Navigating the Travel Landscape: A Conversation with Govind Gaur

An interview with Govind Gaur, CEO & Founder of WanderOn Experiences Pvt.Ltd, a travel company

In an engaging interview with Govind Gaur, the dynamic CEO and Founder of WanderOn Experiences Pvt. Ltd, we explore his journey in revolutionizing the travel industry in India.

With a focus on delivering seamless end-to-end travel packages, Govind shares his insights on the evolving travel landscape, the importance of customer experience, and the unique offerings that set WanderOn apart in both domestic and international markets.

Could you share some details about your background, including your education, professional experience, and family influences?

Govind Gaur: I’m Govind Gaur, an engineering graduate from NIT Kurukshetra, originally from Bikaner, Rajasthan. Growing up in a city steeped in culture and history, I was always curious about the world beyond.

Like most people, I followed the conventional path after college and stepped into the corporate world. It was a structured, stable job, and I was doing well—but something felt missing.

The routine, the predictability—it wasn’t me. I had always believed that life should be about experiences, not just paychecks. Every weekend, I would escape the city, chasing sunrises in the mountains and stories on the road.

It was during one of these trips that the thought struck me—why not turn this passion into something bigger? That’s how WanderOn was born.

Could you share some insights into your entrepreneurial journey?

Govind Gaur: The idea for WanderOn wasn’t born in a boardroom, it took shape on the road. Back in 2016, I went on a backpacking trip across Europe, hopping between hostels, meeting travelers from different countries, and experiencing a culture where travel wasn’t just about luxury vacations—it was a way of life.

Everyone was exploring with a sense of freedom, connecting with strangers, and making memories beyond just sightseeing. It was raw, real, and exactly how I believed travel should be. That’s when it hit me—why didn’t India have this?

Back home, travel was still largely seen as either family vacations, corporate trips, or luxury getaways. There was no organized space for Gen Z and early millennials—people who wanted to explore, make new friends, and experience destinations beyond just ticking them off a list.

No travel company was catering specifically to this audience in 2016-17. That realization changed everything. I knew there was a gap, and I wanted to fill it.

Travel wasn’t just about visiting places—it was about the people, the stories, and the connections you build along the way. I wanted to create a brand that would make travel feel effortless, exciting, and, most importantly, community-driven.

So, I took the leap. From leading a few trips with a small group of like-minded travelers to building a full-fledged travel company, WanderOn started with one simple mission—to redefine the way young India travels. And looking back, I wouldn’t have had it any other way.

Could you provide an overview of your company, including its areas of specialization and the services it offers?

Govind Gaur: WanderOn isn’t your typical travel company. We don’t just sell trips—we create experiences. From road trips and Himalayan treks to international adventures, we focus on offbeat destinations and unique itineraries that you won’t find in a brochure.

But more than the destinations, it’s the people who make WanderOn special. Travel is about stories, connections, and moments that stay with you long after the trip ends.

That’s what we aim to deliver—journeys that feel less like vacations and more like a chapter in your life story.

What would you say is your company’s biggest unique selling proposition (USP)?

Govind Gaur: If I had to define our biggest strength, it’s the way we make people feel when they travel with us. It’s not just about ticking places off a list; it’s about the experience—the laughter shared around a bonfire, the thrill of an unplanned detour, the friendships that last beyond the journey.

WanderOn is built on a community-first approach, where every trip is personal and every traveler feels like they belong.

What inspired you to become an entrepreneur and start your own business?

Govind Gaur: I never planned on becoming an entrepreneur. I just wanted to live a life that didn’t feel like a loop of Mondays. Travel was the only thing that made me feel truly alive, and I wanted to share that feeling with others.

The turning point came when I realized that so many people wanted to travel but weren’t able to because of fear, lack of information, or simply not having the right people to go with. I knew I could bridge that gap, and that’s what pushed me to take the plunge into entrepreneurship.

What were your initial mission and vision when you started the business?

