Backpacking had always felt like a western concept to me. I remember speaking to an Italian volunteer at an NGO in Pondicherry who had backpacked throughout Europe alone. To me, it was rather surprising. She was in India for a few months and was planning to backpack and live in different states for the rest of her trip. She told me how India is well-connected, affordable and accessible for anyone and everyone.
My Backpacking Encounter
My first encounter with someone who had actually backpacked in the real sense of the word was when I was 18. I always thought travelling was an expensive affair. If two years ago, you had asked my views on backpacking I would’ve laughed it off. A few years ago people would only travel with families, stay in hotels, eat at restaurants or take a tour guide with them everywhere. This may be a nice way to relax and refresh but the spirit of travel lies in understanding the soul of a place.
Backpacking Post Lockdown
Things have changed. Lockdown changed it or maybe the youth did. Now people have started travelling on lower budgets, staying in hostels, making friends along the way and guiding their own travel experiences. What is Bir without its Paragliding experience, or Jaipur without its Pyaaz Kachori and Gulaab ki Chai? But, these are things everyone does. Apart from paragliding, you can even camp at the Bir Billing site, watch the starry skies, and wake up to a beautiful sunset; you can walk through the old city of Jaipur, shop in the bazaars and talk to the craftsmen along the way.
What are the things to consider before Backpacking?
The essence of backpacking lies in that backpack you carry throughout the journey. It teaches you minimalism, to burden yourself less, to expect less and to make the most of what you have. So, if you’re just getting started with your backpacking experience, here is a list of things you might want to consider:
Navigation: Your tiny backpack can hold everything but a teleporting device. Getting lost and finding the way sounds rosy on paper but scary in real life. You should have a plan, if you don’t, at least have a map. You can save your maps offline or carry a physical one to know the routes.
Logistics: Anywhere you go in the world, always remember to understand public transportation first. India has one of the best public transportation systems that can help you travel throughout the country hassle-free. If you are travelling to Kerela, you can take ferry rides to almost all beach towns along the western coast. If you’re travelling to Himachal Pradesh, the HRTC buses are a saviour. They function throughout the state and are very safe.
Travelling off-season: If you are looking to save money, you must visit off-season. Holidays are a great time to travel but the surge in prices can leave you with a permanent dent in your pocket. Travelling off-season can get you the best deals and better experiences.
Accommodation: Accommodations are easily the trickiest part of any trip. The more I’ve travelled, the more I’ve understood what I am seeking from my infrequent escapes out of the city. For me, it’s not luxury that I am seeking. Hotels can be the most expensive part of your vacation. However, staying in homestays, guest houses, and backpackers’ hostels can help you find great accommodations at cheap prices. goSTOPS has the most-competitive industry-wide pricing and we are proud of it. Our dorms start from as low as INR 249 (US$ 3).
Food: Food is not something you should compromise on, no matter where you are. Every place follows different eating habits, and as a traveller, you must respect them. You can find nutritious Indian food across the country. If you’re a vegetarian or a vegan, you might have to do a little extra effort. Also, every goSTOPS hostel has an in-house cafe where you can order delicious food any time as it operates 24*7.
Now that we have covered the things to look out for before backpacking, let’s discuss the best destinations to go to.
Top 5 Backpacking Destinations in India for 2023
Let’s look at the top 5 easiest, most-loved backpacking destinations in India.
Manali, Himachal Pradesh
Manali, a name synonymous with snowfall, is a popular tourist destination that has gained worldwide recognition among travel enthusiasts. At an altitude of 6,398 feet, Manali is a paradise for lovers of adventure sports. Surrounded by snow-clad mountains, the scenic beauty of Manali is sure to leave you spellbound. Manali is nothing less than a movie set, with its beautiful views.
Rishikesh, Uttarakhand
The ancient town of Rishikesh, set against the backdrop of the Himalayas with the crystalline Ganga flowing through it, is a major tourist and pilgrimage hotspot in northern India. Rishikesh is rightfully referred to as the ‘yoga capital of the world. The location is teeming with visitors who have come to learn yoga and meditation. It is home to several ashrams, some of which are globally recognised as hubs of philosophical studies, yoga, and other ancient Indian wellness traditions. People come here to indulge in a spiritual cleanse now and then.
Dalhousie, Himachal Pradesh
It is barely a surprise if snow-capped mountains follow you everywhere in Dalhousie. The beautiful hill station of Dalhousie in Himachal Pradesh stretches across five hills: Balun, Bakrota, Tehra, Patreon and Kathlog. It still maintains its colonial charm through its vintage architecture. Dalhousie is home to ancient churches, wooded hills, waterfalls, rivulets, and springs. It is one of the most visited hill stations in Himachal Pradesh.
Alleppey, Kerala
Alleppey is famously known as ‘the Venice of the East and is a beach paradise situated on the southern coast of India. It has an amazing network of canals and is a hub for Kerala backwaters. If you’re backpacking through Kerala, Alleppey has a great ferry network that can take you to places like Kottayam, Kottayam and Kuttanad. It also has a great public bus network to reach other places off the coast like Ooty or Munnar.
Mukhteshwar, Uttarakhand
The tiny Hamlet of Mukteshwar, named after the 350-year-old Mukteshwar Dham temple, is located at an elevation of 2,285 meters. This abode of hills is known for lavish landscapes ranging from lush greenery to far-off peaks. It is close to other hill stations of Uttarakhand like Nainital, Naukuchiyatal, Bhimtal, Pangot, Dhanaulti and so on. Uttarakhand, too, has a great public bus network that can help you arrive at any hill station hassle-free.
Bonus Travel Tips
These were the five best, easiest locations to start your backpacking journey. Here are a few bonus travel tips for your next adventure:
- Always carry padlocks. Even though there are lockers in most places, carrying padlocks ensures total safety.
- Booking flights by credit card can be quite economical.
- The great thing about India is that we have all mutually agreed to mutually agree to a price before buying anything. Always discuss/bargain/negotiate/agree on the price. If you’re a foreigner in India, this should be your holy grail.
- Use public transport.
Conclusion
The most extraordinary experiences come from a sense of courage. Your most extraordinary trip would be the one that helped you open up and explore the most. A lot of times, travelling is not just an activity, it is also a state of traversing thoughts and mindsets. As much travelling is supposed to help you make memories, it is also meant to let you free. Backpacking is one of the most active ways of making that happen. It is a state of minimalism, hyper-independence and self-exploration. I’ve never met a single person who has travelled and not given me a beautiful story for one of their fondest memories (or even the bad ones, sometimes).
Hope this article helped you figure out your next backpacking adventure. Comment your favourite destinations below.
