If you can travel in India, then you can travel anywhere –Anonymous
Travelling in India is very much a good blend of good and bad, happy and evil experiences. While it is challenging at times, it also encouragingly inspiring in some other part of your travel days.
Despite the growing urbanization and industrialization in our country we find it hard to find out for some scenes of interests in and around us. With a country so large, there are obviously reasons to experience more of the magnificence of our country. And travelling for the backpackers can be really an enriching opportunity to aggrandize themselves as travelers if they are able to come by all the fascinating backpacking destinations of India, and only if they choose it wisely.
Having contrasting geographical differences throughout its stretch, India as we all know it has a diverse representation everywhere you go. While North India is home to the world’s largest and the highest mountain ranges – The Himalayas, the Southern part of our country is all surrounded by the coastline bearing some tropical temperatures. On the other hand we have the Northeastern region of our country having a variance of both nature and culture and opposite to it the dry stretches of deserts in Western India. And in between them you ought to come across many plains, valleys and beaches.
From the countryside places to the encampments in the mountains, from the eye-catching towns to the spiritual lands; India has a lot to offer for you if you really crave for travelling with your backpack.
When your travelling soul hears the call for the roads, you should definitely start your travel diaries by starting off with these must-visit destinations and start striking them off from your wishlist:
- Leh – Ladakh:
The Land of High Passes though barren yet is a prepossessing terrain located in the princely state of Jammu & Kashmir. This destination will be very much of your kind if you are looking for a long-term vacation to keep away from your busy life. Being in a remote location and high altitudes, Ladakh possesses its glamour for having the highest motorable roads, highest backpacker trails and even having the highest Food Cafés of the world.
You can reach here via – (1) Delhi-Jammu-Srinagar-Kargil Highway, or the (2) Delhi-Chandigarh-Manali-Rohtang Highway.
The route through Jammu-Srinagar-Kargil gives you some thrills having a series of difficult terrains and broken roads, but the Manali-Leh Highway is somewhat easy as compared to the previous route, having mostly straight and easy curvy ends and less of uneasiness in between your journey to the paradise.
Best time to visit: June – September.
Having scenic landscapes and avenues to experience your adrenaline rush, the Parvati Valley lets you chill your vacation amidst the nature. Spanning over the picturesque villages of Kasol and Tosh and the spectacular high-altitude Kheerganga; the valley witnesses the flocking of backpackers coming from the whole globe. It is one of the favorite adventure seeking destination and has a lot to offer you.
Best time to visit: March – July.
A beautiful state in the Northeastern India, Meghalaya is one of the scenic representation of nature having mountain peaks, tall coniferous forests, gushing waterfalls and a serene climate. Its capital – Shillong, very famously called as Scotland of the East is acclaimed for its fame nationally as well as internationally. Away from the busy-ness of the metropolitans the places here shall refresh you with the rainfalls and the trekking trails.
Best time to visit: February – September.
A restful hill station popular for its long stretch of green tea-gardens and its aromatic beverage and also the famous toy-train lines, Darjeeling lies along the shadow snowcapped Himalayan Mountains. Gateway to the high Himalayas, you can go out for an expedition walk to the Everest Base Camp. Or else try commuting through the unique and classy toy trains. With cool and refreshing air circulating the whole time you should surely get some time off from the dirty and muggy city life.
Best time to visit: October – March.
- Goa:
Having the reputation of a party capital with the beautiful sandy beaches covering up, set your destination to Goa for some unique feel from the rest of the country. One of the biggest tourist destination of the country, Goa will mesmerize you in a way leaving you with asking for more of joyous times. Irrespective of your budget it has got something to offer to all the folks coming here. Though having the impression of party-animal, the place also lets you have some relaxing vacation. Float in to the beaches of Colba Varca and Bogmalo to have some old Goa feels.
Best time to visit: October – June.