Nostalgic & Emotional Ten Years, Same Crew, One Unforgettable Coorg Trip.

How My High School Buddies Became My First Ever Customers — The Story Behind Copravasi's First Trip

Some businesses start in boardrooms. Some start with a business plan, a investor pitch, or a perfectly timed idea.

Mine started on a solo road trip — with nothing but a backpack, a tank full of fuel, and a feeling I couldn't shake.

The Idea That Wouldn't Leave Me Alone

I'm Sharmila, founder of Copravasi. And honestly, I never planned to start a travel company. It just happened the way most real things do — slowly, then all at once.

It started with solo travel. Just me, new roads, and strangers who somehow never stayed strangers for long. Every trip taught me something. Every place left a mark. And somewhere along the way, I stopped just wanting to travel — I wanted to take people with me. Show them what I was seeing. Create those moments for others.

That feeling became Copravasi.

The Hardest Part Nobody Tells You

Starting with passion is easy. Starting with customers is hard.

I had the vision. I had the energy. I had every detail planned out. But getting that first booking? That first person to trust a brand new travel company with their weekend? That was a different challenge altogether.

Every day I was putting myself out there, talking to people, sharing what Copravasi was about. And every day, the response was the same polite smile that didn't quite convert into a booking. I started wondering if I was moving too fast. If maybe the world wasn't ready, or worse — if I wasn't ready.

I told myself to give it time. But time felt slow.

Then I Called My People

One evening, I opened up to my high school friends. No filter, no professional face — just me telling them the truth. That I had started something I deeply believed in. That I was struggling to get it off the ground. That I needed help.

I didn't even have to finish the sentence.

Without a single question, without a single hesitation — they said yes. All of them.

These are people I've known since we were sharing tiffin boxes and bunking PT class together. And here they were, ten years later, dropping everything to show up for me the same way they always had. They didn't just book the trip themselves — they went out, gathered the required number of people, filled every single spot, and made sure the trip was confirmed.

Just like that.

The Night Before the Trip

When I got the confirmation that the trip was full, I sat quietly for a long moment.

Happy doesn't quite cover it. It was that specific kind of happiness that sits in your chest and makes your eyes sting a little. The kind that comes not just from something working — but from realising who showed up when it mattered.

And then the nervousness hit. Full force.

This was real now. Real people. Real responsibility. My first ever group. Everything had to be right — the transport, the stays, the experience, the energy. I wanted every single person on that trip to come back home and think that was worth it.

I barely slept.

What That Trip Meant

That Coorg trip wasn't just Copravasi's first journey. It was proof. Proof that the idea was real. Proof that people who love you will move mountains quietly, without making it a big deal. Proof that sometimes the universe sends you your first customers in the form of old friends who never stopped believing in you.

To my high school gang — you didn't just fill seats on a bus. You gave Copravasi its first heartbeat.

And to every solo traveller, every dreamer, every person who has ever felt the pull of the open road and thought I want to share this — this company was built for you.

The journey has just begun. And I can't wait for every road ahead.

The Magical Journey 

The road trip to Coorg with my high school buddies was something we had been planning for a long time. After weeks of discussing dates, making plans, and sharing excitement in the group chat, the journey finally began. Little did we know that these two days would become one of the most memorable chapters of our friendship.

We reached Coorg with fresh energy and started Day 1 by visiting the beautiful Omkareshwara Temple. The peaceful atmosphere and unique architecture instantly gave us a calm start to the trip. From there, we headed to Madikeri Fort, where we explored the old walls, clicked endless group pictures, and spent time learning about the history of the place.

As the evening approached, Raja’s Seat welcomed us with stunning valley views and cool breeze. Watching the sunset with friends while sharing jokes and stories felt simple yet unforgettable. But the real fun began at Dubare Elephant Camp. From watching elephants up close to enjoying the riverside atmosphere, every moment there was filled with excitement and laughter. By the end of the day, we were exhausted, but the late-night conversations, music, and memories made the night even better.

Day 2 was all about adventure and nature. The early morning jeep ride to Mandalpatti Peak was thrilling and bumpy, but the breathtaking mist-covered views at the top made every second worth it. Standing there with clouds floating around us felt unreal. After spending enough time soaking in the beauty, we moved toward the famous Abbey Falls, where the sound of water crashing through the greenery created the perfect nature escape.

One of the hidden gems of the trip was Kotte Abbey Falls, a peaceful and less crowded spot that gave us time to truly enjoy the beauty of Coorg. Later, we relaxed at Chiklihole Reservoir, surrounded by calm waters and greenery, making it one of the most peaceful moments of the journey. Before ending the trip, we visited the Golden Temple at Kushalnagar. The peaceful environment, Tibetan culture, and golden architecture added a completely different experience to our adventure-filled trip.

More than the places we visited, it was the bond, laughter, and togetherness that made the trip special. From singing songs during the drive to revisiting old school memories, every moment felt priceless. As we returned to Bangalore, tired but happy, we carried back not just photos and videos, but memories that we would cherish forever. Coorg gave us beautiful landscapes, but the trip gave us something even more valuable — moments with friends that will stay close to our hearts for years to come.

Special Thanks for my buddies.

— Sharmila Founder, Copravasi