[ruzbehxyz]

Roadtripping across the country through the undulating plains, the rocky mountains, alongside the blue seas or by calm lakeside with the view of a majestic sunset are what dreams are really made of.

The pandemic, however, has definitely played a damper on bucket lists that involve traveling. Concerns about safety and the fear of catching the virus loom large even amongst the well-traveled.

Airplanes, buses and trains have never seemed scarier. So, is there really a way to travel and gain new experiences in the times of the coronavirus?

No need to worry folks, caravans are here to rescue you from the shackles of the mundane. A camper van or caravan is basically a vehicle that has a place to sleep for those who make a journey. At a time when one is feeling particularly wary of living in hotels or homestays, caravans are the perfect option as it allows one to travel without having to come in contact with many people.

To satisfy the wanderer in you, there are several people who are offering caravans on rent for travel. These caravans follow protocols where they are sanitising the premises ensuring the safety of the travelers.

Link:
https://www.thebetterindia.com/23762...e-camp-ang136/


Let's look at the different Caravan companies in India:


1. Green Dot Expeditions

Run by Capt Suresh Sharma, this campervan company offers ‘Taurus’, a luxury Overland truck for travel. The campervan can accommodate a maximum of eight people (although smaller groups are preferred to comply with social distancing norms.

Bookings are available from October and some unique amenities include an onboard toilet (plus a portable one), a kitchenette with utensils, solar panels for charging gadgets, camping gear with tents, hammocks, tables, and even a barbeque set up. The self-driving option for this luxury truck isn’t available and it comes with a crew of two to three people who prepare meals, drive, clean, etc.

Cost: Rs. 7000-10,000 per person per night.


About Taurus -

Taurus is 5 Star for those who are passionate for outdoors,
not for those who seek 5 Star comforts.

• Accommodates 8 guests (for seating and sleeping) 8 front facing reclining/ push-back seats, other than the crew and sometimes 12 guests (as a special case).
• The most elaborate kitchen on any overland truck globally to provide healthy food on the move.
• Taurus has the best sleeping arrangements for mobile camping and nomadic overlanding.
• One toilet onboard, two field toilets to make guests comfortable, sometimes all are deployed and sometimes only one.
• Honda genset 800 W and 2 solar panels for the charging the batteries of your cellphones, cameras, laptops, etc. with 220 volts AC power supply as well as 12 V DC charging sockets.
• Stainless steel water tanks with storage capacity of 800 liters.
• 2 water pumps (Hitachi and Honda) to fill water tanks from sources on the move.
12 Volts DC water pump for delivery.
• One of the best water filters for RVs in the market to ensure plastic bottles are not generated from packaged water.
• Best camping equipment (camp chairs, camp stools, tables, hammocks) available in India.
• Three hammocks; where possible we anchor these for our guests.
• Individual lockers with good space, one per participant for equipment and baggage.
• Elinchrom Quadra Ranger strobes and accessories. On some expeditions we shall offer our outdoor studio setup equipped with these lights to experience how to TAME THE LIGHT GOD, as Capt Suresh loves to say.
• Equipped with comprehensive first aid kit, multi-purpose kit, firefighting kit.
• Equipped with field-craft tools.
• TAURUS is being continuously improved and equipped with small little things to enhance your experience and making holiday expeditions unique and memorable.

https://youtu.be/mFh0ichrq9U

Link: https://greendotexpeditions.com


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2. Trippy Wheels

Operating out of Bengaluru, their campervans have a kitchenette with utensils in place, along with lights, a fan, a music system, and charging points for gadgets. This company is run by two passionate female travelers - Sanjna and Vathsala.

Cost: Rs. 5000 for four-seater, Rs. 8,000 for six-seater, and Rs. 9,000 for eight-seater (per day)

Their vehicles:

Kanasu.
Its a modified Tempo Traveler with a seating capacity of 8 persons.

El Zorro
Modified Mahindra with a capacity of 4 persons.

El Toro
Modified Mahindra with a capacity of 4 persons

Summer Of Love
Modified Tata Winger van with a capacity of 2 persons.

Into The Wild
Modified Tata Winger van with a capacity of 3 persons.

https://youtu.be/YWJ8gU4-PWM

https://youtu.be/ky_YGUT-D9A

https://youtu.be/LPLlEyAl5Tk

https://youtu.be/stQoeTzrwg8

Link: https://www.trippywheels.com


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3. Camping Co

Based out of Guwahati, this campervan is available for travel in and around North-east and Bhutan. The campervans that are available can accommodate anywhere between two to six guests. They also provide camping gears, rooftop and ground tents if you want to camp anywhere. The vehicle can be parked at partner properties where one can use the kitchen, bathroom, charging points as these facilities are not built-in. The option for self-driving is available for these campervans. They do have one caravan though which comes with a driver and can accommodate up to six people.

