4 north Indian destinations that a nature lover must go
Last Updated : May 20, 2016, 10:01 a.m.
When we talk about the Indian expedition drive, the places that come to the mind would generally be Taj Mahal in Agra, beaches of Goa, and spectacular sights of Haridwar, Varanasi, etc. But, there are many places that can make you smitten over the scenic beauty of waterfall, wild life sanctuary, pilgrimage, mountains, hills, etc. So, don’t get restricted to the known tourist destinations alone as you can explore other beautiful parts of Incredible India. We have picked out 4 destinations of North India which is ideally suited for a ardent nature lover. These locations include Khajjiar, Mcleodganj, Parvarthi Valley and Nubra Valley. Travel cost around these locations will come in the range of Rs 10,000-30,000. If you have the requisite savings available with you, then you can be off to these locations in ziffy. But even if you do not have, there is no reason to disappoint as you can get the personal loan from banks and non-banking finance companies (NBFCs) to fulfill your dream of travel. Personal loan for travel can be availed upto 25 lacs for a period of 5 years.. Personal loan amount ranges from Rs 10,000-30 lacs in India. Interest rate ranges from 10%-25% per annum. The loan amount eligibility is dependent upon the monthly income, repayment capacity, etc. You can either go online or visit the branch of the bank or NBFC to apply for personal loan .
Khajjiar
Khajjiar, situated in the Chamba District of Himachal Pradesh, is called as India's 'Mini Switzerland'. The beauty of the place is represented by the dense forests and green meadows that cover the lush green plateau. You can find beautiful sights like Khajjiar Lake, Kalatop Wildlife Sanctuary, Khajjiar Trek, etc. You can enjoy photography, stroll in the lush green fields, involve in adventure activities like trekking, horse riding, paragliding and plenty more.
Check out travel cost for Khajjiar
Train fare- Rs 1,000-2,500 per person till Pathankot
From Pathankot to Khajjiar via bus-Rs 40-100 per person
Airfare- Rs 4,000-5,000 per person till Dharmshala
From Dharmshala to Khajjiar via bus-Rs 100-200 per person
Food cost & shopping
Food cost- Rs 100-1,000 per person per day
Best shopping places-Tibetan Handicraft Center, HP State Handicraft Center
Must buy items-souvenirs, shawls, caps
Table showing the list of budget hotels in Khajjiar
| Budget Hotels | Estimated cost per day |
| Puri Hotel | Rs 1,500 |
| Hotel Parul | Rs 2,000 |
| Shining Star Resort | Rs 2,000 |
| Hotel Aroma Palace | Rs 2,200 |
| Royal Residency | Rs 2,500 |
Mcleodganj
Mcleodganj, a suburb of Dharmshala, is known for scenic beauty and a home to Tibetan culture as well as related crafts. Nature lovers can view spectacular art pieces, sculptures signifying different cultures. As a nature lover, you can explore some popular spots like Dal Lake, Bhagsunath Temple, Tsulagkhang Temple, Bhagsu Falls, Tibet Museum in Mcleodganj,etc. These sights are ideal for the ones who love photography, adventures and god.
Check out travel cost for Mcleodganj
Train Fare – Up to Rs 1,000 per person till AMB Andaura
From AMB Andaura to Macleod Ganj via bus-Rs 200-300 per person
Airfare-Rs Rs 4,000-5,000 per person till Dharmshala, which is 7 km away from Mcleodganj
Take a taxi or bus to reach Mcleodganj. Fare would come to be Rs 30-50 per person.
