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.
"
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
Ravi and Active India were excellent in putti...
India
|
Oct 30 - Nov 18, 2025
Dear Jason,
Thank you so much for your wonderful feedback! It was an absolute pleasure planning your journey, and I’m truly delighted to hear that everything came together smoothly, from the coordination with our drivers and guides to the WhatsApp support throughout your trip.
Making your wedding anniversary special was important to us, and I’m glad the celebrations added a memorable touch to your travels. We look forward to welcoming you back to India again in the future and would be honored to help craft another unforgettable experience for you.
Warm regards,
Ravi
Excellent
India
|
Nov 11 - Nov 17, 2025
Thank you very much for your thoughtful feedback and kind words about the trip. I’m truly glad to hear that you enjoyed the accommodations, guides, and overall experience. I sincerely apologize for the inconvenience caused regarding the visa information and the cold-weather clothing for the safaris. Your points are well-taken, and I acknowledge that, although these details were mentioned in the documents shared, I should have communicated both more clearly and proactively. I... Read more
Great itinerary, guides, driver and hotels
India
|
Oct 9 - Oct 16, 2025
Our Amazing Journey into India
India
|
Jul 3 - Jul 10, 2025
Our recent trip to India exceeded our expectations
India
|
Apr 24 - May 5, 2025
Thank you so much for your kind and thoughtful words. It was truly a pleasure working with you to plan your journey through India. I’m delighted to hear that the itinerary met your expectations and that our team—both behind the scenes and on the ground—played a meaningful role in making your trip so memorable. Your special mentions for our team members mean a great deal, and I will be sure to pass along your appreciation to them. We’re proud to have such passionate professionals... Read more
A Memorable Trip to India – 2025
India
|
Mar 8 - Mar 15, 2025
First, a big thank you to Ravi, who did a fantastic job organizing everything from start to finish. Our journey began on a high note when we arrived at our hotel in New Delhi and were surprised to find traditional outfits waiting for us—ones we would later wear during the Holi festival in Jaipur. Celebrating Holi was an absolute highlight—throwing colored powder, dancing... Read more
Thank you so much for your kind and heartfelt message. It truly means a lot to hear that you and your wife had such a memorable time in India. I’m delighted that everything—from the Holi celebration and traditional outfits to your visit to the Taj Mahal and the humbling experience at Gurudwara Sis Ganj Sahib—came together to make your journey so special. We always aim to create meaningful, immersive experiences, and it’s so rewarding to hear that we succeeded. I’ll be sure to... Read more
Seamless Care and Hospitality
India
|
Apr 4 - Apr 13, 2025
Thank you so much for your thoughtful and generous review. We are truly delighted to hear that your first trip to India was such a memorable and positive experience. It was our absolute pleasure to host you and your husband. We know how important it is to feel supported when exploring a new country, especially one as vibrant and layered as India, and we’re glad our team could provide the guidance and care you were looking for. We’ll be sure to pass along your kind words to... Read more
We had the most amazing week in Jaipur, Agra ...
India
|
Mar 21 - Mar 28, 2025
We were celebrating our anniversary and my birthday, and Ravi spoiled us completely. The hotels were beautiful and the attention we received was like non other.
I asked to have our rooms be on the top floor, and we were accommodated with rooms with a... Read more
Thank you so much for your kind and thoughtful message. It was truly a pleasure for me and the entire Active India team to be part of your journey through Jaipur, Agra, and Delhi.
We are delighted to know that your experience was memorable, especially as you celebrated such meaningful occasions—your anniversary and birthday. I'm particularly glad we were able to secure rooms with a view of the Taj Mahal to make those moments even more special.
Your generous words about Girish and... Read more
INDIA the trip of a lifetime!
India
|
Feb 26 - Mar 24, 2025
From the moment we exited the airport, until being dropped back off, we were treated like esteemed VIP guests. We had the "BEST" local experienced... Read more
It's wonderful to know that you found India and the people so kind and welcoming. The hospitality of our people is something we greatly value, and it's great that you had such a positive experience. And, of course, Indian food and delicacies are unparalleled, and... Read more
I encourage more Americans to visit India!
India
|
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
Thank you for taking the time to share your thoughts about your recent trip to India! We are delighted to hear that your experience in India was wonderful and that you enjoyed every moment of your journey.
It's wonderful to know that you found our Guides so helpful and friendly. The hospitality of our people is something we greatly value, and it's great that you had such a positive experience. And, of course, Indian food and delicacies are unparalleled, and we're pleased that you... Read more
