Budget Travel: 10 Places for Solo Travel in India

Solo travel in India is a trend slowly finding its ground in the country. As the spending power, salaries and allowances of the youth of our country are steadily increasing, the young people out there have finally decided that spending money on travelling is far better than the other things they have been spending money on. So, before going globe-trotting alone to rediscover yourself, check out the places you can travel alone in Bhaarat Desh itself. Popularly know in India as ‘singles vacations’ or ‘holidays for singles’, India has a huge array of safe and surreal places to visit with all kinds of attractions- heritage, mountains, beaches, religious temples on top of mountains- you name it.

(Warning: Symptoms of wanderlust will catch on real fast!)

Khajjiar

[caption id=”attachment_4943" align=”alignleft” width=”1024"]

The meadows of Khajjiar. (Photo Credits: Simanpreet Singh Gill)[/caption]

I know the name sounds like a 70’s movie villain but don’t fret- this place is actually the ‘Mini Switzerland of India’. A beautiful hill station in Chamba district, Himachal Pradesh, it is a rare combination of three ecosystems: lake, pasture and forest in one place. It’s a destination you cannot miss; it is also a destination which will convince your mind with dangerous thoughts like forsaking the city life for good. It is unmissable amongst the list of places to visit in Himachal Pradesh.

Himachal Tourism Info

• How to reach Khajjiar:

1. By Air: Gaggal airport in Dharamsala, Himachal Pradesh is the nearest airport at a distance of 122 km. Flights from Chandigarh, Delhi and Kullu operate to Gaggal airport.
2. By Train:Pathankot is the nearest railhead at a distance of 118 km. Trains from Ahmedabad, Bhatinda, Delhi, Hatia, Jammu, Udhampur, etc. run regularly to Pathankot. Taxis are available from Pathankot to reach Khajjiar.
3. By Road:Khajjiar is well connected by road to all the major places in Himachal Pradesh. State owned buses from Shimla and Chamba. This is also the most popular form of transport to go from dalhouside to khajjiar.

• Khajjiar Weather:The temperature in Khajjiar goes from 4 degrees in the winters to 40 degrees in the summers.
• Best time to visit Khajjiar:March to October
• Must visit: Khajjiar lake
• Where to stay in Khajjiar:Most of the budget hotels in Khajjiar are located on Khajjiar-Chamba Road. Himachal Pradesh Tourism (HPTDC hotels) also operates hotels which offer budget accommodation. Khajjiar also has several mid-range resorts. Almost all the hotels here offer panoramic views of the snow-clad mountains. Deodar Manor or Hotel Devdar (colloquially) is a favorite amongst tourists. Click here to see Khajjiar hotels.

P.S.: A meal in a mid-level Chinese restaurant in Mumbai costs more than the hotel rooms at Khajjiar. If that doesn’t tempt you to pack your bags, what will?

Gokarna

[caption id=”attachment_4945" align=”alignleft” width=”1024"]

Photo Credits: Patrick M. Loeff (Photo Credits)[/caption]

Gokarna is a historically known important Hindu pilgrimage in the Uttar Kannada district, Karnataka. While travelling alone many of us seek to attain peace of mind which our hectic life isn’t providing us, and Gokarna brings us just that. Plus, it’s a tourist hotspot with lots of beaches and beautiful, peaceful beaches are always an attraction; peaceful being the operative word. The biggest plus is the price of this place, which is cheaper than an hour spent at a mall.

Karnataka tourism info:

• How to reach Gokarna:

1. By Air:Dabolim airport in Goa is the nearest airport about 140 km away. The airport is well connected by flights to Indian and international cities. From the airport, taxi services are available.
2. By Train:The nearest railway station is at Ankola, about 20 km from Gokarna. Trains from several cities including Mangalore, Mumbai, Thiruvananthapuram, Veraval halt at the station. From the station, taxi services are available for Gokarna.
3. By Road:Gokarna is well connected by road. KSRTC buses do ply regularly from Bengaluru, Mangalore, Hubli, other cities of Karnataka. One can also board a bus from Madgaon and other cities of Goa for Gokarna. Gokarna is just 10 km off the NH 17 connecting Mumbai to Kochi. Buses, including AC luxury, ply regularly between both the cities.

