Key Announcement
Thomas Cook India Limited and SOTC Travel Limited have expanded their international holiday portfolio with premium rail-led experiences across global destinations including South Africa, Canada, Australia, New Zealand, and Egypt.
Product Details
The new offerings feature once-in-a-lifetime land and train journeys through spectacular landscapes and culturally rich destinations. The companies have procured seats and cabins on premium trains to offer curated fully packaged land + train holidays.
Premium packages start from ₹4.5 lakh per person, depending on the itinerary and travel period.
Specific Rail Journeys Offered
Rovos Royale – South Africa (11 Nights/12 Days)
- Route: Johannesburg → Greater Kruger → Pretoria → Rovos Rail → Cape Town
- Train Experience: 3 nights aboard Rovos Rail
- Includes wildlife experiences at Kapama River Lodge and sightseeing in Cape Town
Rainforest to Gold Rush Discovery Banff – Canada (9 Nights/10 Days)
- Route: Vancouver → Whistler → Quesnel → Jasper → Banff → Calgary
- Train Experience: 3-night Rocky Mountaineer GoldLeaf Service
- Includes experiences at Jasper, Athabasca Glacier, Glacier Skywalk and Banff
The Ghan Expedition – Australia (9 Nights/10 Days)
- Route: Darwin → Adelaide
- Train Experience: 3 nights aboard The Ghan Expedition
- Includes curated off-train experiences and premium hospitality
New Zealand Odyssey – Self Drive Edition (13 Nights/14 Days)
- For the 2027 travel season
- Route: Auckland → Rotorua → Christchurch → Glacier Region → Queenstown → Mt. Cook → Christchurch
- Train Experience: Coastal Pacific & TranzAlpine
- Includes Hobbiton, Milford Sound, Mt. Cook and Queenstown experiences
Explore Egypt (6 Nights/7 Days)
- Route: Cairo → Overnight Sleeper Train → Nile Cruise
- Train Experience: Overnight sleeper train
- Includes three-night Nile Cruise
Management Commentary
Mr. Rajeev Kale, President & Country Head – Holidays, MICE, Visa, Thomas Cook (India) Limited stated that Indian travelers are increasingly gravitating towards premium holidays that offer richer, more meaningful ways to explore destinations. The expansion builds on the company's long-standing expertise in rail holidays.
Mr. SD Nandakumar, President & Country Head – Holidays & Corporate Tours, SOTC Travel mentioned that today's travelers seek personalized, enriching holidays designed around memorable experiences. Rail travel offers a more authentic, local perspective while being environmentally conscious.
Company Background
Thomas Cook (India) Limited, established in 1881, is India's leading omnichannel travel company offering Foreign Exchange, Corporate Travel, MICE, Leisure Travel and Value-Added Services. The company operates multiple brands including Thomas Cook, SOTC, TCI, SITA, Asian Trails, Allied TPro, Australian Tours Management, Desert Adventures, Travel Circle International Limited, Sterling Holiday Resorts Limited, Distant Frontiers, TC Tours, Digiphoto Entertainment Imaging (DEI), Go Vacation, and Private Safaris East & South Africa.
The Thomas Cook India Group spans 28 countries across 5 continents and is one of the largest travel service provider networks headquartered in the Asia-Pacific region.
Fairbridge Capital (Mauritius) Limited, a subsidiary of Fairfax Financial Holdings Limited, is the promoter of TCIL with a shareholding of 63.83% of its paid-up capital.
CRISIL has reaffirmed the rating on debt programs and bank facilities of TCIL - 'CRISIL AA/Stable' on the long-term bank facilities and 'CRISIL A1+' rating on the short-term bank facilities and short-term debt of the company.