Here's how Bangaloreans are avoiding pubs on weekends with pocket-friendly alternatives

Young professionals in the city who love the outdoors are choosing short camping trips around Bengaluru over partying, and are finding that the former not only gives them quality time with friends but is also pocket-friendly .
Communications professional, Rishiraj Barik, 27, goes on at least two camping trips a month.One could actually say that Barik, who moved to the city two years ago, chooses camping in order to get away from the weekend pubbing. “We leave on a Saturday morning with supplies and camping gear. We set up camp, play games, enjoy the serenity these places offer and reach the city by Sunday afternoon,“ Barik shares. What's more, the experience costs him Rs 1,400-Rs 1,800, a fraction of what partying would.

Shubhasis Chanda, 26, an actuarial professional in the city , has invested in proper camping gear as he is a regular. “Pubs are noisy and expensive. Meaningful conversations happen better outdoors with weak mobile network and less distractions,“ he laughs.Chanda zeroes in on new camping sites through online and offline research along with friends and then finalising it over a WhatsApp group.

Pradeep Kumar CN of Bengaluru's Zebra Cross Adventures, a trekking equipment rental platform that also organises camps, says 85% of his clientèle is in the age group of 23 35 years. His packages start from Rs 750 per person and go up to Rs 1,200 for a one-day expedition.Many opt for packages that have all essential camping items that come for Rs 160 per person per day or more. According to Kumar, the company has seen an increase of 30% camping-related activities since 2012. “Besides young professionals, companies too are choosing trekking and camping expeditions over resort stays or water parks,“ shares Kumar.


Image: AP

Bangalore Mountaineering Club (BMC), which caters to over 15,000 participants every year, has a turnover of over Rs 1.2 crore. Neeraj Malve of BMC points out that availability of camping and trekking gear -both big and small brands -has helped the industry immensely .Their company , which started in 2004 with 10 activities a year, now hosts around 500 events and has about 35, 000 members.

Digital marketing professional Chapping Lowang, 26, a regular camper, put it thus: “I spend the entire week working and living in the city. I'd prefer to breathe fresh air and spend time close to nature during weekends. It's only when you travel and explore that you learn and discover yourself.“