Have you been hearing the word ‘Experiential travel’ used often lately when people are describing their travel experience? When people use the term – experiential travel, it is usually followed by a series of rich, culturally immersive, fun and meaningful experiences they’ve had during their trip.
If they can’t seem to stop talking about it, they’re not to blame haha. Experiential travel tends to leave you with the fondest memories and lasting impressions of the place and its people.
What exactly is Experiential Travel?
Well, Experiential Travel is a way of travelling where you experience a place by immersing yourself in the local way of life thus engaging with its culture, people, history, food and environment.
Few examples of this could be:
- Staying at a local homestay
- Cooking local recipes with a family
- Trekking with a local guide who shares stories of the place
- Attending local crafts workshops
- Adventure activities that the local take part in too
So, unlike traditional tourism where you’d go to famous landmarks, visit restaurants and stay at a hotel, experiential travel focuses on authentic, meaningful and more enjoyable experiences.
Expereintial travel is surely the way to travel in 2025. Read why it is the next big trend – Is experiential travel the next big trend? – National Geographic
Experiential travel in India
Lately, experiential travel has become popular in India and rightfully so. India is a country rich in culture and traditions, diverse in geography and climate.
From the beautiful hills of the north-east to the golden desert of the west, the snow-clad mountains of the north to the warm beaches of the south, India offers a unique set of experiences to be had in every corner.
With the rise in demand for experiential travel and unique travel experiences, travel stakeholders in India have already taken steps provide you with such experiences. It would come as no surprise if India becomes a major destination for conscious travellers looking for experiential travel.
Read more about Experiential travel in India : Intimate, niche and out-of-the-ordinary: Unlocking the rise of experiential tourism in India – Hindustan Times
Where to find Experiential Travel in India
Experiential travel is usually made to lesser-known places or places that aren’t saturated by tourism. These places aren’t your popular tourist destinations but rather a slightly remote place in the same destination.
Here are some destinations that you could experience:
Meghalaya
- Stay with a local Khasi family in their homestay
- Hire a local guide and go hiking/ trekking
- Explore hidden gems like hidden natural pools
- Go river rafting and caving
- Experience tribal festivals
Darjeeling & Sikkim
- Stay in eco-homestays immersed in nature
- Take guided walks through the town and old markets
- Go trekking through national parks
- Take part in local adventure festivals like the mud festival
- Take a cooking lesson to make momo
Read our article on sustainable tourism in Darjeeling & Sikkim: How to Experience Sustainable Tourism in Darjeeling and Sikkim
Ladakh
- Stay in a monastery guesthouse
- Participate in local festivals
- Learn about local Buddhist culture
- Learn traditional Ladakhi cooking
- Visit sustainable schools and learn about sustainable technology
Rajasthan
- Go on a unique desert safari
- Experience unique art & culture of the Rajasthanis
- Visit historical forts
- Take a guided tour of palaces and the surrounding city
Goa
- Visit spice farms and join a cooking workshop
- Stay at community run eco-stays
- Explore old Portuguese villages on foot or bicycle
Auroville – Tami Nadu
- Go for morning meditation in the community centre
- Stay in eco-friendly stays and farms run by the community
- Join workshops in pottery, yoga, organic farming, or alternative healing
- Learn about the history of Auroville
- Eat food made from locally sourced ingredients
Kerala
- Stay in a houseboat in the backwaters
- Join Ayurveda wellness retreat
- Walk through villages and learn about the history
- Attend tribal rituals and festivals
- Visit local markets and go boating
Arunachal Pradesh
- Stay with indigenous tribes at their homestays
- Attend Ziro festival which is a sustainable music festival
- Trek through beautiful valleys
- Learn bamboo and cane handicrafts
Varanasi – Uttar Pradesh
- Experience boat rides on the Ganges
- Learn basics in classical music, tabla and sitar from local maestros
- Take a guided tour of the temples and the city
- Join a silk weaving workshop
Lakhswadeep
- Stay on untouched islands with local families
- Go for kayaking, snorkeling and lagoon explorations
- Learn about coral conservation projects
Read our other article on sustainable destinations across India : Best Eco-friendly and Sustainable Travel Destinations in India (2025)
Conclusion
Experiential travel is all about experiencing the true essence of the place which is its people, culture and environment. Wouldn’t you rather experience a place to its fullest by connecting with its people, understanding its culture, having unique experiences all the while supporting the local community, than just visit on a surface level and move on?
Experiential travel not only enriches your soul with meaningful experiences but also helps the economy of local communities. Sustainability being an integral part of experiential travel, keep the environment safe and further improves the nature of tourism in India.
To read about more travel in India, go here! – https://tripdoko.com/blog/
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