5 Holidays Under 10K this August

The month of August is here, and we have just realised that Independence Day is a long weekend this year. But like every year, there are a whole lot of festivals also coming up, so naturally our pockets are tight, the budget is screaming at us, but our wanderlust has still not been satisfied. No worries! There are plenty of places in India you can head to on a shoe-string budget. So, you can actually have your cake and eat it too! 

Here are 5 places to visit in August under 10K. You haaave to check these out!

1. Matheran, Maharashtra

Best from Mumbai, 81 kms

Known as India’s Grand Canyon, Matheran is a wonderful hilly getaway from Mumbai, for a quiet retreat from a busy week. And that too, on a budget! Head to Matheran during the August long weekend.

Make it Happen:

Hotel: Rs. 1600 per night. Stay at the lovely budget hotel Premdeep, near the Matheran Market and railway station.

Food: Rs. 1000 per day. Try the fish fry at Kokan Katta, Biryani at Shabbir Bhai Biryaniwala, and Vada Pav at Ketkar’s Restaurant

Transport:  Rs. 206 round trip from Mumbai. Take the direct train number 52109  between Mumbai and Matheran.

Total Cost for 2 days: Hotel Rs. 3200 + Food Rs. 2000 + Transport Rs. 500 (including internal transfers) = Rs. 6,000

2. Kumarakom, Kerala

Best from Bengaluru, approx. 593 kms

Rains, still lake, and so much serenity. Kerala in August is a pleasant retreat from the humdrum lives of the urban dwellers. Take pleasure in the rains, as you sit facing the Vembanad lake, with a hot cup of coffee.

Make it Happen:

Hotel: Approx. 1600 or less, per night. You can stay at some heritage lake facing villas like, Tharavadu Heritage Home,  Vembanad Lake Villas, KTDC Suvasam Lake Resort, Backwater Breeze and many more!

Food: Rs. 1000 per day. Blessed with many water bodies, cuisine in Kumarakom includes lots of river and lake sea-food recipes. Often caught fresh, cooked and served, these delicious dishes are accompanied by the Kerala Parota or rice bread Appam. Eat at some wonderful local restaurants like Lakshmi Restaurant, Cocobay Restaurant, Lakesong Restaurant, and more.

Transport: Rs. 1003, by train and taxi Bengaluru. Take Ernakulam Express from Bengaluru to Ernakulam and take Indica from there to Kumaraom.

Total cost for 2 days: Hotel Rs. 3200 + Food Rs. 2000 + Transport Rs. 2006 (excluding internal transfers) = Rs. 7200

3. Khajjiar, Himachal Pradesh

Best from Delhi, appox. 600 kms

Smooth green pastures, with a backdrop of the majestic Himalayan ranges, and valley views to remember for a lifetime, Khajjiar is rightly compared to Switzerland for its pristine beauty and unscathed locales.

Make it Happen:

Hotel: Stay at the Shining Star Resort for Rs. 2,173 per night.

Food: Rs. 1000 per day. Eat at the local eateries for authentic Himachali cuisine. Dine at the most popular Main Ground eatery, for a wholesome hill-town experience.

Transport: Rs.1221, train to Madhopur from Delhi, then cab to Khajjiar

Total cost for 2 days: Rs. 4346 (Hotel stay) + Rs. 2000 (Food) + Rs. 3000 (Transport, including internal transfers) = Rs. 9346

4. Srinagar, Kashmir

Best from Delhi (908.7 km)

One of the last summer months, August is a great time to explore the pristine beauty of Kashmir. Contrary to popular belief, you can get a wholesome Kashmiri experience on a budget. Stay for 2-3 days in Srinagar, take a tour of Dal Lake, and capture the picturesque snow-capped mountains all around.

Make it happen:

Hotel: Rs 1,900 per day (approx.) Stay at a Houseboat on Dal Lake, and experience living like a local.  A few good options are Houseboat by Ashoka, House Boat Golden Crest, Hotel Welcome Residency, Kings House Boats.

Food: Rs 1,000 per day (approx.) Try authentic Kashmiri Dum Aloo, Rogan Josh and Kashmiri Biryani. Have a meal at Stream, Sunset Boulevard Restaurant, Ahdoos and many more!

Transport: Rs. 4700 round trip from Delhi (Air).

Total cost for 2 days: Rs 2,800 (stay) + Rs. 4,692 (Transport, excluding internal transfers) + Rs 2,000 (food) =   Rs. 9,492

5. Pondicherry

Best from Chennai: 156 kms

With an obvious French colonial hangover, Pondicherry charms you with its small-town vibes, the cobbled streets, the European architecture and the untouched beaches. Spend 2-3 days here during August, experience the romanticism of this playfully charming town.

Make it Happen:

Hotel: Rs. 1500 or less. Stay at French-style quirky guest houses, walking distance or a quick bicycle ride from the beach. Some suggestion are Aadhaar Guest House, Hotel Purple, Blue Lagoon, Auroville Beach, and more safe and comfortable beach-side hotels and B&Bs.

Food: Rs. 750 per day. Indulge in delicious sea food and bakery goods at restaurants like the Indian Kaffe Express, Villa Shanti, Café Xtasi, and many more little cafes around the town.

Transport: Rs. 800 round trip by bus from Chennai. There are plenty of comfortable AC/Sleeper buses from Chennai to Pondicherry, covering the 3 hour journey.

Total cost for 2 days: Rs. 3000 (stay) + Rs. 1500 (food) + Rs. 1000 (transport, including internal transfers) = Rs. 5,500

We’ve done all the work for you! All you need to do is pack your bags, apply for those earned leaves, and head to these destinations quickly. Happy Monsoons to you!