You might be thinking that taking a trip needs to be backed by a hefty bank balance – but that’s not really true!
Trust me when I say this, I’ve been backpacking across India for the last 4 years and often, my budget has been super-restricted.
All it really needs is a little planning and a lot of courage – and even the young & broke can travel the world! So in case, you’re in Delhi NCR and thinking of taking a quick break within 5K INR, here's where you can travel next.
1. Landour, Uttarakhand
Distance from Delhi: 292 KM (approx)
While Mussorie gets too crowded at times and the walking down the Mall Road will make you feel overwhelmed, how about escaping to Landour?
Just about 20 KM from Mussorie, this quaint & small cantonment town is home for Ruskin Bond, the famous writer.
Surrounded by forests of oak, pine, cedar & deodar – it is said that this place is as beautiful as some faraway village in southwest Wales!
How to reach?
Board an overnight bus from Delhi to Mussorie, and get a shared cab for Landour.
Otherwise, you can also take a train to Dehradun and then get a cab to Landour. Many people also prefer to drive all the way, which would take around 8 hours or so.
Cost breakdown: Bus from Delhi to Mussorie - Rs 500 (approx), shared cab - Rs 100; accommodation in hostel (Zostel, GoStops) - Rs 499/599; food - Rs 500/day.
Things to do:
From cozy bakeries to pretty churches, Landour is so much more than just pretty hills all around. Head off to Chaar Dukaan for breakfast.
A row of four tiny shops that have been there forever, they’re famous for their delicious breakfast food (think everything from waffles and pancakes to butter-fried cheese Maggi and bread omelets).
Other great places to eat are Cafe Ivy, Landour Bakery and of course, the restaurant at Rokeby Manor – one of the best boutique resorts in Landour.
Take a walk down the topsy turvy trails – and you never know, you might just bump into Mr.Bond! If you’re up for a trek, you can go for Nag Tibba from here and soak in the beauty of Nanda Devi from there.
2. Chitkul, Himachal Pradesh
Distance from Delhi: 585 KM (approx)
When I went for exploring Chitkul for the first time, I felt like it was straight out of the pages of some storybook – magical & mystical.
Surrounded by the majestic mountains being kissed by the floating clouds, this place can be rightly called as ‘Paradise on Earth’.
How to reach?
The best way to reach Chitkul is to take an overnight bus from Delhi to Shimla, and then hire a cab for Chitkul.
Otherwise, in case you’re up for some extra thrill, you can board an HRTC bus that goes till Sangla or Rekong Peo. From there, you can easily get a shared cab.
Cost breakdown: Bus from Delhi to Shimla - Rs 500 (approx), shared cab - Rs 300; accommodation in hostels/homestays - Rs 300 - 500; food - Rs 500/day.
Things to do:
It is a place where you can slow life down for a few days; feel every hour of the day; listen to the birds, the river, the trees; listen to the silence; soak in the warm and walk along a river while gazing upon the snow-capped mountains.
You can go for short hikes along the Baspa River to the Ranikanda meadows. Walk down the village trails, and share a smile with the locals.
There’s a 500-years-old temple – Mathi Devi Mandir – which you must visit, for the sake of adoring the beautiful intricate artwork.
3. Jibhi, Himachal Pradesh
Distance from Delhi: 490 KM (approx)
While Kullu & Manali have always been a favorite getaway, travelers are now keener to ditch the crowd and explore Banjar Valley & Tirthan Valley instead.
Jibhi is one such hidden treasure in Banjar valley of Himachal – scenic, an unpretentious and old Himalayan village that’ll surely endow you with the solace you’re seeking. Serenity descends on you when you are at Jibhi and all you’ll get to listen to are the chirping of birds and rustling of the Tirthan River.
How to reach?
The nearest railway station is in Shimla which is about 150 KM away from Jibhi, and you can get a cab from there.
Otherwise, board a bus for Manali from Delhi and get down at Aut, hire a cab from there which will directly drop you in Jibhi.
Cost breakdown: Bus from Delhi to Manali - Rs 1000 (approx), shared cab to Jibhi - Rs 500; accommodation in homestays/hostels - Rs 500 - 800; food - Rs 500/day.
Things to do:
Walkthrough nature’s trails, capture the beauty of the snow-clad peaks, sit by the river with a book and look at the horizon – do we really need anything more from life?
