Top 5 Budget-Friendly Summer Destinations for Solo Travelers in India

Top 5 Budget-Friendly Summer Destinations for Solo Travelers in India

By Manu Vardhan Kannan

Published on May 3, 2025

Traveling solo this summer doesn’t have to break the bank. With the right destinations and budget stays, you can enjoy unforgettable experiences while keeping costs low. From high-altitude deserts to scenic lakes and beachside bliss, here are five affordable travel options across India for solo adventurers.

1. Spiti, Himachal Pradesh – The Budget Ladakh Alternative

For those dreaming of Ladakh but looking for a cost-effective option, Spiti Valley offers a stunning and budget-friendly alternative. The raw beauty of its high-altitude landscapes, peaceful monasteries, and dramatic cliffs make it ideal for solo explorers. Stay at Zostel Spiti, which offers budget dorms and cozy private rooms with scenic views, and a great chance to meet fellow travelers.

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Budget Tip: Use public buses from Manali or Shimla instead of private cabs to reduce travel costs.

2. Kareri Lake, Himachal Pradesh – A Scenic Himalayan Escape

For nature lovers, Kareri Lake is an offbeat trekking destination surrounded by snowy peaks and pine forests. Enjoy a bonfire dinner under starry skies and camp beside the serene glacial lake. Zo Trips offers a 2-night package with accommodation at Zostel and Kareri campsite, meals, Volvo bus transport from Delhi to Dharamshala and back, local taxis, and permits—all thoughtfully arranged for solo explorers.

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Pro Tip: Smaller group sizes and immersive local experiences make this trek truly special.

3. Varkala, Kerala – A Beach Escape Without the Crowd

Skip the crowds of Goa and head to Varkala—a calm coastal town with cliffs, clean beaches, and great seafood. Zostel Varkala offers a chill vibe with comfortable dorms and shared spaces, just minutes from the beach.

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Budget Tip: Try Kerala-style “Thattukadas” for delicious street food that’s easy on the wallet.

4. Jibhi, Himachal Pradesh – The Hidden Gem of Tirthan Valley

Jibhi is the perfect retreat for travelers seeking peace, nature, and old-world charm. Think riverside trails, wooden houses, and cascading waterfalls. Stay at Zostel Homes Laida, a traditional homestay with a Himachali-style home and private mudhouse. It’s a quiet, soulful experience ideal for solo stays.

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Budget Tip: Explore nearby villages on foot, like Chehni Kothi, to avoid cab fares and enjoy authentic interactions.

5. Tawang, Arunachal Pradesh – Unexplored and Unforgettable

Tawang offers unmatched solitude and cultural richness. With Zo Trips’ 6N/7D tour, solo travelers can explore the snow-capped eastern Himalayas, Buddhist monasteries, and high-altitude lakes. This experience includes travel through dramatic terrains, deep valleys, and dense forests in one of India’s most remote regions.

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Pro Tip: Choose off-season dates for better deals and fewer crowds.

With smart choices—like hostels, shared tours, and public transport—solo travel in India can be both thrilling and affordable. These destinations promise a mix of adventure, culture, and scenic beauty without the high price tag.


Vietnam Golf Coast Evokes a Sense of Place This Summer

Vietnam Golf Coast Evokes a Sense of Place This Summer

By Nishang Narayan

Published on May 28, 2025

The Vietnam Golf Coast is calling travellers this summer with its unique blend of lush landscapes, cultural immersion, and exclusive seasonal packages. Stretching across Central Vietnam, this renowned golf destination is offering more than just top-tier fairways—it’s inviting players to experience the soul of Vietnam through its rice paddies, highland mists, seaside breezes, and traditional flavours.

At Laguna Golf Lang Co, harvest season paints the course with shades of gold as rice paddies reach their peak through May and June. “This is one of the most enchanting times to play,” says Stephen Banks, Director of Golf, noting how the course deeply reflects Vietnam’s natural rhythms and traditions. This summer, golfers can enjoy curated offers like the Golf & Spa package, the time-friendly Golf Express deal, and the Golden Rice Flash Sales that celebrate the vibrant harvest.

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Nestled in the cool highlands beyond Da Nang, Ba Na Hills Golf Club offers a completely different ambiance. Surrounded by pine trees and misty mountain air, it provides a tranquil escape from the coastal heat. “Every time I walk this course, I’m reminded why golf in the mountains feels different – calmer, clearer, and more connected,” shares General Manager Simon Mees. The summer lineup includes a Twi-Night Golf package, with weekday slots available until 2:15 PM (3:00 PM on Wednesdays) at just VND2,600,000 (USD100), complete with a refreshing beer. The Night Golf experience, starting at VND2,500,000 per player, adds local flair with craft beer and Ba Na sausage.

Closer to the coast, Montgomerie Links offers the classic charm of seaside golf, where the sea breeze dances through casuarina pines and fishing boats drift along the horizon. “Montgomerie Links captures the spirit of true links golf, but with a distinct Vietnamese character,” says Club Manager Le Vo Hoang Van. Their Stay & Play package is available until September 30, 2025, starting from just VND4,770,000, offering unbeatable value by the beach.

