Harsh Sonawala is the co founder of India Someday and since his childhood, he has travelled to different parts of India and the world. The thrill of travelling and sharing his experiences with others was the reason behind starting India Someday. Other than the office where he is conjuring up marketing ideas, he can be found scuba diving in the Andamans or relaxing in a chalet in the Himalayas.
If you’re planning a trip to South India and want to keep costs low then there are some great hostels in Goa, Karnataka and Kerala. We have written a list of the top 10 backpacker hostels in South India to help you organize your trip. Here is a blog on the top hostels in North India for a wider range of options.
The beautiful Jungle hostel
Wanderers, Morjim Goa
Cheap, airy, and comfortable, their selling point is their outrageously amazing location. Just a five-minute walk from the pristine secluded Olive Ridley Turtle Beach. Hemmed in by lush green paddy fields and swaying palms, it’s a far cry from the over-crowded beaches of Baga and Vagator.
Instead of staying in your average dorm you also have the option of staying in a tent (Photo Credit – Wanderers)
Jungle, Vagator Goa
Wake up with Yoga and go to bed on a tummy full of delicious BBQ. The lovely open rooms are made even bigger by their wide-open windows that almost let in the view. Simple and clean, the basic furniture and the clean lines of the wall art bring the jungle that cocoons these cottages to life.
Busy morning at the reception – Jungle by hostelcrowd, Goa
Happy Camper, Kochi
Bright yellow walls, white cast-iron chairs, gently rounded fonts – it’s as boutique as a boutique gets. Veg out in the rope swings or the neatly manicured lawn.
If you have any questions, feel free to strike up a conversation with one of the staff to squeeze every drop out of this beautiful city. One of most social hostels in Kochi is also extremely well-run and one of the best backpacker hostels in South India.
How could you not feel happy with such a colourful open space to chill in? (Photo Credit – Booking.com)
Old Quarter, Goa
This hostel is the reason you shouldn’t just skim the beaches of Goa but actually take some time to soak up the history of its capital city, Panjim. True to the local culture, this hostel revels in whitewashes and exquisite tilework and reinvents the Portuguese colony.
Right in the center of Panjim (Photo Credit – Booking.com)
Zostel, Mysore
A gem in the crown of the City of Palaces, this Zostel is everything Mysore celebrates. A sprawling two-story bungalow with endless lawns, ornate balconies, bright curtains and unnecessary elephant statues. Go here if you have a taste for living like a king.
Zostel is a reliable company that owns hostels all around India (Photo Credit – Zostel Mysore)
Manjula’s, Mysore
Come here not to find a bed, but a whole city. Hop onto one of their deep-diving cycle tours or get from one local monument to the other hassle-free with their Fare’s Fair program that ensures you can get across the city without getting ripped off.
Every bit as funky as its name, the Electric Cat’s B&B embodies the fun, young, up-and-coming vibe of the city of Bangalore. The Dreamcatcher Café and Bistro downstairs is a great way to meet other travellers to pound the streets with.
Electric Cats has a funky and electric vibe (Photo Credit – Electric Cats)
Maritime, Kochi
Quirkily colour-coded just like the rest of The Hostel Crowd’s properties. Maritime is festooned in the nautical shades of blue, white and red. Stop here for attentive support on booking a houseboat or catching a Kathakali performance in the city.
The Maritime Hostel, Kochi is now The Lost Hostel
The Goan Corner, Hampi
A whole new take on the bare minimum a hostel can provide, the Goan Corner gives you a mattress on the terrace with nothing over your head but a mosquito net and the stars. That said, it’s a quality hotel with a great restaurant and a menagerie of incredibly friendly pets in Hampi.
Close to the grand Hampi ruins (Photo Credit – TripAdvisor)
Summer, Goa
A quick walk from the shops, the fields and most importantly, the beach. Summer is beautiful and simple, everything you need to survive as you tan yourself to glory. Most importantly, since it’s run by The Hostel Crowd, you can catch a free shuttle bus in from one of their North Goa hostels.
It somehow sounds scarier than travelling alone, but travelling with a group of strangers you’ve only just met can be enormously liberating. With modern technology, it isn’t hard to run a quick, if not thorough background check in a few second.
If you’re travelling with a group of strangers you’ll always have the organisers to fall back on. But what makes it better than doing it all alone instead of travelling with people you know and love?
First of all, it’s as much a route to self-discovery as travelling alone. Constant introductions and relationships with people outside of your comfort zone force you into defining yourself, and test whatever self-concept you had been working with all this while.
People who don’t know if they’re ever going to see you again aren’t likely to tiptoe around your feelings, and they’re more likely to give you an honest reflection of yourself than your close friends. The fifth time you tell someone you’re an avid reader, it may just occur to you that you haven’t really cracked open a book in a while.
