Ravi Tickoo
World traveller, professional mountaineer and passionate adventure entrepreneur, Ravi has over 25 years of experience conducting adventure, experiential and culture tours across the length and breadth of India.
What places and activities do you specialize in?
"Active India Holidays is an award-winning independent travel company offering safe, authentic and memorable India holidays for families, small groups and individual travelers. Founded by Ravi Tickoo, Active India was born out of his vision to build a dedicated, high-quality and sustainable brand for active, experiential and adventure holidays across India, Nepal and Bhutan.
Active India offers an expanding range of engaging activities and immersive experiences including soft and challenging trekking, walking tours, cycling and motor-biking adventures, experiential culture and discovery holidays, wildlife safaris and nature tours.
We conduct our trekking and walking programs in Ladakh, Zanskar and across the Himalayas, pioneering multi-activity programs (cycling, motor-biking and safaris) across the Himalayas, Rajasthan and Kerala, wildlife safaris and tiger trails in prominent national parks and tiger reserves, experiential culture and discovery tours across the length and breadth of India. In partnership with KimKim, Active India offers on-demand tailor-made India experiences designed around your needs and crafted with a clear focus on the quality of service, authenticity of experience and enriching engagement with the cultural charms, natural splendor and unparalleled diversity that defines India.
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How did you get involved in travel?
"Being born and brought up in Kashmir valley, in the lap of great mountain ranges, tourism and in particular adventure travel has always seemed like a part of my DNA. The world-renowned natural beauty, alpine climate and the grand altitudes and outdoors have been attracting visitors to the valley for generations and shaped tourism as the dominant industry in the region. Starting out as a young, passionate tour leader back in the 80’s, I had the unique opportunity of exploring the most popular and remotest corners of the region and realizing how much I truly enjoyed my job. Very soon I joined a niche adventure company as a co-founder and spent over two decades contributing in its pioneering growth story from a local niche service provider to a multi-award winning nationwide tour operator.
Realizing the need and unmet demand for a dedicated, high quality Indian brand for active, experiential holidays, I founded Active India in 2011 to offer a wide range of safe, authentic and engaging activities with a focus on high quality, tailor-made services for truly personalized and memorable India experiences. We are proud that within a short span of our operations, Active India has seen great success and just last year was awarded the prestigious National Tourism Award for the Best Adventure Tour Operator."
Please share a unique travel experience you will never forget.
"Having had the privilege to travel across Asia, Europe and North America, I have had my fair share of adventures and experiences over the years. However, the one that is truly unique and unforgettable, comes from my first attempt to summit the peak Deo Tibba (6001m) one of the highest peaks in eastern end of Pir Panjal range of Himalayas. The entire expedition, from being one of my first “serious” climbs and accompanied by my dear friend and world-renowned mountaineer, Fred Harper, was a deeply transformative experience. The scenes of unparalleled beauty and immense power of nature combined with the thrill and vulnerability of adventure and wilderness have remained so vivid until this day. Unfortunately, Fred passed away soon after in 2000, which further made this experience a unique privilege and personal honor to have shared my rope with someone I admired and learnt so much from. "
Ravi's favorite itineraries and travel advice
Top itineraries and travel advice
With its vivid colors, glittering heritage, fascinating cities, and beautiful countryside from lush green oases to the Thar desert, North India is like nowhere else on earth....
This exciting 10-day itinerary introduces travelers to South India's serene state of Kerala. Kicking off in the historic city of Cochin, located on the Arabian Sea, you'll set...
This relaxing seven-day itinerary is the perfect way to explore Kerala at an easy pace. Spend the night on a houseboat in the backwaters, enjoy beautiful Marari beach, trek...
Family itineraries
This exotic itinerary is the ultimate introduction to South India's state of Kerala—an up-and-coming destination for savvy travelers. Kick off with an Arabian Sea sunset in...
Spend a week and a half exploring the state of Rajasthan with the family on this packed 10-day itinerary. You'll start and end your trip in lively Delhi, completing a circuit...
Spend a week discovering India's culture and history with this immersive family tour. Start in the vibrant city of Mumbai to stroll the greenery of Kamala Nehru Park, see...
Luxury itineraries
Admire some of India's most spectacular buildings, have cooking lessons with a local family, and spot wildlife on this 13-day cultural tour of Rajasthan. In Agra, you'll marvel...
Come face to face with some of India's most amazing wildlife on this 12-day tiger and temple itinerary through the heart of Central India. Start in Delhi, where you'll take a...
This South Indian adventure gets to the heart of Kerala's spectacular layered landscapes. After touring the historic city of Cochin, you and your guide will drive toward tea...
Road trip itineraries
Only an hour’s flight from Delhi, Ladakh looks like nowhere else on earth. Turquoise lakes reflect snow-dusted peaks. Monasteries tower like beehives over the stark,...
The eastern end of the Himalaya and their neighboring foothills is one of the least-visited sections of the mountain range, but other travelers' loss is your gain as you explore...
With a week to visit Ladakh, you'll have the chance to see all of the region's highlights. Start by exploring the city of Leh and touring the surrounding monasteries, then head...
Honeymoon itineraries
With its colorful culture and rich history, Rajasthan is a splendid display of a unique Indian heritage. This trip focuses on spectacular sights of India’s largest state,...
Ten days in India is enough to go beyond the highlights of one region, enjoying off-the-beaten-path sites or remote locales that wouldn't be possible with a shorter trip. Pair a...
