Short answer: Abhilasha and Dhanush are a Bengaluru-based couple behind the Instagram account @backpackwithbae_, with 119.6K followers as of August 2025. They left IT careers to become full-time digital nomads, and their travel-food-lifestyle content makes them a strong macro-influencer pick for travel, F&B and lifestyle brands targeting young urban Indians.
In today’s digital landscape, where attention drifts toward authentic voices and relatable stories, travel influencers have become powerful connectors between brands and audiences. Among the growing tribe of storytellers, Abhilasha and Dhanush, the Bengaluru-based couple behind @backpackwithbae_, stand out as a compelling example of how passion, creativity and relatability can be turned into a thriving personal brand. With a steady community of over 119,000 followers, their journey offers real insights for marketers exploring influencer partnerships in India’s travel and lifestyle sector.
From IT Specialists to Storytellers on the Road
Every influencer has an origin story. Some stay shrouded, but the little we know about Abhilasha and Dhanush makes their journey deeply relatable. Their Instagram bio reads: “An IT specialist & a creative head exploring this beautiful world together.” One line, two clear roles, and a quiet hint of the leap they took toward a less conventional life.
Like many young Indians, they began in the structured world of corporate IT. But somewhere along the way, wanderlust tugged harder than routine. Their move into full-time digital nomadism wasn’t just a career pivot, it was a lifestyle statement that resonates with a generation dreaming of trading cubicles for cafes by the beach or co-working spaces in mountain towns.
I remember speaking with a friend who, after years in finance, decided to work remotely while travelling across South Asia. She used to tell me that watching Indian couples like @backpackwithbae_ gave her the courage to believe such a lifestyle was actually possible. That’s the power of relatability. They don’t just showcase destinations, they embody a dream many people aspire to live, and that’s a different kind of marketing currency.
How Does Their Three-Pillar Content Strategy Work?
The magic of @backpackwithbae_ lies not just in where they go, but in how they tell the story. Their content weaves three strong threads, travel, food and lifestyle, into a profile that feels well-rounded rather than fragmented.
Travel: Beyond the Usual Postcards
Their feed jumps from serene beaches to bustling bazaars. But what sets them apart is balance. They cover mainstream destinations and hidden gems, giving followers inspiration plus practical travel tips and honest reviews of accommodations. For someone planning a first solo trip or a couple chasing offbeat honeymoon ideas, their content lands less like marketing and more like advice from a trusted friend.
Food: A Cultural Lens
Food isn’t just sustenance, it’s storytelling. Abhilasha and Dhanush get this, and they dedicate a real chunk of their posts to culinary experiences. Whether it’s savouring street-side momos in Delhi or indulging in fine dining in Goa, they treat flavours as part of the travel itself. Which doesn’t only appeal to foodies, it opens doors for collaborations with restaurants, beverage companies and global F&B brands eager to tap into India’s expanding culinary culture.
Lifestyle: Beyond Travel and Taste
Their third pillar (lifestyle) broadens the canvas. From glimpses of arts and entertainment to snippets of family life, they share more than itineraries. This holistic approach keeps them accessible and gives brands a versatile platform for campaigns across fashion, wellness or gadgets.
Who Follows @backpackwithbae_? Audience Insights
With 119.6K followers as of August 2025, Abhilasha and Dhanush qualify as macro-influencers. But numbers alone never tell the full story. Their audience is likely composed of young to middle-aged urban Indians, many of whom are professionals quietly drawn to the dream of flexible travel and a taste-driven lifestyle.
Bengaluru, their home base, plays a key role here. As India’s tech capital, the city is teeming with millennials and Gen Z workers who are not just digitally savvy but increasingly willing to spend on experiences over possessions. For marketers, this means @backpackwithbae_ offers access to an audience that has both aspiration and purchasing power, which is the harder combination to find.
Engagement matters as much as reach. Follower counts grab headlines, but it’s likes, comments, shares and saves that reveal real influence, and a deeper look at their posts shows lively interaction rather than passive scrolling, which suggests genuine community involvement.
The Relatability Factor: Why They Work
There’s a reason influencer marketing has overtaken traditional advertising in effectiveness. Trust. And Abhilasha and Dhanush carry that. They aren’t celebrities living unattainable lives. They’re a couple who once held IT jobs and now live a dream many harbour. That’s why their endorsements feel believable, not staged.
A Nielsen report once found that 92% of consumers trust recommendations from individuals over brands. Which is exactly why influencers like @backpackwithbae_ matter. They serve as the bridge between aspiration and action, helping audiences picture themselves inside the narrative rather than outside it.
Challenges and Considerations
Of course, no strategy is without hurdles. For marketers, due diligence is essential. Engagement rates need close monitoring, since a large follower count doesn’t always translate to conversion, and it’s important to ensure alignment between brand values and the influencers’ content style. Forced or mismatched partnerships risk alienating the very audience the brand is trying to win.
Another factor is saturation. With so many influencers in the travel space, brands must work collaboratively to craft campaigns that feel fresh, not repetitive. Creativity in campaign design (think follower polls, behind-the-scenes stories, interactive elements) can help cut through. Or rather, it has to, because the alternative is being scrolled past.
A Partnership Worth Considering
Abhilasha and Dhanush, through @backpackwithbae_, have done more than document their travels. They’ve built a brand that is aspirational yet relatable, polished yet authentic. For marketers, that combination makes them an ideal partner across travel, lifestyle and food.
Their journey reflects the evolving aspirations of India’s young professionals. People eager to explore. Willing to spend. Searching for voices they can trust. By tapping into influencers like them, brands don’t just gain exposure, they gain credibility that’s hard to manufacture.
As the digital marketing landscape gets more crowded, the winners will be those who recognise and harness authenticity. And in @backpackwithbae_, marketers might just find the perfect co-travellers for that journey.
FAQs about Abhilasha, Dhanush and travel influencer marketing
Who are Abhilasha and Dhanush?
Abhilasha and Dhanush are a Bengaluru-based couple who run the Instagram account @backpackwithbae_. Their bio describes them as “an IT specialist & a creative head exploring this beautiful world together,” and they have transitioned from corporate IT careers into full-time digital nomadism.
How many followers does @backpackwithbae_ have?
As of August 2025, @backpackwithbae_ has 119.6K followers, putting Abhilasha and Dhanush in the macro-influencer tier. Their audience skews toward young to middle-aged urban Indians, especially professionals based in tech hubs like Bengaluru.
What kind of content do Abhilasha and Dhanush post?
Their content rests on three pillars: travel, food and lifestyle. They cover both mainstream destinations and hidden gems, document culinary experiences from Delhi street food to Goa fine dining, and share lifestyle moments across arts, entertainment and family life.
Why are influencers like @backpackwithbae_ effective for brands?
A Nielsen report found 92% of consumers trust recommendations from individuals over brands. Couples like Abhilasha and Dhanush feel relatable rather than celebrity-distant, which makes their endorsements believable, especially for travel, F&B and lifestyle products.
What should brands consider before partnering with travel influencers in India?
Brands should track engagement rates closely, since follower count alone doesn’t guarantee conversion, and they should make sure brand values align with the influencer’s content style. Saturation is another concern, so creative campaign design with interactive elements like follower polls or behind-the-scenes stories can help campaigns stand out.
