By Shradha Sinha – 21 October, 2025
Table of Contents
Hello, my lovely readers,
This feature has been a long time coming, one that takes us on a journey quite unlike anything we’ve explored on SL 24 before. For the October-November edition of our Feature Series, we’re diving into the world of travel, culture, and adventure with someone whose story embodies passion, purpose, and a deep connection to nature.
Meet Gerald Samuel Duia, the founder of Duia Trailblazers, an eco-rural tourism and adventure company from Meghalaya that’s redefining what it means to explore responsibly. From guiding treks across hidden trails to promoting cultural and heritage tourism, Gerald’s story is one of self-discovery, resilience and purpose.
Our conversation stretched over an hour, and every bit of it was filled with laughter, reflection and awe. His journey didn’t start with travel, surprisingly. It began with something completely different, music.
From Music to Mountains
Shradha: Gerald, I know you’ve worn many hats before finding your calling in adventure tourism. Tell us a little about how it all began, how did your journey lead you here?
Gerald: I actually started through music. I was really into it, played the guitar and the drums, and was part of different bands at one point. Music was my first love. But slowly, my interests shifted towards photography. These two passions, music and photography, took me to many different places.
I’d travel for gigs, capture moments, and explore new locations. Without even realising it, these experiences helped me start discovering Meghalaya more deeply. I wanted to study music, but there were some curriculum issues, and then I tried getting into media tech, but again, it didn’t quite work out. That’s when I decided to take up Tourism at Martin Luther Christian University (MLCU).
Honestly, I had no idea what to expect at first. I thought it would be purely experiential, but what really shaped me were the community camps and events we got to be part of. Somewhere between music, photography, and those early field visits, my love for travel and exploration began to take root.
A Curious Explorer at Heart
Shradha: That’s so interesting. So when did that curiosity turn into guiding others?
Gerald: It all began during college. I was posting photographs on Facebook, but I never disclosed the exact locations. I just felt that once a spot gets popular, people rush there and it loses its beauty. Even though I didn’t know about sustainable tourism back then, I had this strong sense of responsibility toward nature.
I would take a few close friends to those hidden spots and started charging a small guiding fee around ₹300 back then! I’d even arrange vehicles and take them to places like Nongriat, David Scott Trail, and Mawphlang Sacred Groves, which weren’t as popular then as they are now. That’s how my journey as a tour guide began, purely from passion and curiosity.
Finding Purpose in Tourism
Shradha: That’s such an organic way to start. But at that point, did you ever imagine tourism becoming your full-time profession?
Gerald: Not at all! I wasn’t academically bright. I bunked classes and even failed a couple of times in college. But somewhere between 2010 and 2011, this passion for guiding started to take shape. I was already taking friends and their families out for tours, and soon, through social media, I started getting approached by travel agencies and local operators from different parts of India.
It became more than just a hobby, it became something I was genuinely good at. And by the time I graduated from MLCU in 2016, I knew that this was what I wanted to do.
The Birth of Duia Trailblazers
Shradha: And that’s where Duia Trailblazers comes in, right? Tell us about how it all started: the name, the idea, everything.
Gerald: Yes, exactly. Around 2018, I decided it was time to build something of my own. My mother wanted me to apply for government jobs, but I knew deep down that wasn’t for me. I wanted to create something that reflected who I am: my roots, my identity.
So, I asked my mother for help in coming up with a name. She’s great with languages, even Latin, and we brainstormed together. Eventually, I decided I wanted my surname to be part of it. That’s when the name clicked: Duia Trailblazers.
It started with just me, a one-man army. I created an email ID, started a Facebook page (Instagram wasn’t big back then), and reached out to people I’d guided before. The feedback was amazing; people had genuinely enjoyed their experiences, and that gave me confidence to keep going.
The Early Wins
Shradha: That’s such a heartwarming beginning! How did things start picking up after that?
Gerald: In 2019, I participated in the Chief Minister’s Challenge by PRIME Hub and got selected among the Top 50 entrepreneurs. That was my first real milestone, getting incubated under the first cohort.
Even though the pandemic hit soon after, I didn’t stop. During lockdown, my cousin joined me, and I taught her how to make itineraries, cost trips, and map routes across Meghalaya. That’s when Duia Trailblazers really started taking shape as a team.
Shradha: That’s incredible. So, despite all the challenges, even a pandemic, you built something so strong.
Gerald: Yes, it was tough, but it was worth it. When restrictions first eased in 2021, we saw what people were calling “revenge tourism”, everyone was eager to travel again. It was hectic, but also one of our busiest and most rewarding times.
From that period onwards, Duia Trailblazers really began to grow. We participated in bootcamps under PRIME, learning about financial literacy, branding, GST, and marketing, everything that helped shape our business into what it is today.
