5 Foreign-Like Travel Destinations & Places in India for Budget Travelers

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Do you love to travel abroad, but don’t have the right budget to do so? To be honest, I’ve seen many of my friends and colleagues talk about how desperate they are to travel abroad to spend great holiday time with their friends, family and life partner, but their limited income and household expenses do not really provide them the room to turn their dreams into reality. Well, I understand that completely because many of my friends have travel abroad and I’ve seen how much money it really takes to make that 10-15 days trip. On the other hand, when you return you may be short of cash and its back to hard work and hectic life. So, I decided to come up with a post that not just attracts Indian travelers, but also help international visitors to come visit India and explore locations that look like any other foreign locations, but at an affordable Indian price tag. Of course, those who have travel abroad would know that foreign locations are cleaner than the Indian counterparts, but my friend, you also got to keep in mind that you’re paying incredibly low for your trip, so you got to compromise somewhere.

So, here are 5 places in India that give you that feel of a foreign location at an Indian price.

Foreign: Antelope Valley, California  /  Indian: Valley of Flowers, Uttarakhand

If you haven’t got the chance to visit Antelope Valley Poppy Reserve near Lancaster, California here is a place just for you. Located in Chamoli district of Uttarakhand, Valley of Flower is virtual paradise on the planet. It instantly mesmerizes you with its sheer beauty and natural landscape that you see around. This beautiful 87 square kilometer expanse has a backdrop of Zanskar Ranges that make it one of the most beautiful places to visit across India.

The place is secluded in Eastern Himalayas and therefore protected by snowy mountains all around. Compared to the Antelope Valley, Uttarakhand’s Valley of Flowers is located at a higher altitude offering you much more than you can imagine. The best time to visit Valley of Flowers is from March to October. During the summer time, you can enjoy flower meadows, cascading waterfalls and small streams that make their way down as you trek higher. Avoid visiting this place during winter as it is practically covered in snow.

Foreign: Switzerland / Indian: Gulmarg, Kashmir

Gulmarg remains one of the must visit destinations in the Indian state of Jammu and Kashmir. Just miles within the Line of Control between India and Pakistan, Gulmarg is India’s reply to Switzerland. So, if you’re planning to visit Switzerland, but you do not have the budget for it, how about visiting this tiny hill station that satisfies you completely. Gulmarg literally means ‘Meadow of Flowers’ and the area has rich vegetation and flowers like forget-me-nots, buttercups and daisies that blossom during spring and summer.

This small town is not a sleepy little town anymore and has become the ‘Heartland of Winter Sports in India’, so if you’re passionate about skiing and winter sports you know where to head in India. The meadows are covered by forests of pine and fir trees that make you feel like you are roaming in Switzerland, at nearly half the cost. The Gulmarg Gondola is a tourist attraction in itself and is one of the highest cable cars in the world at 3,979 meters. It takes you from the Gondola station to Mount Apharwat Summit in an hour from where you can enjoy the great view of Nanga Parbat and Harmukh mountains.

Foreign: France (French towns) / Indian: Pondicherry

There’s no doubt that France remains one of the most visited countries in the world. Like millions you might have the dream of visiting some tiny French towns and enjoy the French cuisine at its best and shop with your loved ones at some of the best shops. However, if that’s not possible due to limited budget, here’s an alternative in India. Visit Pondicherry to complete your French visit dream. This small town still has the power to take you back in an era where Dutch, Portuguese and French powers ruled India.

While the topography of the city is similar to that of coastal Tamil Nadu, Pondicherry offers the French twist like no other. Many streets here still carry the French name and you will some great French churches and buildings here that exhibit French architecture in its full glory. The Promenade Beach is the most popular beachfront in the city which you can stroll during the evenings followed by a French cuisine at some of the best restaurants in the town.

Foreign: Fiji, Maldives, Tahiti, Thailand & Cuba / Indian: Lakshadweep Islands

So, you love to put all your work away and bask under the sun watching the crystal blue waters and blue sky interjected with snowy white clouds? Well, if you love destinations like Fiji, Maldives, Tahiti, Thailand, and Cuba, but do not have the budget for it, no worries. India has something to offer.

Formerly known as the Laccadive Islands, Lakshadweep Islands is one of the best places to visit in India, if you want to experience pristine white sandy beaches and clear blue water and sky. Located 200 to 440 kilometers (120 to 270 miles) off the south western coast of India this archipelago is governed by the Union Government of India. You may start your journey from the capital city Kavaratti where you can explore crystal blue water and secluded lagoons and then move on to visit other islands like Kadmat Islands known for its rich marine life. You can also visit Kalpeni Islands for some scuba diving and water sports activities. Minicoy Island is also spectacular and is a must-see destination when you’re in Lakshadweep. You can also do some shopping on the island, if you have the budget for it.

Foreign: Cameron Highlands, Malaysia / Indian: Munnar

Cameron Highlands is one of Malaysia’s extensive hill station. It is almost the size of Singapore and offers some of the best landscapes in Malaysia. The landscape offers vast areas of tea estates, orchards, farmlands, waterfalls, golf courses and more. However, if Malaysia is beyond your travel budget, how about heading to Munnar for a similar trip within India.

Located in the Idukki district of Kerala in southern India, Munnar can offer you an unforgettable experience. Nestled in the Western Ghats, Munnar offers so much more to the visitors. You can also visit other places close to Munnar like Attukal where you can experience a panorama of waterfalls over the hills. Also do try and visit Mattupetty popular for its dairy farm yielding more than 100 varieties of cattle. You can also visit the dam and Mattupetty Lake nearby along with boating facilities. Eravikulam National Park just 15 kilometers from Munnar is another spot that should be on your must-visit list.