They have Mahindra Thar 4x4, Tata Xenon 4x2 (soft top and hard top), Tempo Traveller and Force Gurkha 4x2.

Cost: Starting at Rs. 2,999- 11,760 (depending on the type of caravan)

Their vehicles










Link: https://www.camping-co.com


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4. Campervan Camps and Holidays

This Bengaluru startup offers a premium campervan for offbeat travel across different sites across Karnataka. There are two bedrooms in this exquisite campervan and the seating area also has sofas. There is a kitchenette making it easy for one to cook their meals, a refrigerator, toaster, kettle and freezer. There’s a toilet with a hot water supply powered by solar panels. Meal kits are available on board and one can also get cooked meals on the campsite. This campervan is for people who want to travel luxuriously.

Cost: They charge anywhere between Rs 25,000 – 69,000 for two adults per day depending on where a trip is made.


About LuxeCamper:

The LuxeCamper is your private holiday home on wheels designed to travel safely and maintain social distance. The vehicle is designed to carry upto 4 members of a family or close friends.
The LuxeCamper has two sections, the Guest cabin and the driver’s cabin. These two cabins are independent of each other with separate air circulation.
Every LuxeCamper includes the services of a Certified driver and an experienced guide who will accompany you without invading your privacy. Their cabin is completely isolated from the guest-dwelling unit.

https://youtu.be/wmiP2NmDGCk

Link: https://www.luxecamper.com


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5. Motorhome Adventures

Based out of Delhi, this company offers rental services for their campervans from Delhi, Bengaluru, Bhopal around Pune. The campervan has a kitchenette with pans and burners in place for cooking and there is also a microwave and refrigerator on board. There is an inbuilt bathroom as well with a shower. The company has been providing these services since 1995, informs Vidushi Saini who is the Senior business development manager and also the daughter of the owners.

Cost: Starting at Rs. 15,000 per night for the entire caravan (includes fuel prices)

Their vehicles:

They have various camper vehicles like Tempo Traveller, old Ford Endeavour, large bus etc.

https://youtu.be/bADr7ZPWgFU

https://youtu.be/exJTqQYZ8HQ

https://youtu.be/exJTqQYZ8HQ

Link: http://motorhome.co.in


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Note: I am in no way connected to these companies nor have I traveled in these vehicles.
If you have traveled or experienced these vehicles please post your comments in the thread.

[GTO]

Thanks for sharing! Here is additional reading on the same - we have several threads on Caravans rentals.

[Shreyans_Jain]

I don’t see the camper van or RV culture having a sustainable market in India. Reasons are multifold

- These are registered as commercial vehicles. Hassles at every state border
-Built on light or medium truck chassis, so they will drive like trucks. Leaf spring suspensions, lots of body roll, poor comfort. Not at all car like.
- Most of them require heavy vehicle DL to self drive. If the company provides a driver, it kind of defeats the purpose as your family’s privacy is lost
- No camping ground culture in India. No dedicated place to refill water or charge batteries or to clear waste.
- No designated place to park overnight. Safety issue while parking on road. You would not want to park in truck lay bys on highways, sharing space with other commercial trucks.
- Will grab eyeballs whereby you go. Again, potential safety issue.
- Aren’t exactly cheap. On the other hand, you’ll find all kinds of accommodations all over India as per your budget.


A workable model in my opinion will be to target wealthy joint or extended families who like to travel together. Take a Volvo B7R, strip out the seats and provide super comfortable seating for 12 to 15 people, max 18. Provide a few beds for the elderly to rest, a TV or gaming area of the kids, a common sitting area, a kitchenette, a toilet. Such a vehicle can be usable for a good 18-24 hours for the entire family without people getting fidgety or tired. The group can travel to their chosen resort in style, together.

[ruzbehxyz]

Originally Posted by Shreyans_Jain

- These are registered as commercial vehicles. Hassles at every state border

Agreed. Will be a hassle and cops may have to be bribed everywhere. Better solution is to do the trip within the state.

-Built on light or medium truck chassis, so they will drive like trucks. Leaf spring suspensions, lots of body roll, poor comfort. Not at all car like.

