By Deeksha Dutta

Imagine traversing from the snow-capped peaks of the Himalayas to the sun-kissed beaches of Goa, or from the bustling streets of Delhi to the serene backwaters of Kerala—all from the comfort of your own caravan!

Though caravan culture has long been a favorite in Western countries, it has recently begun to flourish in India. States like Kerala, Maharashtra, and Goa are leading the way, establishing caravan parks and implementing tourism policies to promote this innovative style of travel. As a result, caravan tourism in India is steadily becoming an exciting alternative to traditional travel, inviting adventurers to explore the country's diverse landscapes in a whole new way.

Historically, caravans were integral to India's trade routes, connecting distant regions and fostering cultural exchange. Merchants traversed arduous terrains with these sturdy vehicles, laden with goods ranging from spices to silks, forging economic ties that shaped India's commercial history. The caravans served not only as transport but also as temporary homes, providing respite during long journeys and shelter from the elements.

In contemporary India, caravans have evolved into symbols of leisure and adventure. Enthusiasts from diverse backgrounds, including families, artists, and explorers, embrace the freedom of the open road that caravans offer. With modern amenities like comfortable sleeping quarters, kitchens, and even entertainment systems, these vehicles enable travelers to explore India's diverse landscapes.

Here is a list of ten caravans that can be rented for an Indian road trip from various cities:

CARVAA

Friends Himanshu Jangid, Yogesh Kumar, and Pranav Sharma founded this Delhi-based business during the lockdown because they all had a passion for adventure and travel.

Where to go: For a price, the car can be delivered to a preferred place or picked up from Delhi. In India, travellers are allowed to design their own itineraries and pick their own destinations.

Amenities: They have four distinct types of accommodations in their fleet of caravans, each of which can accommodate three, five, or six people. 

1.  A modular kitchen equipped with a drinking water dispenser, a mini fridge, a BBQ grill, kitchen utensils, and an LPG cylinder. 

2.  Depending on the size of the vehicle, sofa-cum-beds, berths, roof top bunks, and beds are offered along with bed linens. 

3.  A portable lavatory equipped with an outdoor shower so that people can bathe in the outdoors.   

4.  Tents, folding tables, chairs, and stools for camping.

5.  LED ceiling lights, an air conditioner, and an inverter for backup electricity.

Cost: Starting at Rs 10,500 per day, which includes the driver's fee. Taxes and fuel are not combined. Dead kilometres are incurred.

Driver: A driver who also serves as a carer is with the caravan. Driving oneself is not an option.

VAHN

In 2021, Moksha Gandhi, an industrial designer who was travelling due to a pandemic, transformed her personal project into an Ahmedabad-based caravan rental business. Not only has Gandhi created each rental automobile in the fleet, but he also provides highly tailored caravans upon request. Remember that all of their cars run on solar energy. 

Where to go: The car can be delivered to a preferred place or picked up from Ahmedabad. The crew is pleased to recommend places for your itinerary, and the campers can be taken wherever in India.

Features: Their three models (Roller, Warbler, and Rosefinch) have seating for six to eight people and sleeping arrangements for four to five individuals.

1. A completely furnished kitchenette complete with a fridge, sink, induction, kettle, utensils, and cooking supplies.

2. Bedding for queen-and king-sized beds is provided.

3. Shower in the private bathroom.

4. Bluetooth speakers, a TV, and a foldable projector.

5. The desk has USB ports and 120V power outlets for working.

6. A table and four chairs for outdoor dining.

7. safety equipment that includes a fire extinguisher and a First Aid pack.   

Cost: Rs 12,000 per day, which includes amenities and the driver's cost. Separate for fuel, tolls, and taxes. Dead kilometers are charged at an extra Rs. 20 per kilometre.

Driver: A driver is present in the caravan. Driving oneself is not an option.   

CARAWANDER

Carawander offers two sizes of pet-friendly rental caravans that may accommodate parties of up to six and eight people. With facilities like coffee makers, generators, and night vision cameras, the vehicles are perfect for a hassle-free excursion. They have divided spaces for the kitchen, living room, bedroom, and separate driver's cabin since they recognise how important privacy is. Additionally, their 30-foot-long Motorhome has a sunroof for stargazing.