Most importantly, you get to re-invent yourself, or simply bring out shades you may have kept hidden because it just didn’t fit in with who your family or friends thought you should be.
Start travelling! (Photo Credit – Avel Chuklanov)
Now get out there and travel. And if you’re still not ready for it, here are some tips to help you work up the nerve.
Don’t hesitate
The great thing about travelling with strangers/semi-solo is that you don’t have to wait for anybody else. If your buddies can’t seem to line up their work leave with yours, or a roommate just can’t seem to save up as fast as you, just pack your bags and hit the road.
The best part is, when it comes to travelling with strangers, this never ends. If you’ve made some friends in a new city and you’ve been exploring with them for nearly a week, they may start to fray your nerves a bit.
Just say your goodbyes and move on. Making lasting connections while travelling doesn’t mean hanging around and being polite when you’d rather just be gone.
Simply pack your bags and hit the road (Photo Credit – นิธิ วีระสันติ)
As you start your first hesitant introductions, your people skills are getting ready to soar through the roof. It’s no cakewalk starting a conversation with a bunch of strangers, even if you have been forced together by fate, or an overzealous travel company.
Soon you’ll be able to gauge body language and facial expressions, even broaden your knowledge of cultural differences in socialising. If nothing else, you may just find out what pick-up line or ice-breaker works best for you. A skill that’s sure to come in handy later on.
Don’t be hesitant to introduce yourself first (Photo Credit – Alexis Brown)
Have a little faith
Granted, these are strangers you’re travelling with, but they’re here for much the same reasons as you. Just like you, they too are often in the same delirious state between being overjoyed and exhausted.
They may not be the people you hung around with in diapers, but you’ve got to trust a little bit and open up if you want some genuine human contact.
Little faith and trust will help you build up genuine connections and memories for life (Photo Credit – Roberto Nickson)
Did you proudly interrupt the guide to share a fact that they later scathingly proved incorrect? Did you have one too many at the bar crawl and throw up on not one but all three of your shiny new friends? Who cares!
What’s past is past and you’re never going to see them again anyway. Lock it away in your secret wild nights and terrible shames box.
Forget the negatives & enjoy the positive! (Photo Credit – StockSnap)
Don’t be afraid to shut the door
Unlike your long term friends who’d think nothing of barging in on you for a casual chat at 3 in the morning, or take offence if you change plans without warning, your new friends are still going to maintain some polite boundaries.
Head out on the city with just your camera in tow and expect bright smiles and welcoming arms when you make it back for 8 o’clock drinks.
New friends have less expectations and will always welcome you with bright smiles (Photo Credit – Helena Lopes)
There is safety in numbers
We are not talking group size, but age. For starters, the body’s capabilities change with age, and you don’t want to be left standing awkwardly off to one side as the 20-somethings jump screaming into the white water rafts.
You’re already being thrown into a chaotic world of strangers, all new sights and sounds and smells. So it’s good to have someone around who’s processing it at the same pace as you.
Opt for age-category specific tours. This isn’t anywhere close to a fast rule though, those who can break it, know who they are.
Opt for a group with same-age category to enjoy your trip to the fullest (Photo Credit – Matheus Ferrero)
Have something to share with your fellow travellers
It’s good to come to the table prepared with something that can help cement your place in the group. Don’t hesitate to share a kickass playlist, home-cooked snacks or riveting stories as they also act as an ice-breaker.
Sharing food, drinks and ideas makes the best evening (Photo Credit – Kelly Sikkema)
Be on time
If you’ve made a plan to be somewhere, stick to it. Your new friends may not be comfortable calling you over and over again to wake you up or otherwise check on you, and you shouldn’t cost them their trip as well.
They’re either going to just leave you behind or never invite you anywhere again. Be careful what you sign up for.
Since you’re less likely to be seeking approval from your temporary friends, you’re less likely to get peer pressured into any activities you won’t enjoy. If you think you’re going to hold back the group, just say no.
Be on time! (Photo Credit – Sanah Suvarna)
Here is our blog which talks about our top ten tips for travelling solo in India. In case you are not sure if you are a group traveller or solo traveller, here is a blog that will help you understand your travel style. Are you ready for it? Feel free to contact us for more details and travel plans.
From crispy fried gol-gappas that burst in your mouth, to thick sweet lassi to beat the desert heat, Jaipur has the perfect menu for a backpacker on a shoestring budget. Besides, you haven’t had an authentic experience of Jaipur until you have tried its wide array of delicious street food.
Just hit up any of these roadside eateries and before you know it, you’ll have a paunch that any Rajasthani could be proud of!
Chaat is one of the most popular street food
exploring street food in jaipur @ Gulab Ji Chai Wala
Where: Opposite Ganpati Plaza on MI Road
What to eat: Bun Maska Samosa washed down with a quick gulp of delicious masala chai. It cannot get better! Make sure you get there before 18:00 hrs in the evening.
