BY PRANAV DANGI,
CEO AND FOUNDER,
THE HOSTELLER
NEW DELHI | 18 APRIL 2025
Being on a holiday shouldn’t feel like a task. If at all, it should feel like waking up from sleep on a Saturday morning. You’ve had 8 to 9 hours of sleep yet you are yawning. If my words strike a chord, here’s a personal list of 21 destinations for a panic-free, de-stressing and relaxing holiday.
1) Kasauli ( Himachal Pradesh)
Ideal stay: 2 to 3 days
What to do?
- Walk through Gilbert Trail (morning mist, chirping birds, zero crowd).
- Sip chai at Cafe Mitti and watch the world pass by.
- Enjoy old-world charm at Christ Church.
- Watch a gorgeous sunset from Manki Point
2) Mashobra and Tattapani ( Himachal Pradesh):
Ideal stay: 3 to 4 days
What to do?
- Stay in a cosy wooden homestay or hostel.
- Go on a slow nature walk in the Reserve Forest Sanctuary.
- Have long, lazy breakfasts with mountain views.
- Ride through the hills to Tattapani for hot springs.
- Take a dip in the natural hot springs for stress relief.
- Go riverside camping and listen to the flowing water.
- Try white water rafting (if you’re feeling adventurous).
- Mathura and Vrindavan ( Uttar Pradesh):
Ideal stay: 2 to 3 days
What to do?
- Wake up at 5 AM to witness early morning aartis.
- Visit all the popular temples.
- Have local thalis.
- Take a bath in the Yamuna River.
- Walk along Yamuna Ghats at sunrise.
- Sit in ISKCON Temple and just listen to bhajans.
- Visit Barsana and seek blessings from Radha Mata.
- Take on Govardhan Prakrima challenge.
- Haridwar and Rishikesh ( Uttarakhand):
Ideal stay: 3 to 4 days
What to do?
- Take a dip in the holy Ganga at Har Ki Pauri.
- Sit by the riverbanks and listen to temple bells.
- Have bedmi puri and aloo sabzi for breakfast.
- Take part in sunrise yoga by the Ganga.
- Attend the Ganga Aarti at Triveni Ghat.
- Chill at Shambala Cafe and read a book.
- Walk across Laxman Jhula with chai in hand.
- Take up adventure sports.
- Dharamshala and McLeod Ganj ( Himachal Pradesh):
Ideal stay: 3 to 4 days
What to do?
- Watch a cricket match at Dharamshala Stadium.
- Explore the place on foot.
- Sit for hours in Namgyal Monastery.
- Read books, sip Tibetan tea and listen to soft music at Illiterati Cafe.
- Visit Bhagsu Waterfalls and just sit by the flowing stream.
- Take up Triund Trek.
- Varanasi ( Uttar Pradesh) (Off-season):
Ideal stay: 3 to 4 days
What to do?
- Take long morning walks along the ghats.
- Watch the Ganga Aarti without the rush.
- Have a Banarasi thali and chill at Brown Bread Bakery.
- Prayagraj ( Uttar Pradesh):
Ideal stay: 2 to 3 days
What to do?
- Visit the Sangam and watch boats gently float by.
- Take a slow cycle rickshaw ride through old streets.
- Visit the local temples one by one.
- Try the local food, one bite at a time.
- Jibhi ( Himachal Pradesh):
Ideal stay: 4to 5 days
What to do?
- Stay at The Hosteller!
- Read, hike, sip tea, repeat.
- Tirthan Valley ( Himachal Pradesh):
Ideal stay: 3 to 4 days
What to do?
- Take slow nature walks along the Tirthan River.
- Try trout fishing (and maybe grill it yourself!).
- Visit Serolsar Lake for a peaceful hike.
- Gokarna ( Karnataka ):
Ideal stay: 3 to 4 days
What to do?
- Stay in a beachside hostel or hut.
- Meditate on Om Beach early in the morning.
- Walk from Kudle Beach to Paradise Beach – a stunning coastal trek.
- Eat fresh seafood at Shacks like Namaste Cafe.
- Spiti Valley ( Himachal Pradesh):
Ideal stay: 5 to 6 days
What to do?
- Stay in a traditional homestay in Langza or Kibber
- Spend a night at Key Monastery and experience monk life
- Just sit by Chandratal Lake and let nature do the talking
- Try Yak Cheese and Butter Tea.
- Khajjiar ( Himachal Pradesh):
Ideal stay: 2 to 3 days
What to do?
