Top 10 destinations for a backpacking trip in India

Spiti is a treat for every traveller. It is one of the best backpacking trips in India owing to its beauty and serenity. It has the ability to make you forget everything about your daily life and you will find yourself surrendering to nature. As the altitude increases, so do the mesmerizing views that surround you. This destination is best enjoyed in solitude and is known to have a life-changing experience for a lot of backpackers.

A dream for all backpackers of India, the Manali-Leh serves as the perfect backdrop for a backpacking trip. The snow-clad mountains, long stretches of deserted roads and silence make the magical combination that every traveller needs to experience at least once. The best way to travel here would be to make it a bike journey and if you’re lucky, you can hitch-hike your way there with motorcycle troops who often take this road trip. To know more about the whole experience, read this.

If you’re looking for a cheap backpacking trip in India, Gokarna is the place to be. In this little beach town, you can catch the sunrise on the beach, meditate by the water or trek to multiple beaches like Hudle beach and Om beach. It happens to be one of the top destinations for a backpacking trip as it is a peaceful destination that offers you time and space to be yourself and do your thing.

This trail is not for the faint-hearted. It requires a vigilant traveller who is aware of his surroundings as you cross through multiple terrains and difficult areas. You need to pass through the remote village of Gangaad and camp at Osla village at night before reaching the top. But if there’s one thing other than the picturesque view that makes this one of the top backpacking trips in India, is the cultural experience it offers when you visit the villages on the way. Don’t forget to gorge on the local delicacies while you’re there!

With Holi fast approaching, this destination cannot be missed while talking about backpacking in India. Known as the childhood playground of lord Krishna, this small town witnesses a magical celebration of the festival of colours. The best way to get here would be to fly down to Agra and take a road trip here. This deserves a special mention because of the sheer dedication of devotees who visit here every year and celebrate together. You can delve deep into the history of the place by visiting these popular attractions.

Being here at the ghat can be an exhilarating experience for a lot of backpackers. It makes you feel closer to a higher self. The prayers and mantras recited by the water serve as the perfect background score for this spiritual escape. Varanasi is definitely in the top 10 backpacking trips in India as it marries different aspects like great historic value, culture, amazing street food and the warmth of locals.

This small city is known for its beautiful train rides and expansive tea estates. While there are a lot of tourist attractions here with different activities you can indulge in, nothing beats a peaceful train ride on the Darjeeling toy train. It is sure to give you all the space to do all the thinking and introspecting while still ensuring you are surrounded by the most beautiful landscapes. The best way to stay here would be in a homestay.

Goa, although a mainstream vacation destination, can be a haven for a beach lover. You should consider backpacking through South Goa where you’ll be met with calm (and clean) beaches, unexplored roads and beautiful but affordable hostels and hotels. You can visit North Goa if you want a day of chilling on the shacks and doing the touristy things or you can indulge in some off-beat things.

Pushkar is one of the top 10 destinations for a backpacking trip in India as it gives you the chance to witness the Thar desert in all its glory. The safari begins at around 3.30 am and is made even more beautiful with traditional music and dance. You can even stay the night in nearby villages and immerse yourself in the rich Rajasthani culture and shop interesting handicrafts. If you’re feeling particularly touristy, visit these attractions.

A place that demands at least a couple of weeks to be fully explored is Uttarakhand. While we have already mentioned Har ki doon, the whole of Uttarakhand deserves a special mention as well. That’s only because it has mountains, temples, the perfect weather and natural beauty everywhere you look. It offers adventurous activities as well as moments of peace and what makes it one of the top backpacking destinations in India is the fact that it is so safe to visit and there are some lovely yet affordable homestays to stay at.