New Delhi, Delhi, 3rd of November, 2026 : Diwali travel is evolving beyond the traditional holiday, with travellers exploring different ways to experience their festive break. WanderOn, an experiential travel organisation, has released the Great Indian Diwali Festive Travel Report 2026, highlighting evolving travel preferences among Indian holidaymakers during the festive season between October and November.
The report points to a growing preference for community-led group travel among Indians, an increase in average spending, and sustained interest in domestic as well as international destinations.
Group Travel Is Gaining
Ground Community travel has steadily gained ground in WanderOn’s festive travel mix, increasing from 48% of trips in October–November 2024 to 57% in October–November 2025, before reaching 65% in just October 2026 alone.
This shift highlights a change in the travel formats chosen by WanderOn travellers. While Bring Your Own Group (BYOG) trips bring together people who already know one another, community trips allow travellers to explore destinations alongside those they may be meeting for the first time.
WanderOn group tours are bringing this idea to life through their curated itineraries, shared experiences, and on-ground trip captains who help keep journeys seamless. From mountain adventures in Spiti and Ladakh to international getaways, these trips give travellers a way to discover new places and connect with people beyond their social circles, even when they set out solo.
Govind Gaur, CEO and Founder of WanderOn, said, “Travel is moving beyond the idea of one big annual holiday and towards more frequent, experience-led breaks. What travellers seek today is not just a destination but an experience that allows them to disconnect from their routines, discover new places, and build meaningful connections. The rise of community-led trips reflects this shift, with more travellers choosing to explore alongside like-minded people. For us, the opportunity lies in making travel not just easier to plan but more rewarding to experience.”
Average Spend on Festive Trips Is Rising
WanderOn travel report for the Oct-Nov festive season highlights a steady increase in average ticket size for trips over the past three festive seasons, growing from ₹35,000 in 2024 to ₹49,000 in 2025 before reaching ₹56,000 in October 2026. This marks a 60% increase compared with 2024.
The trend highlights that festive travel continues to be a significant spending category for Indian travellers choosing domestic and international getaways during the holiday season.
Domestic Favourites Hold Strong as International Destinations Maintain Share
Across the October–November festive travel periods, international travel continues to account for a significant portion of WanderOn trips. International destinations represented 40% of travel in both 2025 and October 2026, up from 30% in 2024.
Meghalaya and Spiti continue to rank among WanderOn’s most popular domestic destinations, reflecting travellers’ growing interest in offbeat landscapes, nature-led escapes, and immersive local experiences. Notably, WanderOn Indian trips accounted for 60% of total bookings, reflecting the continued appeal of exploring India’s diverse landscapes, from the Northeast’s lush green valleys to the rugged mountains of the Himalayas.
On the international front, Vietnam and Thailand have maintained their strong appeal during the 2024–26 festive travel periods, with WanderOn’s October–November itineraries reflecting demand for varied, experience-led holidays. WanderOn’s Vietnam offerings include short backpacking trips to longer journeys combining Sapa, Hanoi, Da Nang, Ha Long Bay, and Phu Quoc, bringing together mountain landscapes, cultural exploration, cruises, and island stays.
Thailand’s departures offer a different mix, from island-hopping to including trips around the November lantern festival. Together, these itineraries highlight how festive-season international travel can be one reason travellers choose relaxation, adventure, and cultural experiences all within a single holiday.
Meanwhile, Georgia and Sri Lanka are emerging as destinations to watch in WanderOn’s festive travel portfolio, offering travellers fresh alternatives to established international favourites. Together, these trends point to a festive travel market that is diversifying beyond conventional holiday choices, with travellers exploring new geographies while continuing to invest in curated, experience-rich journeys
About WanderOn:
WanderOn is a pioneering technology travel D2C company brand that goes beyond conventional tourism, creating immersive, hassle-free, and adventure-packed journeys for modern explorers. The category defining travel company thrives on a community-driven approach, developing genuine connections and unforgettable travel experiences. In the past few years, WanderOn has grown into a leader through strategic brand positioning, digital marketing, and deep customer engagement. By focusing on curated experiences and word- of-mouth growth, it has built a loyal traveller base, making group travel seamless and Memorable. Operating on a direct-to-consumer (D2C) model, WanderOn specializes in experiential group travel packages, leveraging digital storytelling, influencer collaborations, and organic marketing to attract adventure enthusiasts. Its revenue model is driven by pre-booked travel packages, add-on experiences, and exclusive brand partnerships.
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