Hi everyone!

I'm planning a 2-night stay in Pondicherry with my family/partner and looking for a good sea-view, beach-facing, or beachfront hotel/homestay where we can enjoy the ocean right from the property.

My preference is somewhere peaceful, clean, safe, and comfortable, with a beautiful sea view and ideally direct access to the beach. I'm looking for something budget-friendly rather than a luxury resort.

If you've personally stayed at a good place or know of any hidden gems, please share your recommendations, approximate prices per night, and booking links if possible.

I'd really appreciate genuine suggestions based on your own experience, especially places that offer good value for money.

Thank you so much in advance!

Hey, I have 5 days off in November (23M, residing in Delhi). Was thinking of spending some time in the mountains, and found Chakrata quite interesting. I mainly have three questions from this forum:

1. 3 days in Chakrata is a good enough time to explore the town at a relaxed pace?

2. Where else can I spend the next two days? I fear the cities (Dehradun/Mussoorie) would be too crowded during the festive season

3. Is it better to reach Chakrata from Dehradun, or from Mussoorie?

Thanks!

Pata hai aaj kya hua? A few days ago, I visited Katra, Jammu and Kashmir, for the darshan of Shri Mata Vaishno Devi, and honestly, it was my first time there. I don't think I can properly explain how beautiful the whole experience was. The journey, the mountains, the views, and the feeling of being there for Maa's darshan made it so special for me.

Katra was such a beautiful place, and the entire trip felt different from my usual routine. I clicked these pictures during the trip, and every time I look at them, I remember those moments. Even the little things, like exploring the surroundings and spotting that unusual insect, became memories worth keeping.

It was genuinely one of the best trips I've ever had. I'm so glad I got the chance to visit Maa Vaishno Devi, and I would love to go there again someday.

Jai Mata Di🙏

Hello,

So in early December my parents are celebrating their 30th anniversary and we want to send them for a couple's trip (they haven't been to one in almost 25 years).

Age: They are elderly and don't prefer walking.

Location: We prefer India because of budget constraints and passport requirements.

Budget: Our budget is around INR 60K or less.

Food: Also, they are vegetarian, so food and place needs to have that.

No no list: We have explored Assam/ West Bengal/ Rajasthan and Central India.

I will really appreciate if you can give me any recommendations of places/ packages/ things to do etc.

I’m headed to India in a few days and was approved for my visa several weeks ago (I’m from the US).

Two things that I’m confused about:

1) They asked about how many countries I’d been to in the past ten years, but I didn’t have enough space for them all. In fact, I just got back from a new one that I didn’t space for 2 weeks ago. Does this matter? What happens?

2) My e-Visa was granted. Do I need to print out and carry a physical copy of the eVisa Application Form with the actual photo? What happens when I actually land and go through immigration?

Thanks. The bureaucracy of this all has made me very anxious. I’ve never gone through a process like this.

Hi everyone!

I am looking for budget travel destinations across India under ₹5,000 from Nagpur and chhindwara or nearby railway stations, travelling by Sleeper or General Class.

What destinations would you recommend?

I am open to exploring all parts of India, including:

Mountains and hill stations

Beaches and coastal towns

Historical cities, forts, and monuments

Temples and pilgrimage destinations

Nature, waterfalls, forests, and wildlife areas

Cultural destinations and lesser-known places

Please share complete itineraries

For each destination, it would be helpful if you could mention:

Starting station and destination station.

Train name/number, approximate Sleeper or General fare, and travel time.

Return-ticket cost.

Affordable dormitory or hostel options and approximate prices.

Daily food expenses.

Local transport and sightseeing expenses.

Nearby places that can be covered on the same trip, including how to travel between them.

Total estimated cost, with a small emergency buffer.

Please share your personal experiences, train routes, hostel names, useful booking links, and money-saving tips.

Thank you!

So in my village they (fun guys)took me to the top of the village water tank and then we chit chat about silly things. But the time we spent there was good watching sunset, listening to the village bhajans and the birds chirping nothing special but just something peaceful don't know in my heart or mind.

So took this video just so I don't forget that nature can only provide ultimate peace.

(Ps: English is not my first language, please point out any mistakes I made in the post. You can suggest what should I have written instead of any word)

Hi everyone!

I'm working on a product management assignment exploring the ride-hailing pickup experience in India. I'm trying to understand what passengers actually experience when booking a ride, particularly in busy places such as malls, office complexes, airports, and crowded streets.

I'd love to hear about your experiences:

• Can you share a recent experience of booking a ride and meeting your driver?
• Have you ever struggled to find your driver, or had a driver struggle to find you? What happened?
• What do you usually do when the pickup location is confusing or difficult to reach?
• Have you ever had to wait longer, make multiple calls, change your pickup location, or cancel a ride because of this? Could you describe what happened?
• What makes a pickup easy or frustrating for you?

