Thomas Cook (India) Limited—India’s leading omnichannel travel services company—and its group company, SOTC Travel, have announced the expansion of their spiritual portfolio across key pilgrimage destinations in India and the subcontinent, catering to both group and customised tours. Traditionally, Indian spiritual pilgrimages have often been perceived as challenging and uncomfortable—marked by long journeys, limited connectivity, and inadequate infrastructure. Recognising these challenges, Thomas Cook India & SOTC Travel have designed tours by introducing aerial darshans, guided tours, VIP access for darshans, and more.
Rooted in the philosophy that ‘India is a Pilgrimage,’ the tours have been designed to cater to the spiritual aspirations of a broad spectrum of travellers – from Gen S (seniors) who value time-honoured traditions and multi-generational families to millennials and Gen Z travellers seeking spirituality as a path to mindfulness, wellness, and cultural discovery—seamlessly blending sacred journeys with unique local experiences.
Mr. Rajeev Kale, President & Country Head, Holidays, MICE, Visa—Thomas Cook (India) Limited, said, “Spiritual tourism is no longer limited to a season or festival—it has become a year-round experience. India’s vast spiritual landscape offers travellers an unparalleled opportunity to engage with its deep-rooted spiritual ethos while also immersing themselves in the country’s rich heritage and culture. To inspire not just seniors and families but also young India’s millennials, working professionals, and groups of friends, we have expanded our spiritual tours at key spiritual sites, coupled with unique local experiences like river rafting and kayaking in Rishikesh, paragliding in Vaishno Devi, and cuisine trails in Varanasi and Haridwar. This initiative strengthens our domestic and spiritual travel segment, offering travellers a meaningful way to connect with the soul of India.”
Mr. S.D. Nandakumar, President & Country Head – Holidays and Corporate Tours, SOTC Travel Limited, said, “We are witnessing strong demand for our Darshans portfolio, with destinations like Char Dham and Kailash Mansarovar ranking among the most sought-after pilgrimage sites. There is also significant interest in Ayodhya, Dwarka, Vaishno Devi, Tirupati, Rishikesh, Haridwar, and Ujjain. This is gaining momentum not just from India’s metro cities, but also from regional mini-metros and tier 2–3 cities. To enhance comfort and convenience, we have introduced premium aerial darshans to select sacred locations via helicopters. Furthermore, to address the challenges of spiritual travel in India, we’ve curated end-to-end tours that offer our customers assurance and ease—covering transport, accommodation, VIP/escorted darshans, guides, and more. Our meaningful TravSure assurance programme covers select pilgrimage sites, ensuring a safe, smooth, and hassle-free experience with comprehensive travel insurance and on-ground support.”