About Us

At ChaloHoppo, we’re not just about planning trips — we’re about making the right kind of travel possible in Northeast India. From misty valleys in Meghalaya to the high passes of Arunachal, we curate journeys that are intimate, immersive, and deeply respectful of the region and its people.

We started ChaloHoppo in 2016 with a simple mission: to make travel in the Northeast more accessible, more authentic, and more meaningful — for both travelers and the communities that host them.

What began as four friends showing guests around their backyard slowly grew into a destination management company built on responsibility, empathy, and an obsession with quality. Today, we’re a full-time team working hand-in-hand with local guides, homestay owners, drivers, and artisans to craft experiences that celebrate the natural and cultural richness of the region — while giving back to it meaningfully.

Our Values

We believe that travel, when done right, can preserve heritage, create livelihoods, and transform perspectives. That’s why we’ve built ChaloHoppo around a set of values we call:

PERMIT

Preservation

Education

Responsibility

Mutual Respect

Inclusive Growth

Trust

These values shape how we work with communities, design itineraries, and welcome guests from across the world.

We won’t promise 100 seamless trips out of 100. The Northeast is still developing its tourism infrastructure, and nature doesn’t always follow an itinerary. But what we do promise is a team that gives it everything — straight from the heart.

We’re your friend in the Northeast, excited to show you around and eager for you to fall in love with this corner of the country — just like we did.

Why ChaloHoppo?

Come for the waters and wildlife, hills and history, culture and cuisine —
But most of all, come for the people.