Agreed. But that's the price you have to pay for not staying in a comfortable hotel / resort and staying independently in a campervan with family / friends. So should not be a major issue for those who want to stay away from the crowd.

Most of them require heavy vehicle DL to self drive. If the company provides a driver, it kind of defeats the purpose as your family’s privacy is lost

Most of the campervan companies have smaller vehicles as well like Thar, Xenon etc. which are self drive. On larger vehicles, some companies have a separate cabin for driver to segregate them from the guests. Eg. LuxeCamper. It's like a honeymoon couple on a Kerala houseboat and the boatman is on board for the entire trip. So can't do anything. If you need the best of both, then a self drive one is the best.

No camping ground culture in India. No dedicated place to refill water or charge batteries or to clear waste.

That's a challenge. Once these vehicles have started, other associated things will follow.
At least there is a direction.

No designated place to park overnight. Safety issue while parking on road. You would not want to park in truck lay bys on highways, sharing space with other commercial trucks.

Fully agree. That's my major issue as well. As camping culture is still new in India, it is difficult overall.

- Will grab eyeballs whereby you go. Again, potential safety issue.

Agreed. Major issue. And that's the reason why MTDC who recently announced their campervan trips, are allowing their guests to park at MTDC properties free of cost and use the bathroom as well.
Feedback for this can only be given once the facility actually starts.

Link: - https://www.team-bhp.com/forum/comme...harashtra.html (MTDC introduces Camper Van and modified Marazzo for touring in Maharashtra)

Aren’t exactly cheap. On the other hand, you’ll find all kinds of accommodations all over India as per your budget.

That's a relative term. I have stayed at hostel dorms during backpacking in Europe and India and also in 5 star properties on a luxurious family trip. So it's all upto what the traveler wants at that particular time and not exactly about the money spent.
Eg. MTDC offers a modified Mahindra Marazzo for Rs. 4000 a night, which is pretty reasonable.

A workable model in my opinion will be to target wealthy joint or extended families who like to travel together. Take a Volvo B7R, strip out the seats and provide super comfortable seating for 12 to 15 people, max 18. Provide a few beds for the elderly to rest, a TV or gaming area of the kids, a common sitting area, a kitchenette, a toilet. Such a vehicle can be usable for a good 18-24 hours for the entire family without people getting fidgety or tired. The group can travel to their chosen resort in style, together.

Good suggestion. But If there is no place for all participants to sleep, then the purpose of the camper vehicle is lost.
You can check out the LuxeCamper and Taurus in the first post, which has decent luxury for anyone and all that you have mentioned above. Besides luxury and camping cannot be done together.

For me, the major issue is safety of the persons.

[AdityaDeane]

Found another company called Motohom from Maharashtra who have partnered with Maharashtra Tourism and started Campervans for travelling within Maharashtra for now.

https://youtu.be/tn6sPu5L6SA

(No association with the YouTube channel, just found it interesting to share here)

[ruzbehxyz]

Originally Posted by AdityaDeane

Found another company called Motohom from Maharashtra who have partnered with Maharashtra Tourism and started Campervans for travelling within Maharashtra for now.

There is a dedicated thread on this.

https://www.team-bhp.com/forum/comme...harashtra.html (MTDC introduces Camper Van and modified Marazzo for touring in Maharashtra)

[ruzbehxyz]

Details of the Campervan mentioned in Overdrive.

Read here: https://www.overdrive.in/news-cars-a...omes-in-india/

[sushantr5]

Maharashtra Govt. yesterday cleared Caravan Policy.

Maharashtra Govt. Caravan Policy News

At least Govt has started talking about the Caravans. In few years we will see various Caravan rentals flourishing, as well as with that Caravan Parks will be starting coming up. I think Caravan Park business model will flourish, as it requires lesser investment than full fledged hotels.

Let us see what happens in near future. At least step in that direction has been taken.

[ruzbehxyz]

Maharashtra government passes Caravan Tourism policy.

The Maharashtra government Cabinet has passed a new policy that aims to promote tourism in the state. The ‘Caravan Tourism’ policy aims to provide safe travel and incentivise tour operators, while boosting employment opportunities for the tours and travel sector, which has been highly-impacted due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

The two-part policy – caravan and caravan parks – will allow tourists to enjoy Maharashtra’s natural beauty and other attractions, and is also said to creating local employment opportunities in the tourism sector. The law identifies a caravan as a specially-built vehicle used for the purpose of travel, leisure and accommodation, while a caravan park is a place where such vehicles can stay overnight and provide amenities and facilities for tourists.

