Captain Swadesh Kumar

Commercial Pilot & Punjab University

1971 - 1972

A graduate in science from Punjab University and a qualified commercial pilot – he got his flying license in 1971 and joined the Rajasthan Flying Club as a Flight Instructor and worked as a Freelance Pilot for many years until 1986. From this beginning he has gone on to become a Pioneer and a leading name in Adventure Travel, Tourism promotion, Mountaineering and Environmental issues.

Professional Pursuits

1975 - 1979

Rochester Institute of Technology, Rochester, NY

From 1975 To 1979, He Worked With Cox & King, One Of The Leading Travel Companies In India. One Of His Main Responsibilities Was Promoting Adventure Tourism, Especially Mountaineering Expeditions To The Indian Himalayas For Mountaineers And Explorers From Different Parts Of World.

During This Period, He Travelled Extensively In Different Parts Of The World And Gave Lectures At Many Alpine Clubs Especially In Japan. In 1977, He Had The Distinction Of Handling Single Handedly 17 Climbing Expeditions From Different Parts Of The World And Most Of Them Were To Nanda Devi Sanctuary.

From The Very Beginning Of His Career, (1974-79) He Promoted And Pioneered Many Routes And Trails . He Was The First One To Promote Camel Safari In The Thar Deserts Of Rajastjan Forforeign Tourists. (With His Efforts The Business Of International Mountaineering Expedition Reached To A Commandable Heights).

Capt. Kumar's Interest In Trekking And Climbing Expeditions Started In 1969 When He Joined The Delhi Mountaineering Association (Dma) As Its Member. He Was Elected Its Life Memebr In 1971.

His First Encounter With The Indian Himalayas Was In 1970 When He Joined The Expedition Organised By Delhi Mountaineering Association From Barmacer To Manali Via Kauri Pass In Himachal Pradesh.

In 1973 He Was A Member Of The Successful Indian School Boys' Expedition To Black Peak Organised By Delhi Mountaineering Association. This Was Organised Under The Guidance Of Mr Jack Gibb, Shin Dass And Hari Dang.

In 1974, He Did His Basic Mountaineering Course In Darjeeling Under The Guidance Of Late Shri Tenzingh Norgay And Had The Distinction Of Being The Top To Vidhan Chand Peak. He Was Also The Quarter Master And Completed The Course With 'a' Grade.

He Was The Administrative Officer Of ‘ All India Women's Expedition’to Makarbay In Himachal Pradesh Organised By Delhi Mountaineering Association In 1975.

In 1978 He Led The Delhi Mountaineering Association's Expedition To Mt. 48 & Mt. 49 In Himachal Pradesh.

Shikhar Travels Has Been Awarded The National Tourism Award By Ministry Of Tourism, Government Of India For Outstanding Achievements In Tourism In 2003. The Company Has Also Received A Certificate Of Recognition From The Travel Agents Association Of India During1993-94 For Tourism Promotion

• Founder Member Of India Convention Promotion Bureau (Icpb), The Apex Body For Promoting Conferences In India,. Its Vice Chairman For Four Years (2002-2006). Currently Its Governing Board Member. (As Its Vice Chairman And Convention Chairman Of ‘convention India’ , He Was Responsible For The Revival Of Icpb And Bringing It To National And International Prominence In The Mice Industry)
• Founder President, Of Adventure Tour Operators Association Of India (Atoa) Which Is The National Body Of Adventure Tour Operators.
• President Of American Society Of Travel Agents (Asta) India Chapter For Four Years (2003-2007)
• Elected As Chairman Of The International Chapter Presidents Council (Icpc) Of Asta During 2006-07, And Served On Its Board.
• Closely Associated With The Rotary Movement In India. Charter Member Of Rotary Club Of Delhi South Metropolitan, District 3010.Held The Position Of Assistant Governor (Ag) In District 3010 During 2002-2003 . Organised Rotary International Council Of Legislation (Col) In India In 1999 And Other Rotary Events At National And International Levels.
• An Active Member Of Icca, He Has Attended Icca World Congresses In Rhode Island, Greece And In Pattaya, Where He Was A Table Moderator. Was Responsible For Inviting Icca Specialists For India Educational Workshop Through Icpb And Icca India Chapter.
• Hony. Secretary Of Indian Associationof Tour Operators (Iato) Which Is The National Body Of Tour Operators, During 1986-91.
• Elected As Fellow Of The Royal Geographical Society, Uk, In 1988.
• Founder Member Of Youth Exploring Society (Yes) And Became Its Vice President. This Society Has Been Actively Promoting Adventure Tourism For Youth Within India Had Worked Closely With British School Exploring Society.
• Life Member Of Delhi Mountaineering Association Since 1971.
• Member Of Delhi Management Association.
• Member Of World Wildlife Fund (W.w.f.)
• Life Member Of Himalayan Club.
• member Of Himalayan Trust (Het) Which Had Undertaken The Nobel Project Of Cleaning The Gangotri Area.
• Member Of Himalayan Association Of Japan
• Worked As A Consultant For Undp/wto For Their Ppoject On Sustainable Tourism Development Plan For Nagaland'during 2004-2005.

He Has Extensively Travelled Within India And Abroad To Asia/pacific, Usa ,u.k& Europe. And Attended Many International Travel Conventions And Has Been Guest Speaker Of Many Such Events.

• Was The Chairman Of 3rd Pata Adventure Travel &ecotourism Confernce& Mart Held In Calcutta In 1991.
• Speaker At The Pata (Pacific Asia Travel Association) Adventure Travel Mart Held In Manila In 1994
• Guest Speaker By Various Tourism Management Institutions In India Including I.i.t.t.m. (Indian Institute Of Travel & Tourism Management In Gwalior For Giving Lectures To The Students.