From MakeMyTrip to the Mountains: Why I Started Clans Stays

If you ask anyone in the travel industry, they will tell you that working for a giant like MakeMyTrip (MMT) is a dream job. It is corporate, organized, and massive. I spent years there, learning how the biggest travel systems in the world work. I learned about customer service, operations, and how to handle thousands of bookings at once.

But while sitting in a corporate office, looking at spreadsheets, I realized something was missing.

Every day, I saw families booking the Chardham Yatra—the most difficult and holy pilgrimage in India—like they were booking a weekend trip to Goa. They would click a button, get a generic itinerary, and think they were ready. But I am a local. I grew up in these mountains. I know that the Himalayas are not like Goa.

I saw a gap. I saw pilgrims struggling with bad hotels, getting stuck in landslides with no local support, and calling customer care numbers that put them on hold.

That is why I left the corporate world to start Clans Stays. My goal was simple: to build the best travel agency for Chardham Yatra—one that combines corporate professionalism with a local’s heart.

The “Disconnect” I Saw in the Big Industry

When I was handling Chardham packages in my previous corporate role, I noticed a big problem. The people selling the packages sat in offices in Gurgaon or Mumbai. They had never seen a helipad in Phata or tasted the food in a Guptkashi hotel.

They were selling “Hotels,” but the Chardham Yatra is not about hotels. It is about logistics.

Here is what I saw going wrong:

• The “Standard” Hotel Problem: A hotel might look 4-star online, but in reality, the geyser doesn’t work, and the blankets are damp. A computer algorithm cannot smell a damp room—only a human can.
• The Weather Chaos: In the mountains, if it rains for 2 hours, the helicopter stops. Big companies would just cancel the booking and process a refund. But that doesn’t help the 70-year-old grandmother who has traveled from London to see Kedarnath. She doesn’t want a refund; she wants a solution.
• No “Plan B”: When roads get blocked, standard itineraries fail. There was no one on the ground to quickly arrange a different route or a helicopter.

I realized that to be the best travel agency for Chardham Yatra, you cannot run the business from a city 1,000 miles away. You have to be here.

Returning to My Roots: The Birth of Clans Stays

I packed my bags and established Clans Stays Dehradun. Being a local from Uttarakhand (Nainital and Dehradun), I had an advantage that no software could match: Local Knowledge.

I didn’t want to be just another “booking agent.” I wanted to be a “Pilgrimage Partner.”

When I started, I made a rule for myself and my team: We will never sell a hotel we haven’t slept in ourselves.

Today, before the season starts, my team travels to Yamunotri, Gangotri, Kedarnath, and Badrinath. We check the toilets. We check the heaters. We eat the food. If a hotel doesn’t meet our “NRI Standard” of hygiene, we remove it from our list. This attention to detail is what makes us a trusted Chardham Yatra tour operator.

Why Being Local Matters (The Dehradun Advantage)

You might wonder, “Why does it matter where the agency is based?”

Imagine you are visiting London. Would you trust a guide who lives in London, or a guide who lives in New York and uses Google Maps to guide you?

As a travel agency in Dehradun, we are literally 45 minutes away from the starting point of the Yatra.

• We Control the Fleet: Our drivers are locals. They know which turn on the mountain road is dangerous and where the cleanest bathrooms are.
• Emergency Response: If a guest feels sick at high altitude, I don’t need to call a vendor. I know the local doctors. I can send oxygen cylinders from our Dehradun office in a few hours.
• Face-to-Face Trust: Many of our clients come to our office in Dehradun to have a cup of chai with us before they start their trip. That handshake builds more trust than a thousand emails.

The Difference: Big Aggregators vs. Clans Stays

To help you understand why personalized service wins in the Himalayas, I created this simple comparison table based on my experience.

