I wasn't prepared for the Siberian cold.
I've seen this kind of kindness everywhere. In a remote part of Turkey, a family with a huge language gap showed me incredible hospitality. In Malaysia, a mosque offered me a place to sleep. Then, on my first European trip, I was hosted by a boy who did a year-long hitchhiking trip right after finishing school, which is a rare idea in India, where we’re so focused on competitive exams. These moments proved to me that despite any language or cultural barriers, people are inherently good. They taught me that kindness and brotherhood are universal values, and those authentic human connections are the most rewarding part of travel.
Q. As a National Awardee and a creator, how do you balance producing content that resonates with a wide audience while staying true to your own travel ethos?
For me, the balance isn't a struggle because my audience actually connects with me because of my travel ethos. My approach has always been simple: travel the way I’ve always traveled; on a budget, overland, and with a focus on real human connections. My audience isn't looking for glamorous, "Instagrammable" travel; they're common people who want to see that they, too, can explore the world.
That’s the same spirit that inspired me to create Tourist Helpline, a Facebook community of almost 300,000 travelers who help and inspire each other. My background as a journalist taught me to tell stories and look for the truth, and I apply that to every video.
I believe the national award I've received is a testament to this approach. It is a sign that what I’m doing is valued, and it reminds me that staying true to myself is the best way to keep my audience engaged and continue creating meaningful content.
Q. Many aspiring travel creators see YouTube as their dream platform. What are the top 3 skills you believe they must develop before starting?
I think it all comes down to three key things. First, you have to find your authentic voice; don't just start to make money or copy what's popular because your audience will see right through it.
Second, be loyal to your audience above all else, which means turning down deals from brands that don't fit with your values.
Third, you need to be business savvy and vigilant about who you partner with, as many agencies can end up damaging your reputation. Remember, you don't need a fancy camera to tell a great story. Find your passion, and everything else will follow.
Q. In an era of 'Instagrammable' travel, how do you ensure your stories go beyond the visuals to capture authentic cultural and human experiences?
My background as a journalist is a huge part of it. It taught me to be super inquisitive and always look for the human side of every story. My videos are way different from a quick, 'Instagrammable' photo; they're about the whole journey and the people I meet along the way.
I love just sitting down with locals, getting to know their lives, and sharing those stories. By traveling overland and spending time in villages with families, I get those real, unscripted moments that go far beyond just a beautiful visual. For me, the focus is always on the narrative, the 'why' behind the trip, the cultural insights, and the lessons learned.
Q. You’ve travelled solo extensively. What do you think solo travel teaches a person that group travel cannot?
For me, solo travel is all about connection. When you're in a group, you're mostly focused on the people you're with, which can be great, but it keeps you from really soaking in your surroundings. When I travel alone, I'm completely open to the world around me. It's when I have those truly authentic experiences, like having a local chat with me or getting invited for tea. It's about learning to be comfortable on your own and trusting your instincts, and that's a lesson group travel just can't teach you.
Q. And for a fun one, if tomorrow you could instantly teleport to any place on Earth, where would you go and what would be the first thing you’d do?
That's a fun one. If I could instantly teleport to any place on Earth tomorrow, I'd love to be in a remote village in Patagonia, South America. I've been so inspired by the movie "The Motorcycle Diaries" that I've always wanted to see that part of Latin America for myself and experience that raw, rustic feeling. I'd want to find a simple, naturally built home, facing those tall, snow-capped mountains. And the very first thing I'd do is make sure I have a strong Wi-Fi signal. I'd need to be connected with my audience to share that incredible feeling of being there!
Bio:
Varun Vagish is a nationally recognized travel influencer, journalist, and a pioneer in India's travel media landscape. With a PhD in Mass Communication, his early work in travel journalism earned him a prestigious National Tourism Award. Driven by a passion to break the myth that international travel is for the super-rich, he became the first to popularize a vlogging style in India that showcases authentic, frugal, and overland journeys. His YouTube channel, MountainTrekker, with its community of over 1.5 million followers, demonstrates how to make these journeys happen, while his other project, the Tourist Helpline, provides the solutions - as India's largest outbound traveller's community on Facebook with nearly 300,000 members, the platform helps people navigate visa issues, find partners, and overcome obstacles. A TED speaker, Dr. Vagish’s unique and impactful approach has led to invitations from several nations, including first-world countries, to promote their tourism. In a world that feels increasingly divided, his work is a powerful reminder that travel can be a force for good, bridging gaps and uniting us all.
Interviewed by: Divya Darshini
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