Renting or buying a caravan provides a unique thrill. The wide open roads bring a sense of freedom and adventure full of exciting experiences, explorations, and campfires. With a caravan, you may transport all your clothes and equipment and even bring your animal pals wherever you go. There has been an increase in caravan tourism in India in recent years.
Travelling in a caravan is ideal for folks who prefer to see new and fascinating places without the predictability of planned hotel stays. Several state tourism authorities have approved caravan tourism projects where visitors can rent fully equipped vehicles with modern furniture and equipment. Several caravan parks in India have been built in recent years as parking areas where vehicles can stay overnight in a secure environment.
Karnataka
In June 2020, the Karnataka government launched a caravan tourism policy. People can hire a fully-equipped vehicle with convertible beds for four, a shower, a modern toilet, a smart TV, and a music system. As for meals on board, a kitchenette including a refrigerator, freezer and microwave is also available.
Campervan Camps and Holidays India, a Bengaluru-based start-up, offers luxury caravans to explore the delights of Karnataka. During the pilot phase, tourists can camp around in the LuxeCamper at exotic locations in Karnataka like Hampi, Bandipur, Bheemeshwari, Kabini, Sakleshpur, Kudremukh, Kodagu, Aanejari, Sadashivgad, Gokarna, Badami, and Sakrebailu.
Their LuxeCamper is marketed as a luxury trailer for exploring Karnataka. These luxury RVs, backed by the Karnataka government and former Indian cricketer Anil Kumble, are outfitted like a little apartment, with a separate and wholly furnished lounge-cum-bedroom, kitchenette, and restroom. The LuxeCampers are powered by solar energy, which charges the inverter battery and reduces energy use. It features everything a modern home would have, including a pair of lounges that double as queen-sized beds, a microwave, an electric kettle, gas hobs, an induction cooker, a fridge and freezer, a shower and modern toilet, rooftop solar panels, CCTV cameras, smart TVs, and Bluetooth music systems. More info here.
Kerala
Keravan Kerala is a new tourism product introduced by the Kerala state government. It is a comprehensive, stakeholder-friendly Caravan Tourism Policy that aims to establish a broad framework for the development of caravan tourism in Kerala, primarily in the private sector, by promoting the procurement of caravans and the establishment of caravan parks, as well as laying out processes and procedures for its operations, approval mechanisms, and so on.
Travellers can go on a once-in-a-lifetime adventure that includes the luxury of caravans, the idyllic environment of caravan parks, and Village Life Experience (VLE) packages driven by the Kerala Responsible Tourism Mission. It seeks to investigate the feasibility of transforming accessible but underutilised areas of the state into enticing tourist attractions. As part of the new Caravan Tourism policy, the state government has opened the state's first caravan park in Vagamon, a picturesque hill resort. More info here.
Goa
In March 2023, the state government announced the launch of caravan tourism as one of the means to promote tourism beyond the beaches of Goa. Caravan tours would also encourage tourism hinterland, said Chief Minister Pramod Sawant at a press conference, reiterating that travels in caravans would give people the freedom to explore the state's interiors and experience its rich culture and traditions.
Cover photo credit Deposit Photos