India Winter Travel Sees 34 Per Cent Rise in Early Bookings and Longer Stays

Zostel data shows travellers opting for early bookings and experience-led journeys across India

Winter travel in India is gaining momentum as travellers plan trips earlier, stay longer, and focus on experience-led itineraries. The season is shaped by slower travel and deliberate planning, with a preference for meaningful journeys.

According to Zostel’s latest winter travel data, based on analysis of more than 620,000 bookings across 120+ properties, early bookings for December 2025 to February 2026 have increased by 34 per cent compared to last year. The average booking lead time has expanded from eight days last winter to 21 days this season, indicating a shift towards planned, experience-focused travel.

Cold-weather and landscape-driven destinations are leading winter demand. Locations such as the Sam Desert in Jaisalmer, Kareri in Dharamshala, Manali, Srinagar, Sangla and Kasol are showing strong booking growth. Smaller destinations, including Pulga and Tosh, have seen more than 40 per cent growth. Established destinations such as Nainital and Udaipur continue to attract steady interest.

Traveller behaviour is evolving across segments. Solo backpackers remain consistent, while a growing number of travellers prioritise value-driven, experience-focused trips. In Tirthan Valley, average stays have increased to six–seven nights, with winter treks and slow-travel activities being booked well in advance.

Aviral Gupta, Chief Executive Officer of Zo World and Zostel, said, “We are witnessing a structural transformation in how young Indians travel. Winter is no longer about short breaks. Travellers want longer stays, deeper experiences and meaningful connections to destinations. Trek-led travel and community-driven stays are no longer niche behaviours, they are becoming mainstream.”

Group travel demand is also increasing, with bookings up between 22 per cent and 27 per cent across Kasol, Shimla, Nainital, Lonavala, Jodhpur and Kochi. At the same time, plains-based cultural destinations are growing 41 per cent faster than hill destinations, reflecting a balanced winter travel preference.

With easing tax structures, winter travel is becoming more accessible. Zostel has introduced daily social and activity-led programmes across multiple properties without increasing base room prices. Properties offering curated community experiences report 18 per cent higher occupancy compared to accommodation-only properties.

Early trends are shaping travel patterns for 2026. Lead times for spontaneous trips have shortened to seven–10 days, while average stay durations have increased by 25 per cent across destinations. Rising disposable incomes among younger travellers are driving demand for culturally immersive, experience-led journeys, as seen in the growth of Zo Trips, including offerings such as Grand Prix Zo Trips and Northern Lights Zo Trips.

Zostel’s insights indicate that Indian travel is shifting from volume-driven tourism to depth-driven experiences, signalling how young Indians are likely to travel in 2026 and beyond.