23Days, 7 Hill Stations: My Budget Backpacking Journey Through India's Iconic Mountains

Ever since I was a kid, the hills have had a strange pull on me. I grew up flipping through old photo albums of my parents in Shimla, hearing stories of snowfall in Manali, and sipping Darjeeling tea without ever seeing the plantations. So last October, I decided to stop dreaming and start backpacking. Over 30 days, I covered Shimla, Manali, Darjeeling, Ooty, Munnar, Nainital, and Mount Abu — all solo, all on a tight budget.

Here’s my story.

Shimla – My First Love

Days Spent: 3

Daily Budget: ₹1,000–1,200

Total Spend: ₹3,200

I landed in Chandigarh and took the toy train to Shimla. That slow climb into the mountains? Pure magic. I stayed in a modest homestay near Lakkar Bazaar for ₹500 a night, shared room with a mountain view. I spent my days walking the Ridge, visiting Christ Church, and eating hot gulab jamun outside Scandal Point.

What stood out most? The kindness of strangers — a local family even invited me for home-cooked rajma chawal.

Manali – Where I Touched Snow for the First Time

Days Spent: 4

Daily Budget: ₹1,300

Total Spend: ₹5,200

I caught a HRTC bus to Manali (₹600) and arrived early morning to freezing cold. I found a backpackers’ hostel in Old Manali for ₹400/night — it was cozy, had bunk beds, and best of all, stories from fellow travelers over bonfires.

On Day 2, I went to Rohtang Pass (₹1,000 shared taxi). It had snowed lightly the night before. Seeing snow for the first time at age 23? I cried a little. Paragliding at Solang Valley set me back ₹1,800, but the adrenaline rush made it totally worth it.

Food was cheap — ₹100 for momos, ₹80 for thukpa, and I survived mostly on maggi, tea, and the occasional Himachali dham.

Darjeeling – Mornings That Smelled Like Tea

Days Spent: 3

Daily Budget: ₹1,000

Total Spend: ₹3,000

From Delhi, I flew to Bagdogra (₹3,000) and cabbed it to Darjeeling (₹1,800 shared). I checked into a cute guesthouse near Chowrasta, just ₹450/night with breakfast. Every morning I woke up to the smell of fresh tea and the sound of monks chanting somewhere nearby.

I joined a group hike to Tiger Hill for sunrise (₹150), where we watched the Kanchenjunga light up. It felt spiritual. I also took the toy train joyride — ₹1,400 but worth every rupee for nostalgia and views.

Local thalis cost ₹100–₹150, and I’d often grab hot street momos for ₹40–₹50.

Ooty – Nilgiris in Bloom

Days Spent: 3

Daily Budget: ₹1,200

Total Spend: ₹3,600

From Bagdogra, I flew to Coimbatore (₹4,200), then took a bus to Ooty (₹400). I stayed in a dorm at a hillside homestay for ₹500/night and rented a scooter for ₹300/day. I visited the Botanical Gardens, Doddabetta Peak, and took a solo ride on the Nilgiri Toy Train to Coonoor and back (₹250).

Ooty felt like a poem — quiet, cool, full of flowers. I spent hours walking around the lake, sipping filter coffee, and journaling under trees.

Meals at local cafes were cheap — ₹100 for dosas, ₹60 for coffee. I loved how affordable everything was without compromising the vibe.

Munnar – Green As Far As Eyes Could See

Days Spent: 4

Daily Budget: ₹1,300

Total Spend: ₹5,200

From Ooty, I traveled to Munnar via Coimbatore (₹600 total). I splurged a little here — ₹800/night for a treehouse stay inside a tea estate. Worth it. The view from my balcony was just endless rows of green.

I took a guided Kolukkumalai sunrise trek (₹1,200) — hands down the best morning of my trip. The sky turned pink, then gold, and I felt incredibly small and grateful.

Food was delicious: Kerala meals for ₹120, banana chips, and fresh pineapple juice almost every evening. I visited Eravikulam National Park too — entry ₹200 and a lifetime memory of spotting Nilgiri Tahr.

Nainital – The Lake That Reflected My Heart

Days Spent: 3

Daily Budget: ₹1,100

Total Spend: ₹3,300

After flying back to Delhi from Kochi (₹3,500), I took a train to Kathgodam and a local cab to Nainital. I got a budget room near Thandi Sadak for ₹400/night — basic but neat.

I went boating on Naini Lake (₹150 solo ride), hiked to Tiffin Top early morning, and spent afternoons walking down Mall Road with roasted bhutta in hand.

Dinner at Sakley’s was my only splurge here (₹600), but it was my solo date night, so I went for it.

Mount Abu – Cool in the Land of Heat

Days Spent: 3

Daily Budget: ₹1,000

Total Spend: ₹3,000

I traveled from Nainital to Udaipur (₹900 train) and then took a bus to Mount Abu (₹250). Rajasthan surprised me — I didn’t expect to feel cold here, but Mount Abu sits high and breezy.

I stayed in a shared room in a family-run guesthouse for ₹350/night. Nakki Lake had its charm, but I was more drawn to the Dilwara Temples — the intricate carvings just blew my mind.

Sunset Point lived up to its name. I sat with people from all walks of life — honeymooners, sadhus, students — and we all clapped as the sun dipped.

Food was light and cheap — I lived on poha, samosas, and cold coffee.

Total Budget Summary:

Destination - Days - Total Spend

Shimla - 3 - ₹3,200

Manali - 4 - ₹5,200

Darjeeling - 3 - ₹3,000

Ooty - 3 - ₹3,600

Munnar - 4 - ₹5,200

Nainital - 3 - ₹3,300

Mount Abu - 3 - ₹3,000

Travel (flights/trains/buses) — ₹14,000

TOTAL (approx.) 30 ₹40,500 – ₹45,000

Backpacker style, no frills, no regrets.

Final Thoughts

This trip gave me more than just Instagram photos. It gave me resilience, gratitude, and a deep appreciation for India’s diversity. Every hill station had its rhythm — its own food, weather, people, and pace.

Would I do it again? Absolutely. Maybe next time, I’ll add Meghalaya or Tawang to the list.

If you’re planning a budget trip across India’s hills, I highly recommend keeping it slow, keeping it real, and yes — keeping it under ₹50k.

For more travel stories and updates, you can also visit my page at PRWeb. Happy travels!