Feature	Big Online Travel Apps (Aggregators)	Clans Stays (Local Expert)
Location	Head offices in Metro Cities (Mumbai/Delhi)	Based in Dehradun, Uttarakhand
Support	Call Center (often automated/bots)	24/7 Personal WhatsApp/Call with a Manager
Hotel Quality	Based on online photos & star ratings	Physically verified by our team every season
Crisis Management	Refunds/Cancellations if flights stop	“Plan B” (Alternative routes/transport) arranged instantly
Customization	Fixed “Standard” packages	Fully customized Luxury Chardham Yatra packages
Payment Trust	Impersonal Payment Gateway	Video Call Verification available before payment

Creating “Luxury” in a Rugged Terrain

One of the biggest requests I get, especially from clients in the UK, USA, and South India, is for comfort. The Chardham route is tough. The roads are curvy, and the air is thin.

I used my corporate training to design Luxury Chardham Yatra packages that solve the “discomfort” problem.

• Helicopters: We focus heavily on helicopter packages to save time and energy.
• Premium Hotels: We partner with brands like Taj, Sarovar Portico, and the best boutique resorts in Harsil that offer luxury heating and organic food.
• VIP Darshan: We use our local network to arrange Priority Darshan passes so our elderly clients don’t have to stand in long queues.

We don’t just sell a “trip.” We sell peace of mind.

A Promise from the Founder

When I was at MakeMyTrip, I learned Efficiency.

When I returned to the mountains, I learned Empathy.

At Clans Stays, we combine both. When you book with us, you aren’t just an “Order ID.” You are a family trusting us with your parents’ safety and their lifelong dream of visiting the abode of Shiva.

We take that responsibility very seriously. We might not be the biggest company in the world, but we work the hardest to be the best travel agency for Chardham Yatra.

So, if you are looking for someone who understands the corporate standard of service but operates with local pahadi honesty, you have found your team.

Let’s plan your Yatra together.

Comparison of Travel Modes (Quick Reference)

Mode of Travel	Duration	Comfort Level	Best For
Road Trip (Bus/Tempo)	10-12 Days	Basic/Standard	Budget Travelers
Luxury Private Car (Innova)	9-10 Days	High Comfort	Families who enjoy road trips
Helicopter Package	5-6 Days	Premium/Luxury	Seniors, NRIs, & Time-Savers

Conclusion

Leaving a high-paying corporate job wasn’t easy, but seeing the smiles on our clients’ faces when they return from Kedarnath makes it worth it. We are building a legacy here in Dehradun—one happy pilgrim at a time.

If you are planning a trip for 2026 and want a team that treats you like family, not a file number, get in touch with us.

Don’t take a risk with your holy journey.

[Contact Clans Stays Dehradun] today for a transparent, video-call consultation.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

1. Why is Clans Stays considered the best travel agency for Chardham Yatra?

We are based locally in Dehradun, which allows us to provide real-time support, verified hotels, and experienced local drivers—something big online apps cannot offer.

2. Is it safe to book with a local agency in Dehradun online?

Yes. We believe in total transparency. We encourage all our clients to schedule a Video Call (Zoom/Google Meet) with us to see our office and meet our team before transferring any money.

3. Do you offer luxury Chardham Yatra packages?

Absolutely. We specialize in luxury tours that include 5-star accommodation, helicopter transfers, Toyota Innova Crysta vehicles, and VIP Darshan assistance.

4. What happens if our helicopter gets cancelled due to weather?

Since we are a trusted Chardham Yatra tour operator, we always have a Plan B. If the chopper is cancelled, we immediately arrange a premium vehicle to ensure your Yatra continues by road, or we reschedule your flight priority for the next day.

5. Can you customize the tour for my elderly parents?

Yes. We are not a “fixed package” factory. We customize itineraries based on health, budget, and time. We can arrange wheelchairs, oxygen cylinders, and slower travel paces for seniors.

6. How do I verify your company before booking?

You can check our GST registration, read our Google Reviews, and most importantly, get on a video call with us. We are proud of our reputation as a Travel agency in Dehradun and hide nothing.