- Walk around the Khajjiar Lake and just soak in the greenery.
- Try zorbing (rolling downhill inside a giant ball!).
- Stay in a wooden cottage with a view.
- Mawlynnong ( Meghalaya):
(Cleanest village in Asia)
Ideal stay: 3 to 4 days
What to do?
- Walk through the village and stay in a bamboo hut.
- Visit the Living Root Bridges.
- Take a day trip to Dawki River, one of the cleanest rivers in the world.
- Ziro Valley ( Arunachal Pradesh):
Ideal stay: 3 to 5 days
What to do?
- Stay in a traditional Apatani homestay.
- Explore the golden rice fields and bamboo forests.
- Visit during the Ziro Music Festival for a mix of peace & music.
- Alleppey ( Kerala) :
Ideal stay: 2 to 3 days
What to do?
- Stay overnight on a traditional Kerala houseboat.
- Eat authentic Kerala meals on a banana leaf.
- Take a canoe ride through hidden canals.
- Hampi ( Karnataka):
Ideal stay: 2 to 4 days
What to do?
- Rent a cycle and explore Hampi’s ruins.
- Meditate at Virupaksha Temple.
- Watch the sunset at Matanga Hill.
- Chill at Mango Tree Cafe by the river.
- Pondicherry:
Ideal stay: 3 to 4 days
What to do?
- Walk through the French Quarter and White Town.
- Have coffee and croissants at Baker Street Cafe.
- Visit Auroville for meditation and tranquillity.
- Just cycle around and explore slow-life vibes.
- Chopta ( Uttarakhand):
Ideal stay: 3 to 4 days
What to do?
- Trek to Tungnath (the World’s Highest Shiva Temple).
- Stay in an eco-hut with insane mountain views.
- Just sit on a meadow and do nothing.
- Mokokchung ( Nagaland)
Ideal stay: 3 to 4 days
What to do?
- Stay in a traditional Naga homestay.
- Explore Ao Naga villages and heritage sites.
- Try authentic Naga food and rice beer.
- Udaipur ( Rajasthan):
Ideal stay: 3 to5 days
What to do?
- Take a boat ride on Lake Pichola.
- Visit City Palace, but go early to avoid the crowds.
- Explore Ambrai Ghat at sunrise for the best view of Udaipur’s lakefront.
- Dine at Jagat Niwas, one of the most beautiful lakeside restaurants.
- Walk through Shilpgram, an artisan village where Rajasthani culture comes alive.
- Jodhpur ( Rajasthan):
Ideal stay: 2 to 4 days
What to do?
- Walk through the Blue City and capture Instagram-worthy corners.
- Visit Mehrangarh Fort, but stay back for the sunset.
- Sip on Makhaniya Lassi at Shri Mishrilal Hotel.
- Take a village safari to Bishnoi Village.
- Grab dinner at Raas Haveli, where old-world charm meets modern luxury.
- Mussoorie ( Uttarakhand):
Ideal stay: 2 to 4 days
What to do?
- Walk along Camel’s Back Road for misty mountain views.
- Take a cable car ride to Gun Hill Point.
- Visit Landour, a quiet European-style hamlet away from the crowds.
- Explore the iconic Mussoorie Library and Mall Road.
- Indulge in freshly baked cakes from Landour Bakehouse.
- Lansdowne ( Uttarakhand):
Ideal stay: 2 to 3 days
What to do?
- Visit Tip N Top, the highest point of Lansdowne.
- Walk around Bhulla Lake, and row a boat while soaking in the silence.
- Explore St. John’s Church, a church from the British era.
- Take a heritage walk through Garhwali Mess.
- Sit in a quiet café with a book.
- Munnar ( Kerala)
Ideal stay: 3 to 4 days
What to do?
- Take a tea plantation tour.
- Watch the Neelakurinji flowers bloom (if you’re lucky enough).
- Visit Top Station, where clouds float at eye level.
- Sip freshly brewed Munnar tea.
- Take a slow drive through Eravikulam National Park.
- Chakrata ( Uttarakhand):
Ideal stay: 2 to 3 days
What to do?
- Trek to Tiger Falls, one of the highest waterfalls in India.
- Visit the Deoban Forest, a paradise for birdwatchers.
- Enjoy panoramic views from Chilmiri Neck, especially at sunrise.
- Take a slow village walk through Kanasar, known for its ancient deodar trees.
- Sit back with pahadi chai at a local tea shop.
Now tell me, which one are you packing for first?
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