10 Places to Visit in India on a Shoe-String Budget

Goa is famous for exotic beaches and a vivid night life. A paradise of scenic charm, Goa has lush greenery and delicious sea food. The beaches, forts, local markets and liveliness of this place leave the visitors truly mesmerised and wanting for more. You can find cheapest accommodation in Goa, rent a bike and also enjoy cheap liquor. The best time to visit Goa is from October to February. It is a place where fun comes at cheap prices.

Pondicherry is also known as French Riviera because of the incredible French influence present there even today. If you are looking for peace and tranquillity Pondicherry is just the place to be. The place has everything: mouth-watering food, cheap liquor,

French infrastructure and a wonderful culture. You can enjoy almost free stay and vegetarian food in different Ashrams.

They call it the Adventure Capital of India because of thrilling river rafting, rock climbing, mountain biking, trekking expeditions to Himalayas and wonderful beach camps. Rishikesh is a spiritual town surrounded by scenic beauty of the hills on three sides. This place is completely vegetarian and alcohol-free. There are temples along the river Ganges where you can spend some peaceful time and offer your prayers. The best time to visit is from March to June when you can enjoy river rafting as well as International Yoga festival.

Darjeeling is known for providing world class tea at very low prices. This city is full of quaint lodges and hotels where you can have a wonderful time without burning a hole in your pocket. You can visit Tiger Hills to get the marvellous view of sunrise and sunset. The enjoyable food at sensible prices and the divine taste of Darjeeling tea make it a place worth visiting. The best time to visit this place is from October to March.

Alleppey, the Venice of the East, is famous for spectacular houseboats. You can even rent a room in these houseboats. If you are lucky the local fisherman can lend you his own kayaks for as low as Rs.100. So, strike a conversation with locals and get affordable accommodations. Alleppey is the best place to cruise lazily around and try coconut-laced sea food.

Banaras or Varanasi is the beating heart of Hindu universe. The Ganga Ghats are the place where you can wash your sins away in the sacred waters. Taking a walk along the Ghats or a boat ride on the river is a magical experience. Several hotels and lodges offer affordable stay. Don’t forget to enjoy special teas, Banarasi thandai and Banarasi paan! The best time to visit this City of Light is between October and March when the water level is not too high.

McLeod Ganj or the mini Tibet of India is an ideal retreat for nature lovers. The natural beauty and the scenic views of the mountains are truly mesmerising. Here everything is cheap be it pancakes, trekking or lodging. If you are looking for some cheap adventurous trips, you can count on McLeod Ganj. It has trekking, mountain climbing, para-gliding and many more thrilling adventures. Enjoy the fascinating views while soaking the natural beauty of the place.

City of Lakes or Udaipur is known to be the most romantic spot of India. Udaipur has marvellous palaces and monuments. The peaceful boat rides on the lake and hustle of ancient bazaar leave the visitors craving for more. Udaipur is the best place to try delicious Rajasthani cuisines like dal bati, gheriya, churma and jalebi at very low prices. The best time to visit Udaipur is in winter season when the temperature is comfortable and apt for visiting the historical monuments.

Hampi is a World Heritage Site and is famous for fascinating and bewitching ruins of palaces, temples and royal buildings. History lovers would love to visit the majestic Virupaksha temple. There are various affordable accommodation options in the city. You can relive the Vijaynagar history by visiting places like Lotus Mahal, Hazara Rama temple and Lakshmi Narsimha temple. The best time to visit is in first week of November when you can catch a glimpse of Hampi Utsav.

Gokarna is famous for pristine beaches and temples of Lord Shiva. It is a laid-back version of Goa where you can find clean beaches and less crowd. The Om beach in Gokarna provides peace and tranquillity. Lively bazaars are great places to visit. For those of you looking for a relaxed and affordable holiday, Gokarna is worth visiting.

Author Bio:
Rohit is a traveller and voyager at heart. He also owns and maintains the website TransIndiaTravels.com. He likes exploring various places across the world and in India.