I'm interested in both good and bad experiences, and there's no right or wrong answer. I'm trying to understand how people actually deal with these situations.

Thanks for sharing!

While returning from work on Sunday evening, I realised Tuesday was a holiday for Dussehra. So, without much planning, I booked a Shatabdi ticket to Haridwar. Sometimes, spontaneous plans work out best!
I reached Haridwar around noon, took a bus and then an auto to the Laxman Jhula area. This is where most of the action happens, with hostels, cafés, restaurants and the Ganga all within walking distance.
I’ve stayed at Shiv Shakti, Zostel and The Hosteller on previous trips. This time, I chose \*\*Madpackers\*\*, and I really liked the experience. The staff was polite, and the common area had a great vibe. I even got to speak Bengali with someone from Kolkata and brush up on my Bengali after ages!
The next morning, I went river rafting. No pictures this time since I was travelling solo and skipped the GoPro package. After returning, I spent a few hours relaxing in the hostel’s common area before heading back to Delhi that evening.
\*\*Overall, a much-needed break!\*\* Two days felt a little rushed; three would have been ideal. But when you need a quick escape from Delhi, Rishikesh is a great option.
Sometimes, you don’t need an elaborate itinerary or company. Just book a ticket, find a decent hostel and enjoy doing nothing for a while.
Any recommendations for my next spontaneous solo trip from Delhi?

Hey everyone!

I’m planning a family trip to Cherrapunji and looking for some advice to finalize things. We want a comfortable, mid-range experience—not ultra-luxury, but comfortable enough for family members (no extreme budget backpacking or very basic homestays).

1. Timing: Dec 11–14 vs. Jan 27–30

Which of these two windows is better for a family trip?

How is the weather, crowd levels, and overall vibe during mid-December versus late January? (I’ve heard it gets quite chilly, but is one month significantly colder, foggier, or more crowded than the other?)

1. Itinerary & Pace (4 Days / 3 Nights)

What is a relaxed, family-friendly 3-night itinerary covering the key highlights (waterfalls, caves, viewpoints) without rushing older folks or kids too much?

1. Stay & Transport Recommendations

Any mid-range resort, hotel, or cozy standard cottage recommendations that offer good hospitality, clean rooms, and nice views?

Hey everyone!

I’m planning my first international trip to Thailand from November 21 to November 28, travelling from Delhi. I’m currently considering the following route:

Delhi → Bangkok
Bangkok → Krabi
Krabi → Phuket
Phuket → Delhi

I’m trying to plan the trip independently and would love some advice from people who have travelled to Thailand, especially first-time visitors.

Here are a few things I’d like help with:

1. Places to visit
   What are the must-visit places and things to do in Bangkok, Krabi, and Phuket? Are there any hidden gems, local experiences, markets, or places that are worth visiting beyond the usual tourist spots?

2. Getting between destinations
   What’s the best way to travel from Bangkok to Krabi and then from Krabi to Phuket? Are flights worth the extra cost, or are buses, ferries, or other options more convenient?

3. Visa and travel requirements
   What documents and formalities should Indian passport holders take care of before travelling? Anything important regarding entry requirements, arrival cards, travel insurance, SIM cards, currency, or cash?

4. DIY trip vs. travel package
   Would you recommend planning everything independently or booking through a travel agency? If you’ve done both, what worked better in terms of cost, convenience, and overall experience?

5. Getting around locally
   What’s the best way to explore Bangkok, Krabi, and Phuket? Should I rely on public transport, Grab, taxis, buses, or rent a vehicle?
   I’m considering getting an International Driving Permit (IDP) and renting a two-wheeler. Is this practical and safe for someone visiting for the first time? What licence, insurance, and other requirements should I be aware of?

6. Budget and other tips
   Any recommendations for affordable accommodation areas, local food, island tours, or things I should book in advance? Also, what common tourist traps or mistakes should I avoid?

Since this is my first international trip, I want to make the most of the week without spending unnecessarily or making the itinerary too hectic.
Would really appreciate any advice, personal experiences, or suggestions for improving this route.

Thanks in advance! 🙌

Hi, hope you're having a good day so far.

We're planning a family trip in January, I need some suggestions as to where we can go, it would be preferable agar mountain wali places ho and agar snow dikh paye toh, can y'all please help me out, anywhere in india and nepal is also okay

Planning a 2-day Puri trip? Here's the route I'd follow:

🏡 Base: Sipasurubili, Puri

Staying in a full flat instead of a hotel room makes the weekend easier, especially with 3–4 people. You get a space to rest between sightseeing. I host a 1BHK here (Palm Breeze Retreat, on Airbnb), so this plan is built around it.

