You do not need a big budget to see the best of India. These five places give you snow, ghats, mountains, backwaters and islands, and each one works on a backpacker budget as well as a luxury one.
Prices below are per person for the whole trip, not including flights or trains to get there.
Kashmir: paradise on earth
Jammu and Kashmir, India
Lakes, meadows and snow peaks within a few hours of Srinagar. Stay on a houseboat on Dal Lake and take day trips to Gulmarg, Pahalgam and Sonamarg.
Best timeMarch to October; December to February for snow
Est. costRs 15,000 to 70,000+ per person, 4 to 5 days
Ideal forCouples, families, honeymooners
StaySrinagar, Gulmarg, Pahalgam
Budget options
Normal
Rs 15,000+
- Guesthouse or budget houseboat
- Shared cabs, 4 to 5 days
Premium
Rs 30,000+
- Deluxe houseboat and hill hotels
- Private cab for day trips
Luxury
Rs 70,000+
- Luxury houseboat and resorts
- Private guide and transfers
Food and local dishes
- Rogan josh: slow-cooked mutton curry
- Yakhni: lamb in a mild yogurt gravy
- Gushtaba: the royal meatball dish of the wazwan feast
- Kahwa: saffron and almond green tea
Things to do
- Shikara ride and a houseboat night on Dal Lake
- Gondola ride and snow in Gulmarg
- Betaab Valley and Aru Valley near Pahalgam
- Thajiwas Glacier at Sonamarg
Who it suits
- KidsShikara rides and snow play are a hit; keep drives short
- AdultsTreks, skiing in Gulmarg and lake stays
- SeniorsHouseboats and gardens are easy; avoid long cold drives
Travel tips
- Book Gulmarg gondola tickets online in advance
- Postpaid SIM cards work best; most prepaid ones from other states do not
- Carry warm layers even in summer evenings
Varanasi: culture and spirituality
Uttar Pradesh, India
One of the oldest living cities in the world. Walk the ghats at sunrise, watch the evening Ganga Aarti and get lost in the old lanes.
Best timeOctober to March
Est. costRs 8,000 to 40,000+ per person, 3 to 4 days
Ideal forSolo travellers, culture lovers, photographers
StayAssi Ghat, Dashashwamedh, Godowlia
Budget options
Normal
Rs 8,000+
- Hostel or guesthouse near the ghats
- Walking and shared autos
Premium
Rs 18,000+
- Heritage hotel on the river
- Boat rides and a guided walk
Luxury
Rs 40,000+
- Palace hotel on the ghats
- Private boat and guide
Food and local dishes
- Kachori sabzi: the classic Banarasi breakfast
- Tamatar chaat: spicy tomato chaat sold near Godowlia
- Banarasi paan: finish a meal like a local
- Malaiyo: a frothy winter sweet, only in the cold months
Things to do
- Evening Ganga Aarti at Dashashwamedh Ghat
- Sunrise boat ride from Assi Ghat
- Kashi Vishwanath Temple
- Half-day trip to Sarnath, where the Buddha gave his first sermon
Who it suits
- KidsBoat rides are fun, but the lanes are crowded
- AdultsCulture, food walks and photography
- SeniorsBook a hotel close to the ghats to cut down on walking
Travel tips
- Phones and bags are not allowed inside Kashi Vishwanath; use the lockers
- Agree on boat prices before you board
- Dress modestly at the temples and ghats
Himachal Pradesh: Manali and Spiti
Himachal Pradesh, India
Easy to reach by road from Delhi, Himachal goes from cafe towns like Kasol to the high desert of Spiti. Do Manali on a short trip, or add Spiti for a week-long road trip.