• Gokarna weather:The temperature of Gokarna falls to a minimum of 8 degrees in the winters, going up to 28 degrees in the summer.
• Best time to visit Gokarna:Gokarna can be visited through the year! The best month to visit, however, remains October.
• Places to visit in Gokarna:Om Beach and both the Gokarna temples: Mahabaleshwar temple and Maha Ganpati temple.
• Where to stay in Gokarna:Gokarna has several accommodation options. One can find budget, mid-range hotels and beach resorts which provide modern facilities. Gokarna beach resorts remain a favorite with the travelers, with Om beach resort taking the medal. Swaswara hotel is another great accommodation option. For more information and hotel booking, click here.

Sandhan Valley

[caption id=”attachment_4946" align=”alignleft” width=”1024"]

Photo Credits: Sudarshan Devardekar (Flickr)[/caption]

Ever gone trekking alone? No? Yes? I don’t know? Whatever the answer is, consider Sandhan Valley, also known as the ‘Valley of Shadows’ as a place you must visit. Not only is the trekking tough, you can totally live the thug life here by camping, rappelling and staying amidst stunning natural sites. It is one of the greatest canyons in the Sahyadri range, making it a great option for a one day trek around and near Mumbai. The gorge cut valley and canyon has been formed by the force of water rushing through it for a thousand years. The sun reaches the depths of the valley for only a few hours in a day, and hence it is mostly in shadow.

If you want the best of adventure trekking in India, then the Sandhan valley trek is ideal for you. The best part is- tents are optional, and in most cases not feasible. You will be camping in the open amidst canyons as high as 300 feet!

Sandhan Valley Trek Info

• Sandhan valley location: It is located in the Ahmednagar district of Maharashtra (Rajur). Sandhan is located near the beautiful Bhandardara region near village called Samrad. Samrad village and Sandhan Valley are surrounded bu Alang, Madan ad Kulang mountains in the Sahyadri range.Do check out Bhandardara reviews too, while you’re searching for the next place to travel to.
• How to reach Sandhan Valley:

1. By Air: Chattrapati Shivaji International Airport, Mumbai is the closest airport (210 kms away).
2. By Train: The closest station is Igatpuri. Any train inbound from Mumbai to Nasik will halt at Igatpuri. From here, local taxis, jeeps and buses ply to Samrad village (base point for trek) which is 80 kilometers away.
3. By Road: From Mumbai, take NH-3 towards Nasik, til the Ghoti toll. 2 kms after the toll, take a right onto the Ghoti-Shirdi road, towards Shirdi via Sangamner. After about 7 kms, take another right turn to reach Bhandardara. 27 kms further down the road, you will reach Ghatgar. From the Ghatgar RCC dam, take a left to Samrad village, 3 kms inside.

• When to visit Sandhan valley: Mid-November to Mid-February; during monsoon season, this gorge cut natural valley is inaccessible due to excessive water flow through the canyons.
• Where to stay in Sandhan Valley: Open-air camping is the most common form of overnight accommodation availed by travelers. Some tour operators and guides also organize for tents in the midst of the valley. Since it is a one-day trek, you can spend before and after at the nearby MTDC and Anandvan resorts (on the road-uphill- after you reach Bhandardara).
• Difficulty level: Medium

Shillong

[caption id=”attachment_4947" align=”aligncenter” width=”659"]

(Photo Credits)[/caption]

Look at this picture! How can you not want to go there? It’s like Narnia, only better! It’s called ‘Scotland of the East’ for a reason. It is the capital of the gorgeous Meghalaya, located in the East Khasi hills district, and has yet another very apt name: The abode of the clouds. Any guesses why?
Shillong city has rapidly developed from the 1970s onward, and is now known not only for its beauty, but its prolific The Shillong Times and the Shillong Chamber Choir!