As part of the policy, the government will offer benefits such as a waiver of stamp and electricity duties, and a GST refund for tour operators. The caravans and caravan parks will have to be registered with the tourism directorate, which will train their promoters in marketing, management and hygiene aspects.

The government statement said family picnics can be arranged in places other than hotels and resorts, and no development zones can be utilised better. Furthermore, remote areas with tourist attractions will become more easily accessible.

The caravan parks can be set up in places that are well -equipped with basic amenities like water, road and electricity. Caravans can be parked in these places, which could be private or government-owned land. As part of ensuring maintenance and cleanliness, owners of caravan parks will have to ensure safety and security of travellers and provide them necessary facilities, including the differently-abled. Caravan parks can also come up on the Maharashtra Tourism Development Corporation (MTDC) guest house areas and open land belonging to the state-run body. The caravans will have beds, kitchens, toilets, sofas and tables and these vehicles in different sizes will be registered with the transport commissioner apart from the tourism directorate.

Source: https://www.autocarindia.com/car-new...-policy-419976

[AdityaDeane]

Came across these 2 videos on YouTube, quite informative for those of us who plan to own/drive a Campervan across India in the times ahead.

https://youtu.be/ppPfQLvNFkA

https://youtu.be/tQL8mghf3ho

Not related to the presenter, but felt that the information given is genuine and useful for anyone planning the Van Life in India.

[Omkar]

Yodo Campers, New Delhi is a company that builds camper vans. They also offer consultation for your DIY build, material sourcing, planning and designing. They also have a rental program for their vans.

List of amenities & features of the rental camper van -

• Space for 6 people to sleep
• A driver
• India's first inbuilt pop-top roof
• Queen-size bed x 2
• One single sofa bed
• Shower stall with RV toilet
• Hot water services 25L
• Fresh water capacity 200L
• 40L each - Black & gray water capacity
• Dual gas portable stove provided with 6 cans
• Portable gas heater
• Utensils/cookware/crockery/cutlery/dustbin bags/utensil cleaner.
• Spices/tea/coffee/condiments/dry ration
• Fridge 90L
• OTG oven 25L
• RV chimney
• Fire extinguishers/fire blankets/Auto Fire Extinguisher Ball
• Pillows/bed sheets/blankets/cushions
• Multipurpose table/camping chairs/outdoor shower tent
• Outdoor shower with hot water services
• 270-degree fox awning
• Two-person tent with 2 sleeping bags for trek services
• Single burner stove with utensils for a trek
• 3 exterior hunter lights
• 360 live watch CCTV
• An infotainment dashboard screen
• 1.5-ton split ac unit
• Outdoor picnic table recessed in the vehicle
• 600-watt solar panels
• 10 kw lithium powerbank with 6kw inverter
• Shore power accessible and alternator charging
• Nautical-themed pine interiors

How do we operate?

1. Dry rental - Rs. 16,000+5% GST per day with driver only, other expenses such as state-tolls-mcd taxes, and paid parking to be borne by the guest.

2. All incl per km wise - 90 Rs/km, minimum charge 250 km/day. Inclusive of driver/diesel / state-tolls-mcd taxes / paid public parking.

3. Set packages - We have curated packages with fixed destinations and itineraries with a one-time payment option (discussed upon booking query).

Important points to note -

• Max 6 adults or 4 adults + 4 kids (12 or under) can be accommodated.

• Our vehicle is not pet friendly.

• All packages come with no meal or drinking water inclusions.

• We also offer discounted rates for more than 10 days of travelling duration.

• Our driver is well behaved & well experienced in driving & hospitality.

• An agreement is also signed between Yodo campers & travellers before each trip.

• A security deposit of Rs. 10,000 (refundable) is also mandatory.

How to book?

• We are available on all social media platforms and anyone can contact us from there. Instagram, Facebook, YouTube

• These kinds of experiences require one to talk & discuss the plans and bounce off ideas one has for their travel we are available on WhatsApp @ +91-9999611420.

• We are also listed on platforms like Airbnb, booking.com, MMT, Vrbo, Kogo, overlandingcamping.com, travelhomes.in, etc.
And one can book us from these booking sites as well.

• Landing page
https://msha.ke/yodocampers

Quick video -

https://www.youtube.com/watch?time_c...ail.google.com

Van tour

https://www.youtube.com/watch?time_c...ature=emb_logo

Some pics -