Forest trails, marine adventures and spice plantation (Representative images)
Typically Indian travellers, whether domestical or international, have tended to pack as many destinations and spots on their tight itineraries, simply ticking off the spots from their to-do lists, leaving faint memories of the visit, bar the mandatory photos or selfies.
However, for some, a rushed tour is slowly making way for a more measured and experiential tourism or slow travel where the traveller imbibes the ambience and experience of a destination and its surroundings, instead of simply hopping between cities.
Whether young or experienced travellers, some of them are choosing longer stays in villages, heritage towns and nature-rich regions where they can learn, live and grow.
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Many want time to connect with local culture, people and nature rather than just ticking off landmarks. They enjoy learning traditional crafts, trying local cuisine and participating in community life. Slow travel allows them to unplug from hectic city life, move at their own pace and make meaningful memories.
One travel company embracing this approach is Ghum India Ghum, a Delhi-based tour operator, that has been organising slow travel trips.
“Travellers are no longer satisfied with quick visits,” Aman Sharma, a 28-year-old tour guide with Ghum India Ghum, tells India and You.
“They want to experience local life, stay longer in one place, engage with communities and enjoy nature at a relaxed pace. As per the demands of the travellers, we organise tours so that they return with stories, not just photos,” Sharma adds.
The average spending for slow travel packages ranges from INR 18,000 to INR 40,000 per person for 7-12 day itineraries, including accommodation, meals and guided experiences. Transport options like trains or shared vehicles add to immersion while keeping costs manageable and itself becoming the experience.
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Popular slow travel destinations in India include rural Himachal Pradesh and Uttarakhand, where travellers can stay in village homestays, take part in craft workshops and explore nature trails. In Kerala’s backwaters and beach towns, visitors enjoy spice plantation stays, local cooking sessions and wellness experiences. The Northeast, including Meghalaya and Arunachal Pradesh, attracts those interested in tribal cultures, village life and slow hikes through serene landscapes. Coastal towns like Fort Kochi and Puducherry offer heritage walks, cuisine trails and a relaxed cafe culture, making them ideal for travellers seeking immersive, unhurried experiences.
“The slow tour that I experienced in Kerala changed how I see travel,” Aviraj Pundir, a 24-year-old, Quality Assurance Manager, Indian Pharmacopoeia Commission, tells India and You.
“I have stayed five nights in a Kerala homestay, learned fishing techniques from locals, cooked with them and joined a village festival. It didn’t feel like a holiday, it felt like living somewhere new, memories I will cherish forever,” Pundir adds.
Travellers say they love slow tourism because it blends learning, leisure and personal connection. They can explore at their own pace, interact with locals and discover hidden aspects of a place that fast-paced tours often miss. For many, the joy lies in the journey itself, not just the destination.