collage of portrats

Our Story

Payal Mehta 2013

Payal’s life journey has taken her from a typical urban childhood in Mumbai to a career as a naturalist guide. Though she grew up in one of India’s largest metropolises, Payal loved the outdoors from the first exposure she had to the world beyond the city’s reach. As a teenager, Payal trained as a mountaineer. Fascinated with the natural world, she then majored in geology during her university studies. And while she loved learning about the physical realm of nature, she also began to nurture a fascination with the living things that inhabit it, prompting her to escape the corporate office she found herself in after graduation. Payal knew she had to return to an outdoor environment to quench her growing curiosity about the natural world. She joined an elite naturalist training program for Indian safari guides, which only fueled her passion further for this gratifying career choice. After she completed her course, Payal worked as a naturalist guide in India’s Kanha National Park—one of the world’s best places to see wild tigers—for three years. Since her stint at Kanha, she has worked as an Expedition Leader in Nepal, Bhutan, India, Sri Lanka and Borneo. Together with her husband, Harsha J., she conducts guide training programs throughout India.

What Our Guests Say

What an exceptional person! Payal is a truly remarkable Expedition Leader. Besides being extremely knowledgeable, she is genuinely interested in each guest. She went well above and beyond to make sure each person had a great experience. Her warm and enthusiastic personality was key to making our trip a real success!
D. Johnson
How can I even begin? Every guide should learn from our Expedition Leader! She was kind, caring, funny and smart! She embodied everything you’d want in a guide. No question was unanswered, no request was denied. You could tell she really cared about each member of the group and their individual quirks. I would travel with her anywhere!
R. Taffet
I'm sure there's nothing I can say about Payal that you haven't already heard. She's just fantastic in every way. I especially appreciated her willingness to get up early with me for some extra birding, rearranging our schedule to give us time to see an ibisbill on our departure date. But most of all, I am eternally grateful to her and Dorji for making the hike to Tiger's Nest on a rainy and snowy morning. I will always cherish this memory.
D. Mann

Upcoming Adventures with Payal Mehta

Our Story

Our Trips

Polar Bear Tours

African Safaris

A sea lion swims near the photographer underwater in the Galapagos Islands

Galapagos Tours

Alaska Adventures

U.S. National Parks Tours

Canada & the North

Europe Adventures

Mexico & Central America Tours

South America Adventures

Asia & Pacific Adventures

A close-up of two king penguins on South Georgia Island

Antarctica & Arctic Journeys

Photo Expeditions

Adventure Cruises

Women's Adventures

Family Adventures

New Adventures

Questions? Call 800-543-8917

Instagram logo An icon representing Instagram, a social media platform. Youtube logo An icon representing Youtube, a social media video platform. tiktok logo An icon representing tiktok. Twitter logo An icon representing Twitter, a social media platform. Facebook logo An icon representing Facebook, a social media platform.
Contact Us

Have a question or comment?
Click any of the buttons below to get in touch with us.

Hours
Mountain Time

  • 8 am to 5 pm, Monday - Friday

  • 8 am to 3 pm on Saturday

  • Closed on Sunday

Call 800-543-8917
Questions? Click to Chat
Questions? Click to Chatchat