Now, out of 25 entrepreneurs, Duia Trailblazers has been selected for the first PRIME Acceleration Programme, only six firms were chosen. It’s a six-month mentorship and training session, and we’re truly grateful for the opportunity.
Training Trailblazers: From Idea to Impact
Shradha: So Gerald, you’ve already built a strong reputation for eco-rural tourism and adventure tours. What inspired you to start training others under the Duia Trailblazers banner?
Gerald: Around 2022–2023, PRIME Hub launched another project that offers a business scale-up loan with government support for developing an Advanced Training Centre for various sectors, where tourism was under the Wildcard category, and now known as CM Elevate. It was a great opportunity to build something new.
See, our tour guiding sessions were going well, but we noticed something important, if we wanted to truly skill our people, we always had to send them outside Meghalaya for training. And honestly, that was really expensive.
When I did my basic mountaineering training, I realised that most of those skills weren’t applicable to our terrain. Meghalaya doesn’t have high-altitude mountains, our landscape is unique. So, using my experience in caving and canyoning (an adventure activity that involves descending rivers with ropes, not the boat kind!), I saw massive potential right here at home.
During the pandemic, when restrictions were lifted for a while, I went on an expedition in East Jaintia Hills. Many locals had returned home, especially young people who’d previously worked in hospitality across metro cities. They were skilled, confident, and knew how to host guests. But when it came to tour guiding inside caves or handling high-risk adventure activities, there was still a gap. That’s when I thought, why not create a training academy right here in Meghalaya?
The Birth of Duia Trailblazers Adventure Training Academy
Gerald: The idea was simple: train locals in tourism and adventure so they can guide visitors safely and professionally, while also finding sustainable livelihood opportunities.
During this time, my former mentor from MLCU, Sir Phrangkupar Kharbamon also known as Sir Frank, and I reconnected. He was also interested in this training initiative but wasn’t sure how to apply for it. We decided to collaborate and apply through Duia Trailblazers. He guided me through the pitch: how to present our revenue model, design course modules, and frame the technical details. It was truly a team effort.
We were selected for the scheme and received ₹20 lakhs as a grant and ₹30 lakhs as a zero-interest loan. That’s how the Duia Trailblazers Adventure Training Academy officially came to life.
Breaking Walls, Literally!
Shradha: That must’ve been such a proud moment! What was the first project you took up under the Academy?
Gerald: (laughs) Our first project was quite literal: breaking walls! The space we had was originally a stone crusher, and we decided to transform it into an artificial climbing wall for our training sessions. It was both a sustainable and purposeful choice, giving a new life to something old while creating a space for learning and adventure.
But it wasn’t easy. There were massive concrete pillars blocking the structure, and it took months to get through them. We tried everything, jackhammers, steel cutters, even dynamite, nothing worked at first.
At one point, I nearly gave up. But I called everyone again, the jackhammer team, the cutter guys, the dynamite expert, and said, “Let’s do this together.” Bit by bit, we managed to demolish the pillars. It took months, but we did it!
Once the wall was up, it felt like a victory. We officially inaugurated the academy in Sohryngkham in March 2025, with Shri John Kharshiing, President of the Meghalaya State Olympic Association (MSOA) as our chief guest (Initially the Chief Minister, Shri Conrad K. Sangma was supposed to be inaugurating, but he couldn’t make it).
On the same day, we also launched the first-ever Meghalaya Adventure and Outdoor Festival, with the first leg of the MAOF – Kid’s Edition held on 29th March 2025.
The Meghalaya Adventure and Outdoor Festival
Gerald: We wanted to start small and steady, so we made this first edition just for kids. It was all about introducing them to adventure in a fun and safe way. However, it was the end of March, so we weren’t expecting many people to show up. We anticipated approximately 30-40 kids, but we were surprised to see ticket sales of about 150+ children participating, with activities like the bag jump, zipline, obstacle course, artificial sport climbing and workshops on camping, CPR, first aid, and curated activities for toddlers.
Our title sponsor was the Department of Sports and Youth Affairs, Government of Meghalaya, and we were incredibly grateful to our former Sports Minister, Shri Shakliar Warjri, for believing in our vision.
We also collaborated with Creative Trails Academy, a preschool that hosted fun and educational activities for the kids. Even Smti. Ampareen Lyngdoh, a former minister, surprised us with her presence, which made the day even more special.
Skilling Meghalaya’s Youth
Shradha: That’s amazing, Gerald. What’s next for the Academy?
Gerald: We’ve recently been empanelled by the Meghalaya State Skills Development Society (MSSDS), which also works on tour guide training projects. We received a work order for 60 trainees, and right now, we have an ongoing batch of 30, with another 30 starting soon.