Best timeMarch to June; June to October for Spiti
Est. costRs 10,000 to 50,000+ per person, 5 to 7 days
Ideal forFriends, backpackers, road trippers
StayManali, Kasol, Kaza
Budget options
Normal
Rs 10,000+
- Overnight Volvo bus from Delhi
- Hostels and homestays
Premium
Rs 25,000+
- Boutique hotels and cottages
- Private cab for sightseeing
Luxury
Rs 50,000+
- Luxury resorts in Manali
- Private SUV for the Spiti circuit
Food and local dishes
- Siddu: steamed local bread with ghee
- Thukpa: hot noodle soup, best in Spiti
- Momos: everywhere, and cheap
- Trout: fresh river fish, a Manali favourite
Things to do
- Solang Valley and Rohtang Pass near Manali
- Cafes and walks in Kasol and the Parvati Valley
- Key Monastery and Chandratal Lake in Spiti
- River rafting in Kullu
Who it suits
- KidsManali and Solang are great; Spiti altitude is hard on small kids
- AdultsTreks, road trips and cafe hopping
- SeniorsStick to Manali; skip high passes
Travel tips
- Rohtang Pass needs an online permit for vehicles
- Spend a night at a lower altitude before Spiti to acclimatise
- Carry cash; ATMs are rare in Spiti
Kerala: backwaters and nature
Kerala, India
Houseboats on the Alleppey backwaters, tea hills in Munnar and cliff beaches at Varkala. Kerala is green, relaxed and great for slow travel.
Best timeSeptember to March
Est. costRs 20,000 to 70,000+ per person, 3 to 4 days
Ideal forCouples, families, honeymooners
StayAlleppey, Munnar, Kochi, Varkala
Budget options
Normal
Rs 20,000+
- Homestays and a shared houseboat
- Trains and state buses
Premium
Rs 40,000+
- Private houseboat and resorts
- Private cab between towns
Luxury
Rs 70,000+
- Luxury houseboat and spa resorts
- Ayurveda treatments
Food and local dishes
- Appam with stew: soft rice pancakes with coconut curry
- Kerala sadya: a feast served on a banana leaf
- Malabar biryani: fragrant and mildly spiced
- Fish curry with coconut: try the Alleppey style
Things to do
- Overnight houseboat on the Alleppey backwaters
- Tea plantations and viewpoints in Munnar
- Cliff walk and sunset at Varkala
- Fort Kochi streets, cafes and Kathakali shows
Who it suits
- KidsHouseboats and beaches are easy and fun
- AdultsNature, food and Ayurveda
- SeniorsSlow-paced and comfortable; Munnar roads are winding
Travel tips
- Book houseboats directly and check what meals are included
- Carry rain gear outside the dry season
- Munnar nights are cool, so pack a light jacket
Andaman and Nicobar: island escape
Andaman and Nicobar Islands, India
White sand beaches, clear water and coral reefs. Fly into Port Blair, then take ferries to Havelock and Neil islands.
Best timeOctober to May
Est. costRs 25,000 to 80,000+ per person, 5 to 6 days
Ideal forCouples, families, divers
StayPort Blair, Havelock, Neil Island
Budget options
Normal
Rs 25,000+
- Beach huts and guesthouses
- Government ferries
Premium
Rs 45,000+
- Beach resorts on Havelock
- Private ferries and a dive session
Luxury
Rs 80,000+
- Luxury jungle and beach resorts
- Private boat trips and diving
Food and local dishes
- Fresh seafood: fish curry and prawns
- Coconut-based curries
- Grilled lobster and crab, priced by weight
Things to do
- Radhanagar Beach on Havelock Island
- Natural Bridge on Neil Island
- Light and sound show at the Cellular Jail
- Snorkelling and water sports at Elephant Beach
Who it suits
- KidsCalm beaches and glass-bottom boats
- AdultsScuba diving, snorkelling and beach hopping
- SeniorsEasy beaches; book private ferries for comfort
Travel tips
- Book inter-island ferries early in peak season
- Mobile data is slow; download maps before you go
- Carry cash for the smaller islands
Before you go
Pick one place that fits your dates and budget, book the main transport first, and keep a day free for weather. Every place on this list can be done well on the normal budget.