Where: 220, Street No.1, near Sidhwashar Mandir, Raja Park
What to eat: Squeeze a lemon wedge over a plate full of piping hot spicy chicken tikkas before dunking them in some good old fashioned mint chutney to combat the spice. Sethi’s in Jaipur is street food at its most delectable.
Tandoori Chicken
exploring street food in jaipur @ Lassiwala
Where: 315, MI Road
What to eat: So legendary, it defines itself. Moreover, exploring street food in Jaipur isn’t complete without this. Lassiwala defines street food at its most traditional, authentic and yum. Rajasthan has a strong fondness for this thick, curd based sweet drink, and goes on to even add a layer of straight-up full-fat cream on top for some extra richness. You can’t leave Jaipur without it.
A glass of Lassi is the best thing after a long day of sightseeing (Photo Credit – Saahib)
exploring street food in jaipur @ Chawla’s
Where: 349, Fashion Street, Lane No.1, Raja Park
What to eat: Another street food that is not to eb missed is the custom made gol gappas, tangy-sweet or fiery hot. If it looks too packed, you can head to their competitors Nand’s right across the road.
Pani Puri (Photo Credit – Yusuke Kawasaki)
exploring street food in jaipur @ Sanjay’s Omelet Restaurant
Where: Janta Store, Bapu Nagar
What to get: Any of the countless reinventions of this simple egg dish served up by Sanjay Sharma, once a proud competitor in MasterChef India.
Omelet (Photo Credit – Daniel Albany)
exploring street food in jaipur @ Falahaar
Where: A-1, Vasundhara Colony, Opp. Kamal and Co, Tonk Phatak
What to eat: The name literally means ‘food for people on fasts’, and it’s perfect for Jains and vegetarians. You can make a meal of their Sabudana Khichdi, but don’t forget to finish off with their famous Shrikhand.
Sabudana Khichdi (Photo Credit – Devika)
exploring street food in jaipur @ Saras Parlour
Where: Near Mahaveer Hospital, Malvaiya Nagar
What to eat: Paneer Pakoras and Doodh Jalebis. Each dish perfectly complements the other, the sweet crunchiness of the jalebi putting out the fire that the spicy pakora started and the cold milk settling it all down.
Paneer Pakoras can be complemented with Doodh Jalebis (Photo Credit – Sean Carter)
explore some more @ Pav Bhaji Stalls
Where: Near Birla Mandir, Link Road, Nehru Bazaar
What to eat: Pav Bhaji, obviously! There’s some contention over which stall is the original Pandit Pav Bhaji, but the quality is more or less uniform across stalls.
Pav Bhaji (Photo Credit – RovingI)
another place to explore is @ Al Bake
Where: MI Road
What to eat: Pretty much anything with chicken in it. This one’s a great street food option for late night chicken lovers.
(Photo Credit – neverbutterfly)
lastly @ The old man at Raja Park
Where: Raja Park
What to eat: When you talk about street food in Jaipur, you can’t not visit Raja Park. Not eat so much as gulp down, a cold fizzy glass of soda lemonade or Shikanji, a Jaipur favourite.
Want to explore regions, cultures, traditions, street food, adventure etc. Then what are you waiting for? Get in touch with us to plan your trip to India!
Travelling in India for a month? This article will explore travel routes through India in one month. The famous saying goes, ‘a life time is not enough to explore all of India’, and rightly so. Therefore, we suggest that one month in India is the least amount of time you would want to spend here.
There is no single best route to travel across India, so we have provided 5 different routes. Each outline covers 4 weeks in India and includes an overview of the routes, the destinations, the highlights, and the modes of travel.
The suggested routes are moderate to fast-paced trips, that contain the drawbacks of the tours. They also have an approximate indicative budget for each route, going from backpackers to luxury travellers. You can compare different routes of travelling in India and see what you should be prepared to miss out on. The E-Visa and Visa On Arrival have made India a much simpler place to get to for travellers wanting to visit India.
North India contains several such stunning sights (Photo Credit – Ravi Shekhar)
travel routes through India – route 1: the classic north and south
Route 1: Delhi – Varanasi – Agra – Jaipur – Jaisalmer – Jodhpur – Udaipur – Mumbai – Goa – Hampi – Kerala (Route on GoogleMaps)
This travel route through India is one of the most popular month-long routes for travellers, especially with backpackers. This route has you starting in the historically rich capital of Delhi. Head east to visit Varanasi, one of the oldest continually inhabited cities known to civilization. Travel west to visit the Taj Mahal, and then loop around the desert state of Rajasthan.
While traveling in India, you’ll get to explore cities rich in culture and character in Rajasthan (Jaipur, Jodhpur, Udaipur). You can also take part in the Camel Safari & the Desert Camp in Jaisalmer. End the northern leg of your trip in Udaipur before taking a bus or flight to Mumbai.