What’s beautiful is that these trainees come from different districts across Meghalaya, not just the cities. Tourism is no longer urban; it’s thriving in the rural pockets too. And that’s where the real opportunity lies.
We’ve partnered with the Red Cross Shillong for first aid, CPR & Disaster Management training along with the Department of Tourism, Travel Management and MLCU, who help us with assessment and certification. It’s very community-driven, which is exactly what we wanted.
The Many Hats Gerald Wears
Gerald: Apart from running Duia Trailblazers and the Academy, I also serve as an Adjunct Assistant Professor at MLCU (since 2021), where I teach modules related to tourism and adventure.
I’m also one of the first domain skill trainers for Travel and Tourist Guide, a program by the Punjab National Bank for the Rural Self-employment Training Institute. They run a tour guide course under their Entrepreneurship Development Program. It’s a 10–15-day course where I train trainees from all walks of life, helping them gain essential knowledge on tour guiding and practical on-ground skills. The programme also includes sessions on financial literacy, leadership training, team building, and other key exercises that prepare them not just to work in tourism, but to eventually avail business loans and build something of their own.
Safety First, Always
Shradha: With so many adventure activities involved, how do you ensure safety?
Gerald: Safety is non-negotiable. We have trained professionals for every adventure activity, from canyoning to rappelling. Our guides, especially from Mawlyngbna Village have been trained by the Bangalore Adventure School, which is India’s first and only dedicated canyoning school.
We make sure everything is done in controlled environments, with proper safety checks before every session. We inspect all gear, ropes, harnesses, and we never operate if weather conditions are unsafe. Every expedition has a Plan B and a rescue route in place.
Milestones Along the Way
Gerald: Honestly, this entire journey has been one big milestone. But one of the most special moments was winning the first Indian Responsible Tourism State Awards 2023 (Meghalaya) by Outlook Responsible Tourism and Meghalaya Tourism. Followed by the Trailblazer Award for Pathbreaking New Adventure Tourism by the Adventure Tour Operators Association of India (ATOAI).
I am also the Co Chairman of the Adventure Tour Operators Association of India for the Northeast region. As well as the General Secretary of Tour Operators Association of Meghalaya and Tour Guides Association of Meghalaya, Central Body.
For Those Who Want to Explore Meghalaya Differently
Shradha: Before we wrap up, what advice would you give to someone visiting Meghalaya, especially those who want to experience it beyond the typical tourist spots?
Gerald: I always say, “go local”. When you visit any new place, reach out to local operators and authentic guides, not just what Google recommends.
There’s a saying from UNWTO (United Nations World Tourism Organisation) that really resonates with me, “Any tourism activity should first benefit the local community.”
Local guides know their land: the stories, the culture, the terrain. They make your experience authentic, while also ensuring that the community earns a livelihood from it. So if you ever visit Meghalaya, reach out to us. We’d love to show you the state through our eyes.
The Trail Ahead
It’s been such a fulfilling experience sitting down with Gerald and hearing his journey, one that’s deeply rooted in passion, purpose, and a love for his home state. Conversations like these remind me how tourism, when done right, can become a bridge between people and places, connecting culture, nature, and community in the most beautiful way.
Through Duia Trailblazers, Gerald and his team are redefining what it means to explore Meghalaya. With over 14 years of experience in the field, they curate meaningful travel experiences, from eco-rural tours and culture & heritage trails to full-fledged adventure expeditions. What truly sets them apart is their commitment to authenticity and sustainability, ensuring that every journey not only delights the traveller but also uplifts the locals whose stories make this land so special.
Whether you’re someone visiting Meghalaya for the first time or a local hoping to rediscover your own backyard, Duia Trailblazers offers end-to-end travel planning, from accommodations and transportation to professional guides, logistics, and unique experiences that showcase the best of Meghalaya’s natural and cultural beauty.
If you ever find yourself dreaming of misty hills, hidden trails, and authentic moments with the people who call this place home, you’ll know whom to reach out to. You can find them on Instagram, I’ll be linking all of their pages below.
Here’s to journeys that go beyond destinations, and to stories like Gerald’s that remind us why we fall in love with travel all over again.
Connect with Gerald
Gerald’s Instagram Page | Duia Trailblazers Instagram Page | Duia Trailblazers Adventure Training Academy Instagram Page
Shradha Sinha, founder of SL 24, is an event host and digital storyteller from Shillong, Meghalaya – India. With a heart for intentional living and personal growth, she explores the evolving world of digital creation through her platform. SL 24 serves as her space to share stories, lessons, and conversations that inspire mindful, purposeful living and continuous self-discovery.
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awesome, so impressed with all you do and have achieved, hope to be there some day