If you are still sitting and sulking about your ruined long weekend, get inspired with these best backpacking destinations in India, take your pick, and get set go!
Who cares about reservations and bookings, we are a generation of spontaneity!
Our travel mantra- pick up a backpack and set off on an expedition to explore new worlds.
Hence, to name a few, here are some of the many scenic locations in India that would satisfy your wanderlust, and fit your budget too.
Munnar, Kerala
A picturesque hill station, Munnar has India’s highest tea gardens, and unique flora and fauna.
Explore numerous waterfalls or go paragliding in the misty mountain peaks overlooking the green tea gardens, this former summer resort of the British Empire, is a backpacker’s paradise. Chance upon the rare blue flower called “neelakurinji”, which blooms only once in every 12 years, only in Munnar, or go in search for the endangered mountain goat species of Nilgiri Tahr in Eravikulam National Park.
Adventure loving Backpackers can trek on the highest peak in South India, Anamudi, at 2,695 meters. Make sure that you indulge into tea tasting sessions and learn about tea making process, when there.
Rajasthan
If experiencing the ethnic touch and rich cultural heritage of India is your agenda, there can be no better place than Rajasthan.
With changing landscapes from lakes to sand dunes, to thick forests, this majestic place is a journey of a lifetime. With its magnificent forts, royal Palaces and traditional folklore, Rajasthan is living history. The state also boasts of active wildlife with its Ranthambore National Park. The must visit places in Rajasthan are Udapur, Bikaner, Jaipur and Jaisalmer. Go camping in the sand dunes of Bikaner and Jaisalmer, hitch a ride on a camel, and get enthralled by the hospitality. Also visit the last border village – Tanot in Jaisalmer.
Tourists cannot go beyond this village without relevant documentation in advance from the District and Military Authorities.
Sikkim
This picturesque valley offers some mindboggling views with modest monasteries strewn across the landscape.
Combined with its numerous opportunities for road trips, hiking, trekking and cheap staying options, Sikkim makes for a worthy backpacking destination. Instead of taking the touristy route to Gangtok or Changu Lake, visit the small town of Peling in Western Sikkim. The Yumthang valley, at an elevation of 11,800 feet, is a must visit. It is also known as the valley of flowers of Sikkim, being situated within the Singhba Rhodendron sanctuary, home to over 40 species of rhodendrons and 108 types of orchids.
This place comes alive in a riot of colors during April-May.
Hampi, Karnataka
This UNESCO certified destination of ruins from ancient cultures is a sheer delight for travellers.
Easy bike hire facilities, properly marked roads, clean roads, and extremely useful tourist guide books. It is one of the safest destinations to travel in India. Strewn with old temple ruins with ancient art carvings, archaeological sites, and big boulders, this peculiar landscape also offers innumerable trekking ad mountain climbing opportunities. You don’t need to hire guides to show you around this small town; just hire a bike and zip zap zoom. If you want to trek, simply follow your gut and navigate your way through.
The place also offers number of shack accommodation, keeping in tune with the influx of hippie tourists all year round.
Dharamshala, Himachal Pradesh
Although there’s no place in Himachal Pradesh worth missing, Dharamshala is a different world in itself.
It has a number of pictographic spots, temples, trekking spots and other scenic spots for you to explore. If you don’t want to do any of it, just stretch your legs at a tea stall and muse about the snow clad mountain tops. With deep rooted Buddhist culture and even free Tibet struggle, this hill station is a powerhouse. If you care to socialize, visit the local Italian cafes around to catch the vibe. There are many Tibetan families around that also offer cheap accommodation with food.
If not that, absorb the holiness in monastery accommodations.
Go solo or go in a herd; backpacking is all about exploring beyond your plans and beyond maps. So even if you haven’t yet chosen your destination for this long, juicy weekend, just hop on to a bus or a truck back and set off for a world someplace else.
Travel far, travel within!
