Indian travellers are embracing holidays all year round — and the trend is only getting stronger thanks to easier visas, rising travel intent and a growing preference for flexible, value-driven getaways. Tapping into this shift, Thomas Cook India and SOTC Travel have launched an exciting new way to holiday: Private Van Tours across some of the most-loved short-haul destinations.
Think of it as the best of both worlds — the convenience and pricing of a group tour, but the freedom and comfort of a personalised holiday.
Designed for small groups of 4 to 12 people, these Van Tours are perfect for:
- Families and multigenerational holidays
- Groups of friends or “frolleagues”
- Women travellers
- Mini reunions
- Birthday, anniversary, and bachelor/bachelorette trips
Each tour is thoughtfully crafted to blend structured sightseeing with the freedom to explore at your own pace. Helping travellers along the way is a knowledgeable local English-speaking driver-guide, who brings in the comfort and insider tips that make travel truly effortless.
Destinations That Are Close, Convenient & Captivating
Spanning an average of seven days, these tours cover a wide range of short-haul favourites: Vietnam, Japan, South Korea, Oman, Philippines, China, Dubai, Abu Dhabi, Georgia, Uzbekistan, Kazakhstan, Cambodia and Laos.
Travellers enjoy:
- Premium private vehicles
- Quality 4-star hotels within city limits (with breakfast)
- Must-see attractions
- Unlimited bottled water and soft drinks
Prices start from just ₹38,000 for seven nights in Bali, going up to ₹3 lakhs for Japan (excluding airfare and meals) — delivering comfort and great value.
Why Van Tours Work So Well
Rajeev Kale, President & Country Head – Holidays, MICE & Visa, Thomas Cook India, sums it up perfectly:
“Indians are travelling more frequently and looking for holidays that combine convenience, affordability and flexibility. Our Van Tours let travellers personalise their journey — start later, spend more time at their favourite spots, uncover hidden gems — all with the comfort of a chauffeur-driven van and an English-speaking driver-guide.”
Adding to this, S.D. Nandakumar, President & Country Head – Holidays & Corporate Tours, SOTC Travel, said:
“Demand is rising not just from metros but also from Tier 2 and 3 cities. Travellers want memorable experiences at great pricing. Van Tours offer exactly that — intimate group sizes, comfort, and visa-friendly short-haul destinations.”