Meet the Team

John Raphael
John Raphael Founder
John loves to laugh and make others laugh — though he’ll admit he’s not always great at it. As the co-founder of ChaloHoppo, he’s spent the past few years building an organization that prioritizes fulfilling, wholesome holidays over surface-level tourism. He loves his sports — whether it’s watching Test cricket, talking football, or playing racquet sports. With a genuine interest in people and their stories, what drives him today is not just curating memorable journeys for travelers, but also creating a lasting impact in the Northeast by supporting sustainable livelihoods through tourism. Outside of work, John enjoys poker nights with close friends, a cold craft beer, and finding peace in a natural pool or a quiet day at home.
Devraj Barooah
Devraj BarooahFounder
If you’ve ever been on a trip with Devraj, you’ve probably already heard him belting out songs under a starlit sky or narrating stories that make the Northeast feel like home. A natural host with a heart full of warmth, he brings people together with his voice—both in music and in writing. Devraj is deeply rooted in the culture and heritage of Northeast India. Whether it’s documenting forgotten folktales or championing sustainable travel, he believes in preserving what makes this region special. He’s also got the looks of a leading man—but don’t let that fool you. What truly sets him apart is his empathy, eloquence, and ability to make every traveller feel seen, heard, and part of the story.
Ashique Barua
Ashique BaruaMarketing Manager
When he's not strategising campaigns or tinkering with automation tools, Ashique finds joy in strumming his guitar or ukulele and whipping up something delicious in the kitchen. A true homebody at heart, weekends are often spent relaxing in familiar comfort.
Pritika Angelika Chittaranjan
Pritika Angelika ChittaranjanSales Manager
Officially, she makes the sales magic happen. Unofficially, she’s the team’s Vibe Manager — the one with the playlists, the pep talks, and the perfectly timed memes. When she’s not closing deals, you’ll find her chasing sunsets, whipping up something experimental in her kitchen (mystery box challenge, anyone?), or speaking fluent gibberish with her dog, Pepper. Her soul is split between the kitchen — her personal therapy den — and the badminton court — her battlefield. Comfort is a bowl of chicken stew in coconut gravy or a homemade slice of chocolate cake, depending on the mood. Her dream escape? Italy — where food meets turquoise waters, espresso meets wine, and everything in between is just… bellissimo. PS: Born a cocktail baby of South and North Indian roots, Pritika calls the Northeast home — it’s in her words, her food, her way of life.
Apurva Saboo
Apurva SabooFinance Managar
Apurva is ChaloHoppo’s number whisperer — happiest with a calculator in one hand and a hot chai in the other. But there’s more: she teaches maths and accounts for fun and finds joy in upcycling waste into charming art. On weekends, she shifts gears from spreadsheets to strategy games like Catan, or hits the road on her bike with a cup of coffee and a sunset in tow. Her dream? To chase the Northern Lights and witness nature’s magic up close.
Meghna Deka
Meghna DekaOperations Associate
Meghna is the calm in the middle of ChaloHoppo’s daily ops whirlwind. When she’s not making travel logistics look effortless, she’s curled up with a good book, cooking up something aromatic, or chilling with her pet rabbit, Tuna. Her idea of recharging? A long drive with loved ones, a well-brewed masala chai, and a Tokyo anime marathon waiting at home. Bonus Quirk: Rearranging her room is a favourite pastime — even if it was already perfect.
Jyotishman Baruah
Jyotishman BaruahSales Associate
The man who turns dreams into itineraries, Jyotishman is most at peace in front of a landscape — letting the silence do the talking. Give him a winding trail, a misty mountain, or a quiet village, and you'll find him completely in his element. With a deep love for the Northeast and an instinct for finding stories in stillness, he crafts journeys that go beyond checklists — trips that connect people to places, and to themselves.
Kirti Bajoria
Kirti BajoriaSales Executive
Kirti is your go-to for great recommendations — be it the latest binge-worthy show, a healthy new recipe, or that charming little café no one’s heard of yet. She thrives on connection, spending her downtime with loved ones over plates of her forever favourite, puchka (pani puri). Sushi is a close contender. Her dream? A trip to Japan to experience the technological wonders she’s always admired.
Twinkle Kabra
Twinkle KabraMarketing Executive
Twinkle brings the vibe both at work and off-duty. A fan of singing , dancing, and the occasional café-hopping adventure, she’s equally happy tucked in bed with Netflix and a can of Red Bull — her trusted companion through thick and thin. You’ll often find her laughing out loud at the smallest things, lighting up the room with her energy and contagious joy.
Vikhozoto Khazo
Vikhozoto KhazoTrip Leader
Badminton, music, documentaries — Vikho is all about rhythm and curiosity. Whether he's cooking or catching a movie, he makes everyday moments feel adventurous. Recharging involves a proper thali, a good cup of coffee, and dreams of Vietnam.
David Kuruvilla
David KuruvillaSales Executive
David’s currently mastering the underrated art of doing absolutely nothing. His perfect weekend? Somewhere in the clouds or under his blanket. With a plate of smoked meat and a Monk in hand, he dreams of the Viking lands of Scandinavia. Also — a gentle reminder: travel light, leave only footprints.
Archita Goswami
Archita GoswamiOperations Associate
Archita lives through words and wanderlust. A poet and planner at heart, she’s always ready for her next cultural deep-dive or recitation session. For her, every traditional meal is a story, and every unexplored corner of India — a chapter waiting to be read.
Anchit Talukder
Anchit TalukderManagement Executive
Anchit’s world revolves around sports, stats, and soulful drives. From Wimbledon thrillers to deep music sessions, he’s always game. Come weekends, you’ll find him cruising the outskirts or indulging in his comfort classic — pork with laai xaak. His Northern Lights dream? Still shining bright.
Arnamitra Gogoi
Arnamitra GogoiOperations Manager
From singing at his farm to caring for animals or helping guests on their journeys, Arnamitra lives fully and thoughtfully. A waterfall in Meghalaya? Heaven. His dreamscape? The glowing skies of Iceland and Norway.
Samiksha Jain
Samiksha JainContent Executive
Samiksha loves stories in any kind, be it books or the movies.the kind you read, watch. Her weekends involve walks, painting, or going to the movies. She also loves discovering new nooks and rabbit holes on the internet. Her favourite plate? Daal, rice, raw banana sabji, and a generous squeeze of kaji nemu. Her dream stop? Finland - for its peace and poetry.
Debajit Neog
Debajit NeogProduct Development
Whether walking his dog, revving his motorcycle, or sipping tea by the river, Debajit finds joy in simple moments. Japan’s culture calls to him — but until then, there’s always a choco-chip cookie and coffee by his side.
Mike Marak
Mike MarakProduct Development
Once the go-to fixer for property bookings, payments, and vendor emergencies, Mike now brings his energy and insights to ChaloHoppo’s product development. Off work, he swings between full-throttle productivity and Olympic-level procrastination — no middle ground. His weekends are dedicated to the sacred art of adulting: laundry, cleaning, car-washing, and the occasional existential sigh. Comfort comes in the form of potato fry with rice, and a cup of ginger tea to wash it all down. He dreams of Jerusalem — a place that calls to him in quiet, mysterious ways. Fun Fact: Mike’s an early riser, a regular at the gym, and embarks on an annual adventure bike trip like clockwork.
Nick Doley
Nick DoleyTrip Leader
Nick is most alive in the stillness. When he’s not leading journeys into the wild or curating new travel routes, you’ll find him lying lazy, listening to the sounds of nature. And if not lazy, then busy turning the most random things into something beautiful. He recharges in quiet places and swears by lemon juice as his ultimate pick-me-up. Nick doesn’t believe in bucket lists — for him, life is the journey.
Anannya Chaliha
Anannya ChalihaSales Associate
Anannya’s got a heart full of cats and a nose for the best local food joints. Whether she’s at an animal shelter, heading to Meghalaya for a breather, or diving into a bowl of Ketli Pitha with Lal Saah on a winter morning — she’s all about small joys and big flavours. Equal parts curious and compassionate, she brings warmth to every conversation and drive to every partnership.
Hrishav Boruah
Hrishav BoruahOperations Associate
Music and mountains fuel Hrishav. Off-duty, you’ll catch him walking with his playlist on, or decompressing by the serene Kaipholangso Waterfall — his secret recharge spot. A hot cup of tea is his forever comfort, no matter the weather. He dreams of the Swiss Alps, not for the Instagram moments, but for the peace that pristine landscapes and quiet alpine villages promise.
Bhaskar Moran
Bhaskar MoranOperations Manager
Bhaskar is the engine that keeps things running behind the scenes — and when he’s off-duty, he’s either out with friends, off to some swimming spot, or staying fit with a workout session. Lemon tea is his go-to comfort. Ask him about travel, and you’ll hear stories from Menchuka, Nagaland, Uttarakhand, or dreams of strolling through Belgium’s cobbled lanes.