Women Who Inspire: Trailblazers in Conscious Luxury Travel
Celebrating International Women's Day 2025
Quote of the Week
What’s the greatest lesson a woman should learn? That since day one, she’s already had everything she needs within herself. It’s the world that convinced her she did not.”
– Rupi Kaur
Dear Postcard Travellers,
This International Women’s Day on March 8, we celebrate the fearless women redefining conscious luxury travel—visionaries who dared to challenge the status quo to create a more sustainable and inclusive world.
From Sapna Bhatia, founder of India’s first desert botanical hotel, to Valerie Super, co-founder of the Maasai Mara’s first carbon-neutral safari lodge, and Khin Omar Win, co-founder of Bhutan’s Gangtey Lodge, these inspiring women are uplifting their communities while crafting extraordinary travel experiences.
Husna-Tara Prakash and Upasana Todi Prakash continue their families’ tea-making legacy with a commitment to sustainability, while Monika Lewicka, Postcard Travel’s Brand Ambassador, empowers women through transformative solo sabbaticals.
We’re also proud to welcome Louise Cottar as one of Postcard Travel’s newly onboarded Destination Experts. As co-owner and Managing Director of Cottar’s Safaris and Chair of The Long Run, Louise is a pioneering leader in sustainable tourism.
Louise joins a remarkable group of Postcard Travel Destination Experts who are all strong women travel leaders, including Shilpa Sharma, Shoba George, Veronica Napuri, Veselka Huljic, Siham Lahmine, Rebecca Braak and Ana Ines Figueroa. Each of these inspiring women is making a meaningful impact in the world of conscious luxury travel, and we’ll be sharing their stories in upcoming newsletters—so stay tuned!
As Serena Williams said, “Every woman's success should be an inspiration to another. We're strongest when we cheer each other on.”
Scroll down for stories of transformation, empowerment and travel with purpose.
Warm wishes,
K. Hastings
Editor-in-Chief, Postcard Travel Club
The Woman Behind Maasai Mara’s First Carbon-Neutral Lodge
Valery Super is a woman who dared to dream differently. As the co-founder of Emboo River Camp, she redefined the safari experience, proving that sustainability and luxury can go hand in hand.
Alongside co-founder Loic Amado, she built the Maasai Mara’s first carbon-neutral lodge—where silent electric safari vehicles replace polluting engines, farm-to-table dining nourishes both guests and the planet, and innovation uplifts local communities.
Emboo is about connection, discovery and impact. When you visit, you will not only explore the wild—you will become part of its rhythm.
Desert Dreams at Kaner Retreat
Kaner Retreat is Rajasthan’s first desert botanical hotel. Founded by Sapna Bhatia, a visionary who turned her childhood love for Rajasthan’s wild landscapes into a luxury eco-retreat, this hidden gem offers an immersive escape into the beauty of the Thar Desert.
Wander through sacred groves on guided botanical walks, savour dishes infused with foraged ingredients, and dine under a starlit sky.
Rooted in sustainability and community empowerment, Kaner Retreat invites you to reconnect with nature and culture while embracing the resilience of the hauntingly beautiful desert landscape.
A Legacy in Every Sip at Glenburn Tea Estate, Darjeeling
Husna-Tara Prakash, the visionary behind Glenburn Hospitality, has quietly reimagined boutique luxury. She transformed a historic tea planter’s bungalow into the renowned Glenburn Tea Estate retreat and later created The Glenburn Penthouse in Kolkata.
A self-taught entrepreneur with an eye for timeless elegance, she has built a brand that beautifully blends heritage, hospitality and breathtaking landscapes.
Inspired by the vineyard experiences of Europe, Husna-Tara Prakash saw the potential to offer travellers an immersive journey into India’s rich tea culture at Glenburn Tea Estate.
Perched high in the Himalayas, overlooking the majestic Kanchenjunga range, it also offers you the chance to savour farm-to-table cuisine and take scenic walks through 1,000 acres of forest. After all your adventures, relax in restored colonial bungalows furnished with elegant antiques.
Every sip of Glenburn’s tea carries a story of resilience, craftsmanship and a rich family legacy.
Soulful Luxury at Gangtey Lodge Bhutan
Co-founded by visionary entrepreneur Khin Omar Win, Gangtey Lodge offers an immersive Bhutanese experience overlooking the pristine Gangtey Valley.
Bhutan brims with spiritual and natural wonders, and Khin Omar Win dreamed of sharing this with other travellers. When you visit, you can wake to sweeping valley views, embark on guided monastery visits, and hike through breathtaking landscapes. Thoughtfully designed with a low-impact ethos, the lodge blends traditional Bhutanese charm with eco-conscious luxury.
Connect with the local community, embrace Bhutan’s philosophy of Gross National Happiness, and create life-long memories in one of the world’s most enchanting destinations.
Preserving Family Legacy: The Lodge at Wah, Palampur
Tucked within a 530-acre tea estate in the Himalayan foothills, The Lodge at Wah in Palampur is a testament to Upasana Todi Prakash’s passion for nature, sustainability and heartfelt hospitality.
An avid golfer, Upasana transitioned into her family’s tea business, where she fell in love with the estate and envisioned a retreat that would allow others to experience its magic.
Built from local mud, stone, slate and reclaimed wood, The Lodge is a serene escape where guests wake to the scent of pine, sip organic estate-grown tea and immerse themselves in Kangra’s rich culture and breathtaking landscapes.
Louise Cottar: A Champion of Sustainable Travel
As the Managing Director of Cottar’s Safaris, Louise Cottar has pioneered award-winning, nature-based luxury tourism in the Maasai Mara, ensuring conservation, community and culture thrive together.
Chair of The Long Run and Trustee of The Maa Trust, Louise has helped to safeguard 21 million acres of land and uplifted 130,000 lives.
Her deep expertise, from fragile ecosystems to global peace-building efforts, makes her a true force for sustainable travel.
Postcard Travel is honored to welcome Louise Cottar as our newest Destination Expert!
Empowered Travel: Solo Female Sabbaticals
This International Women's Day, imagine stepping away from your daily routine and embarking on a journey designed to empower you—one that nurtures clarity, resilience and a renewed sense of purpose.
Monika Lewicka, Postcard Travel’s Brand Ambassador, has created a transformative sabbatical framework, combining personalised coaching with insights from Japanese Psychology, Regeneration and The Hero’s Journey.
This is your opportunity to embrace personal growth, reconnect with your purpose, and take meaningful action. Monika lives by the belief, “We rise by lifting others,” guiding you to unlock your full potential and confidently step into your next chapter.
Learn more at Empowered.Travel.
Postcard Community Updates
Welcome to Our Newest Postcard Partner: Pugdundee Safaris
We’re thrilled to introduce Pugdundee Safaris, one of India's leading responsible wildlife safari companies.
Postcard Travel is pleased to feature six of Pugdundee Safaris’ lodges located in tiger reserves. Renowned for their commitment to sustainability and conservation, they craft unforgettable wildlife experiences—whether you’re tracking tigers, exploring remote jungles with expert naturalists or staying in beautifully designed eco-lodges.
We can’t wait to share some of their unique wildlife adventures with you.
Listen to our Latest Podcast Episode: The Balance of People, Planet and Profit at Six Senses with Jeff Smith
Discover how Six Senses has been a true pioneer in sustainability long before it became a trend. Join us as Jeff Smith, VP of Sustainability, shares insights on harmonizing tourism with the environment for a more sustainable future.
Postcard Travel Club is an inclusive community of mindful travellers, travel designers, storytellers and boutique properties that collectively advance conscious luxury travel.