Spot some rare birds, go for trout-fishing, stargaze at night or go for a hike to see the Jibhi waterfalls.
You’ll never fall short of things to do here in Jibhi. There are some really chic-hostels that have come up – including The Blue Sheep Tirthan, Gone Fishing Cottages & Mudhouse Jibhi – where you’ll not only get to stay for an affordable cost but also meet some amazing travelers from different parts of the world.
It’ll surely be a great way to connect with interesting folks and explore together with everyone! Take a day trip to Shoja Village and Jalori Pass (which connects Shimla to Kullu), admiring the beauty of nature on the way.
4. Ranthambore, Rajasthan
Distance from Delhi: 400 KM (approx)
Popular for the Ranthambore National Park which acts as a reserve for the endangered Royal Bengal Tigers, this place is a hub for wildlife photographers and nature lovers.
Amidst its wildlife thrill, Ranthambore also offers an ideal getaway for those who are looking forward to spending a couple of days away from chaos and cacophony of the urban life, admiring the beauty of nature and relaxing, as well as exploring the richness of the history, listening to erstwhile tales of the kings & kingdoms and admiring the exotic architecture.
How to reach?
The most cost-friendly way to reach Ranthambhore from Delhi is to take Kota Janshatabdi from New Delhi to Sawai Madhopur then take a cab from there to Ranthambore.
Otherwise, you can also drive down the Delhi-Jaipur Highway (NH8) which will take about 9 hours approximately.
Cost breakdown: Bus from Delhi to Jaipur Rs 500 (approx). Accommodation in camps - Rs 1200 - 1500; food - Rs 500/day; safari - Rs 2000 (approx).
Things to do:
Of course, when you’re in Ranthambore, there’s no way that you can miss the safaris (morning & evening) to spot the wildlife.
Well, I don’t assure you about the tigers, but you’ll surely get to see monkeys, sambar deer, chitals, black bucks and foxes. In case you’re lucky enough, you might get to see a hyena or a sloth bear as well. A birdwatcher’s paradise, Ranthambore also shelters various exotic birds in flamingoes, grey hornbills, sandpipers, etc.
Make sure to keep your binoculars & cameras handy – you never know when you’ll get to spot a rare species!
Walk up to the Ranthambore Fort, marked as a UNESCO Heritage Site and adore the invigorating architectural and historical vistas.
5. Khajuraho, Madhya Pradesh
Distance from Delhi: 650 KM (approx)
If you’ve always thought that Khajuraho is all about erotic sculptures and tales descending from Kamasutra, now is the time to unlearn and explore this small town located in the Bundelkhand region of Madhya Pradesh.
The Khajuraho Group of Temples, marked as a UNESCO World Heritage Site, depicts some of the finest art in the world.
How to reach?
You can board an overnight train from Delhi via Agra (12448/UP Sampark Kranti Express), or Udaipur via Jaipur and Agra (19666/Udaipur City Khajuraho Express).
It’s not just a budget-friendly way to travel, but also equally comfortable. There are no direct buses from Delhi to Khajuraho.
But if you’re up for a drive, you can take the Taj Express Highway.
Cost breakdown: Train from Delhi to Khajuraho - Rs 1500 (approx), transportation in Khajuraho - Rs 1000; accommodation - Rs 2000 - 2500; food - Rs 500/day; tickets - Rs 500.
Things to do:
Needless to say, when you’re in Khajuraho, you’d need at least one full day to explore the temple complex (though I’d suggest you to keep a day and a half in hand). The temples are categorized into three groups: Eastern, Western and Southern – and it’s the Western Group of Temples that would require the maximum time to be admired.
You’ll be awestruck to see the Kandariya Mahadeva Temple, which is the largest and most ornate Hindu temples from the medieval period in India. The other popular temples are – Duladeo Temple, Vishvanatha Temple, Chitragupta Temple, etc.
A ‘Light & Sound Show’ happens every evening at the Western Complex, which is a must-watch, it’ll help you know more about the history of the place. And once you’re done, you can take a quick trip to Panna National Park, which is about 40 KM from Khajuraho.
In case you’ve been to any of these places and wish to share something more, do write to us in the comments below. I’d love to hear out.
Other than that, if you know about some cool place that can be explored within a budget of 5K INR from Delhi, do let us know in the comments below, or write about it here on Tripoto.