Caravan tourism is seeing a surge in popularity, driven by a growing tribe who eschew hotels and hyper-curated experiences in favor of traveling at their own pace, eschewing room service for spontaneity.Soon after sunrise, amidst the misty folds of Igatpuri and the Sahyadri ranges, Vaibhav Surve opens the door of his caravan and steps out barefoot. There are no hotel corridors, no reception desks, no buffet timings to worry about, only rolling hills in the distance, birdsong breaking the silence and a boiling kettle inside a compact kitchen on wheels.“You see nature in its raw, untouched form,” Surve says of his road trip in December with friends. “This is something a hotel room can never provide.”Across India, a small but growing number of travelers are discovering caravan tourism – particularly the joys of leisurely, in-depth travel. This form of tourism, or leisure, is not new around the world, but it is getting a renewed boost in India, largely led by urban explorers. Maharashtra Who have shunned crowded resorts, rigid itineraries and hyper-curated experiences.From sunrise drives on the Konkan coast to unusual sojourns in the forests of Tadoba or the winding Ghats of Goa, caravans are offering something rare in modern travel: control. You decide where to stop, how long to wait, and when to move on. Depending on the place and the circuit offered, renting a caravan costs between Rs 12,000 to Rs 15,000 per day. It’s not cheap, but the freedom is addictive for those who can afford it.Slow promotion, growing marketThis increase in interest is happening despite poor and irregular promotion by governments. Policies are in place, incentive schemes are announced, but at the grassroots level, awareness is still largely driven by word of mouth, social media and early adopters.“Mumbai is emerging as a major market for caravans,” says Prateek Athalaye of The Vacay Vans, one of Maharashtra’s well-known caravan providers. “Travelers are opting for everything – from raw camping to luxury city-to-city travel. “After managing Vans for six years, I have seen how increased awareness is driving strong demand.”This demand cuts across different age groups. Young professionals want road trips without the hassle of hotel booking. Families want safety, hygiene and flexibility. Elderly travelers prefer to keep their bed, toilet and kitchen with them at all times. Female travelers and pet owners, often deprived of traditional travel options, find caravans liberating.Akshay Mhadik, who recently traveled in a rented caravan, calls it “the perfect blend of adventure and homey comfort”. He misses a huge bed, a compact kitchen for quick meals and the luxury of choosing a destination at will. “If you’ve ever dreamed of picking a spot on a map and going there without worrying about a hotel or packing lights, this is the way to go,” he says.Why does Maharashtra fit into the caravan dream?Maharashtra is suitable for caravan tourism due to its 720 km long coastline, dense forests, heritage towns, wine trails, highways and hill ranges.Before the pandemic, in 2018-19, the state recorded 12.4 crore visitors, which translated into about 3.1 crore travel groups annually. Industry estimates suggest that to cater to even a 1% share of this market, around 1,725 caravans would be required – enough to generate around Rs 465 crore annually in rental revenue at current rates.The state government has launched a caravan tourism policy with incentives aimed at attracting private players and young entrepreneurs. But industry insiders say implementation remains uneven, leaving much of the momentum to the private sector.The private sector is full of ideas to increase caravan travel but is hampered by a lack of finance options, says Rahul Soman, director of Vacations on Wheels (WOW), which launched caravan rentals in Maharashtra in 2016, the first to do so. “Individual investors are now keen to invest in Caravan, as Mahindra Caravan is being offered with bank finance option. But this business still does not fit into any finance scheme of the financial institutions.“The organic growth of the market is such that WOW Caravan is setting up a network of dedicated parking spots at tourist locations across the state. This will give all caravan operators access to facilities at scenic parking locations near lakes, beaches, forests, forts, hills or river banks – such as clean sewage disposal facilities, and water and electricity supply. “However, funds to set up this caravan eco-system are difficult to get without any collateral,” says Soman.Another state where caravan holidays are seeing interest is Rajasthan, which, enthusiasts say, offers freedom, raw beauty and cultural immersion. Aman Verma, who recently hired a caravan to tour the state, recalls evenings spent around campfires, listening to folk music and watching Kalbeliya dance. Seeing the golden hues of the Thar Desert near Jaisalmer, or spending the night under the starry sky, feels truly magical, he says.“We sampled local sweets and explored havelis,” says Verma. “Our caravan became a cozy home on wheels, giving us the opportunity to stop wherever the view struck – whether it was wild camping in tranquil desert spots, near ancient temples, or pulling up for spontaneous tea with hospitable locals who shared stories. Rajasthan in a van or caravan isn’t just travel – it’s the royal, colorful heart of India, Living the rhythm of an open horizon one day at a time,” says Verma, who has a YouTube travel channel.private initiativeOne of the biggest initiatives in the caravan sector has come from private player Campervan Group, which has signed an MoU with it. Tamil Nadu The government is committing Rs 185 crore over the next three to five years to develop caravan infrastructure and entrepreneurs. The project is also expected to create 300 direct entrepreneurs and around 3,000 indirect jobs.Industry watchers believe that Maharashtra could be next. With Mumbai’s large base of road-trip enthusiasts and the state’s natural advantages, similar partnerships can unlock economic value if policy intent is translated into action.Campervan also recently announced a nationwide CARS (Caravan-as-Rental-Service) entrepreneurship program, which has a simple idea: to turn caravan tourism into a structured industry, not just a niche travel fad.Founder and director KM Vandhan says the goal was to establish caravan tourism as a large-scale industry in India. The company has contributed to the drafting of state tourism policies and the national AIS 207 Trailer Caravan Guidelines, which are now awaiting notification.To support operators and travelers, Campervan has also created TravelKit, a booking platform that connects caravan renters with operators and secure parking locations – from farmhouses and homestays to resorts and private land. Agrotourism in particular is seen as a win-win, providing farmers with a source of additional income.‘Not just a destination’However, for travelers like Surve, the appeal of caravan tourism remains intensely personal. “It’s not just about the destination,” he says. “It’s about waking up to the hills, sharing a meal under the open sky and feeling like a part of the landscape.”In a country racing towards fast, flashy tourism, caravan travel is quietly arguing for something slower, softer – and perhaps more meaningful. And on India’s long highways, that argument is finding more listeners by the day.