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What sets the Vietnam Golf Coast apart is its ability to fuse sport with culture. From caddies in traditional non la hats to clubhouses serving iconic Vietnamese dishes like ca phe sua da, banh mi, pho, and bun thit nuong, every detail adds to the experience.

Off the greens, golfers are spoilt for choice. Laguna Golf Lang Co is close to the historic city of Hue, while Ba Na Hills and Montgomerie Links are a quick drive from Da Nang’s beaches, fireworks festival, and buzzing food scene. And of course, the UNESCO-listed town of Hoi An, with its lantern-lit streets and timeless charm, is always worth a visit.

For golfers seeking more than just a round, this summer on the Vietnam Golf Coast promises a sense of place, pace, and unforgettable play.


Dharoi Adventure Fest Set to Begin on May 23 at Gujarat’s Dharoi Dam

By Manu Vardhan Kannan

Published on May 21, 2025

Adventure seekers, get ready! The Dharoi Adventure Fest is all set to kick off from May 23, 2025, at the picturesque Dharoi Dam in Mehsana, Gujarat. This much-awaited event, inaugurated by Hon’ble CM Shri Bhupendra Patel, promises non-stop action and fun with a wide array of air, water, and land-based activities.

Recognised as Gujarat’s first and India’s longest adventure fest, the event will showcase an exciting mix of thrills—from parasailing and paramotoring to power boating, rock climbing, mountain biking, hiking, camping, and more. It’s a full-fledged adventure destination rolled into one unforgettable experience.

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As the sun sets, the excitement continues with cultural events, stargazing, astronomy camps, and nature walks, offering a perfect blend of thrill and tranquillity.

For those looking to stay, the festival offers a range of accommodations—luxury tents to budget dorms, all with included meals and full access to the fest.

Set against the scenic backdrop of Dharoi Dam on the Sabarmati River, the location is fast emerging as Gujarat’s newest hotspot for eco-adventure tourism.

Whether you're an adrenaline junkie or a nature lover, the Dharoi Adventure Fest is the perfect summer getaway packed with excitement, culture, and the great outdoors.


Abhay Prabhavana: India’s Museum of Ideas Redefines the Museum Experience

Abhay Prabhavana: India’s Museum of Ideas Redefines the Museum Experience

By Nishang Narayan

Published on May 17, 2025

As the world reflects on the role of museums this International Museum Day, one unique destination in India is shifting the narrative from artefacts to ideas. Abhay Prabhavana, envisioned by Dr. Abhay Firodia and developed by the Amar Prerana Trust, stands out as India’s pioneering Museum of Ideas — a space where timeless civilisational values and forward-looking thought converge in harmony.

Located on a vast 50-acre campus near the historic Pale Caves in Maharashtra, Abhay Prabhavana isn't just one of the largest private museums in the world — it’s also one of the most thoughtfully curated. Spanning 3.5 lakh square feet, the museum’s real strength lies in its vision: to honour and celebrate Indian values like non-violence, ethics, education, compassion, and spiritual inquiry through immersive storytelling and intelligent design.

Speaking on the occasion, Dr. Abhay Firodia, industrialist and founder of the museum, shared,

"India's greatest heritage is the power of its values. Our aim was to build a space where these values are experienced in all their depth, not simply observed. Abhay Prabhavana is a place where knowledge, aesthetics, and spirit come together to offer inspiration for generations to come."

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At the heart of the museum are thirty immersive galleries — each offering a reflective experience through sculptures, dioramas, digital installations, and interactive narratives. Visitors are encouraged to contemplate themes such as inner awakening, plurality, and self-restraint, all presented with sensitivity and subtlety. Here, technology enhances the message rather than overpowering it, ensuring an enriching and balanced experience.

The museum’s architectural marvels are no less evocative. The 100-foot Manastambh symbolises the stages of spiritual evolution, while the serene 43-foot statue of Rishabhdev — the first Tirthankara — pays tribute to the foundational ethos of Indian civilisation. The Plaza of Equanimity, centred around the Sarvatobhadra sculpture, offers a quiet space for introspection, embodying the museum’s meditative spirit.

But Abhay Prabhavana is more than a museum — it’s a living knowledge centre. Facilities such as the Kundanmal Firodia Auditorium and the Taxila Library serve as platforms for learning, dialogue, and cultural engagement. With lectures, exhibitions, and research initiatives, the museum bridges the past and future through active scholarship and community interaction.

As museums globally evolve into more meaningful and experiential spaces, Abhay Prabhavana leads the way with conviction. It redefines the idea of a museum by placing ideals at its core — values that shaped a civilisation and continue to inspire the world.

On this International Museum Day, Abhay Prabhavana stands tall — not just as a keeper of heritage, but as a lighthouse of thought and timeless wisdom.

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