🛕 Day 1: Temple, food, beach

Early morning: Jagannath Temple darshan before the crowds

Late morning: Mahaprasad and Khaja

Afternoon: Local market for handicrafts and snacks, then back to the flat for a break

Evening: Golden Beach for sunset. Don't rush it.

☀️ Day 2: Art and architecture

Morning: Leave early for Raghurajpur, the Pattachitra heritage village

Midday: Konark Sun Temple, which you need to see in person

Afternoon: Chandrabhaga Beach

Evening: Back to Puri, dinner, and rest

In short: Temple + Mahaprasad + beach + Konark + good food.

Disclosure: I host the flat mentioned above. Happy to share timings and route tips, just DM me.

Jay Jagannath 🙏

I need your help picking a place and general suggestions during a trip my friend and I are taking in mid February.

Length of Trip: 18 Days (including travel time)
Budget: Still working on that. But we're not splurging for fancy resorts for lodging if that helps. Rather use funds for experiences below.

We're going to visit:
- Either Mumbai or Delhi
- Jaipur
- Somewhere in South India
- Goa (If we have time)

We'd love to experience:
- Nature (Green, hills, mountains, water, ANY nature is fair game)
- Food
- Spices. I'd love to help harvest them (as many different types) if possible. Or at least get to visit experience the cultivation process in some way.
- Jewish Culture in India
- Shopping (Clothes / Jewelry).
- UNESCO World Heritage Sites (link to map)
- Cultural Tours and other Experience based things
- Learn a Skill? Unsure about this, but if there's something India could teach us we'd love to learn
- If a place happens to align with a popular Bollywood location that'd be nice. (think Chaiyya Chaiyya railway)

Background:
- We're in our 30s
- One knows Hindi (not super fluent, but enough to watch a movie without subtitles)
- We're a bit anxious on the Tourist Infrastructure in some areas. Mainly because we don't know things yet. But we've traveled around a bit (Hong Kong, Spain, Korea).

South India Uncertainty. We're unsure where to go:
- My friend loves coffee, so I was thinking, **Coorg/**Kodagu. or nature in Kodaikanal.
- But since these are not a major cities, I'm unsure about the travel infrastructure.

We could use your help on:
- Suggestions on places to visit?
- Picking which area in South to vist
- Do you think we have enough time to go to a 4th area - Goa? with our 18 days timeline?

Thank you in advance.

Where do you think this is? Hint: it's in Uttarakhand, and the two rivers in the photo have very different colours.

Drop your guess in the comments. I'll reveal the answer later today.

Located at 12,000 ft, Tungnath is the highest Shiva temple in the world and one of the five sacred Kedars. The trek takes you through beautiful forests, green meadows, and stunning mountain views.

But the journey doesn't end here! Continue to Chandrashila Summit for amazing 360° views of the Himalayas, including peaks like Nanda Devi, Chaukhamba, and Trishul.

You can also visit Deoriatal, a beautiful lake surrounded by forests and mountain views. And when winter arrives, the Chopta–Tungnath–Chandrashila trail turns into a snowy wonderland, making the trek even more special.

A beautiful trail, a sacred temple, and Himalayan views that make every step worth it.

The indianvisaonline website gives conflicting information about whether you are able to enter India through a land crossing on an e-visa. The FAQ says no; the list of entry points says yes. I've also come across conflicting stories on this reddit, and in other places.

So: does anyone have experience with this? Is it possible or not? I am planning to travel to India from Nepal.

If you’re planning a Himalayan trek this November, these two top the list in Uttarakhand. But they offer very different experiences:

Chopta - Chandrashila: Perfect if you're short on time (1-2 days trek). Super beginner-friendly, well-paved up to Tungnath, and offers unreal 360° views of Chaukhamba and Nanda Devi.

Kuari Pass: Ideal if you want a proper multi-day camping trek (3-4 days on the trail). Walking through golden meadows with up-close Nanda Devi views needs slightly better stamina.

Quick Verdict:

Less time: Go for Chopta

True multi-day trek: Pick Kuari Pass

Which one would you pick for clear November views?

[OC]

​

Hey everyone! I’m planning a Rajasthan trip from Howrah, starting on 27 December.

My tentative itinerary:

- 28 Dec night: Reach Jaipur

- 29–30 Dec: Explore Jaipur

- 30 Dec night: Train to Jodhpur

- 31 Dec: Explore Jodhpur

- 1–4 Jan: Cover Jaisalmer and Udaipur

- 4/5 Jan: Return journey

I’m open to changing the itinerary if it feels too hectic.

Please suggest the must-visit places, whether I should skip any city, the best travel options between cities, local food to try, winter precautions, and any other useful tips.

Thanks in advance! Any advice from people who have visited Rajasthan would be really helpful.

Hello Sub,

Can you please LMK is this trip is doable?