Uttarakhand is a beautiful state in northern India, known for its scenic beauty, spiritual significance, and adventure opportunities. It is home to the majestic Himalayan mountain range, the holy Ganga river, and many ancient temples and shrines. Uttarakhand is a perfect destination for nature lovers, pilgrims, and thrill-seekers alike.
However, travelling to Uttarakhand can also be expensive, especially if you don’t plan and look for ways to save money. In this blog post, I will share some tips and tricks on how to travel on a budget in Uttarakhand and enjoy its wonders without breaking the bank.
Accommodation
One of the biggest expenses when travelling is accommodation. Luckily, Uttarakhand offers a variety of options for budget travellers, from hostels and guesthouses to homestays and campsites. Here are some of the best ways to save money on accommodation in Uttarakhand:
- Hostels and guesthouses: These are the cheapest and most common options for backpackers and solo travellers. You can find hostels and guesthouses in almost every town and city in Uttarakhand, offering dorm beds or private rooms at affordable rates. You can expect to pay around 300-500 INR per night for a dorm bed and 800-1500 INR per night for a private room.
- Homestays: If you want to experience the local culture and hospitality of Uttarakhand, staying with a local family is a great option. Homestays are usually cheaper than hotels and offer more authentic and personalized services. You can also learn about the local cuisine, traditions, and lifestyle from your hosts. You can expect to pay around 1000-2000 INR per night for a homestay, including meals.
- Campsites: If you love nature and adventure, camping is another option for budget accommodation in Uttarakhand. You can either bring your tent or rent one from a campsite operator. Camping allows you to enjoy the scenic views of the mountains, lakes, and forests, as well as indulge in activities like trekking, rafting, and bonfires. You can expect to pay around 500-1000 INR per night for a campsite, including meals.
Food
Another major expense when travelling is food. Uttarakhand has a rich and diverse cuisine, influenced by its geography, climate, and culture. You can find a variety of dishes, from vegetarian to non-vegetarian, from spicy to sweet, from simple to elaborate. However, eating out at restaurants can be costly, especially if you have a big appetite. Here are some of the best ways to save money on food in Uttarakhand:
- Street food: One of the cheapest and most delicious ways to eat in Uttarakhand is to try street food. You can find stalls and carts selling snacks, sweets, drinks, and meals at every corner of the street. Some of the popular street food items in Uttarakhand are momos (steamed dumplings), samosas (fried pastries), chaat (spicy salads), jalebi (deep-fried swirls of batter soaked in sugar syrup), lassi (yoghurt drink), chai (tea), and Maggi (instant noodles). You can expect to pay around 10-50 INR per item for street food.
- Dhabas: Another cheap and tasty option for eating in Uttarakhand is to visit the dhabas. These are roadside eateries that serve hot and fresh food at reasonable prices. You can find dhabas along the highways or near tourist attractions. They usually serve Indian cuisine, such as dal (lentil soup), roti (flatbread), sabzi (vegetable curry), rice, paratha (stuffed bread), paneer (cottage cheese), chicken curry, etc. You can expect to pay around 100-200 INR per person for a meal at a dhaba.
- Self-catering: If you want to save even more money on food, you can opt for self-catering. This means buying groceries from local markets or shops and cooking your food. This way, you can control your budget, choose your ingredients, and customize your dishes. You can also save leftovers for later or share them with other travellers. However, self-catering requires access to a kitchen, which may not be available in all types of accommodation. You can expect to pay around 500-1000 INR per week for groceries, depending on your preferences.
Uttarakhand Tourism: Official Website of Department of Tourism, Government of Uttarakhand
Transportation
The last major expense when travelling is transportation. Uttarakhand is a large and diverse state, with many places to see and explore. However, getting around can be challenging, especially if you are not familiar with the routes, modes, and fares. Here are some of the best ways to save money on transportation in Uttarakhand:
- Public transportation: The cheapest and most convenient way to travel within Uttarakhand is to use public transportation. You can find buses, trains, taxis, rickshaws, and shared jeeps that connect different towns and cities in the state. Public transportation is usually reliable, frequent, and comfortable, but it can also be crowded, slow, and noisy. You can expect to pay around 10-100 INR per trip for public transportation, depending on the distance and mode.
- Private transportation: If you want more flexibility and privacy, you can opt for private transportation. You can either hire a car or a bike or rent one from a rental agency. Private transportation allows you to travel at your own pace, stop wherever you want, and explore off-the-beaten-path destinations. However, private transportation can be expensive, risky, and stressful, especially if you are not used to driving in India. You can expect to pay around 1000-3000 INR per day for private transportation, depending on the type and duration.
- Hitchhiking: If you are feeling adventurous and adventurous, you can try hitchhiking in Uttarakhand. Hitchhiking is a way of getting free rides from strangers who are going in the same direction as you. Hitchhiking can be fun, exciting, and rewarding, as you can meet new people, learn new things, and see new places. However, hitchhiking can also be dangerous, unpredictable, and frustrating, as you may not find a ride easily or end up in an unpleasant situation. You can expect to pay nothing or a small amount for hitchhiking.
Conclusion
Travelling on a budget in Uttarakhand is possible and enjoyable if you follow these tips and tricks. You can save money on accommodation by choosing hostels, homestays, or campsites; on food by trying street food, dhabas, or self-catering; and on transportation by using public transportation, private transportation, or hitchhiking. By doing so, you can experience the best of Uttarakhand without spending a fortune.
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