Empowering Journeys: Custom Holidays for Seniors, Women, and the Disabled by India’s Innovative Travel Startups
A decade ago, Sujal Patwardhan and Medha Joseph embarked on a self-drive adventure from India to Morocco, covering 23,000 kilometers across 15 countries in just 57 days. Their exhilarating experiences inspired them to launch Embarq, a travel organization dedicated to offering similar road trip adventures. Sujal, a former finance professional, describes the thrill of self-drive travel as an opportunity to engage with local cultures and discover oneself along the way. Embarq’s diverse itineraries cater to families, solo travelers, adventurous youths, and women, the latter being a focus of their recent initiative, The Bold Route. With exciting upcoming trips such as the Hornbill Festival in Nagaland and a drive from Kutch to Kibithoo in Arunachal Pradesh slated for early 2026, Embarq continues to expand its offerings.
Sujal outlines the meticulous planning that goes into curating these trips. This includes researching offbeat experiences, assessing road conditions, and finalizing logistics for self-drive cars. They conduct extensive reconnaissance to evaluate potential stays, pit stops, and experiences, having successfully organized around 20 domestic trips and over 75 international journeys. Popular destinations currently include Zanskar, Northeast India, Mongolia, Scotland, and Peru. Recently, Embarq successfully completed its inaugural all-women rally, the K2K 2025 expedition, where 50 women drove from Kashmir to Kanyakumari over ten days. Future trips on the horizon encompass journeys to Kyrgyzstan, Peru, Patagonia, New Zealand, and Russia. Prices for luxury self-drive expeditions in India start at ₹1.5 lakh ($1,800) per person, while international trips begin at ₹2.5 lakh ($3,000).
In a different vein, Neha Arora founded Planet Abled in 2016 to create accessible travel experiences for people with disabilities. Reflecting on her own childhood, Neha notes the challenges her family faced during their attempts to travel, highlighting the poor infrastructure and societal stigma surrounding disabled individuals. Her work stems from a desire to empower these travelers and eliminate discrimination based on disability.
Initially, Neha spent nights at airports documenting the number of travelers with disabilities, later pivoting to build an inclusive platform. She noted the lack of comprehensive travel options that catered to multiple disabilities, advocating for freedom of choice in travel. Today, Planet Abled caters to a broad range of disabilities, including mobility impairments, visual impairments, and neurodivergence. Key domestic destinations include Tamil Nadu, Kerala, and Punjab, while international favorites span Nepal, Sri Lanka, and Europe.
Neha emphasizes the importance of empathy and awareness towards travelers with disabilities, advocating for an inclusive experience in the travel industry. Even as her company expands its reach to Austria, she underscores the need for broader accessibility in public spaces worldwide. Upcoming trips for Planet Abled include excursions to Ranthambhore and South Africa.
Additionally, WalkAbout, a virtual platform aimed at senior citizens, recognizes the unique travel needs of older adults. Launched in 2019, the platform focuses on enabling older adults to harness technology for enriching life experiences, including curated holidays that blend heritage, nature, and wellness. Co-founder Deval Delivala aims to create enjoyable travel experiences while addressing infrastructural challenges. Their upcoming trips plan to include age-friendly amenities, ensuring a comfortable travel experience tailored for seniors.
Lastly, The Soluna Experience taps into the growing need for women travelers to explore safely and meaningfully. Founded by Mathai George Tharakan and his wife, Ruth D’Roza, the venture caters primarily to women seeking curated journeys. Reporting a surge in bespoke experiences, they focus their efforts on destinations that are typically less accessible for solo women travelers.
Together, these innovative companies illustrate the evolving landscape of travel, where inclusivity and personalization play a vital role in creating memorable experiences for all.
Original Source: https://www.thehindu.com/life-and-style/travel/niche-travel-india-elderly-disabled-solo-women/article69456055.ece
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Publish Date: 2025-09-05 15:30:00