Best reason to go alone? You won’t have to share your momos with anyone!

Meghalaya Tourism Info

• How to reach Shillong:

1. By Air: Shillong airport at Umroi connects only to Kolkata. You can get a taxi to Shillong from the airport.
2. By Train: Guwahati is the nearest railway station, around 100 km away. From station you can hire a taxi to Shillong. Guwahati is well-connected to all major railway stations of India.
3. By Road: The government of Shillong and Meghalaya provides good number of buses to and from Guwahati bus station. One can get down at this bus station and get a bus to Shillong. Its around 3 hours drive from Guwahati to Shillong. there are share taxis available at every spot. Onwards from Shillong to Cherrapunji, is 53 kms.

• Shillong Weather:Shillong temperatures are perfect for a vacation; it goes from a minimum of 5 degrees in winters to 17 degrees in the summers!
• Best time to visit Shillong: October
• Places to visit in Shillong/Shillong Sightseeing:Shillong peak, Umiam lake, Elephant falls, Mahadev Khola dam
• Where to stay in Shillong: Several boutique hotels offer facilities like lounge, coffee bars, pubs and conference halls. A room per night should cost around Rs 4,000. Budget hotels cost from Rs 1,000 to Rs 1,500 and the mid-range hotels are also quite comfortable and would cost around Rs 2,500 per night. However, during peak seasons the tariffs of the hotels in Shillong can go up by two to three times their original cost. Pinewood hotel (luxury), Royal Heritage (mid-range) and Hotel Lake View Inn (budget) are some good options to check out. Click here to see more.

Wanderlust Bonus #1: 6 Indian Travel Bloggers to Look Out For

Rumtek

[caption id=”attachment_4948" align=”alignleft” width=”1024"]

(Photo Credits: Ramakrishna Reddy Y, Flickr)[/caption]

It is a truth universally acknowledged that North East India has the prettiest places in the world and Rumtek, Sikkim is one of the cherries on top. Rumtek also has a monastery (Dharmachakra Center) which must be visited especially during their week long pooja (happens every month) devoted to a specific deity. It is the largest Tibetan Buddhist monastery in Sikkim, and is the seat of the third highest monk in Tibetan Buddhism. It is at an elevation of 5000 feet, and is surrounded by lush green landscapes all around.

Sikkim Tourism Info

• How to reach Rumtek:All transport ends at Gangtok; Gantok to Rumtek monastery is 23 kms and is iasily covered by buses, taxis and jeeps.

1. By Air: The nearest airport is Bagdogra near Siliguri, which is at a distance of 124 km from Gangtok. This airport is connected to Kolkata, Delhi and Guwahati. International travelers can get connecting flights from Kolkata or Delhi. Both are well connected with many cities in India and abroad. Helicopter services are available from Bagdogra to Gangtok, only once during the day.
2. By Train: The nearest rail head is New Jalpaiguri, which is nearly 148 km from Gangtok. It is well connected to most of the major cities in India.
3. By Road: The roads of Gangtok are well maintained for a self drive. The highway 31A connects this place with the neighboring cities and many others too. Bus services are also available on daily basis. Your Sikkim trip is incomplete without this stunning 23 kilometer road trip.

• Best time to visit Rumtek: September-June
• Where to stay in Rumtek: You cannot stay at the monastery itself; there are very few hotels around it- Hotel Dzong being the most famous. There are several accommodation options available in the capital city of Gangtok, for all budget ranges. Click here to see more.
• Things to do in Rumtek/ Rumtek sightseeing: A visit to the Rumtek monastery and a walk around the area is a must. One can also visit Gangtok, a famous hill resort that has a great view of Kanchenjunga (the third highest peak in the world), Kalimpong (75 kms)- a former territory of Bhutan and Darjeeling (100 kms), a holiday hotspot in the snow-clad Himlayan peaks.
• Tips: Foreign nationals need a permit to visit the monastery. It is open from 10 AM to 5 PM, all days of the week.

