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
Was truly a memorable experience! Enjoyed see...
India
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Mar 27 - Apr 8, 2026
Dear Anil,
Thank you so much for your kind words!
I’m truly delighted to hear that you had such a memorable experience and enjoyed discovering the incredible diversity across India. It’s wonderful that Goa, Agra, and Mumbai stood out as highlights—each offers such a unique perspective of the country.
It was a pleasure planning this journey for you, and I hope we’ll have the opportunity to assist you again for another adventure in India!
Warm regards,
Ravi
Our incredible trip planner: Ravi
India
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Mar 23 - Mar 31, 2026
Thank you so much for your kind and detailed feedback, it truly means a lot. I’m delighted to hear that you had such a memorable experience and that every aspect of your journey, from the hotels to the guiding and overall planning, met your expectations. It’s especially wonderful to know that you enjoyed your stays at The Oberoi properties and that our guides and driver helped make your time in India so engaging and seamless. Your kind words about my involvement and planning are... Read more
Review: Exceptional Service with One Major Lo...
India
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Mar 24 - Mar 31, 2026
I recently completed a trip to India organized through kimkim, and I wanted to share my feedback on the experience. The Highlights: Transport, Guides, and Dharamshala
Overall, the logistics were excellent. The midday pickups and the long-distance transfers—including the drive to the Taj Mahal in Agra—were very comfortable and well-managed. The guides were professional and friendly throughout the journey. However, I want to give... Read more
Thank you very much for your detailed and honest feedback—we truly appreciate you taking the time to share it. We’re delighted to hear that you had such a wonderful experience overall, especially in Dharamshala, and we will certainly pass on your kind words to the team. At the same time, we sincerely apologize for the issues you faced in Delhi, particularly regarding the hotel location and breakfast arrangements on early mornings. Your concerns are completely valid, and we are... Read more
Visit to India
India
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Mar 10 - Mar 27, 2026
Thank you so much for this incredibly thoughtful and heartwarming review. It truly means a lot to hear that your journey was not only enjoyable but also emotional and eye-opening, this is exactly the kind of experience we always hope to create. It was an absolute pleasure working with you both over those months of planning, and I’m so glad the Skype calls and discussions helped shape a trip that felt just right for you. I will be sure to pass on your kind words to... Read more
10 amazing days in India
India
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Mar 10 - Mar 19, 2026
Thank you so much for your wonderful feedback! We truly appreciate you taking the time to share your experience. We’re delighted to hear how much you enjoyed your journey, especially your guide in Jodhpur and the overall team. Your kind words about the guides’ knowledge, the driver’s professionalism, and the thoughtfully planned itinerary mean a lot to us. It’s fantastic to know each destination brought a new “wow” moment along the way. Thank you also for your hotel feedback,... Read more
A golden trip around the Golden Triangle
India
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Mar 8 - Mar 22, 2026
Thank you so much for your incredibly kind and thoughtful feedback! It truly means a lot to all of us at Active India. We are delighted to hear that you had such a positive experience throughout your journey and that the itinerary matched your expectations so well. It was a pleasure working with you to refine the program, and I truly appreciate your patience and collaboration during the planning process. Your kind words for our guides will certainly be shared with them; they will... Read more
Indian adventure
India
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Feb 28 - Mar 9, 2026
In Agra with Ronit who is so knowledgeable,the guru of the Taj Mahal!, totally stunning architecture,so decorative and... Read more
The Kim Kim experience was very good and the ...
India
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Mar 1 - Mar 6, 2026
3 Cheers for ActiveIndia!
India
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Feb 8 - Feb 17, 2026
Amazing India Trip!
India
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Dec 24 - Jan 7, 2026