Travelling to the South is more relaxing, as you’ll be travelling along the same coast as Mumbai. Relax on the beaches in Goa. Explore the boulders and rice fields of the time-bound Hampi. Visit the beautiful state of Kerala known for its backwaters and its tea plantations.
For a more detailed explanation on travelling in India and the best things to do in North India and South India, visit our blogs.
Depending on when you are looking to travel, this travel route through India can be quite busy. This is one of the most frequented routes by travellers wanting to visit India. If you plan on picking it, we suggest you ensure all your transport and accommodation is booked well in advance.
Since all these places are popular among tourists, it’s likely you will bump into more than a few on this trip. While that isn’t always a bad thing, but if you’d like to avoid the crowds we’d suggest you travel a little early (mid July – September).While the North would have great weather, the South would be wet, but beautiful.
Backpacker! Boutique! or mix and match, we can help you plan a well thought and cost effective month across India.
Cost of a four week tour across North and South India?
In terms of backpacking – dorm beds, day and overnight trains and a possible flight – you could potentially do this tour for as little as 700 EUR. Together, we can cater to your budget when booking hotels and modes of transport. Travelling in India isn’t extremely expensive in regards to spending money, for example, the food is cheap yet healthy.
The backwaters of Kerala will steal your breath away (Photo Credit – Nahel-Abdul)
Being home to a billion people, a million Gods and plenty of wacky rituals, India is also home to the incredible Himalayas. This is the best possible travel route for people who have only a month in India and want to combine their trip to India with a trek in Nepal (Everest Base Camp/Annapoorna Mountain Pass).
You will begin your trip in Delhi, a city extremely central to some of the most prominent locations in North India. From here on, head north to Dharamshala (home to the Dalai Lama), followed by Amritsar (known for the beautiful Golden Temple) and Rishikesh (the Yoga capital of the world, also known for its adventure sports).
After Rishikesh, you come back to Delhi before heading southwest, this time in to Rajasthan. Start with the state’s three gems – Jaipur, Jodhpur & Udaipur – before visiting Pushkar and Agra and then taking an overnight train to Varanasi. Varanasi is quite intense, it’s one of the oldest civilizations in the world and also a great place to end your trip in India. If you’re up for an adventurous assault on the senses, you can take a bus from Varanasi into Nepal.
Like the first route, this is also extremely popular among travellers, so if you decide to take it, you might want to book your train tickets well in advance. It is a hectic route, so we would recommend it to active travellers.
Apart from that, this is a good route to cover three regions (the Himalayas, Rajasthan and Varanasi) in the month you have in India.
Again if you plan to backpack, take train and buses you can do the tour for as little as 600 EUR/ 700 USD per person. You would want to double your budget to travel comfortably.
The Himalayas have hidden secrets to be explored (Photo Credit – Steven Lasry)
As a country, India has a myriad of facets and each region is often drastically different from the last. This travel route through India (the South) will be extremely gratifying – a full trip in itself.
Fly into Mumbai and head South to the fabulous beach state of Goa. Next, you can catch a bus or train to the evergreen Hampi and then spread out across Karnataka from royal Mysore to urban Bangalore before moving southeast to Chennai. Take a long break in Francophile Pondicherry or break it up with the southern spice of Trichy and Madurai. End the trip on the beach in Varkala or carry on to the stunning hill station of Munnar, and the backwaters in Alleppey.
For more detailed information about the best things to do in the South of India, read our blogs.
Drawbacks
South India is a beautiful region to explore, but it is slightly more expensive compared to the North. Flying into Mumbai and staying there can be quite expensive. There aren’t too many budget options in the South, even though there has been a rise in the number of hostels. It’s also sometimes convenient in the South to hire a car to get from one place to another, which racks up a higher bill than buses.
This route, like the previous one, is all about exploring South India. However, while traveling in India on this route, you will not be travelling southeast. You’ll fly into Mumbai and head South to Goa, Hampi and Mysore before crossing into Kerala and spending the rest of your days exploring God’s own country.
This route is more relaxed and moves at a slower pace than the others, giving you time to soak in the beauty of the South without dropping dead from exhaustion. Getting from Mumbai to Goa to Hampi by bus is not tough, but if you throw in a few trains and maybe a car hire, it’ll be easier.
Drawbacks
Limited to the South alone, and includes all the same drawbacks as the previous route.
The Himalayas, the Taj Mahal and the serene backwaters are a few things that people associate with India. And rightly so! However, India is also home to the divine but underrated Northeast, a virtual paradise nestled in the out-flung arm of the country. So when travelling in India remember this gem as well.
If you are looking to go off the beaten track, this is a great travel route for you to take. Travel through Bagdogra, Gangtok, Ravangla , Pelling, Namchi and Darjeeling, then make your way west to Kolkata; one of the oldest metros in the country. From there you can catch a train to Varanasi, then move through Khajuraho (known for it’s erotic temples), Orchha (the quintessential Indian town), Agra and Rajasthan, before heading back to Delhi.