Where to go: They provide pre-arranged travel schedules that include carefully chosen campsites in a number of locations in Rajasthan, Himachal Pradesh, Jammu & Kashmir, Leh, Ladakh, Uttarakhand, Delhi, and Agra. However, you can also decide to forge your own route and visit any location in India. 

Amenities-

1. Four bunk beds, a queen-sized bed, and bed linens.

2. A kitchenette equipped with a two burner gas stove, crockery, cooking utensils, kettle, coffee maker and refrigerator.

3. Awning and outdoor kitchen.

4. Restroom featuring a geyser and a shower.

5. WiFi connectivity and entertainment system built into a smart TV.

6. Fire extinguishers, GPS-equipped night vision cameras, and first aid kits are examples of safety and security equipment.

7. Fully air-conditioned, solar-powered, and equipped with hot and cold systems.

8. Chairs, tents, sleeping bags, fishing poles, barbecue grills, and other outdoor game accessories are included in the camping equipment.

9. A backup generator for unexpected circumstances   

Cost: Starting at Rs 20,000 per day, which includes fuel, tolls, taxes, and driver and assistant expenses.

Driver: A driver and an assistant are included with the caravan. There is no option for self-driving.

TRIPPY WHEELS

Trippy Wheels originated from the shared passion of road travels and caravan life between Sanjna Hangal and Ramya Raji Dass. The "Samsara" caravan, which is parked in Bengaluru, is not only cosy but also a lot of fun to look at because artists have sprayed it with vibrant, quirky paint.

You can visit the following places: Yana, BR Hills, Hirekolale Lake, Sakrebayalu, TalaKaveri, Kundapura, Bhadra Sanctuary, Hirekolale Lake, Hampi, and Kundapura. You might also travel to Goa or Andhra Pradesh, which are located outside of Karnataka.

Facilities: Five caravans with space for two, three, or four people are available from Trippy Wheels.  

1.Air conditioning in the central region.

2.A kitchenette furnished with a stove, dishes, cups, cutlery and shelving.

3.Mattress and linens for the bed.

4.Lighting, fans, charging ports, and a music system.

5.A tent to camp out in, seats, board games, and an outside barbecue area.

6. Though there isn't a bathroom on the trailer, you can stop at the closest partner hotel to shower.

Price: INR 6,999 per night. The daily allowance for the driver, basecamp fees, tolls, taxes, and lavatory costs are all extra. The car must be returned with a full gasoline tank, as it is supplied with one.

Driver: Self-driving is not an option; there is a designated driver for the caravan.  

CAMPING CO

This caravan experience is not like any other. The rooftop tent that comes with Camping Co.'s outlander trucks, Xenon and Xenon Annex, may be mounted on the vehicle anywhere you choose to camp—by a river or beneath the stars. In the meantime, their classic camper van Sunny has a manual pop-up hydraulic roof that doubles as a bunk bed, and the Mahindra Thar sport SUV has a foldable ground tent.

Where to go: Guwahati, Assam is where you may pick up the trailers. This camper has the benefit of self-driving, allowing you to visit any location in Northeast India and Bhutan, including the more than 40 campsites that are listed on their website. 

Amenities: Unlike other trailers, the van has no built-in restroom, kitchenette, or other amenities, although it can fit two to five people. You can camp anywhere you choose with the rooftop tent. One sofa bed and one queen bed are yours. Additionally, the firm has partnerships with other locations that provide you access to their restaurants, charging stations, kitchens, and restrooms. 

Price: Starting at Rs 2,999 per night, not including taxes, tolls, or fuel.

Driver: Although a driver can be hired for an extra fee, these campers are self-driven.

GREEN DOT EXPEDITIONS

In the summer, you can go across Punjab, Rajasthan, Kutch, Himachal Pradesh, and Ladakh by car in the roomy Taurus overland truck.

