Thomas Cook India & SOTC Travel deepens focus on Spiritual Tourism Leveraging strong demand with a diverse range of pilgrimages across India & the Subcontinent

Mumbai, August 7, 2025: Thomas Cook (India) Limited – India’s leading omnichannel travel services company, and its Group Company, SOTC Travel, have announced the expansion of their spiritual portfolio across key pilgrimage destinations in India and the subcontinent, catering to both group and customized tours.

Traditionally, Indian spiritual pilgrimages have often been perceived as challenging and uncomfortable —marked by long journeys, limited connectivity and infrastructure. Recognising these challenges, Thomas Cook India & SOTC Travel have designed tours by introducing aerial darshans, guided tours, VIP access for darshans and more.

Rooted in the philosophy that ‘India is a Pilgrimage’, the tours have been designed to cater to the spiritual aspirations of a broad spectrum of travellers - from GenS (seniors) who value time-honoured traditions, multi-generational families to millennials and GenZ travellers seeking spirituality as a path to mindfulness, wellness and cultural discovery—seamlessly blending sacred journeys with unique local experiences.

Key highlights:

· A curated portfolio of 11 iconic pilgrimage sites across India’s vast geography, covering temples, shrines and sacred rivers across India and the Indian subcontinent

· Certified local tour experts who offer deep insights into the history and cultural significance of each site, while facilitating seamless access and VIP/escorted darshans at key pilgrimage locations

· Special aartis, pujas and spiritual rituals conducted with accompanying pandits for a personalized spiritual experience

· Pure Vegetarian/Jain meal options to align with travellers’ religious and dietary preferences

· Premium aerial darshans (via helicopters) at select pilgrimage sites for faster, more comfortable access to remote & high-altitude spiritual circuits

Top group tour pilgrimage circuits

· Char Dham Yatra (Yamunotri, Gangotri, Kedarnath, Badrinath) — The Himalayan spiritual circuit of great reverence via aerial darshans

· Kailash Mansarovar Yatra — A sacred journey to the abode of Lord Shiva via aerial darshans

· Kashi Prayagraj Ayodhya Bodh Gaya Yatra — Sacred sites along the river Ganga, steeped in mythology and history, rites and rituals.

· Dwarka Somnath Yatra — Gujarat’s twin pilgrimages celebrating Lord Krishna and Lord Shiva

· Tirupati to Trivandrum — South India’s iconic temple circuits for spiritual fulfilment

· Haridwar Rishikesh Yatra — Spiritual wellness on the banks of the Ganges

· Ujjain Omkareshwar to Bhimashankar Grishneshwar Yatra — sacred Shiva circuits in Malwa region of Madhya Pradesh to Maharashtra

· Kashi to Kathmandu To Muktinath To Janakpur - Bharat Nepāl Mahayātrā covering spiritual landmarks across both nations

· Puri Jagannath Yatra – a cornerstone of India’s Char Dham circuit and key spiritual landmark in Odisha

· Ramayan Yatras Covering India, Sri Lanka and Nepal

· Short Getaways to Vaishno Devi, Amritsar, Shirdi, Rishikesh, Mathura, Velankanni, etc.

In addition, we also offer a wide range of customised pilgrimage tours tailored to individual preferences and requirements.

Mr. Rajeev Kale, President & Country Head, Holidays, MICE, Visa – Thomas Cook (India) Limited said, “Spiritual tourism is no longer limited to a season or festival – it has become a year-round experience. India’s vast spiritual landscape offers travellers an unparalleled opportunity to engage with its deep-rooted spiritual ethos, while also immersing themselves in the country’s rich heritage and culture. With an intent is to inspire not just seniors and families but also young India’s millennials, working professionals and groups of friends, we have expanded our spiritual tours at key spiritual sites coupled with unique local experiences like river-rafting and kayaking in Rishikesh, paragliding in Vaishno Devi, cuisine trails in Varanasi and Haridwar. This initiative strengthens our domestic and spiritual travel segment, offering travellers a meaningful way to connect with the soul of India.”

Mr. S.D. Nandakumar, President & Country Head - Holidays and Corporate Tours, SOTC Travel Limited said, “We are witnessing strong demand for our Darshans portfolio, with destinations like Char Dham and Kailash Mansarovar ranking among the most sought-after pilgrimage sites. There is also significant interest in Ayodhya, Dwarka, Vaishno Devi, Tirupati, Rishikesh, Haridwar, and Ujjain. This is gaining momentum not just from India’s metro cities, but also from regional mini-metros and tier 2–3 cities.

To enhance comfort and convenience, we have introduced premium aerial darshans to select sacred locations via helicopters. Furthermore, address the challenges of spiritual travel in India, we’ve curated end-to-end tours that offer our customers assurance and ease—covering transport, accommodation, VIP/escorted darshans, guides and more. Our meaningful TravSure assurance programme covers select pilgrimage sites ensuring a safe, smooth and hassle-free experience with comprehensive travel insurance and on-ground support.”