Apart from being diverse, India is also simply large. You may have to take a few flights, Delhi – Badgogra, or Bagdogra – Kolkata to save time, since there is only a month and so much to see and do in it. Travelling in the Northeast could be slightly more expensive as the local transport, though very economical, is inconsistent with its timings. You may want to trade some of your other luxuries on the trip for a comfortable car ride.
Places like Khajuraho and Orchha are beautiful places to visit, but make sure you’ve made travel arrangements in advance. There is a dearth of options and not very great connectivity either.
Further, depending on the time of year you are planning to travel, the North and Northeast can get pretty cold, especially in the mountains. For more information on travelling in India, contact us or check out our blog. Don’t have a month? Here are a few two week itineraries you could follow for North India or the South India. For any further assistance, or for help with planning the trip of a lifetime, simply click on Plan Your Trip.
The magical states of Northeast India has ageless forests and formidable mountain ranges
Summer’s in, school’s out. There’s not many places left now where you can beat the heat in May and do it without seven thousand other sweaty bodies crowding in on you. Or are there?
We’ve brought you a list of our top picks for this May. All fall into the categories of both cool (weather-wise) and super-cool (as in off-beat).
Corbett National Park
Dense, mist-encased jungles cling tight to the slopes of the Kumaon Hills. Jim Corbett was once hailed as a hero for getting out his gun and saving the locals from the native man-eating tigers. He then became an even bigger hero when he turned to their conservation. The Tiger Reserve, named after him and made famous by his classic Jungle Book, is now home to 220 big cats. May is the perfect time to see them. As the summer heat whittles down the vegetation and dries up those feline throats, the animals must move further and further out of hiding and toward the major watering holes. Not that tigers are the only attraction. These 1318 sq km of pristine forestland in the Himalyan foothills are home to wild elephants, sloth bears, langur monkeys, rhesus macaques, peacocks, otters, chital, sambars, hog deer, barking deer, leopards, mugger crocodiles, gharials, monitor lizards, wild boars and jackals and more than 600 species. Must we go on?
Getting there: Take a flight, train or car from Delhi to Ramnagar. Alternatively, you can also head out from Lucknow, Chandigarh or Dehradun.
Tiger spotted in Park. (Credit_Rohit Varma)
Sikkim
No matter which direction you head in this little Himalayan state, there is only beauty. Bright carpets of rhododendron spill down the slopes of the valleys in the north. Towering masterpieces of religious statues loom over you in the South. The East’s vibrant city lights are perfectly offset by the oceans of serenity that are the ancient monasteries of the West. Go for the sights, stay for the spirit.
Getting there: The only way to enter Sikkim is by road through West Bengal, so you can first fly into Bagdodra or take a train to Siliguri and head out from there. From here you can catch a government bus or hire a jeep to Gangtok. Foreigners will need to obtain a Restricted Area Permit (or Inner Line Permit). These are available quite hassle free at your entry point into the state, or can be pre-arranged at Sikkim travel desk in Darjeeling (inside the Old Bellevue Hotel in Chowrasta district), and from Sikkim Tourism Center in Siliguri located at the S.N.T. bus stand. Carry a couple of passport size photos with you.
This grand park is also known as Tathagata Tsal. The Buddha statue is the fourth-tallest statue in India.
Shimoga
Here’s one for those of you down south, who’d like to cool off but don’t want to travel all the way up north for snow. How about some waterfalls instead? Start your trip at the Jog Falls for some breath-taking waterworks and then move to Kodachari Peak teeming with life in its deep forests. Keep some time out for the numerous temples and heritage sights. Finally, remember to savour that drive through Agumbe, or better yet, trek it!
Getting there: You can take a train or bus directly into Shimoga from Udupi or Mangalore. Udupi is accessible by train and Mangalore by air.
Jog falls and the rainbow (Credit_Bharath Achuta Bhat)
We’ll help you plan the ideal holiday while catering to all your needs and interests. Whether its time constraints or budget restrictions, leave it to us and just hit that Plan Your Trip button.
The dawn of a new season somehow finds a way to ignite a sense of adventure. It is that time of the year when people all across the globe decide to take a much delayed and needed vacation. It is also that time of the year when school and college students finally get the opportunity to leave their everyday life behind to go on an epic SUMMER ROAD TRIP! Nothing rejuvenates the mind and the soul like the open roads, the company of your close ones, the sight of the world passing you by and the beautiful natural wonders you get to witness along the way. If you are looking to embark on a summer road trip in India, you must definitely go up North. Here is a route you have to try!
