34% rise in early bookings and longer, experience-led trips
ZOSTEL
Winter travel in India is gaining new momentum as travellers plan earlier, stay longer, and seek more meaningful experiences. The season is increasingly being shaped by thoughtful planning, slower itineraries, and a clear preference for experience-led journeys.
According to Zostel’s latest winter travel insights, based on analysis of over 6.2 lakh booking records across 120+ properties, early bookings for December 2025 to February 2026 have increased by 34% year on year, while average booking lead time has expanded from 8 days last winter to 21 days this season. These trends point to a significant shift towards deliberate, experience-first travel across the country.
Cold-weather and landscape-driven destinations continue to dominate winter demand. The Sam Desert in Jaisalmer, Kareri in Dharamshala, Manali, Srinagar, Sangla and Kasol are recording strong booking momentum, while micro-destinations such as Pulga and Tosh have seen more than 40% growth this season. Established winter favourites including Nainital and Udaipur continue to attract consistent traveller interest.
Traveller behaviour is showing clear evolution across segments. Solo backpackers remain steady, while a growing share of travellers are prioritising value-driven, experience-rich travel. In Tirthan Valley, average stay duration has increased to 6–7 nights, with winter treks and slow-travel experiences filling up well in advance.
Aviral Gupta, CEO of Zo World and Zostel, said, “We are witnessing a structural transformation in how young Indians travel. Winter is no longer about short breaks. Travellers want longer stays, deeper experiences and meaningful connections to destinations. Trek-led travel and community-driven stays are no longer niche behaviours; they are becoming mainstream.”
Group travel demand continues to rise, with bookings growing between 22% and 27% across Kasol, Shimla, Nainital, Lonavala, Jodhpur and Kochi. At the same time, plains-based cultural destinations are growing 41% faster than hill destinations, highlighting a more balanced winter travel appetite.
Early signals are already shaping 2026 travel patterns. Booking lead times for spontaneous trips have shortened to 7–10 days, while average stay durations have grown by 25% across multiple destinations. Rising disposable incomes among younger travellers are also pushing demand for culturally immersive and experience-led journeys, reflected in the rapid growth of Zo Trips, including offerings such as Grand Prix Zo Trips and Northern Lights Zo Trips.
