Indian travelers are continuing their enthusiastic embrace of holidays even after the peak summer season, drawn by cooler weather, vibrant landscapes, and significant value. Capitalizing on this trend, Thomas Cook (India) Limited, and its Group Company, SOTC Travel, have rolled out their exclusive Monsoon Holidays 2025 portfolio, covering destinations across India and the sub-continent.
Historically, the monsoon period has been considered a quieter travel season. However, it’s now gaining considerable traction due to its compelling value proposition. Travellers are increasingly taking advantage of off-season pricing, coupled with special deals and discounts from airlines and hotels, and fewer crowds, to explore India’s breathtaking beauty.
This shift in traveler sentiment is strongly supported by the Thomas Cook India and SOTC’s India Holiday Report. The report indicates a significant uptick in travel plans, with 85% of respondents aiming to double or even triple their holidays, moving from an average of two trips a year to four to six annual getaways. The report also highlights a growing trend towards smart holiday planning, with 47% of respondents intending to utilize long weekends and public holidays for short breaks and multiple “mini-cations,” making the monsoon an ideal time for such trips.
In a further boost to monsoon travel, Thomas Cook India and SOTC have announced attractive offers, including discounted deals and special ‘Buy One Get One Free’ (BOGO) offers on select packages. This makes monsoon travel an even more appealing option for Indian travelers.
Monsoon holidays are witnessing strong interest from diverse traveller segments, including young Gen Z and millennial individuals, working professionals, couples, and multi-generational families. A notable emerging segment is ‘frolleagues’ – colleagues who also travel as friends.
Adventure and outdoor activities continue to be a significant driver of demand, particularly among young travelers. Popular experiences include hiking in Tawang, biking in Rishikesh, exhilarating waterfall trekking, white-water rafting, and zip-lining in Dawki.
There’s a growing preference for nature-based stays and immersive experiences. Travelers are increasingly opting for unique accommodations like floating cottages and houseboats, along with eco-resorts featuring tree-top cabins and tree houses. Guided treks to picturesque locations such as the Valley of Flowers in Uttarakhand and Kas Pathar in Maharashtra are also popular. Additionally, river kayaking and mangrove explorations in the Sundarbans and Goa’s Chorao Island are drawing interest.
Regional and cultural festivals are also attracting travelers during this season, with events like the Snake Boat Races in Alleppey, the Puri Rath Yatra in Odisha, the Kandy Perahera festival in Sri Lanka, and local festivals in Ladakh generating excitement.
Wellness tourism is on the rise, with travelers increasingly seeking traditional Ayurveda treatments and retreats in Kerala, alongside yoga and wellness getaways in Rishikesh and Gokarna. Spiritual and pilgrimage tourism maintains its consistent demand for key circuits such as the 12 Jyotirlingas, Char Dham, Rameswaram, Dwarka, Omkareshwar, and Varanasi.
Romantic holidays during the monsoon are also a growing trend among couples, who are drawn to serene hill stations, tranquil beaches, and backwater retreats.
Mini-cations, drive-cations, and weekend getaways remain top choices for short escapes. Popular routes include: From Mumbai/Pune: Lonavala, Mahabaleshwar, Nashik; From Delhi NCR: Mussoorie, Rishikesh, Jaipur; and From Bangalore/Hyderabad: Coorg, Wayanad, Ooty
Top domestic destinations experiencing high demand include Ladakh, Kashmir, Spiti Valley, Goa, Kerala, Andamans, Coorg, Ooty, Mysore, Nilgiris, Cherrapunji, Mawsynram, Shillong, and various parts of Rajasthan like Udaipur and Jaisalmer. Within the Indian sub-continent, Nepal, Sri Lanka, and Bhutan are top picks. Cruises are also gaining popularity as a hassle-free, all-inclusive monsoon option, with Cordelia Cruises from Chennai to Singapore, Thailand, and Malaysia being a notable choice.
Furthermore, short-haul international destinations are seeing increased interest this season, including Indonesia, Thailand, Singapore, Malaysia, Dubai, Abu Dhabi, and island paradises like Maldives and Mauritius.
Mr. Rajeev Kale, President & Country Head – Holidays, MICE, Visa, Thomas Cook (India) Ltd., remarked, “India’s monsoon is a magical season, offering lush, cooler climates and an abundance of hidden gems. Being a traditionally quieter travel period, it’s the perfect time to explore the outdoors and enjoy travel at discounted rates with special offers. We’ve even introduced ‘Buy One Get One Free’ (BOGO) offers on select packages to provide even greater value to our customers. From serene backwaters to thrilling wildlife safaris, invigorating biking trails, spiritual circuits, and rejuvenating Ayurveda retreats, our Monsoon Holidays cater to every type of traveler, across families, millennials, working professionals, groups of friends, couples, and frolleagues.”
Mr. S.D. Nandakumar, President & Country Head – Holidays & Corporate Tours – SOTC Travel, added, “The monsoon season is unlocking exciting opportunities for travelers to experience India at its most vibrant and lush. From mist-covered hills to rain-kissed forests, we’ve crafted experiences that truly capture the untapped beauty of this season. We’re also observing a shift beyond metropolitan areas, with growing demand from Tier 2 and 3 cities. Micro-breaks, mini-cations, and weekend getaways are becoming the new norm, as travelers seek shorter, more frequent holidays. Our monsoon portfolio is designed to meet these evolving preferences with carefully curated itineraries, flexible options, and fantastic value.”
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