Lessons from the road: How Nagarrians redefine travel with journeys beyond comfort

In this edition of Nagarrians at Play, we talk with four Nagarrians who travel in unique, immersive, and sometimes challenging ways, choosing winding mountain trails over tourist hotspots, homestays over hotels, and transformative experiences over typical itineraries. 

Travel means different things to different people. For some, traveling is all about relaxation and recharging. For others, it is about pushing limits and diving deep into new cultures and environments. But for our four Nagarrians, travel is a blend of both, a way to discover not just new places, but new sides of themselves. Their stories remind us that travel is not only about destinations, but also about transformation.

Starting small: Stepping into immersive travel

When asked what advice they would give to someone curious about more immersive or challenging travel, Joshua  Groß, a Talent Acquisition Specialist, encouraged starting small.

"An overnight hike, a canoe trip, or even a day away from modern comforts can help you grow more confident and show you how rewarding it can be to step outside your comfort zone," he shared.

Joshua on a kayaking adventure in Warnow, Germany

Harsh Magan, a Brand Designer, described the paradox with humor. "Relaxed and challenging, such an oxymoron. After a grueling 30-hour journey to get to a new place, I want nothing more than to relax with a chilled beer in hand. The key is to strike a balance. Go out for walks, talk to locals, eat at their favorite roadside restaurants, and sip a drink at the local watering holes. But also allow yourself to slow down and experience the city without hurrying. A place cannot be fully experienced in a matter of days, so grant yourself permission to be as slow as necessary. Experience what you can but come back to experience more."

Harsh at the sacred Gurudongmar Lake, Sikkim, India. Gurgudongmar is one of the highest lakes in the world at an elevation of 5,430 m (17,800 ft)

Madhurima Yenibilli, a Principal Engineer, and Albert Takacs, a Project CEO, highlighted that immersion can be simple. Joining a cooking class, taking public transport, or staying long enough to connect with locals often leads to the most authentic memories.

Madhurima taking a ride in the iconic steam train in Brienz, Switzerland

For Albert, travel is not just about moving from one place to another. It is about changing perspectives, challenging limits, and discovering parts of yourself you did not know existed. "Starting with local trails in Romania, I learned to enjoy the silence of the forest and the rhythm of my own steps. The Himalayas took that to another level. They humbled me, pushed me beyond comfort, and reminded me how small yet resilient we are in the face of nature. Travel, especially trekking, is my way of resetting both physically and mentally, and it keeps me grounded while fueling my curiosity for the world."

Albert captures a selfie while trekking the EBC Trail (the iconic Everest Base Camp Trail) in Nepal

Lessons that last a lifetime

Every Nagarrian agreed that travel is not only about places, but also about what we learn along the way. Travel often teaches us about resilience, patience, perspective, and lessons that reach far beyond the road.
Albert found his strength in the Himalayas. "Whenever I face challenges in daily life, I remind myself: if I could carry a heavy backpack at 5,000 meters, I can handle this too."

He recalled a moment that deeply shaped him: crossing the Kongma La Pass in the Himalayas. "The climb started before sunrise, on icy terrain at nearly 5,400 meters. The air was thin, every step felt twice as hard, and halfway up, I found myself doubting if I could even make it. On top of everything, that day I did not meet another soul for more than eight hours. In that moment, I had to slow down and focus on one step at a time. Reaching the top was not just about physical strength. It was about mental resilience, patience, and breaking a big challenge into manageable steps. That experience changed how I approach problems at work. When a project feels overwhelming, I remind myself to find my next step, focus on what I can control, and keep moving forward."

Albert taking in a view of the majestic Himalayas from the Gokyo Ri Peak, Nepal that stands at an elevation of 17,575 feet

Joshua discovered patience through nature. "The rain will not stop because we want it to, and the path does not shorten just because we are tired. Accepting that things take the time they take has helped me approach both work and life with more calmness."

Joshua camping at a scenic spot in Germany

For Harsh, the greatest teacher has been unpredictability. "You can plan everything perfectly, but life always surprises you. Sometimes you fall in love with a place and cancel the rest of your plans. Sometimes you get snowed in at 16,000 feet and end up spending the night in a military quarter, listening to soldiers’ stories."

Madhurima said it simply: openness. "Those detours often become the most beautiful parts of the journey. Whether traveling or in life, every experience teaches you something if you are open enough to receive it."

Madhurima enjoying skiing in Gulmarg, Jammu and Kashmir, India

Finding balance between comfort and curiosity

Stepping outside the comfort zone is where many unforgettable moments happen. But balancing rest and discovery is the heart of travel.

Joshua believes the key is respecting your own limits. "If you focus only on comfort, you miss the adventure. But if you push too far, the journey stops being enjoyable. The balance comes from preparation and openness."

