Starting at just ₹500, Indian travelers can now choose from over 350 government-backed guided tours across 60 cities, thanks to a new partnership between MakeMyTrip and the Ministry of Tourism for 2026. This initiative offers a broad range of experiences, including walking, cycling, vehicle-based, and multi-day options, making domestic exploration more accessible than before, according to Storyboard18 and TravelBiz Monitor. The scale of these new guided tours launched by MakeMyTrip and the Ministry of Tourism for India in 2026 represents a notable expansion in affordable travel options.

This partnership offers unprecedented scale and affordability for guided tours, but it could challenge the viability of smaller, independent operators. The extremely low starting price of ₹500 for a guided tour, especially given the extensive offering across numerous cities and the involvement of a major platform, introduces a significant market disruption. This price point appears intentionally designed to capture and dominate the budget domestic tourism market rather than merely expand existing options.

While domestic tourism is set for a significant boost, the market dynamics for local tour providers are likely to shift dramatically, potentially consolidating power with larger platforms. The government backing via the Ministry of Tourism provides a credibility and marketing reach that individual small operators cannot match, creating an uneven competitive landscape for local businesses.

Booking Details and Scope

  • More than 350 guided tours across 60-plus cities are available on the travel platform, according to hindustantimes.
  • Experiences for these tours start at ₹500, as reported by hindustantimes.
  • The guided tours will be available for online booking starting August 15, according to Indian Television Dot Com.

The immediate and broad impact this initiative will have on making diverse travel experiences readily available to a wide audience. The widespread availability across 60 cities, coupled with the low entry price, positions these tours as a highly accessible option for many Indian citizens. The broad rollout from August 15 is a pre-planned market entry designed for rapid adoption, signaling a direct challenge to existing market structures.