Take a road trip this summer through the outstanding mountains of India (Photo Credit – Vikramdeep Sidhu)
The Road Trip Route
Start your road trip off in Delhi. What better place to start a trip than from the capital of India? Remember to stock up on supplies for the road, not that you wouldn’t find things on the way. From Delhi, head all the way up to the mountains in Dharamshala (McLeod Ganj). On a rendezvous with mountains, sun-kissed treetops, lush green forests and smooth highway roads, tall city towers and a few rocky roads thrown in for variety.
Start your trip in Delhi, the capital of India! (Photo Credit – Mohan Nannapaneni)
Delhi – Kasauli (5.15 hours)
Begin at the small cantonment town of Kasauli, situated at an average altitude of 1900m (6000 feet) above sea level. Take the NH-1 highway from Delhi and continue your journey onto the NH-22 highway after you’ve crossed Ambala. The highway from Delhi to Kasauli is one of the best roads in India you will get to experience. It is best if you start your trip early in the morning so you can get breakfast at one of the amazing highway dhabas. An experience within itself! When in Kasauli, let the beauty of the town sink in, as you enjoy wandering around a lush green valley, nestled in between mountains. Take a break in the town and go for a walk on the Gilbert trail, a well-maintained nature trail which is nothing short of a marvel. The Christ Church and the Baptist Church are also worth checking out.
The highway from Delhi to Kasauli is one of the best roads in India you will get to experience (Photo Credit – Jon Connell)
Kasauli – Shimla – Thanedar (3-3.30 hours)
You’ll be surrounded on all sides by astounding beauty as you start going upwards from Kasauli. You’ll be forced to stop along the way and let out your inner shutterbug, as you drive up the comfortable roads. Clear bright skies above and majestic mountains ahead will set the scene for the kilometres to come.
Enter Shimla, the capital of Himachal Pradesh and the principal commercial, cultural and education centre of the hills. Of all the things you could do in Shimla, you can’t miss a pit stop at Minchy’s. This store sells various fruit-related products, all made from fresh produce, courtesy of the many fruit orchards in Thanedar, Kotgarh and other places in and around Shimla. They have everything from fruit syrups and wines to jams and candy.
As you get back on the road for your journey from Shimla to Thanedar, get ready to experience an exciting drive at the absolute crest of the mountain. That’s right! The roads are very close to the peak and the ascension in the roads, along with the twists and turns make for an exhilarating drive. Seeing a mountain from afar is one thing, but driving at its peak is a whole new experience.
By the time you reach Thanedar, the sun would be on its way down, to clear the path for the dark of the night. About the right time for you to take a pause for the cause. It is not advisable that you drive after sundown. It is not very safe and you’ll miss out on the view. Spend the night at the nearby Seetalvan Orchard, a veritable paradise that’ll make it hard for you to leave.
Get yourself packed up to drive down to your next location, Shoja, after enjoying a good night’s sleep and witnessing a beautiful sunrise.
Get ready to experience an exciting drive at the absolute crest of the mountain
Thanedar-Shoja-Manali (6-7 hours)
Upwards again, this is where the thrilling part of your Roadtrip comes into the picture. You follow the MDR15 road, which will eventually lead you to the NH22 highway route. The road to Shoja takes you through the scary yet adventurous, Jalori Pass. It’s a mountain pass situated at an elevation of 10,800 ft above sea level. You have to navigate a steep hill with mean curves along with muddy and rocky roads to get there. Make no mistake, the drive through this road is an exhilarating experience but also one where caution must be taken. The steep climb must be approached at a constant 1st gear. The surroundings are picturesque and often complemented by the view of snow-clad peaks.
The two primary highway routes from Shoja to Manali are the NH-305 and the NH-21. After crossing Shoja, you have to follow the NH-305 route towards Thalaut. Head down the Panjai road in Thalaut to get to the NH-21 highway, which will lead you to Manali.
Once you find a way to leave the beautiful hill station of Manali behind, head towards Dharamshala. You will realize that the road still has so much more to offer. This is the part of the trip that is best done in broad daylight. The drive from Manali to Dharamshala is as exciting as it is magical. You will get to witness the spectacular Kangra Valley. Driving on smooth and well-constructed roads are fun, sure, but the breath-taking sight of snowy mountains, placed artistically behind a landscape of lush green trees and clear blue skies, is what feeds the soul of a wanderer.
Beautiful view of the mountain (Photo Credit – David Bacon)
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The festival includes food stalls, cooking competitions, demos and an amazingly exciting live distillation unit will showcase all the deliciousness born out of this fertile and sun-kissed land. The fare on offer comes from the kitchen’s of the biggest five-star hotels and the homeliest of home-cooks so there’s nothing to be missed. To keep you entertained while you eat your weight in coconut and fish, there’s a line-up that includes Goenchim Noketram, Indian Ocean, Dance to the Beats, Rhythm and Blues, Kepemchim Kirnnam, Lagori, the Big T Band, Bollywood Hip Hop and Dance Fusion, Thermal and Quarter, Taaq, Bad Blood and One Night Stand.
