Another Town, Another Train8230;

Since then WOW8217;s membership has swelled and Senapathy claims a 8216;database of roughly 3,000 women8217;. 8220;The format 8212; of women coming together for trips 8212; has been in place in the West for a long time now. And India, I felt, needed something like that at present sorely,8221; says Senapathy. Seconds Shireen Mehra, who started Women on Clouds, an exclusive women8217;s travel group, six months back. Mehra, who used to work with her brother8217;s travel and training agency Zice in Delhi, realized that women in India are usually held back from travelling by social norms. 8220;Firstly, there8217;s a question of safety, secondly most parents or spouses don8217;t relish the idea of women travelling on their own. And in most such cases, the former too can8217;t accompany them always,8221; says Mehra. So Women On Clouds was formed with the idea to cater to women who either needed a break from the stress of work or simply loved travelling.

The reason, why such travel groups, seem to have caught on in the recent times is the kind of expendable income that women professionals have at their disposal now. And women from 20-25-years-old to retired professionals above sixty years of age, have finally found ways to follow their hearts. 8220;We even get calls from 16-18-year-olds who do part time jobs and want to travel with the money,8221; says Mehra. 8220;Some 10 years back you wouldn8217;t hear of women CEOs and professionals flying across the country for work. With a changing professional graph, there8217;s a demand for entertainment, relaxation and luxury also,8221; says Senapathy.

Luxury it is surely. WOW which has made trips to Eastern Europe, Prague, Italy, South Africa, China etc usually charges around Rs 90,000 per head for a 8-nights-9-days trip abroad and Rs 40,000 for a trip in India for the same duration. The travel wing of the Chennai-based Duchess Club, which also specializes in all-women travel, usually charges around Rs 50,000 for a week-long trip abroad. Women On Clouds, however, has offers to suit almost all pockets as their weekend getaways two nights-three days cost between Rs 6,000-Rs 6,500 per head, including boarding, food, travel etc.

Indulgence apart, the travel experience also packs in promises of networking and connecting with like-minded people. 8220;Most of the people of my travel group are professionals 8212; doctors, lawyers, engineers, bankers, teachers, entrepreneurs 8212; independent women that is,8221; says Senapathy. Networking, therefore seems a natural progression, for independent, educated women who get together to de-stress or indulge in a common passion 8212; exploring new destinations. 8220;Travelling also is the best way to acquire skills such as confidence, self sufficiency, flexibility. We provide the perfect platform for the same as we focus mainly on adventure, camping and a lot of physical activities,8221; says Mehra who offers a Yoga-Adventure package and had got her clients to do rock climbing, river crossing, rapelling etc. Mehra plans to include bungee jumping in a forthcoming trip to Hrishikesh.

Sherene John, of the travel wing of the Duchess Club, finds the idea of meeting like-minded people and bonding, as the greatest attractions of trips arranged by them. 8220;There is nothing like a group of girls ganging up,8221; laughs John, who had organized trips to Bali, Cambodia etc and is all set for one to South Africa, come November. Supriya Newar, a public relations consultant, based out of Kolkata, had been with WOW for three trips. 8220;The best thing about these trips is that they are very well-managed and there are no hidden costs,8221; says Newar. Add to that safety and people who often end up sharing your tastes in several things in life. And you probably don8217;t need people to sing Bon Voyage!

Women On Clouds Delhi

Packages: Weekend getaways adventure/ relaxation

Yoga 038; Adventure

Yoga 038; Relaxation Exotic, offbeat locations

Wallet Woes: Packages start at Rs 6,000 and might go up to Rs 21,000 depending on location and duration.

Contact: Shireen Mehra 8212; 91 9810033630

Expertspeak: 8220;We have a woman guide accompanying all groups. For the Yoga packages we rope in a hatha Yoga instructor and also organize light evening treks, participation in voluntary projects etc.8221;

Women On Wanderlust Delhi-Bangalore

Packages:Several exotic locations with upcoming tours to Egypt, Thailand, Hong Kong and Macau, Vietnam and Cambodia, including, an Exotic Cruise in North Europe.

Wallet Woes:Usually Rs 39,000 for 6 nights in India and Rs 88,000 for 8 nights abroad. Might go up to a little above Rs 1 lakh per head depending on the location

Contact: Sumitra Senapathy: 91 9891655054

Expertspeak:8220;I try travelling with most of the groups. Otherwise, I appoint people to travel along and ensure that the trips are hassle-free.8221;

Duchess Club Chennai

Packages:To several locations abroad. A trip to Japan in the pipeline.

Wallet Woes:Usually Rs 50, 000 per head for 6 nights.

Contact: Rathi Neelakantan 8212; 91 9841073060

Expertspeak:8220;We have networks with several agents to ensure there8217;s no hiccup during the trip.8221;