Taurus gives Capt Suresh Sharma complete freedom and flexibility to satisfy his wanderlust and spread the message about nature conservation

Tell us something about Taurus?
Taurus is a new concept in the tourism industry. The bull represents strength and fortitude. A self-contained custom-designed vehicle for onboard camping with state-of-the-art amenities, this is a platform for soft adventure. We bought a bare Eicher VE-20.16 chassis in 2013 and modified it into a caravan over a period of 18 months at a cost of Rs 87 lakh.

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How did the idea take germ?
I wanted to blend my love for the outdoors with my passion for wildlife photography. Getting to exotic locales was an operational challenge. Our family holidays were spent touring the country in a caravan. This eventually became the basis for Taurus. My motivation was the single-minded belief that a niche platform would ignite the passions of adventurers in an eco-friendly way.

How do you ensure attention and comfort for travellers?
There's a crew of three and we don't take more than eight. It can also be enjoyed by just one or two people. Most guests love to participate in camping chores.

Something new for travellers this year?
A set of tailor-made options — we are introducing holidays for couples to romance in the wilderness and to strengthen bonding. There’s something for every one — the itinerant photographer, the angler, cyclist, bird-watcher, wild life enthusiast. Each moment is unique: a herd of goats leaving their tiny footprints in the sands of Rajasthan against the setting sun will never be the same again.

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How do you manage power supply, food, clean wash-rooms, etc.?
In a gadget driven world there is a constant need for power. Taurus has built-in power back-up with easily accessible sockets and a silent generator for supply during halts. Our kitchen is clean and we serve fresh food at every meal. Our washrooms are well supplied with water and state-of-the-art chemical toilets are user-friendly and clean.



How do you prevent environmental degradation?
We respect and preserve nature, and believe in ‘responsible tourism’. Our photo opportunities exist because those who have gone before us left no footprints, and it is our endeavour that those who come after us will find the same pristine environment.
What about night accommodation?
We have blister tents on the roof and on the side panniers of Taurus with sleeping bags and linen. Each participant gets his or her sleeping berth in safety and comfort. We have 6 tents (4 single occupancy and 2 for double) and two extra dome tents that can be pitched away from the truck.

How do you deal with emergencies?
I am an Army combat veteran who knows how to deal with emergencies. We have two decades of caravan experience and four decades of living in the wild. We are prepared for any eventuality. Our medical kit is always well equipped and safety equipment includes axes and fire extinguishers.
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How is this unique?
Often, the destination is not the aim. With Taurus, the journey is the destination. We encourage participation where each ‘Tauronaut’ contributes to a more fulfilling experience.
For more info, visit https://greendotexpeditions.com/
(Interview by Eshita Bhargava)