Govind Gaur: When we started WanderOn, the idea was simple—travel should feel less like a service and more like an experience, something that stays with you long after the journey ends.

What began as a way to help young travelers explore India has now grown into something much bigger.

Today, WanderOn isn’t just an Indian travel company—we’ve gone global. But no matter how much we grow, one thing remains the same: our belief that travel is more than just ticking places off a list.

It’s about the stories you collect, the people you meet, and the way every journey changes you in ways you never expected.

We want to make travel seamless, exciting, and personal, whether you’re exploring the streets of Europe, the beaches of Southeast Asia, or the hidden gems in your own backyard.

The goal? To build a worldwide community of travelers who don’t just visit places—they experience them.

And as we continue expanding, one thing is certain—adventure will always be at the heart of everything we do. Because at the end of the day, borders exist on maps, not in the way we
travel.

How do you keep yourself informed about the latest technology and industry trends, and what role has innovation played in your success?

Govind Gaur: Travel is always evolving, and if you’re not adapting, you’re falling behind. Today’s travelers don’t just want to visit a place; they want to experience it fully—whether that’s through unique stays, local experiences, or seamless planning.

We keep our pulse on what’s changing by listening to our community, staying plugged into global travel trends, and, most importantly, traveling ourselves. Social media gives us real-time insights, but beyond that, we’re always working on ways to make travel planning smarter and more effortless.

We believe tech has a big role to play in shaping the future of travel, and we’re constantly exploring ways to bring innovation into the experience—making it smoother, more personalized, and more exciting for every traveler.

What inspired you to become an entrepreneur?

Govind Gaur: For me, becoming an entrepreneur wasn’t about following a traditional path or chasing a dream that seemed glamorous.

It all started with a simple question: Why not? Growing up, I always had a curious mind and a desire to do things differently. But the real spark came when I went on that backpacking trip through Europe.

I saw how people from all over the world were traveling with a sense of freedom and excitement, and it hit me—why didn’t India have something like this? A space where young people, Gen Z and millennials especially, could travel freely, connect with others, and explore beyond the usual touristy spots?

I realized the travel industry in India wasn’t catering to this generation’s thirst for adventure in a way that felt real and personal. And that’s when I decided to take the plunge—launching WanderOn.

It wasn’t about just starting a business, but about creating something that truly reflected the way I wanted to travel and connect with others. It was about building a community where travel wasn’t just a trip—it was an experience.

So, the inspiration to turn entrepreneur came from the desire to bring something fresh, something genuine, to a space that needed it. And honestly, it’s been one of the most rewarding decisions I’ve ever made.

What have been some of your failures, and what have you learned from them?

Govind Gaur: One significant failure was underestimating the importance of robust backend operations. Early on, I focused heavily on crafting unique travel experiences but neglected systems and processes to manage logistics efficiently.

This led to operational chaos and customer dissatisfaction. From this, I learned that creativity must be balanced with operational rigor—a business cannot thrive without scalable systems.

Additionally, the pandemic exposed vulnerabilities in our crisis preparedness, teaching me to build resilience and diversify offerings to withstand unforeseen disruptions.

If you had one piece of advice to someone just starting out, what would it be?

Govind Gaur: If I had to give one piece of advice to someone just starting out, it would be: Don’t be afraid to start small, but dream big.

When I started WanderOn, it wasn’t some massive company with hundreds of employees—it was just an idea, a passion for travel, and a lot of hustle.

The key is to start where you are, with what you have, and keep building. You don’t need everything figured out on day one, but you need the vision and persistence to keep moving forward, even when things feel tough.

Most importantly, don’t let fear hold you back. Every entrepreneur faces doubts, but it’s those who push through and embrace the uncertainty who get to build something lasting.

As our conversation with Govind Gaur concludes, his passion for travel and commitment to customer satisfaction shine through.

His vision for WanderOn Experiences not only enhances the travel experience for countless adventurers but also reflects a broader trend towards personalized and accessible travel solutions. Govind’s insights inspire a new generation of travelers to explore the world with confidence and curiosity.

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