Thomas Cook India and SOTC Travel Launches Monsoon Holidays 2025 Portfolio

Indian travellers are demonstrating a robust enthusiasm for holidays even after the peak summer rush, drawn by cooler weather, scenic landscapes, and great value. In response, Thomas Cook (India) Limited, India’s leading omnichannel travel services provider, along with its Group Company, SOTC Travel, has introduced their Monsoon Holidays 2025 portfolio across India and the wider subcontinent.

Traditionally considered a quiet period, the monsoon season is now gaining popularity thanks to its compelling value proposition. Travellers are taking advantage of off-season pricing, limited crowds, and exclusive deals from airlines and hotels to explore India’s stunning scenery.

This trend is reflected in Thomas Cook India’s and SOTC’s India Holiday Report, which highlights a rise in travel enthusiasm: 85 per cent of respondents plan to double or even triple their holidays, increasing from two trips per year to 4-6 holidays annually. The report also notes a growing inclination towards smart holiday planning, with 47 per cent aiming to maximise long weekends and public holidays for short breaks and mini-cations — making monsoon an ideal time to travel.

In addition, the companies have announced attractive monsoon holiday offers, including discount deals and ‘Buy One Get One Free’ (BOGO) promotions on selected packages, making this season an excellent opportunity for Indian holidaymakers.

Key Highlights of Monsoon Holidays:

• A wide range of travellers:Interests span from Gen Z and millennials to working professionals, couples, multigenerational families, and the emerging ‘frolleagues’ segment (colleagues who are also friends).

• Adventure and outdoor activities:Especially popular among young travellers, with hiking in Tawang, cycling in Rishikesh, waterfall treks, rafting, and zip-lining in Dawki.

• Nature-inspired stays & experiences:Including unique accommodations and nature excursions like guided treks to the Valley of Flowers in Uttarakhand, Kas Pathar in Maharashtra, river kayaking and mangrove explorations in the Sundarbans and Goa’s Chorao Island; plus stays in floating cottages, eco-resorts, and treehouses.

• Regional and cultural festivals:Such as the Snake Boat Races in Alleppey, Puri Rath Yatra in Odisha, Kandy Perahera in Sri Lanka, and local festivals in Ladakh.

• Wellness tourism:Rising interest in Ayurvedic retreats in Kerala and yoga & wellness escapes in Rishikesh and Gokarna.

• Spiritual and pilgrimage trips:Popular circuits include the 12 Jyotirlingas, Char Dham, Rameswaram, Dwarka, Omkareshwar, and Varanasi.

• Romantic getaways:Increasing number of couples are choosing scenic hill stations, beaches, and backwater retreats during the monsoon.

• Mini-cations & short escapes:With top destinations including:

  • From Mumbai/Pune: Lonavala, Mahabaleshwar, Nashik
  • From Delhi NCR: Mussoorie, Rishikesh, Jaipur
  • From Bangalore/Hyderabad: Coorg, Wayanad, Ooty

• Favourite destinations:

  • Within India:Ladakh, Kashmir, Spiti Valley, Goa, Kerala, Andamans, Coorg, Ooty, Mysore, Nilgiris, Cherrapunji, Mawsynram, Shillong, Rajasthan (Udaipur, Jaisalmer)
  • In the Indian subcontinent:Nepal, Sri Lanka, Bhutan

• Crucial appeal:Cruises, such as Cordelia Cruises from Chennai to Singapore, Thailand, and Malaysia, are gaining popularity for a hassle-free, all-inclusive monsoon experience.

Furthermore, short-haul international destinations like Indonesia, Thailand, Singapore, Malaysia, Dubai, Abu Dhabi, and island paradises such as the Maldives and Mauritius are seeing increased interest during this season.

Rajeev Kale, President & Country Head – Holidays, MICE, Visa, Thomas Cook (India) Ltd, said, "India’s monsoon is a magical season with lush, cooler climes and full of hidden gems. Being a traditionally low season for travel, Monsoon is the perfect time to embrace the great outdoors and experience travel at discounted rates with special offers. We have also launched ‘Buy One Get One Free’ (BOGO) offers on select packages to enhance value for our customers. From backwaters to wildlife safaris, biking trails, spiritual circuits to Ayurveda retreats, our Monsoon Holidays offer something for every traveller across segments of families, millennials, working professionals, group of friends, couples and colleagues.”

S D Nandakumar, President & Country Head - Holidays & Corporate Tours - SOTC Travel, also commented, “The monsoon season is opening up exciting opportunities for travellers to experience India at its lush and vibrant best. From mist-covered hills to rain-kissed forests, we’ve designed experiences that capture the untapped beauty of the season. We’re also seeing a shift beyond metros, with growing demand from Tier 2 and 3 cities. Micro-breaks, mini-cations and weekend getaways are becoming the new norm, as travellers seek shorter, more frequent holidays. Our monsoon portfolio is designed to cater to these evolving preferences with curated itineraries, flexible options and great value.”