From Code to Adventure: NIT Engineer’s WanderOn Soars with 25,000+ Travelers

In 2018, three engineers from NIT Kurukshetra—Govind, Madhusudan Jaju, and Chirag Jain—ditched the predictability of corporate careers to solve a problem they felt deeply: India’s travel industry lacked soul. Today, their brainchild, WanderOn, is not just a company but a revolution, targeting ₹108 crore in revenue for FY 2024-25 and empowering over 25,000 travelers this year alone to trade routine for raw, life-changing adventures.  

What began as a rebellion against mundane 9-5 jobs has become India’s fastest-growing travel community, blending tech-driven transparency with human connection. WanderOn’s growth is staggering: a 60% YoY surge in travelers, a 20% rise in average ticket size (₹38,000 in 2024), and a jaw-dropping 250% explosion in BYOG (Build Your Own Group) trips. International travel bookings skyrocketed 168%, but the real triumph lies in its 4.9/5 rating from 3,000+ reviews, where travelers rave about “trips that feel like therapy.”  

Engineers Turned Storytellers

Govind, the motorbike-obsessed co-founder who’s clocked 30,000 km on Himalayan rides, calls WanderOn a “home for dreamers.” Madhusudan Jaju, the finance head with a trekker’s heart, has scaled 30+ remote trails and driven 50,000 km, proving that “marketing is inspiration, not persuasion.” Chirag Jain, the operations genius who coded WanderOn’s first website, thrives on chaos: “Every trip is a startup—unpredictable, creative, and wildly human.”  

The ‘Why’ Behind the Wanderlust

The founders’ own burnout in rigid corporate roles fueled their mission. “We wanted to create freedom, not itineraries,” says Madhusudan. WanderOn’s trips—like motorbiking through Spiti Valley or stargazing in Rann of Kutch—are designed to dissolve barriers. Strangers bond over campfire stories, divorced couples heal in Goa’s waves, and solo travelers find family in Ladakhi homestays. “You meet 150 people in a lifetime. We ensure each adds value,” Chirag explains.  

Transparency as Currency 

In an industry riddled with hidden costs, WanderOn’s radical transparency is its superpower. Vendors, clients, and teams operate in lockstep, with real-time updates and no fine print. This ethos extends to their culture: employees get “adventure leaves,” sales teams brainstorm on hikes, and marketers turn treks into viral reels. “Creativity isn’t a department here—it’s our bloodstream,” says Govind.  

The Road Ahead

With domestic travel growing 57% and global demand soaring, WanderOn eyes European backpacking trails and tech-powered custom trips. Yet, the founders stay rooted in their mantra: *Grief is love with nowhere to go. Until you wander on.* As Govind puts it, “We’re not selling vacations. We’re selling permission to live.”  

Why It Matters

In a generation drowning in digital noise, WanderOn’s 48% YoY surge in community travel proves that humans still crave real connection. Their story isn’t just about revenue—it’s a blueprint for turning passion into purpose. As Madhusudan says, “Careers aren’t about titles. They’re about the journeys you ignite.”  

“The best careers aren’t planned—they’re lived.” – Team WanderOn

Disclaimer:

User-generated content under ‘The Startup Club of India’ is not verified or endorsed by TICE. Publication is at TICE’s sole discretion, and submissions may be edited, rejected, or withdrawn without notice. No claims or communication regarding publication will be entertained. Contributors grant TICE the right to publish and share content; views expressed are solely those of the authors.