Rahul Ram from Indian Ocean (Photo Credits – Abhimanyu Jhingan)
When is this festival?
This festival takes place every year in Panjim during April.
Enjoy the authentic Goan food and music at the festival
Where does the it take place?
The festival is held at the D B Bandodkar Ground, Campal in Goa. Campal is about 4 kms out from Panjim and easily accessible by road and public transport.
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Goan festivals offer some good music and great food (Photo Credits – Joegoauk Last Namegoa)
Every year, over 60 million tulip bulbs travel from Holland to hunker down in the cold earth of Siraj Bagh in Srinagar. Come spring, the first rays of the April sun stretch out over the Zabarwan Range, thawing the shimmering surface of the Dal Lake. The first blooms burst through the soil and unfurl into a carpet of blossoms nearly 5 hectares across. It’s the largest tulip garden in all of Asia.
Rows of different colours of Tulips
WHEN TO Go
The garden, Indira Gandhi Memorial Tulip Garden, opens its gates on the 29th of March. The dates of the actual festival vary depending on the estimated time of blooming. This usually falls between the 5th and 10th of April. The festival lasts for a little under three weeks. Lose yourself in the flowerbeds that have lit up generations of Hindi film backgrounds, swaying in the cool breeze as couples prance wantonly in the sun. Neat rows of yellows, reds, pinks and variegated varieties stretch out as far as the eye can see.
Indira Gandhi Memorial Tulip Garden (Photo Credit – Arif Khan)
Stay for the charming Tulip Festival
Since all these efforts are made mostly to promote Kashmir’s tourism, the Tulip Festival in Srinagar is completed by a huge song and dance bonanza showcasing Kashmiri folk culture and Kashmiri food. Pick up some elegantly embroidered jackets and delicately painted lac boxes to take home. You can also deck yourself out in full Kashmiri kit for a photo op.
The stunning rows of tulips are hard to resist
Getting there
All the major North Indian cities are well connected to Srinagar by road. But you can also catch a flight straight into Srinagar or a train to Jammu.
Go on, Plan Your Trip now to visit to the beautiful Tulip Festival in Srinagar today!
If you are considering backpacking through North India then it is important to find cheap accommodations within a good location. We can offer you advice on the top 10 hostels in North India in cities like Delhi, Jaipur, Amritsar, Udaipur and many more. Some of which have also been reviewed by our clients. Plan your trip with India Someday now and we can book your accommodation in advance as a security blanket so that you don’t have to worry about late bookings and availability.
Backpacker in India (Photo Credit – Ibrahim Rifath)
goStops, new Delhi
Stops hostel offers literally every facility you could ask for and delivers them with professional excellence. Daily tours and activities, crisp linen, free parking, hot showers and free chai are just the tip of the iceberg. The free breakfast is the highlight – fill up on eggs to order, pancakes, fruit, toast and tea and you’ll be ready to attack the day head on!
The hostel is in a great location and is close proximity to many major sites in New Delhi. Nearby are locations such as: National Gandhi Museum, Red Fort, Jama Masjid, and an array of market stalls and restaurants in walking distance. Metro stations are just a short walking distance so it is accessible to travel to other parts of the city that are further away. You will be staying on the edge of New and Old Delhi allowing you to explore the best of both worlds.
The hostel is in a great location and is close proximity to many major sites (Photo Credit – goStops)
gOStops, Varanasi
Another option from a reliable chain of hostels, goStops in Varanasi is among the top 10 hostels in North India. Choose from a range of accommodation starting from a double occupancy ensuite and stretching all the way to tents with shared Douglas Adams – themed toilets. The staff are friendly and, along with the other residents you can socialise in the common room, create a positive environment. It seems to attract all the best people, or maybe it’s just the atmosphere. Either way, you’ll make great friends here.
One of clients decided to reside at goStops in Varanasi and offers a great insight into her stay at the hostel here.
goStops is a reliable chain of hostels found in India (Photo Credit – TripAdvisor)
Moustache, Jaipur
Not just your average clean sheets and complimentary breakfast, the Moustache Hostels pack a wholloping punch of character. Bright colours, mirror-work, embroidered parasols and upcycled furniture make this entire building a photo-op. They’ve inhaled Jaipur and expressed it on their walls.
Jaipur railway station and the bus station are only 1km from the hostel and are both easy to walk to. Whereas the airport will be a 30-40 minute drive, but you can book an Uber for only INR 200 or take a prepaid taxi from the airport for INR 300.