Spend nine days in northern India, learning all about its food, culture, and history. Start in Delhi sightseeing and tasting its street food, feast on Peshawari cuisine in Agra...
Recent trip reviews for Ravi
I encourage more Americans to visit India!
India
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Feb 28 - Mar 13, 2025
Highlights were:
Our guide Ritam Sur in Kolkata. Super accommodating, very personable guide who listens to what you are interested in and changes plans to suit you. He even plyed the guitar for us, introduced us to some of... Read more
India was a culture shock. A beautiful, perfect, delicious culture shock.
India
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Dec 21 - Jan 3, 2025
On behalf of the entire Active India team, we thank you for trusting and choosing us to organize your family holiday tour in India. We hope you can visit India again in the future and explore even more of what our... Read more
Apart from the guide in Jaipur, who seemed a ...
India
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Feb 23 - Feb 27, 2025
Apart from the guide in Jaipur, who seemed a bit stressed and rushed us, everyone was amazing!
Dear Amanda,
Thank you for taking the time to share your review and such beautiful pictures of your recent trip with us! We're thrilled to hear about your fantastic experience and look forward to helping you plan more unforgettable journeys anytime you decide to revisit our country.
Best Regards
Ravi
Amazing trip to India!
India
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Feb 8 - Feb 17, 2025
Thank you for taking the time to share your feedback and beautiful pictures from your recent trip to India! We are pleased to hear that your experience in India was wonderful and that you & Sam enjoyed every moment of your journey. We truly appreciate your kind words. On behalf of the entire Active India team, we thank you for trusting and choosing us to organize your family holiday tour in India. We hope you can visit India again in the future and explore even more of what... Read more
Exceptional customer service, well organized, and unique experiences
India
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Mar 8 - Mar 12, 2025
Ravi helped my partner and I plan a very unique trip to India including activities we would have never thought to book ourselves. He really took care of us and made sure we had everything we needed. Our guide in Agra was particularly knowledgeable and we also really liked our driver, Sandeep. Would definitely recommend this tour company to others.
Thank you for taking the time to share your thoughts about your recent trip to India! We are pleased to hear that your experience in India was wonderful and that you & your family enjoyed your journey through India. We truly appreciate your kind words. On behalf of the entire Active India team, we thank you for trusting and choosing us to organize your family holiday tour in India. We hope you can visit India again in the future and explore even more of what our country has to... Read more
The perfect partner
India
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Feb 4 - Feb 17, 2025
We recently undertook the trip of a lifetime to the Golden Triangle of India and the team from Active India were amazing from pre-planing through to our send off in Delhi - we could not have asked for a better partner. Our driver got us from city to city safely (a miracle in itself!) and all of the local guides were full of local insights and very knowledgeable. We have no hesitation in recommending Active India to you.
Dear Guy,
Thank you for taking the time to share your thoughts about your recent trip to India!
We are pleased to hear that your experience in India was wonderful and that you & Juan enjoyed every moment of your journey. We truly appreciate your kind words.
On behalf of entire Active India team, we thank you for trusting and choosing us to organize your family holiday tour in India.
We hope you can visit India again in the future and explore even more of what our country has to offer. If you decide to do so, please don't hesitate to get in touch with us again.
Warm regards,
Ravi
Superb experience in India.
India
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Feb 8 - Feb 18, 2025
Thank you for taking the time to share your thoughts about your recent trip to India !
We are pleased to hear that your experience in India was wonderful and that you & your friend enjoyed every moment of your journey. We truly appreciate your kind words. On behalf of the entire Active India team, we thank you for trusting and choosing us to organize your family holiday tour in India. We hope you can visit India again in the future and explore even more of what our... Read more
Thank you for taking such great care of my fi...
India
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Feb 18 - Mar 3, 2025
Thank you for taking such great care of my fiance, Scott Lary and his daughter Nina. They remained healthy the entire trip. Drivers were very polite, informative and provided excellent care of two people who mean the world to me. Next time
Dear Tricia, Scott and Nina,
Thank you so much for sharing your wonderful feedback with us. We are thrilled to hear that both Scott and Nina had an amazing time during their visit to India.
We hope to have the pleasure of welcoming you all back for another memorable journey in the future.
Warm regards,
Ravi Tickoo & Team Active India
Yes it was a superb trip with great food and ...
India
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Feb 18 - Mar 3, 2025
Yes it was a superb trip with great food and nice people including Saja Gimtashannatripha. Esoecially loved the elephant ride.
Thank you somuch for taking the time to share your thoughts about your recent trip to India ! We are pleased to hear that your experience in India was wonderful and that you have enjoyed every moment of your journey. We truly appreciate your kind words.
On behalf of entire Active India team, we thank you for trusting and choosing us to organize your holiday tour in India. We hope you visit India again in the future and explore even more of what our country has to offer. If you... Read more
First Class Service
India
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Dec 29 - Jan 10, 2025
Dear Samir,
Thank you for taking the time to share your thoughts about your recent trip to India!
We are pleased to hear that your experience in India was wonderful and that you all enjoyed every moment of your journey. We truly appreciate your kind words.
On behalf of the entire Active India team, we thank you for trusting and choosing us to organize your family holiday tour in India.
We hope you can visit India again in the future and explore even more of what our country has to offer. If you decide to do so, please don't hesitate to get in touch with us again.
Warm regards,
Ravi
