5 best destinations in India in summer: Enjoy the best hill stations in India within budget
India is known for its magnificent natural beauty, covering a wide range of mountains and hills, green valleys, wide beaches and dense forests. People who love to spend their holidays in nature can look for the best places to visit in India. Similarly, the best hill stations in India offer breathtaking beauty along with the opportunity to make a meaningful connection with nature. It is true that cost is the first thing that comes to our mind while selecting holiday destinations. If you are able to make a wise plan, you are already ready to explore the best hill stations in India. This blog will help you to have a detailed guide of the top five budget-friendly destinations where you can spend your summer holidays with nature, serenity and adventure.
Find out the best places to visit in India
Manali (Himachal Pradesh)
If you are a mountain lover, you must think of Manali without giving a second thought to your upcoming summer holidays. Manali is one of the best places to visit in India during summer because of its cool and pleasant weather, which allows you to get rid of the scorching heat across the plains. Besides the snow-clad mountains, Manali is famous among travelers for its gushing rivers and dense pine forests. Moreover, the mesmerizing beauty of the apple orchards must be a plus for people visiting this budget-friendly destination. Manali is also considered one of the best destinations in India in the summer for adventure lovers. You can enjoy a large variety of adventure activities, including trekking, river rafting, paragliding, and skiing.
Along with the natural beauty and adventure sports, Manali is widely known for its easily available accommodations, starting from affordable homestays to riverside camps. Food is also another major attraction, making Manali one of the best places to visit in India. You can see the local attractions like Hidimba Devi Temple, Old Manali and Vashisht hot springs by local buses or shared taxis to save your transport costs. Kasol and Naggar are two villages near Manali, where people can enjoy while visiting one of the best places to visit in India. In short, Manali can be equally attractive for people who are seeking peace and looking for adventures during their holidays.
Munnar (Kerala)
Are you looking for green landscapes and a cool breeze? Then, Munnar must be the right place for you to spend a quiet and peaceful holiday. Munnar, located in South India, is renowned as one of the best destinations in India in summer, surrounded by misty hills, picturesque tea gardens and majestic waterfalls. For travellers looking for the best places to visit in India, Munnar comes with pleasant weather and stunning natural beauty within a budget. You can explore the Eravikulam National Park to meet the rare Niligiri Tahr and Neelakurinji flowers, which bloom once every twelve years.
Despite being one of the best places to visit in India, Munnar is affordable considering the budget hotels, inexpensive food and low-cost transport. Munnar has plenty of clean and comfortable hotels and hostels, which will never make a hole in your pocket. Moreover, if you want to avoid draining your budget, you can easily opt for local buses to visit nearby areas like Mattupetty Dam and Attukal Waterfalls. People can also enjoy the local eateries to experience authentic Keralian delicacies at reasonable costs. So, in short, Munnar can be the top choice for people looking for the best hill stations in India during summer.
You can visit the Kerala tour guide video here.
Ooty (Tamil Nadu)
Ooty, renowned as the “Queen of hill stations”, can be included in the list of the best places to visit in India without any doubt. Ooty in Tamil Nadu is attractive for people in search of the best places to visit in India because of its splendid natural scenic beauty. Nestled amidst the Nilgiri Hills, Ooty offers panoramic views of eucalyptus forests, green tea gardens and undulating meadows. In addition, the soothing weather and colonial vibes attract nature lovers to this popular summer destination. If you want to explore Ooty on a budget, you can easily visit the Ooty Lake, Dodabetta Peak, Botanical Gardens and Niligiri Mountain Railway, which is a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
Ooty is considered budget-friendly yet one of the best hill stations in India in terms of providing the opportunity for low-cost escapes to nature from the scorching heat of summer. Travellers who are likely to avoid peak season luxury resorts can easily avail budget hotels and guest houses without compromising the stunning natural beauty of the city. Local travel is also less expensive because of the wide availability of public buses and local taxis. Do you love travelling alone? Ooty also has something for the solo travelers as well. You can simply stroll around the hills, visit tea estates and explore the tea estates without the high cost of activities. Another important thing is food for budget travel while planning for the best places to visit in India. Ooty has plenty of local restaurants and local bakeries where you can enjoy delicious yet affordable food.
You can check the important tips for solo travel in India.
Rishikesh (Uttarakhand)
You love hills, need an adventurous summer escape amidst nature, and you are tired of finding the best hill stations in India that match your expectations. Without giving a second thought, Rishikesh should be your first choice, where you can enjoy a mix of natural beauty, spirituality and adventure at affordable prices. Rishikesh, the “Yoga capital of the world” and spiritual heritage located in Uttarakhhand, is one of the best places to visit in India because of its majestic vistas and cultural heritage. Surrounded by the Himalaya and located on the banks of the River Ganga, Rishikesh is the best budget-friendly adventure hub in India. If you love both nature and adventure, you can enjoy activities like trekking, river rafting, beach camping and bungee jumping within your budget.
People who love a peaceful and adventurous trip to avoid the red-hot sun in plain can opt for Rishikesh as one of the best destinations in India in summer. People can find affordable accommodations starting from peaceful ashrams, comfortable hotels and riverside camps across Rishikesh. People also like the inexpensive foods found in Rishikesh, along with the low costs of travelling. Free visit in Ram Jhula and Laxman Jhula, Ganga Arati in Triveni Ghat and walking around The Beatles Ashram are some key attractions making Rishikesh secure a position in the list of the best places to visit in India within a stipulated budget.
Shillong (Meghalaya)
Do you want to explore the natural beauty of North-East India? Shillong, the capital city of Meghalaya, is hard to beat. Shillong, which is also famous as the “Scotland of the East”, is in the list of the best places to visit in India because of the green hills, dazzling waterfalls and sparkling lakes. Umiam lakes and Wards lakes are two major attractions in Shillong. You can also enjoy the astonishing beauty of Shilling Peak and Elephant Falls within your budget trip. Moreover, Shillong is one of the best destinations in India in summer as waterfalls are full and nature becomes the greenest during this time.
Shillong is also known for its vibrant local culture, where you can taste authentic Khasi cuisine and shop for handicrafts without stretching your budget. If you are hovering around finding the best hill stations in India during summer, you must consider Shillong for a pocket-friendly trip. You can have affordable and comfortable guest houses, homestays and hotels across Shillong. People can also use local transport or shared taxis to visit nearby destinations like Cherrapunji without spending much. So, for budget-conscious travelers looking for the best places to visit in India, Shillong offers a mix of natural beauty and cultural experiences at reasonable prices.
Also, know about the best hill stations in India to visit in rain.
Summary
India has a wide range of tourist destinations to explore in summer, starting from the Himalayan beauty of Manali and green tea gardens of Munnar to the adventure activities in Rishikesh, the cool charm of Ooty and the mesmerizing natural beauty of Shillong. All of these places offer a unique experience to travelers, including accommodations, activities and food. As a whole, this blog provides a comprehensive guide to finding the best places to visit in India during summer within a budget. Choose your favorite one from these top five destinations for your next summer trip and experience a memorable trip within your budget.