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Mountaineer, Explorer, Environmentalist and expedition leader
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Awarded the 2015 Citation of Merit of The Explorers Club, USA
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Numerous accolades from the government of India and tourism societies
Many years ago, somewhere in the wilds of India, two roads diverged … and Mandip took the road less travelled. He walked away from a secure career path in the Indian Civil Service and charted a course for his life that would take him to distant and untrodden lands, and fill his soul and fulfil his aspirations. Today, Mandip is honoured to be the first Indian to be awarded the ‘Citation of Merit’ by the Explorers Club in the United States. He is also the recipient of the highest civilian honour of adventure in India, with the ‘Tenzing Norgay National Adventure Award for Lifetime Achievement’ conferred on him by the President of India.
Always the adventurer and naturalist, Mandip takes both joy and great pride in sharing his country’s natural and cultural heritage with guests from around the globe. Whether tracking tigers, hiking the Himalaya, or experiencing Indian cuisine, there will undoubtedly be small, unexpected pleasures to be found along the way as you explore the diverse sensations of his homeland.
As Founder President of The Responsible Tourism Society of India, (erstwhile Ecotourism Society of India), Trustee of the Himalayan Environment Trust, and Member of the Board of the Adventure Travel Conservation Fund, he has pledged his commitment to the natural environment.
This is evident in all that he does, including the management of his travel company. Mandip is the Founder and Managing Director of Ibex Expeditions Private Limited, established in 1979. Mandip and his team specialize in organizing and leading finely-crafted unique journeys across the Indian subcontinent, whether adventurous, culturally-focused deluxe trips, Wildlife safaris or luxurious.
Ibex Expeditions is the recipient of the Green Globe Distinction Award, PATA Gold Award for Environment, WTM Environmental Company Award and the National Award for being India’s Most Innovative Company by the Ministry of Tourism, India.
Ibex has also been rated by National Geographic as one of the “Best Adventure Travel Companies on Earth.”
Over four decades, Mandip has followed his passion for diverse expeditions and exploration on all seven continents. His experience and expertise compelled the Royal Geographical Society of the United Kingdom to award him the Ness Award for explorations and expeditions.
Mandip is married to artist & poet Anita Soin, who joins him in his work at Ibex Expeditions. Together they have two free-spirited children named after the Himalaya – Himali & Himraj – who are artists, writers, and explorers themselves and often are trip leaders for the escorted specialist Ibex journeys.
Himali was named the Frieze Artist of the Year 2019 in London and is married to a Jazz drummer from Germany. Himraj is also the Producer & Co-Founder at The Outdoor Journal. Both did their undergraduate studies in the US at Middlebury & Colorado Colleges, respectively.
Beethoven, fishing, golf, indulging in puns and flipping omelettes to perfection are Mandip’s other passions when he is not guiding or travelling the globe lecturing on responsible tourism.