Joshua taking a nap in the wilderness

Harsh remembered one night in the Himalayas. "I stepped out in the freezing cold and was greeted by a pair of glowing eyes, probably a wolf, followed by a stunning carpet of stars. I do not consciously try to balance comfort and curiosity; it just happens. But I never compromise on safety. No experience is worth risking that."

Harsh camping on snowy terrain, just a day away from the stunning Brahmatal Lake, a high-altitude glacial gem in Uttarakhand, India.

Madhurima shared that her rhythm of slow travel is how she balances both. "I often stay longer in one place, soaking in daily life, before adding moments of adventure. It is like having the calm of belonging and the thrill of discovery in the same journey."

Madhurima enjoying a snack in Shangarh, a quiet Himalayan village in Himachal Pradesh, India

Albert added that listening to yourself is key. "Sometimes that means pushing forward on a tough path. At other times it means pausing for a quiet day in a mountain village. Both are part of the journey."

Moments that reshape us

Often, it is one single experience on the road that changes the way we think about life, about people, about ourselves. Certain experiences leave lasting impressions.

Joshua recalled an overwhelming moment in Italy. "My group and I had to flee from sudden flooding. It was chaotic and exhausting, but it showed me how resilient we can be when we work together. That experience reshaped my perspective on taking challenges head -on. Even when things feel overwhelming, there is always a way through."

For Harsh, transformation came on the Yerada Beach in Visakhapatnam. "I had my music on and suddenly I was just there, not anticipating anything, not thinking of my next destination. I felt content, I felt complete. That day, I promised myself to be more present, practice mindfulness, and be more grateful."

Harsh's snapshot of the pristine Yerada Beach, Vishakhapatnam, several years ago

For Albert, the greatest treasure of trekking has been the connection with places, with people, and with himself. "When you spend days walking through valleys and over mountain passes, you notice details that a quick visit would miss. The way light changes on the peaks, the rhythm of village life, the warmth of a smile from someone who does not speak your language but offers you tea. Sharing a meal in a remote teahouse or learning a few words in their language creates moments that stay with you far beyond the journey. It is these small exchanges that turn a trail into a story and a destination into a memory."

Albert at the Matka Lake in North Macedonia. Matka is the oldest artificial lake in Macedonia.

Albert and Madhurima shared encounters with locals that reminded them of universal kindness. These moments helped them overcome preconceptions and embrace new perspectives. "Beyond borders and differences," Madhurima said, "people everywhere are humble, generous, and kind."

Traveling slow, light, and mindful

Beyond these shared questions, Harsh also offered a glimpse into his philosophy of slow and sustainable travel. Inspired by a chance encounter in Himachal Pradesh, he began choosing local transport, eating home-cooked meals, and even staying with families instead of hotels. It is the best way to experience a place as a local would. It is immersive, sustainable, and supports the local economy.

A glimpse into Harsh's local, sustainable adventures—(left to right) a homestay window framing the majestic Himalayas, a cozy village kitchen with all its nitty gritties, and serene snowy lanes winding through a quiet mountain village

Solo travel, too, has shaped his perspective. In Turtuk, a village near the India-Pakistan border, he found himself swept into a spontaneous adventure after meeting fellow travelers. "We stayed in a traditional wooden house, immersed in Balti culture, and for the first time, I saw the galaxy in its full glory. It was an experience that filled me with immense gratitude."

This way of traveling—gently, lightly, and respectfully—has influenced not only the way Harsh experiences the world but also how he sees himself. "Travel is about living another life, even if only for a brief moment. It has taught me that the most wonderful gifts are often wrapped in ordinary paper. And it has helped me realize that I do not need as many things as I once thought to live a good life."

Harsh says that he felt truly humbled when he stood at the foot of Gonbo Rangjon, The God's Mountain, Zanskar Valley in Ladakh, India

Travel as transformation

From Himalayan treks to unexpected detours, from slow travel to bold leaps, these stories from Nagarrians remind us that travel is more than a holiday. It is a mirror, a teacher, and sometimes even a catalyst for change.

And whether it is starting small, learning patience, finding balance, or discovering resilience, the lessons picked up on the road continue to shape the way our colleagues see the world and themselves.

For Joshua, Albert, Madhurima, and Harsh, travel is not about checking places off a list. It is about slowing down, noticing details, listening to people, and allowing yourself to be changed by the road. Their stories demonstrate that the world offers both comfort and challenge, and that magic often lies in striking a balance between the two.

Because in the end, travel is not just about seeing more. It is about how far we grow as a person.

NagarriansAtPlay is a series that showcases Nagarrians following their passions. In this series, we bring to you some of our remarkable colleagues who have made it big globally in their respective fields, and have inspired many to follow their dreams.