Where to go: You can camp on a remote beach in Kutch, the sand dunes of Jaisalmer, or the banks of the Indus River in Ladakh. In these states, Green Dot Expeditions provides a range of itinerary options.

Facilities: Depending on the model you select, the campervan may hold up to eight people. The newest trailers they have available are the Garud, Hornbill, Airawat, and Praying Mantis. These are a few of their features:

1.Eight pushback and reclining seats facing forward

2.Two kinds of restrooms: a portable restroom and an aboard restroom

3.Solar panels for computers, cameras, phones, and other devices.

4.Four barbecue grills with a variety of camping gear, including tents, chairs, stools, tables, and hammocks

5.Lockers and lots of room for holding luggage

6.Three high-pressure burners and kitchenware are included in the kitchenette.

7.Every meal, along with an evening tea and snack, is made just for you.

8.Camping seats, a field kitchen setup that is portable, and three hammocks    

Cost: Prices range from Rs 1,500 to Rs 15,000 per person each night, depending on the amenities you want.

Driver: Capt. Suresh Sharma, a cofounder and former Indian Army officer, is riding with the vehicle. Driving oneself is not an option.

OVERLANDERS

The Overlanders Campervan, established by Shashin and Nisha Shah, is Gujarat's first luxurious campervan. The couple enjoyed taking road excursions but found it difficult to locate clean restrooms and cosy accommodations. So, the idea behind Overlanders Campervan was to offer the greatest road trip experience to all types of tourists, including elderly people, families with young children, and lone adventurers. 

Where to go: The rental begins in Ahmedabad, but if the client would like to begin somewhere else, a plan can be created. The most popular tourist destinations to date include some rural jewels and spiritual sites in Gujarat, as well as the popular tourist destinations of Rajasthan, Madhya Pradesh, and Maharashtra. 

Amenities: Three packages are available: six hours for 150km, twelve hours for 200km, and longer tours lasting more than 300 km. A five-person, four-sleep luxury campervan is called Overlanders.

Features consist of: 

1. Linen-covered queen-sized bed with starry lights

2.Toilet and shower cabin

3.Automatic couch-turned-bed

4.Wifi-enabled smart TVs twice

5.Air suspension for cosy journeys

6.Two air conditioners

7.Microwave, electric kettle, and refrigerator in a dry pantry

8.Generator (electric kettle, hot water, and gadgets)

9.Barbeque grill, table, hammock, awning, and foldable chairs      

Cost: Starting at Rs. 27,000 per day, not including taxes, tolls, or fuel.

Driver: A licensed driver is included with the Overlanders Campervan. Self-driving is prohibited.  

Caravans in India also embody a spirit of sustainability and eco-tourism. As awareness of environmental conservation grows, travelers increasingly opting for caravans as a greener alternative to conventional modes of travel. These vehicles minimize carbon footprints by reducing the need for frequent accommodation changes and promoting responsible travel practices.

Furthermore, caravans will contribute to India's tourism industry by promoting off-the-beaten-path destinations and supporting local economies. Caravan parks and camping sites are emerging as popular hubs where travelers can share stories, experiences, and tips, fostering a vibrant community of like-minded adventurers.

Adhering to these safety guidelines can ensure a safe and enjoyable caravan trip:

• Vehicle Checks: Regularly check your vehicle for any issues, including tire pressure, oil levels, and brakes.

• Speed Limit: Always adhere to the speed limits and road regulations.

• Secure Belongings: Keep your belongings safe, especially while leaving the caravan unattended.

• Fire Safety: Have fire safety measures in place, like keeping a fire extinguisher accessible and being cautious while cooking inside the caravan.

• Avoid Night Driving: It’s safer to avoid driving at night, particularly on unfamiliar or rural roads. Plan your journey to arrive at your overnight campsite before dusk.

Selecting the right caravan rental service can significantly enhance your travel experience. It’s not just about the journey but also the comfort, convenience, and memories a well-equipped caravan can provide.

Whether you choose luxury or simplicity, solitary travel or family adventures, Barganza provides a unique perspective on this lively nation. So pack your bags, plan your caravan route with us, and get ready to explore India on wheels like never before!