The destination matters. But we don’t think that’s where a journey should begin.
People travel for all kinds of reasons. To spend time with family. To celebrate something special. To switch off for a while. To explore a new culture. To be closer to nature. To reconnect. Or sometimes, simply because it feels like time to go somewhere new.
And the same person may want a completely different kind of holiday at another point in life.
That’s why we don’t start by asking you to choose a package.
We start by getting to know how you want to travel.
Planning a holiday has never been easier. You can look up destinations, compare hotels, read reviews and build an itinerary in a matter of minutes. But having more information doesn’t always make the decisions easier.
Which destination is right for you? When should you go? How long should you stay? What’s genuinely worth doing? What can you skip? And how much should you leave unplanned?
That’s where experience can make a difference.
We are here to help you make sense of the choices and turn them into a journey that feels right for you, not just one that looks good on paper.
Flying Squirrel Holidays began in Kolkata in 2014. But the idea for it started much earlier.
We were travellers long before we were in the travel business. Whenever we had the chance, we travelled. And we loved planning our trips almost as much as taking them.
We would spend hours figuring out where to stay, what to eat, which neighbourhood to explore and what might be worth doing beyond the obvious.
Then life got busier. Finding the time to research every detail became harder, so we started looking for someone who could help. And that’s when we realised something was missing.
Most of what we found was built around standard itineraries. There was a destination, a fixed route and a list of things to do. But very little interest in how we actually wanted to experience the place.
We didn’t just want someone to book hotels and arrange sightseeing. We wanted advice.
The right neighbourhood. A great local restaurant. Something unusual to do. A place worth staying longer. Or sometimes, simply the freedom to slow down. That experience stayed with us.
And eventually, we decided to build the kind of travel company we had been looking for ourselves.
In 2014, Flying Squirrel Holidays was born with a simple belief: Travel should be designed around people, not packages.
At Flying Squirrel Holidays, travel is personal to us because we are travellers too.
The places we’ve loved, the roads we’ve taken, the hotels we’ve stayed in, the meals we still remember and even the trips where things didn’t quite go to plan have all taught us something. Those experiences shape the advice we give.
Over the years, the team has grown. But the curiosity that got us started is still very much here.
We keep travelling. We keep researching. We keep asking questions.
And we work with people on the ground who know their destinations far better than any search result ever could.
Because sometimes the best travel advice comes from someone saying: “Yes, that place is popular. But I think you’ll enjoy this one more.”
Traveller, curious planner and someone who believes a great trip is as much about what you leave out as what you include.
Over the years, our journey and how we think about travel have been featured in leading publications. From why Flying Squirrel Holidays was started to how we approach tailor-made and experiential travel, these stories offer another perspective on what we do and why we do it.
https://www.khaleejtimes.com/business/indian-experiential-travel-brand-expands-to-dubai
https://www.telegraphindia.com/culture/travel/you-wait-for-travel-ends/cid/1806981#goog_rewarded
https://scoopearth.in/flyingsquirrelholidays-com/
Twelve years of planning holidays has taught us one thing-There is rarely one “best” answer. Not the best hotel. Not the best destination. Not the perfect itinerary.
There’s only what works best for the person travelling.
Sometimes that means suggesting a place they hadn’t considered. Sometimes it means staying an extra night. Sometimes it means travelling at a different time of year.
And sometimes, the best advice is simply: You don’t need to do that.
We have learnt that a good holiday isn’t about fitting as much as possible into a few days. It’s about getting the important things right.
India isn’t just a destination for us. It’s home.
And we know there’s no one way to experience it. It could be Rajasthan’s forts and history. Kerala at a slower pace. The food and culture of Bengal. Wildlife in central India. The Himalayas. Tea country. Spiritual journeys. Artisan trails.
For someone visiting India for the first time, the experience might begin with the familiar sights, but shouldn’t necessarily end there. Some of the most memorable parts of India are found in its food, people, markets, crafts, neighbourhoods and everyday life.
For someone who has travelled here before, there is always another side waiting to be discovered.
We help travellers find the India that speaks to them.
The same thinking shapes the journeys we create around the world.
Japan can be about food, design and everyday culture. Africa can be about wildlife and wilderness or simply slowing down. Europe can mean art and architecture, long lunches, family time or getting to know one small part of a country properly.
A destination is never just one thing. And there’s no single “right” way to experience it.
We help you find your own way into it.
Our own travels, research and relationships with people on the ground help us look beyond what everyone else is doing and find experiences that are genuinely worth your time.
From the first conversation to the final details, this is how a customised holiday takes shape around the way you want to travel.
| 01 | Understand | We start by understanding you: how you travel, what matters to you, who you are travelling with and what you want this journey to mean. |
| 02 | Explore | We consider the possibilities – destinations, seasons, routes, stays and experiences that could suit the way you want to travel. |
| 03 | Recommend | Experience and destination knowledge help us make sense of those possibilities, with thoughtful recommendations and a reason behind each choice. |
| 04 | Create | The right experiences, pace, stays and details come together to create a journey shaped around you. |
| 05 | Take Care | From the details before you leave to the support along the way, everything is carefully coordinated so you can travel with confidence. |
A different perspective
There is usually more than one way to plan a trip. We help you see the possibilities you may not have considered.
Experience
After more than 12 years of planning journeys, we have a good sense of when to go, where to stay, how much to fit in and when to slow things down.
Judgement
We don’t recommend something just because it is popular, expensive or easy to book. If we recommend it, there should be a reason.
Local knowledge
We work with trusted people and partners who know their destinations well and help us see beyond what comes up in a search.
Personal attention
From the first conversation until you return home, we stay involved in the details that matter.
Someone to call
Travel doesn’t always go exactly according to plan. When it doesn’t, it helps to know someone is there.
Over the years, we’ve had the privilege of creating journeys for more than 10,000 travellers across over 100 destinations. Our travellers come from India and different parts of the world.
But the numbers only tell part of the story. What matters more are the people behind them.
The conversations we’ve had. The families who have travelled with us more than once. The travellers who have recommended us to friends. And the stories they come back with.
That’s the part of the journey we’re most proud of.
You don’t need to have everything figured out.
Maybe you already know where you want to go. Maybe you are planning a special occasion. Maybe there are a few places you’ve always wanted to see. Or maybe you just know how you want the holiday to feel.
That’s enough.
Bring us the idea. We’ll take it from there.
Let’s talk, explore the possibilities and figure out what might work for you.
Talk to a Travel Expert
connect with us at +91 3340525777
or write to us at connect@flyingsquirrelholidays.com
