Cool Travel Ideas: Here’s How Far You Can Go with 25k This May

Looking to take a break but not quite sure how to do it or where to go without breaking the bank? Well, we have some great destinations for you where you can unwind without a care in the world. The best part: the holiday won’t cost you an arm and a leg either! So, go ahead and treat yourself to these fun escapes under 25K.

Kasol

Road Distance from Delhi: 528 kilometres

Not to be confused with the more well-known sound-alike hill station Kasauli, Kasol is a well-kept secret in Himachal Pradesh. Shrouded in the beauty of the Parvathi Valley at a height of over 1,600 metres, Kasol is a small Himalayan village, perfect for taking in scenic vistas of lush mountainous landscapes ensconced by the mighty Himalayas. While in Kasol, enjoy long walks in the forest, hike along the Parvathi river, or savour freshly made eats at quaint cafes. Whatever your pace and pleasure, Kasol offers a refreshing and rejuvenating respite from the trials of city life.

Make it Happen

Hotel: If you’re looking for a slightly upscale property with both character and comfort, opt for a cottage at The Himalayan Village (Rs. 6,000 per night). Kasol also has other budget friendly properties like Hotel Royal Palace (Rs. 4,700 per night) and Sandhya Hotel (Rs. 3,000 per night).

​Food: Rs. 1,300 per day. Many culinary delights await you at the cosy restaurants and charming cafes in Kasol. Expect to find an array of authentic international cuisines including Italian, Israeli, Middle Eastern and Tibetan. Most eateries serve a gluten free menu and are vegan friendly.

Travel: The closest railway station to Kasol is at Kalka, approximately 130 kilometres away. There are 17 trains that operate from Delhi to Kalka. Depending on the class of travel, the average ticket price for a Second AC is Rs. 2,235 and AC Chair Car is Rs. 1,450. From Kalka, there are local bus and private taxi services to Kasol that you can opt for, costing around 3,500 both ways.  

Total cost for 2 nights & 3 days: Rs. 12,000 (hotel) + Rs. 3,900 (food) + Rs. 2,900 (train travel) + Rs 3,500 (taxi travel) Rs. 1,500 (miscellaneous expenses) = Rs. 23,800

Read More: Top 5 Things to Do in Kasol

Ganpatipule

Road Distance from Mumbai: 342 kilometres

Along the Konkan coast in Maharashtra, lies a relatively lesser explored gem of a destination called Ganpatipule. Known for its stunning beachfront, it boasts of clean stretches of sandy expanses that blend in to the waters of the sea. An ideal destination for lovers of the sun, sea and sand, water sports like parasailing and jet skiing are a big draw here at Ganpatipule. The sleepy seaside town located in the Ratnagiri district is also the site of the Swayambhu Ganesh Temple where it’s believed that Lord Ganesh’s statue emerged from the ground.

Make it Happen

Hotel: There are several budget friendly accommodation options in Ganpatipule, most of which are below Rs. 3,300 per night. Choose from New Krishna Sea View Deluxe, Nakshatra Beach Resort by O’Nest and Abhishek Beach Resort and Spa.

​Food: Rs. 2,000 per day. Ganpatipule has several local restaurants and bhojnalays. Being along the coast, the seafood here is as fresh and sumptuous as it gets so enjoy fish curry to the fullest. Vegetarians can enjoy sabudana khichdi. Ganpatipule is also known for hapus mangoes along with modak—a traditional sweet known to be Lord Ganesh’s favourite!

Travel: While Ganpatipule doesn’t have a railway station, the closest is at Ratnagiri, approximately 25 kilometres away. There are 18 trains that operate from Mumbai’s Chhatrapati Shivaji Terminus to Ratnagiri. Depending on the class of travel, the average ticket price for Second AC is Rs. 1,010 and AC Chair Car is Rs. 635. From Ratnagiri, you can take a local bus or an auto to Ganpatipule. An auto driver would usually charge around Rs. 500 for one way travel.

Total cost for 2 nights & 3 days: Rs. 6,600 (hotel) + Rs. 6,000 (food) + Rs. 2,020 (train travel) + Rs. 1000 (Auto Travel) Rs. 1,500 (miscellaneous expenses) = Rs. 17,120

Read More: Escape From Mumbai This Weekend

Ooty

Road Distance from Bangalore: 270 kilometres

Ooty has a reputation of being an undeniably romantic hotspot, believed by many to be the ‘honeymoon capital’ of India.  However, it’s also equally sought after by those who seek solace in scenery. Cloaked in shades of green and standing tall at a height of 2,339 metres in Tamil Nadu, Ooty is dotted with remnants of its colonial past by way of sprawling bungalows and blossoming gardens. The pièce de résistance is the Ooty Lake from where the undulating views make it easy to understand what made Ooty once the favoured location with Bollywood directors. Yes, the scenes involving running around the trees and rolling down the hillocks were filmed here!

Make it Happen

Hotel: From homestays to hotels, Ooty has something for all budgets. For fancy living, the Elk Hill, A Sterling Holidays Resort (Rs. 5,403 per night) and The Monarch (Rs. 4,859 per night) are worth considering. Other budget friendly properties in Ooty include Kluney Manor (Rs. 3,507) and Hotel Darshan (Rs. 2,858).

​Food: Rs. 1,500 per day. From European bakes and grills to South Indian curries and stews, Ooty has restaurants to suit every kind of palate. Known for its surrounding tea estates, Ooty is the place to sample the finest flushes at a cafe. It is also famous for chocolates and confectionary items so treat yourself to both.

Travel: Coimbatore at a distance of 85 kilometres from Ooty is the nearest railway station. It’s serviced by 17 trains from and to Bangalore. Depending on the class of travel, the average ticket price for a Second AC is Rs. 1,395 and AC Chair Car is Rs. 625. To get to Ooty junction from Coimbatore, take a scenic journey on the Nilgiri Mountain Railway or the toy train, which is recognised as a UNESCO World Heritage Site and covers a 46-kilometre route. Tickets for Second Class sitting cost Rs. 250. 

Total cost for 2 nights & 3 days: Rs. 10,806 (hotel) + Rs. 4,500 (food) + Rs. 2,790 (train travel to Coimbatore) + Rs. 500 (train travel to Ooty from Coimbatore) + Rs. 1,500 (miscellaneous expenses) = Rs. 20,096 

Read More: Top 5 Hotels in Ooty for Budget Travellers​