Exploring the Outdoors With Jayesh

The world beyond our concrete jungles is simply marvellous. The clean fresh air, luscious green forests with towering trees, mammoth mountain ranges, golden beaches, freezing tundras, endless desserts, sparkling clear rivers and seas— there’s so much to explore out there. And perhaps that’s why certain people devote their lives to seeing these natural wonders of the world. Some people are born with the taste of adventure on their lips, and one such person is Jayesh Morvankar.

It’s the outdoors that truly encompass Jayesh’s passion. It doesn’t matter if he’s trekking, cycling, mountaineering or hiking— just being exposed to nature and the untouched world around him makes him happy. After studying for years and doing Engineering and an MBA, and then working in Advertising and Marketing, Jayesh realised that he wanted so much more from life. He wanted to devote his time and energy towards something that bought him pure happiness— the outdoors.

After a while, Jayesh soon realised that he wanted other people to enjoy the outdoors and experience it the same way that he did. So, when he quit his corporate job he knew exactly what he wanted to do next.

Odati Adventures was born purely out of Jayesh’s love for nature and adventure. The name itself translates to the word ‘refreshing’ and is derived from the Sanskrit word uday which means pre-dawn. The reason he chose this name is because whenever he has the opportunity and is in the mountains, he loves to witness the moments before the sunrise. Jayesh likes to tell his clients that those few stunning moments of peace and watching the sun painting the sky, is the real Odati Adventure.

Though Jayesh had been curating trips on a personal level for the past 22 years, he only quit his job and launched Odati Adventures in March 1999. Jayesh used to frequently cycle around the city by himself, it was his preferred mode of transport for daily commuting. In 2002, he decided to organise weekend cycling trips to encourage people to explore and now even in 2021 it’s definitely something that people enjoy doing.

Odati Adventures generally operates through word of mouth. People who are passionate about the outdoors and looking for fun and adventurous experiences get in touch with Jayesh, usually after hearing rave reviews from past clients. Jayesh plans out their journey, from start to finish, and leaves no stone unturned to ensure they have an unforgettable time. He has organised treks, tours and mountaineering expeditions in Ladak, Himachal and Arunachal Pradesh and Uttaranchal, and has even taken people to international locations such as Killamanjaro and Mount Elbrus.

According to Jayesh, each form of exploring the outdoors has its own charm. He says that cycling requires continuous physical effort and endurance, and you get to see more of the offbeat countryside than you would by sitting in a jeep. You also get to interact with locals and explore the culture because you’re at your own pace. When it comes to trekking you’re cut off from the world and immersed in nature— high up in the mountains and surrounded by clouds and beautiful flora and fauna. Again you’re challenging yourself with those long walks and camping out and enjoying local cuisine available around you.

Jeep safaris are quicker and allow you to cover more ground and see more places than cycling or trekking would let you. It gives you a unique perspective of the area. “The same mountain that looks beautiful up close while hiking also looks just as beautiful from a distance while on a jeep safari,” says Jayesh.

Of course, like almost every business in the tourism and hospitality sector, Odati Adventures was affected during the pandemic. But Jayesh knows that in the long run things will pick up again. There was one positive thing that the pandemic did bring about for Jayesh’s business. Old clients who he hadn’t heard from for a while were suddenly calling him up as they were looking for personalised offbeat and safe ways for their families to travel and explore the outdoors in and around their states.

Jayesh has an unbridled fire and love for his work. And the best part is? He shares that love and ensures that each of his clients has the best journey and adventure possible.

“If we were meant to stay in one place, we’d have roots instead of feet.” -Rachel Wolchin

Written By Jessica Albuquerque,

A master of being a Jack of all Trades, A method in madness some may say. I’m just a girl on a never-ending journey, Standing on the precipice of my next big story.

Week 31, August 2021