It’s a Saturday morning, and Cubbon Park is gradually coming to life with all its weekend fervor—resident readers get ready to lay out on the grass; stand-up comedy finds its zone; walkers charge ahead on the tracks, with and without pets. For techie-turned-tour entrepreneur Vinay Parameswarappa, Cubbon is a goldmine of biodiversity and a landmark steeped in history. Each tour around Cubbon becomes a journey back in time, and a lesson in natural history.
Living to Tell the Tale
Bengaluru is primarily defined by its upscale identity as a tech hub, attracting many domestic and international travelers. Inspired by global cities, Parameswarappa built his tourism business from scratch, designing walks around Bengaluru’s neighborhoods and historical spots. His food crawls take visitors to unexpected dosa places in Chickpete, drawing from his extensive travel across Southeast Asia.
Namma Tourists Join In
Parameswarappa’s tours attract a diverse clientele, from locals eager to learn about their city’s history to international corporate travelers curious about Bengaluru’s tech growth story. His tours, which include the ‘Colonial Crawl’ and the ‘Bangalore Biodiversity Trail’, offer unique insights into the city’s past and present. With 22 guides, his company caters to around 3,000 to 4,000 travelers annually, blending storytelling with historical exploration.
Death by Dosa and Other Walks
The ‘Death by Dosa’ tour explores Chickpete’s dosa joints and historical sites, while the ‘Malleswaram Hogana’ walk engages visitors with mural arts. Other popular tours include ‘The Tiffin Trail’ in Basavanagudi and the ‘Startup Trail’ in HSR Layout. Parameswarappa’s night walks, including the ‘Pete by Night Walk’, offer a thrilling way to experience the city’s different rhythms at night.
Pedaling Away to Stunning Views
Couple Dheeraj Subrahmanian and Poojya Basavaraj founded a bicycle tour collective, offering rides like ‘Nandi Countryside’ and ‘Lake Hoppin’ around Bengaluru’s outskirts. These weekend rides provide Bengalureans an opportunity to explore scenic routes and countryside views. The couple also organizes bicycle rides and expeditions across India and the globe.