25 fabulous budget holidays in India
W
ant a fun summer vacation that doesn�t have you checking your bed for bugs,
yet is eminently affordable? Just try these picks!
S
ummer time again, sick of the usual holiday spots, but think your wallet won�t
stretch to anything more exciting? We�ve scoured magazines, surfed web sites,
strained our eyes, talked ourselves hoarse, to find 25 great summer holidays for
you and your family�all possible for less than Rs. 25,000. I�ve assumed some
things:
-you�re a family of four
-you like a comfortable journey
-you�d like about a week off, and
-you�d prefer an interesting holiday over a merely extravagant one.
Don�t get me wrong�I know you�ve moved up from your backpacking days and
would like a nice meal and a comfortable bed at the end of the day. So, my
selections are careful: all are comfortable, if not luxurious; and affordable, without
being �budget� or �youth hostel�.
Since I would like to place you firmly in the comfort zone, note that most of my
recommendations could cost you considerably less than the ballpark figure of
Rs.25,000. If your children are under 12, you�ll find yourself saving quite a bit on
room tariff or activity costs, for instance. I�ve factored in the most comfortable,
best-timed, yet affordable rail journeys from the metro closest to the destination.
But, where the activity is really worthwhile, I might recommend scrimping on rail
fare�sleeper class for a short trip is no great sacrifice. But I have budgeted
generously for food and �other activities��you�re on holiday, you�re supposed to
indulge!
Deviate from the script. You like my plan, but your holiday would be greatly
improved by the absence of demanding little kids? Don�t feel duty-bound to take
them along�it�s wholly probable that their idea of a holiday doesn�t include
hectoring parents. Let them do their own thing(see Sideshow: Pack the kids off).
Our selections sound great, but you believe the secret of a really great holiday
lies in unashamed indulgence? Don�t just throw the stuff around�buy yourself an
unusual, over-the-top holiday(see Sideshow: The champagne and caviar trail).
We also understand that there�s never any one kind oft-traveller; so we�ve
divided our selections into three categories: the AdventureTraveller; the Laidback
Traveler; and the Nature Traveler. But, since no categorization of this kind
is watertight, you�ll find ways and reasons to mix and match�and get the best
vacation of your life!
The Laid-back Traveler
This is what a real holiday might mean to a lot of you: all of you who think time-off
is best enjoyed when it involves little more than lying in a hammock all day with a
tall, cool glass that gets magically replenished, and showing signs of life only at
mealtimes. If you can do this in some of the most congenial and tranquil
surroundings in the country, what better? We believe we�ve chosen some of the
best. Enjoy...
Kausani, Uttar Pradesh
Still little more than a village, still perched at the edge of the traditional tourist�s
map. Which means that there are never many visitors, few hotels, and next to no
�activities� like at other hill stations such as nearby Nainital. Turn that picture on
its head and you get a peaceful holiday destination with breathtaking views of
major mountains, including NandaDevi. And if there seems too much peace for
the kids� liking, tire them into silence (and, possibly, awe) with beautiful walks.
Take several books, and good walking shoes.
Transport: Delhi to Kathgodam, Ranikhet Express, 2A(Rs. 550 x 4 persons x 2
trips: Rs. 4,400); Taxi from Kathgodam to Kausani (Rs. 500 x 2 trips: Rs. 1,000)
Stay: Sun N Snow Inn (ph: 05962-45010); Sagar-Kausani (ph: 05962-45018/
45022); Rs. 600 x 2 rooms x 5 days: Rs. 6,000
Food: Rs. 1,000 x 5 days: Rs. 5,000
Activities/Other trips: Rs. 5,000
TOTAL: Rs. 21,400
Chail, Himachal Pradesh
Although a bona fide hill station (it was developed with the patronage of the
Maharaja of Patiala as a rival to the nearby, popular Shimla), the invidious odour
of commercial interest has yet to pollute the pine-scented air of Chail. Stay at the
Palace Hotel; once the Maharaja�s summer residence, it�s now run by HPTDC.
Just tear your eyes away from the pink bedspread and train them to the window
that�s sure to offer you a stunning view. Ideally, hole up in the log cottages that lie
half a kilometre from the main building.
Transport: Delhi to Kalka, Kalka Shatabdi, CC (Rs 470 x 4 persons x 2 trips: Rs