5 Last Minute Low Budget Holidays

Planning vacations has never been my strong suit. I dawdle and delay decisions till the last minute which inevitably means that I end up paying huge amounts for travel, stay, food and so on. What I’ve noticed is that I’m not alone in this.

There are many of us who don’t plan our vacations months in advance. Of course, this also means that people like me miss out on many good deals and bargains that are available out there. If you are like me and tend to plan holidays at the last minute, you may find this helpful.

We at ShoutLo decided to look into holiday destinations that you can consider without breaking the bank even if you haven’t planned anything out.

5 low budget holidays in India:

Kodaikanal

If you’re anywhere in one of the south Indian metros and are looking to beat the heat, Kodaikanal is the best bet for you. The town is also called the ‘Princess of Hill Stations’ and has been used as a retreat from the plains since 1845. You can visit the Kodaikanal Lake which is an artificial lake shaped like a star. You can hire pedalos and rowboats at the Kodaikanal Boat Club or go horse-riding near the lake. If you are a nature lover, Bryant Park is where you should head to see over 325 species of cacti, shrubs, and trees and almost 740 different varieties of roses. Take a walk along Coaker’s walk and see some of the most panoramic views of Kodaikanal and the surrounding valleys and plains.

The town has hotels that charge around Rs. 1100 to Rs. 2000 per day. Food will cost you around Rs. 1000 per head per day and you can enjoy a variety of cuisines in this budget. You can hire taxis for anywhere between Rs. 500 and Rs. 1000 per day, depending upon how many spots you want to visit and how long you hire them. Therefore, the total cost per head for a 3-day stay comes to around Rs. 7800 to Rs. 12000.

Lahaul and Spiti

Looking for a spiritual summer getaway? Head straight for the Lahaul-Spiti district of Himachal Pradesh. This is the land of the monasteries including the Tabo Monastery which is over 1000 years old. In addition, you can visit the Kardang Monastery and the Kye Monastery in Spiti. If wildlife is your thing, you’ll find plenty here to fascinate you in the form of ibex, musk deer, Himalayan brown bear, Himalayan blue sheep and the ever elusive snow leopard. For the more adventurous, there is trekking in the Spiti Valley including high-altitude treks such as the one that takes you through the Parangla Pass, the way into Ladakh from Spiti Valley. In winters, you can head to Spiti for some amazing skiing. Then there is the famous Yak Safari which allows you to explore the fauna and flora of the region from the backs of these shaggy animals.

You can access the region from Delhi. A hotel stay can cost you around Rs. 1500 to Rs. 2000, while food should come to about Rs. 1000 per head. You will probably end up spending around Rs. 500 per day on transport although if you plan to travel in a group, hiring a bus may be a good idea. The total cost of the vacation can range from Rs. 9000 to Rs. 10500 per head for a 3-day stay.

Nainital

This hill station in Kumaon, Uttarakhand is one of the most popular summer getaways in the country. Named after and famous for the lake lying in the center of town, the town was founded in 1841 and has become a well-known tourist destination. You will find plenty to interest you in this picturesque town. Go boating on the Naini Lake or take a relaxing stroll around it. Trek to Cheena or China Peak and be rewarded by the most amazing views of the valley. Climb to Tiffin Top and get a bird’s eye view of not just the valley but also the Himalayas. Visit Gurney House, the cottage that Jim Corbett made his home.

You can start your journey from Delhi. There are quite a few hotels in and around the hill station where you can pay Rs. 1000 to Rs. 2500 per day. Food costs can be around Rs. 1000 per head per day. Transport will set you back about Rs. 500. It is probably a good idea to hire a taxi from a taxi stand for a fixed number of hours. The total costs per person can range between Rs. 8500 and Rs. 12000 per person for a 3-day vacation.

Kalimpong

If you want a quick summer getaway but not one that is full of people, Kalimpong is a good place to go to. The town is quite close to Darjeeling, a very well-known tourist destination, but it doesn’t see as much tourist traffic as Darjeeling does. The town is famous for its colonial history and its monasteries and of course, its flowers. You can visit the Dupin Dara hill and enjoy a stunning view of the town. If spirituality is what you prefer, head out to the Durpin monastery. The St. Theresa Catholic Church is also a must-see for its beautiful architecture. All in all, though, Kalimpong is a town you can just relax in.

The closest big city to Kalimpong is Kolkata. Staying in the town can be fairly affordable with hotel charges ranging from Rs. 1500 to Rs. 2500. Food comes to about Rs. 1000 per head per day and transport is around Rs. 500 per day. You can also use public transport such as microbuses, auto rickshaws or tempos. Total costs for a 3-day holiday can be anywhere between Rs. 9000 and Rs. 12000 per person.

Kamshet

If adventure is what does it for you, head straight for Kamshet in Maharashtra. This quaint little hamlet is close to Khandala and Lonavala. The hamlet is located in the Pune district and is famous all over the country for paragliding. Yes, if you are a paragliding enthusiast or are interested in learning how to paraglide, Kamshet is the best place for you to go. There are plenty of paragliding schools in the area with very experienced instructors who can start you up from scratch. You can also visit Lake Pavna, Lake Vadivale, and Lake Thokarwadi.

Since the hamlet is in the Pune district, Pune becomes the easiest point of access although you can also take a train from Mumbai if you like. Hotel costs for the budget traveler range from Rs. 1000 to Rs. 2500 per day while food is around Rs. 1000 per head per day. Transport comes to around Rs. 500 per day although using public transport such as microbuses, taxis, and tempos can offset that cost. The total amount needed for a 3-day vacation per person will come to around Rs. 7500 to Rs. 12000.

Did you find this article useful? Do you have any other suggestions for budget holidays? Do let us know in the comments.