Vaishno Devi Temple

[caption id=”attachment_4949" align=”alignleft” width=”1024"]

(Photo Credits)[/caption]

Which is the go-to place if you seek divine intervention, alone? It’s Vaishno Devi! Why should you go there? Because nearly 15,00 people on an average go there everyday! You can also take a helicopter package for your Vaishno Devi visit, and feel like the king/queen of the world, but personally sitting on a pony and going up to the temple is far more fun! You can also choose to walk up the mountain to the temple, sweating and breathing in the religious atmosphere around you, along with the fresh air of the Himalayas. Take your pick, but go!

It is the second most visited temple in India, and one of the landmark stops in the Char Dhaam yatra, and other religious tours. Katra is the base camp for the trek up to the shrine of Mata Vaishno Devi.

Kashmir Tourism Info

• How to reach Maa Vaishno Devi temple:

1. By Air: Nearest airport is at Jammu, around 50 km from Katra. Jammu is well-connected by flights to several cities like Delhi, Srinagar and Leh. Taxi services are available from Jammu to Katra. International travelers can get connecting flights from Delhi airport.
2. By Train: Nearest railway station is also at Jammu. Jammu is well connected to all major cities in India.
3. By Road: State-run buses from Jammu to Katra ply at regular intervals. Private deluxe bus services are also available. State-run buses from Jammu to Katra leave at an interval of 15 minutes.

• Vaishno Devi Weather: The temperature varies from 2 degrees in the winter to 30 degrees in the summers.
• Best time to visit Vaishno Devi: October
• Where to stay in Vaishno Devi: Several private hotels, budget hotels, Dharamshalas and tourist accommodations are available in Katra. The tourist facility maintained by Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Shrine Board offers rooms for rent to pilgrims, which have to be booked in advance. There are several places for pilgrims to stay even in Jammu and Katra, run by the state government. Other than that, hotels in Jammu are the most common replacement to hotels in Vaishno Devi, as it serves as a base to other hill stations like Patnitop. Click here to see more.

Wanderlust Bonus #2: In Pictures: God’s Kerala

Munnar

[caption id=”attachment_4951" align=”alignleft” width=”1024"]

(Photo Credits)[/caption]

It’s like the hipster Lonavala. Another plus is that it’s in Kerala and we all know Kerala is God’s own country for a reason! Some of the resorts in Munnar actually look like God decided to live there, to take a break from running the world and all.

Munnar is located at the confluence of three rivers — Madhurapuzha, Nallathanni and Kundaly. Situated in the Idukki district of Kerala on the Western Ghats, it is known for its pristine beauty and pleasant climate. At a height of 6,000 ft above sea level, the major attraction of Munnar is its extensive stretch of tea and cardamom plantations. There is enough for nature lovers to do here, but adventure lovers, too, can enjoy the beauty of Munnar with activities such as mountain climbing, paragliding and boating. It is high up in the list of tourist places in Kerala.

Kerala Tourism Info:

• How to reach Munnar:

1. By Air: Nearest airport is the Cochin International Airport (CIAL) at Nedumbassery about 125 km away. It handles both domestic and international flights. One can fly to Singapore, Middle East and Malaysia and to most major Indian cities. Jet Airways, Indian Airlines and Kingfisher operate daily flights. Pre-paid taxi service Cochin Airport Taxi Society (CATS) can be hired to reach Munnar from Kochi. Both AC and non AC cabs are available. Taxis charge an additional premium of 15–25 per cent as night charges (7 PM-6 AM).
2. By Train: Munnar doesn’t have a rail network nearby. Though if you want to travel by train, the nearest railway station is Aluva 110kms, Ernakulam is 130kms and Madurai is 135kms.
3. By Road: Munnar has the bus station at the main street (bazaar). Direct regular buses from 6a.m in the morning are from Munnar. Buses are the best way to travel to Munnar by road.

