Van-Tastic Vacations

If you’ve ever dreamt of having an office and home-on-wheels and travelling all over the world, then you will envy some of these young campervan bugs, who just hit the road at the drop of a hat. While the concept of recreational vehicles (RVs) is familiar in the West, India's campervan culture is gaining traction. Unlike traditional vacations with fixed itineraries and hotel bookings, campervan travel offers unparalleled freedom and flexibility. Your vehicle becomes your home on wheels, allowing you to explore off-the-beaten-path destinations, and soak in the natural beauty at your own pace.

One For The Road

Many modify the van as per their requirements to store limited food, gas stove, water, bedding, and other essentials depending on the size of the campervan. Travel blogs and social media channels showcasing campervan adventures are inspiring potential campervan travellers. Shamziya (24), a psychology lecturer and her husband, Akheel love to travel. Their Instagram (@our_ travel_ life) bio says, “We drive for a cause.” Shamziya elaborates, “We promote minimalism because consumerism has made people dependent on maximalism. Travel can be expensive with accommodation and food. Campervan life lets us skip hotels and cook our meals, reducing expenses.” The couple did a six-month-long trip across India in a small van – the mini home on wheels. They travelled to unknown places, met new people and learned about their culture. She adds, “Van life lets you explore the remote areas which you would miss out on if you were to travel through other means of transport.”

Experiential Learning

A common misconception in India is that campervan travelling is only meant for solo travellers or couples. Ajmer-based businessman Kapil Sharma (34) and his wife Bhavisha and their two children love to hit the roads and travel places in their self-curated minivan. Kapil says, “Until five years ago we used to face issues related to food. We are pure vegetarian and options on mountain regions are quite limited. Having a home-like van allows us to not worry about such things and creates a secure travel journey for the family.” They keep a stock of raw materials to cook food in their van. Their Insta page (ghumakkad_bugz) has over 177k followers and a Youtube community of 642K subscribers. Kapil credits the van life travelling an experiential learning for himself and his children. “My kids are learning to value the importance of limited food, water and electricity. They are becoming strong, physically and mentally. Also, travelling in a compact space like a van allows us as a family to bond together.”

Minor Hiccups

Despite its growing appeal, one of the biggest hurdles for campervans is the lack of dedicated infrastructure. Unlike countries with established RV parks, India has limited designated camping areas with amenities like restrooms, water, and waste disposal. This can make finding suitable overnight stops a challenge, especially in densely populated areas.

Finding secure parking spots and ensuring personal safety, especially at night, requires careful planning. Smriti Bhadauria and Kartik Vasan had decided to set out to experience the Pan-American Highway — the longest road in the world, spanning 30,000 km through 15 countries from North to South America, in their vintage van.

Smriti, a digital marketing analyst, says, “After building the van from scratch and securing remote jobs, Covid-19 created an urgency to start making our dreams come true.” They have been documenting their journey on Instagram (@thebrownvanlife) and amassed 112k followers. They travel with their pet dogs, Everest and Bali. She says, “Unlike America's campervan-friendly infrastructure, South Asia lacks designated spots for basic needs like waste disposal and refill, and safe overnight parking etc. This makes campervan travel challenging in this region a bit challenging.”

Another challenge for campervan travellers is to be away from their usual social life. The lack of social circle takes a toll. However, Smriti looks on the positive side saying, “It might get a little sad to not have your regular group of friends and family with your wins but we often celebrate our joys with strangers. This is an experience in itself.” Campervan travelling involves making minute yet key logistical decisions which can often lead to mental exhaustion. Taking breaks and being aware of personal limits and thresholds help the travellers to not burn out and revive their energy timely. As disposable incomes rise and the desire for unique travel experiences grows, the demand for campervans is likely to increase. This, in turn, could incentivise the development of essential infrastructure like designated camping grounds and support services.

Unlike US’s campervan-friendly infrastructure, South Asia lacks designated spots for waste disposal and refill, and safe overnight parking etc.” — Smriti Bhadauria, digital marketing analyst

My kids are learning to value the importance of limited food, water and electricity.” — Kapil Sharma, businessmen, Ajmer

Campervan life lets us skip hotels and cook our own meals, reducing expenses.” — Shamziya, psychology lecturer