2/24/2026 • By arun
Manali for snowball chaos and bonfire smooches. Old Manali's hippie cafés had us glued—think parathas by the fire. Hit it Oct-Feb for snow (pack thermals, trust), or March-June for green hikes. ₹25-45k gets you cozy cottages. Must: Solang Valley zorbing (heart-pounding!), Rohtang Pass views (if permit lucks out), Hadimba Temple vibes, Beas River strolls at dusk. Evenings? Straight magic, bhai.
Shimla—old-school colonial charm, misty Mall Road walks holding hands, no traffic hell. Feels like a vintage Bollywood reel. March-June or Dec-Jan, ₹20-40k. Sip coffee on the Ridge, horse rides in Kufri (hilarious if you're wobbly), Jakhoo Temple monkey selfies, sunset chills. Pure nostalgia fix.
Udaipur—lakes, forts, that Lake Palace glow. Dusk shikara on Pichola? Kissed under stars, felt like kings. Sept-March, ₹30-60k. City Palace tours, Jag Mandir picnics, Saheliyon gardens for lazy afternoons. Fairy tale, zero capes needed.
Kerala for houseboat unplug—backwaters so green, we forgot phones. Alleppey's floating dinner? Game-changer. Oct-March, ₹35-70k. Swing by Munnar tea estates (pick your own leaves!), Thekkady tiger spotting, Kovalam beach wind-downs. Zero crowds, all zen.
Goa if you're beach-party duo—Baga shacks by day, Calangute sunsets with feni shots. Nov-Feb peak, ₹30-55k. Dudhsagar Falls jeep splash, Fort Aguada cliff pics, late-night beach feasts. Endless vibe, zero regrets.
Island escape? Andamans—Radhanagar Beach empty as your atoll dream. Snorkeled with fish schools, Havelock bliss. Oct-May, ₹45-90k (flights sting from Delhi). Cellular Jail stories for depth, Neil Island chill. Paradise hack unlocked.
Kashmir screams Dal Lake shikara floats, houseboat nights. Tulips in spring, Gulmarg snow in winter—April-Oct best (Dec for brave hearts), ₹35-65k. Srinagar wanders, Pahalgam meadows picnics. Heaven, literally.
Tea lovers, Darjeeling—Tiger Hill sunrise over Kanchenjunga had us teary. Toy train chugs, misty mornings. April-June/Oct-Dec, ₹25-45k. Batasia Loop loops, Peace Pagoda peace. Slow romance gold.
Budget queen Ooty—Nilgiri breeze, lake boating dates. March-June/Sept-Nov, ₹20-40k. Botanical Gardens blooms, Doddabetta peak hikes, Rose Garden scents. Easy-peasy pretty.
Underrated Sikkim—Gangtok's clean air, Tsomgo Lake blues without Manali crowds. March-June/Sept-Dec, ₹30-55k. Nathula Pass thrills, Yumthang hot springs dips. Mountain high, quietly epic.