Food cost & shopping
Food cost- Rs 100-1,000 per person per day
Best shopping places- Mcleodganj Market
Must buy items-handicrafts, thangkas, tibetan capets, garments, hand-made musical instruments
Table showing the list of budget hotels in Mcleodganj
| Budget Hotels | Estimated cost per day |
| Hotel Omni | Rs 1,000 |
| Hotel Anuj Residency | Rs 1,100 |
| Pink House | Rs 1,400 |
| Hotel Bhagsu Heights | Rs 1,800 |
| Hotel Skylark | Rs 1,800 |
Parvarthi Valley
Parvarthi Valley, a picturesque place in Himachal Pradesh formed with the converging of Parvathi and Beas rivers, can make you go frenzy with eye-catching waterfall, meadow and pine forests. The valley will refresh you mentally, physically and spiritually as it is ideal for ones wanting adventure, photography, etc. The place is also known for Lord Shiva's meditation for 3,000 years. Parvathi Valley is the surrounded by areas like Jari, Kasol, Manikaran, etc.
Check out travel cost for Parvarthi Valley
As there is no convenient mode of rail transport to the Parvarthi Valley, you will have to reach the destination via flight.
Airfare- Rs 10K-16K till Kullu
From Kullu, you can take bus to visit Parvathi Valley at the cost of Rs 30-100 per person
Food cost & shopping
Food cost- Rs 100-1,000 per person
Best shopping places- Kasol, Manikaran
Must buy items-handicrafts, top-selling biscuits, garments
Table showing the list of budget hotels in Parvarthi Valley
| Budget Hotel | Estimated cost per day |
| Chandra Place Guest House | Rs 1,000 |
| Parvati Woods Cottage | Rs 1,200 |
| Yash Palace | Rs 1,300 |
| Holiday Guest House | Rs 1,900 |
| Hotel Krishna Palace | Rs 1,900 |
Nubra Valley
Nubra Valley, located in Ladakh region of the Indian administered Jammu & Kashmir, is surrounded by the Siachen Glacier and the beautiful Karakoram ranges. Want to enjoy the cold climate and crisp wind, head to Nubra Valley and get lost in the beauty here.
Check out travel cost for Nubra Valley
Train Fare- Rs 900-1,400 till Jammu Tavi
You need to take two buses from Jammu Tavi to reach Ladakh
From Jammu Tavi to Sri Nagar and from there to Ladakh
Overall bus fare- Rs 1,000-2,500
Airfare- Rs 4,000-10,000
Food cost & shopping
Food cost- Rs 100-1,000 per person per day
Best shopping places- Tibetan Market, Moti Market,
Must buy items- Pashmina shawls and garments, handwoven rugs, carpets, thangka paintings
Table showing the list of budget hotels in Nubra Valley
| Budget Hotels | Estimated cost per day |
| Habib Guest House | Rs 1,900 |
| Hotel Snow Leopard | Rs 2,100 |
| Mystique Meadows Camp | Rs 2,900 |
| Nubra Ethnic Camp | Rs 3,000 |
| Karma Inn | Rs 3,100 |
Personal loan for holiday
You can take personal loan if you do not have the requisite funds to spend a holiday with your family in the said locations. All you have to do is apply to the bank for personal loan. The minimum and maximum amount of personal loan are Rs 10,000 and Rs 30,00,000, respectively.
Table showing the interest rate on personal loan from select banks.
| Banks | Interest Rate | Processing Fee |
| SBI | 17.65% per annum | 2%-3% of the loan amount |
| HDFC Bank | 15.75%-20% per annum | 2% of the loan amount subject to a minimum and maximum of Rs 1,000 and Rs 25,000, respectively |
| ICICI Bank | 11.49%-17.50% per annum | 2.5% of the loan amount plus service tax as applicable |
| Axis Bank | 15.5%-24% per annum | 1.5%-2% of the loan amount and service tax as applicable |
Key points to be kept in mind
• Plan your travel early and make sure you book the ticket at least three months in advance to reduce the costs
• Keep an eye on the discount offers of the airlines to reduce your cost of travel
• You can visit travel websites like MakeMyTrip, Yatra, Clear Trip and others to book air tickets
• Check for travel package with companies like Thomas Cook and others
• Travel package companies roll out different types of plans. Invariably, they offer package at lower cost when you travel with family compared to the time when you do the same alone.
• Check for discount in travel package offers
• For railway tickets, please log on to irctc website