Moustache Hostel is forever ready to host (Photo Credit – Moustache Jaipur)
Bunkyard, Udaipur
This is our first choice for a hostel in Udaipur! Bright green vines cascade down the cool white walls of the stairwell in this amazingly located hostel. Location alone has put this hostel on our list of the top 10 hostels in North India. It is only 22 kms from the airport, 100 kms from Udaipur palace and 50 kms from Jagdish Hotel. Go up to the terrace for barbeque, enjoy the scenery of the lake on the rooftop, or pig out at the on-site restaurant. There are also yoga sessions and social nights for travellers to join onto with an array of other backpackers to meet.
Our first choice for a hostel in Udaipur! (Photo Credit – TripAdvisor)
Madpackers, Delhi
Madpackers is an oasis of calm and love that makes for a perfect homebase when you’re exploring this chaotic city. This is one of the top 10 hostels in North India to meet fellow travellers. Venture out with your new friends and the blessing of the travel crazy folks that run the hostel. Don’t be afraid to ask the front desk anything, they know it all and provide great information.
This hostel is not far from the Lotus Temple. It is also surrounded by a few parks for you to relax and take in all the sights away from the chaos that is Delhi.
This hostel is not far from the Lotus Temple and is surrounded by a few parks for you to relax (Photo Credit – TripAdvisor)
Zostel, Jaisalmer
The best of Rajasthani architecture and craft comes together to furnish this palace with locally sourced and lovingly carved wooden beds and colourful dhurries to keep the dust at bay. The location isn’t as convenient as we’d like but the sheer beauty makes up for it. Both mixed dorms and female-only dorms are on offer with shared washrooms and a locker for each bed. But if you prefer, there is also a choice of private rooms. Though breakfast is not included you can always visit the in-house café to grab a quick meal.
Mixed dorms and female-only dorms are on offer with shared washrooms (Photo Credit – www.booking.com)
Zostel, Pushkar
Another option from the Zostel brand in our list of the top 10 hostels in North India. Bright, clean and cosy, this hostel boasts a gently lit indoor pool and a wonderfully cushion-strewn rooftop restaurant. This is easily one of the more luxurious properties in the hostel category.
You are placed in what is considered the quiet part of Pushkar. However, the bus station is only 1 km away and the Pushkar lake is within walking distance. There are also several temples nearby to explore.
Bright, clean and cosy (Photo Credit – TripAdvisor)
Zostel, Agra
This is one of the top 10 hostels in North India because you are right near the greatest attraction in India. Just around the corner from the Taj Mahal itself, the Agra branch of Zostel is perfect for the budget backpacker who still wants to tick all the typical sites off their list.
Services include security lockers, bicycle parking, and a book exchange, though breakfast is not included.
Near the greatest attraction in India, the Taj Mahal itself (Photo Credit – TripAdvisor)
Shiv Shakti, Rishikesh
Shiv Shakti is a budget hotel with dorms and definitely the best place to stay in Rishikesh. The view from the rooftop stretches across the city all the way to the Ganga. Dinner parties are held every Thursday. There are other activities as well for you to join such as a sunrise trek and evening yoga. Fresh chai is also available at all times of the day. Furthermore, Nitin, the owner, is a wonderful human being who has shown us care and friendship well beyond the line of duty.
If you’re travelling to India for the rush of Holi, stay on a couple of days to watch Rajasthan celebrate Gangaur festival. Essentially a celebration of womanhood, it defines and honours the role of women in Rajasthani society. What that means is a celebration of marriage and a woman’s ultimate achievement of being a good wife.
Gangaur comes from combining the names for Shiva-Gana and his wife Parvathi-Gauri. Gauri personifies the ideal wife, embodying purity and austerity.
According to legend, these are the days in which Gauri goes back to her parent’s home for a few days until her husband comes to collect her and take her back to their marital home. Thereby the story symbolizes marital bliss and has become one of the most important festivals for the people of Rajasthan.
This is a colourful celebration of woman and marriage (Photo Credit – Nina Luong)
Celebration OF Gangaur IN RAJASTHAN
Colorfully marked, bedecked processions troop through the streets to the sound of drums to mark the departure. Each city puts its own spin on it. In Udaipur, women line up on the shores of Lake Pichola in their finest clothes to set off fireworks, and as a boat procession moves down the water.
In Jodhpur, the women sing as they carry water and grass in brass pots. Whereas Jaipur’s winding procession moves through the city with elephants, horses, folk artists, palanquins, and chariots in tow.
Clay idols of the godly couples are installed and decorated in every home to mark the commencement of the festival. Wheat grains, the grass from which is later used in the rituals, are sown in small earthen pots. While newly married women fast for the entire 18 days for the health of their husbands and their marriage, unmarried women also restrict themselves to one meal a day in the hope of finding a good match.
They spend their days gathered together singing traditional songs to keep their minds off their empty stomachs. On the second day, known as Sinjara, presents arrive from the daughter-in-law’s parents ranging from sweets to clothes and jewelry.
Gangaur Festival in Rajasthan (Photo Credit – Suffix)
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