• Munnar Weather: Temperature here goes from 14 degrees in the winters to 30 degrees in the summer.
• Best time to visit Munnar: October
• Munnar Places to Visit/ Munnar Sightseeing: Thattekad Bird Sanctuary, Kannan Devan Tea Museum, Rajamala Wildlife Sanctuary, Kurinjimala Sanctuary. Kumarakom is 38 kms away, while the much-loved THekkady is 85 kms away. Make sure to visit a tea plantation, and bask in the sun while on the Kerala backwaters, for sure.
• Where to stay in Munnar: Munnar offers hotels for all budgets as well as homestays. A budget hotel can cost anywhere between Rs 600 and Rs 2,000 per day, mid-range hotels will cost around Rs 2,000–3700 per day. There are several options available even for luxury holidays; booking in time can allow you to live on the famous Kerala houseboats, as well. Click here to see more.
• Pushkar
• [caption id=”attachment_4952" align=”alignleft” width=”1024"]

• (Photo Credits: Timo, Flickr)[/caption]
• Mela or no mela, Pushkar, Rajasthan needs to be visited. But, it’s more fun during the mela because of quirky competitions like ‘matka phod’, ‘longest moustache’ and ‘bridal competition’ along with the Pushkar Mela or the Pushkar fair (November 18–25, 2015) being one of the world’s largest camel fairs! Located in the Ajmer district of Rajasthan, it is one of the oldest cities in India and has one of the few Brahma temples in the country. It is known as ‘tirth raj’ or the King of all Pilgrim Sites.
• Get lost in the crowd, soak in the beauty of the desert and witness the famed Pushkar sunset at least once in your life! It’ll be an experience you will never forget, even if you turn a 100 years old. The shopping options for trinkets, jewelry and antiques is a plus point.
• Rajasthan Tourism Info
• How to reach Pushkar:

1. By Air: Sanganer airport which is 146 km from Pushkar is the nearest airport. It connects Pushkar to the rest of India and the world.
2. By Train: Ajmer junction railway station, at a distance of just 11 km from Pushkar, is the closest railway station. Ajmer is connected with the major cities of Rajasthan and India. Pink City Express and Shatabdi Express are the best trains to opt for while traveling to Ajmer from Delhi and Jaipur.
3. By Road:Pushkar is easily connected to the major roadways and national highways of Rajasthan and India. The Marwar bus stand is linked to places like Delhi, Jodhpur and Bikaner. The other stand is Ajmer bus stand, at a distance of 11 km in the east of Pushkar. Regular buses ply from Pushkar to Ajmer, Jaipur, Indore and Nagda every 15 minutes.

• Pushkar Weather:The temperature varies from 6 degrees in the winters to 29 degrees in the summer.
• Best time to visit Pushkar: October to March
• Places to visit in Pushkar: Pushkar Lake, Brahma Temple, Savitri temple. You can head to Ajmer (11 kms) and Ranikhet (12 kms) from Pushkar.
• Where to Stay in Pushkar: Pushkar has hotels to suit every budget. The room tariffs vary according to the time you visit Pushkar — discounted during the off season and hiked during the Pushkar fair. Some of the best names are Ananta Spa & Resorts, Hotel Pushkar Palace, Hotel Pushkar Fort, Jagat Palace and Aaram Bagh, Pushkar. RTDC hotels are a comfortable option as well. Click here to see more.
• Hampi
• [caption id=”attachment_4953" align=”alignleft” width=”1024"]

• (Photo Credits: Vinoth Chandar, Flickr)[/caption]
• Fun fact: Hampi is a UNESCO World Heritage site, and the former capital of the Vijaynagar Empire.
• Situated in Karnataka, the ruins of the royal palaces, temples and buildings continue to be the star attraction, showing off the wealth and luxury of the Vijayanagar empire. The Virupaksha temple at Hampi is of prime importance as is it said it is here that Lord Shiva married Parvati. It is easily one of those places that make you feel as if you’re traveling back in time, as you explore the place and Hampi history and all you see around you is ruins amidst the constant natural beauty.
• Karnataka Tourism Info:
• How to reach Hampi:

1. By Air: The nearest airport is at Bellary, about 60 km from Hampi. The nearest international airport is at Bengaluru, about 350 km away. From both the airports, taxi services are available.
2. By Train:The nearest railway station is at Hospet; located around 13 km from Hampi. Trains from Bengaluru, Hubli, Guntakal and many other cities of Karnataka and other states halt at the station.
3. By Road:There are plenty of bus services available for Hampi. Hampi is well connected with the major cities through roads. It is fun to drive to Hampi as there are a lot of things to see on roads while travelling. From Bangalore, Hampi is at a distance of 343 kms. Distance between Hospet to Hampi is 12.8 kms, which is another tourist place in Karnataka.

