What Does Ahimsa Mean and What Does It Have to Do With Travel?

At first glance, “ahimsa” might look like a beautiful word in an unfamiliar language — and it is. But to us, it’s more than a name. It’s a philosophy. A commitment. A way of being in the world. That is why we are changing our name from Escape To…. to Ahimsa Travel Club.

🌱 What Is Ahimsa?

Ahimsa (अहिंसा) is a Sanskrit word that means non-violence or compassion for all living beings. It’s an ancient principle rooted in Indian spiritual traditions, including Jainism, Buddhism, and Hinduism, and it’s been a guiding light for figures like Mahatma Gandhi and countless others working toward peace, justice, and harmony.

But ahimsa is more than just the absence of harm — it’s the active presence of love, empathy, and respect. It’s about the choices we make every day: to do less harm, to cause less suffering, and to live with more intention.

✈️ What Does Ahimsa Have to Do with Travel?

We believe that travel should be an extension of our values, not an exception to them. And too often, the travel industry overlooks the impact it has on animals, ecosystems, and local communities. At Ahimsa Travel Club, we’re reimagining travel through the lens of compassion.

Here’s what that looks like:

🐾 Compassion for Animals

We don’t support activities that exploit animals for entertainment — no captive wildlife, no unethical animal rides, no factory-farmed meals. Instead, we celebrate the abundance of plant-based cuisine around the world and support sanctuaries that protect, not profit from, animals.

🌍 Respect for the Earth

Ahimsa extends to the planet itself. We aim to reduce our environmental footprint by traveling mindfully, supporting eco-conscious accommodations, using less plastic, and choosing slower, more sustainable travel options when possible.

🤝 Kindness to People

Ahimsa also means honoring the people whose lands we visit. That means fair wages, local guides, community-based experiences, and giving back in ways that are meaningful and respectful. We want our presence to uplift, not extract.

🧘‍♀️ Inner Peace, Outer Impact

Finally, ahimsa isn’t just about what we avoid — it’s about what we cultivate. When we travel with mindfulness and compassion, we connect more deeply with others, with ourselves, and with the world. We come home changed — and not just with souvenirs.

💚 Traveling With Intention

At Ahimsa Travel Club, we’re building a new kind of travel community — one rooted in empathy, curiosity, and kindness. Whether we’re hiking in the Andes, tasting vegan dishes in Lima, or sharing stories under the stars, every moment is infused with the spirit of ahimsa.

This isn’t about being perfect. It’s about being aware. Making conscious choices. Asking better questions. And letting our hearts guide our itineraries.

🌎 What Is a Travel Club, Really?

To us, Ahimsa Travel Club isn’t just about trips — it’s about a global community. It’s a community for people who want to explore the world with purpose, share values of compassion and sustainability, and make lifelong connections along the way. When you join one of our tours, you’re not just booking a vacation — you’re plugging into a tribe of like-hearted travelers. We host reunions, local meetups, advocacy events, and ongoing online and in-person gatherings so the journey doesn’t end when the trip does. This is a space where friendships are born, ideas are shared, and the spark of mindful travel turns into a lasting movement. We’re building more than itineraries — we’re building community.

Ready to Travel with Compassion?

If this resonates with you, you’re in the right place. Join us as we explore the world gently, joyfully, and intentionally — one vegan meal and one meaningful moment at a time.

🖤
– The Ahimsa Travel Club Team

Why We're Doing a Vegan Adventure in Peru

At Ahimsa Travel Club, we believe that travel should nourish the soul, respect the planet, and celebrate cultures with kindness at the core. That’s why we’re beyond excited to invite you on our Vegan Tour of Peru — a journey through breathtaking landscapes, vibrant culinary traditions, and deep-rooted cultural wisdom, all experienced through a plant-based lens.

🌿 Why Peru?

Peru is a land of contrasts: ancient and modern, mystical and grounded, lush and rugged. It’s also a rising star in the global plant-based movement, thanks to its incredible biodiversity, superfood-rich agriculture, and a new wave of chefs reimagining tradition through a compassionate lens. This tour is your chance to experience Peru’s magic without compromising your values — in fact, you'll be traveling because of them.

Let’s take a look at some of the unforgettable places we’ll explore together:

🏙️ Lima: The Vegan Food Capital You Didn't Know About

Lima is more than Peru’s capital — it’s a world-class culinary destination. The city’s plant-based scene is exploding, with innovative restaurants using local, organic ingredients to reimagine classic Peruvian dishes without animal products. We’ll dine at vegan hotspots where quinoa ceviche, mushroom anticuchos, and creamy lucuma desserts are just the beginning.

But food is only part of the story. In Lima, we’ll walk through the artistic Barranco district, visit coastal ruins older than the Incas, and connect with sustainability advocates who are reshaping how Peruvians think about food and farming.

🏔️ Cusco: Gateway to the Sacred Valley

Stepping into Cusco feels like walking between worlds. Once the heart of the Inca Empire, this city is a living museum of stone streets, colonial facades, and pre-Columbian energy. Here, we’ll slow down and acclimate while connecting with indigenous traditions, including a special plant-based Andean cooking class using ingredients like oca, mashua, and native potatoes.

You’ll have time to explore markets bursting with color, meet local artisans, and participate in spiritual practices that honor Pachamama (Mother Earth) — a natural alignment with our values of compassion and sustainability.

🏞️ Machu Picchu: A Sacred Experience

Of course, no trip to Peru is complete without visiting Machu Picchu, the awe-inspiring 15th-century citadel nestled high in the Andes. But this won’t be just a bucket-list photo op — it will be a mindful immersion.

We’ll journey together with intention, respecting the sacredness of the site while reflecting on what it means to travel gently in places of deep historical and spiritual significance. The breathtaking ride is rewarded by the serene power of this ancient wonder, where you’ll have time to explore, breathe, and just be.

💚 Why a Vegan Tour?

Because Ahimsa means compassion — and that includes our plates, our choices, and how we move through the world. This tour is designed for conscious travelers who want to experience the richness of Peruvian culture while honoring animals, the environment, and local communities. Every meal, excursion, and connection is thoughtfully planned to reflect our values of non-violence and mutual respect.

Join Us

This isn’t just a vacation — it’s a community, a movement, a new way of seeing the world. Peru is calling, and we’re answering with open hearts, full stomachs, and curious minds.

We can’t wait to explore it with you.

🖤
– The Ahimsa Travel Club Team

Veganism as a force of Resistance against the Trump Agenda

In 2025, the reinstated Trump administration has reignited a wave of regressive policies targeting the environment, animal welfare, and human rights. From deregulating slaughterhouse inspections to trade policies favoring and expanding meat exportation to weakening wildlife protections and rolling back civil rights orders, the administration is pushing an agenda rooted in deregulation, exploitation, and exclusion.

At Ahimsa Travel Club, we believe that travel should not be complicit in injustice—it should be a tool for transformation. Through fully vegan, ethically curated travel experiences, we empower individuals to resist these destructive policies in meaningful, joyful, and community-driven ways.

🌍 Environmental Destruction & Climate Denial

Trump’s elimination of key climate programs, including withdrawal from the Paris Agreement and defunding climate research, represents a deliberate disregard for planetary health. Fossil fuels are again prioritized, public lands opened to drilling, and climate data censored.

Our response at Ahimsa Travel Club? Every one of our trips is 100% plant-based, drastically reducing the carbon footprint compared to traditional tourism. We avoid partnerships with airlines and hotels with poor environmental records, opt for rail or group transport when feasible, and support regenerative agriculture communities and rewilding projects. Sustainability isn't a buzzword—it's a baseline.

🐾 Animal Rights Under Siege

This administration has systematically dismantled protections for endangered species and repealed transparency rules for factory farms. Animals are treated as commodities, and cruelty is normalized.

Ahimsa Travel Club refuses to participate in this system. Our tours never include zoos, aquariums, animal rides, or exploitative “wildlife encounters.” Instead, we highlight sanctuaries, plant-based farms, and indigenous-led conservation efforts that honor non-human lives as sacred. We build itineraries that show how compassionate choices can challenge systems of violence.

🧑‍🤝‍🧑 Human Rights and Equity

By rescinding Executive Order 11246 and withdrawing from international human rights agreements, the Trump administration has shown a willingness to abandon marginalized communities at home and abroad. These rollbacks disproportionately harm BIPOC, LGBTQ+, immigrant, and low-income populations.

Ahimsa Travel Club actively centers justice in every trip. We work with local, minority-owned, women-led, and queer-led businesses in every destination. Our guides are paid fairly, our accommodations are vetted for equity, and our programming includes social justice education. We uplift voices that are often silenced, and ensure that your travel dollars empower, not exploit.

✊ Vegan Travel as Political Action

In an era when policy is regressing, personal action matters more than ever. Veganism—especially when integrated into how we travel—is one of the most radical, life-affirming responses available to us.

With every Ahimsa Travel Club journey, you are:

  • Divesting from industries that profit from cruelty and exploitation

  • Supporting regenerative practices and ethical entrepreneurship

  • Connecting with a global community committed to compassion and justice

💚 Feel Good About TRAVELING

Many of our clients come to us already curious about plant-based living or motivated by a desire to align their values with their lifestyle. Whether you’re a longtime vegan or just beginning the journey, our trips offer:

  • Delicious, globally inspired vegan meals that prove compassion never compromises flavor.

  • Supportive, inclusive communities of like-minded travelers.

  • Opportunities to learn and grow, with cultural exchanges, expert talks, and hands-on experiences.

Best of all, you leave not only with memories—but with tools, inspiration, and confidence to continue your ethical lifestyle at home.