• Hampi Weather:The temperature varies from 15 degrees in the winters to 30 degrees in the summer.
• Best time to visit Hampi: September-December, February
• Places to Visit in Hampi: Daroji Bear Sanctuary, Virupaksha temple, Vijaya Vittala temple, The King’s Balance, the infamous Hampi boulders.
• Where to Stay in Hampi: There are many accommodation options in the city. Visitors can find many budget, mid-range hotels and cottage with modern amenities. Karnataka State Tourism Department Corporation hotel is also a good option. Hotel Malligi is one of the best Hampi hotels to stay in. Click here to see more.
• Kanyakumari (Cape Comorin)
• [caption id=”attachment_4954" align=”alignleft” width=”1024"]

• (Photo Credits: Thejas Panarkandy, Flickr)[/caption]
• It’s the southernmost tip of India! On top of that you get the views of the hills (because it’s surrounded by them) and you get to chill on the seashore (because it’s bordered by them). 86 kms south-east of Trivandrum, this is the point of confluence of the Indian Ocean, the Arabian Sea and the Bay of Bengal. You can witness a rare natural phenomenon here- the sun rises and sets at the same beach. There is a temple dedicated to Goddess Kanyakumari here, from where it gets its name.
• Fun facts: It ranks first in literacy among other districts in Tamil Nadu. As the great Jesse Pinkman would say: Educated people, bitch! The distance from Kashmir to Kanyakumari is 3667 kilometers.
• Tamil Nadu Tourism Info
• How to Reach Kanyakumari:

1. By Air: Thiruvananthapuram International Airport is the nearest at a distance of about 90 km. The airport is well connected to all major airports in India and some international destinations like Singapore, Colombo and many Gulf nations. Taxis and private vehicles are available for hire from the airport to reach Kanyakumari from the airport.
2. By Train: Kanyakumari Junction is about 4 km away from the central bus stand. It is the biggest station in the Kanyakumari district and is connected to many Indian cities like Nagercoil, Chennai, Rameshwaram, Bengaluru, Mumbai, Delhi, Kolkata and Jammu Tawi. Taxis and buses are available from the railway station to reach Kanyakumari. The Kanyakumari express, running between Chennai and Kanyakumari is a popular option.
3. By Road: There are regular bus services from cities in Kerala and Tamil Nadu. Kanyakumari is connected to other cities like Thiruvananthapuram or Trivandrum (90 kms), Bengaluru (665 kms), Madurai (244 kms), Nagercoil (20 kms) and Chennai (706 kms) . Taxis and auto-rickshaws are also available to reach Kanyakumari form the bus stand.

• Kanyakumari weather: The temperature varies from 14 degrees in the winters to 29 degrees in the summer.
• Best time to visit:October-March
• Where to stay in Kanyakumari: Hotels in Kanyakumari are plenty ranging from budget to mid-range hotels. Budget hotels are clustered near the rail head and the bus stands. Mid-range hotels can be found all over the city. East Car Street and Kovalam Road have a good number of mid-range hotels. TTDC hotels are a nice, quiet option to stay in for a lesser budget. Hotel Sea View is one of the favorites you could check out. Click here to read more.
• Places to Visit in Kanyakumari: Vivekananda Rock Memorial, Thiruvalluvar Statue, Kanyakumari temple, Government museum.
• Reading Nook:
  The Most Beautiful Places in India — A Guide
  5 Music Festivals in India to Look Out For
• Featured Image Photo Credits: Bilwander (Flickr)