The Barefoot Backpackers’ India Travel Guide

Welcome to our India travel guide. When it comes to backpacking, some countries are easy to navigate. They ease you in gently, hold your hand, and show you the sights with a fully laid out backpacking route and a happy hour. India? India throws you into the deep end, eyes wide and senses lit up. It is a full-spectrum experience, a country of contradictions and colour, of beautiful chaos and unexpected serenity. If backpacking had difficulty settings, India would be hard mode. And yet, it is one of those places you know you will visit time and again.

We spent over four months travelling our way through India, from the southern states to the Himalayas. We went from remote ashrams to ancient temples, beaches to backwaters. Our intention was to stay at least one week in each area and go to places that were all about nature and spirituality.

This is our Barefoot Backpackers guide to India, a mix of conscious travel, yoga, Ayurvedic wisdom, and nature-based adventures.

Whether you are here to wake up at sunrise for Satsang, catch the sunrise on a Goan beach, or just soak in ancient sites from temple walls, India will teach you, stretch you, and invite you to grow in ways you never expected.

The Route We Took: South India to North India (January to April)

We began our journey with two weeks in Sri Lanka before flying into Chennai and working our way north. We avoided the major cities and tourist traps and instead chose a route that centred more around well-known ashrams to smaller ones, nature trips and places steeped with ancient wisdom. Here is our India travel guide of where we went and why we loved it.

Tamil Nadu: Temples, Ashrams and the Quiet Revolution of Auroville

Chennai → Pondicherry → Auroville

We flew into Chennai. From there, we took an Uber down to Pondicherry (we were three people), a former French colonial town where pastel-hued buildings and South Indian street life blend like nowhere else.

After a few days of sipping masala chai in bohemian cafés and walking the breezy promenade, we headed inland to Auroville, the utopian experimental city founded on ideas of collective living, sustainability and spiritual awakening. It is a place where people live without currency and grow their own food, where meditation domes sit quietly under banyan trees. We stayed in a guesthouse which meant we could live in Auroville like a resident. We attended sound baths, took a tour and meditated in the Matrimandir and met lots of friends. This was a must-see for us and an education in how the world could be.

Isha, Coimbatore: Sadhguru’s Ashram

Next, we flew west to Coimbatore and visited Sadhguru’s Isha Foundation for one week. Whether or not you follow his teachings, the ashram is a place of profound energy. We spent a full week immersed in trying to learn from others and their yoga practice and went to the sacred baths, spent time in the serene gardens and meditated in the awe-inspiring Dhyanalinga dome. The biggest bust in the world is also there, the Adiyogi, a bust of Shiva.

Read more: What are the Different Types of Meditation?

It is a great place to go inward, especially after the sensory overload of India’s cities. However, it is best if you already have a practice and do not need too much guidance. We would have benefited from visiting this at the end of the trip when we had more of a daily ritual. If you are up for a deeper dive, we recommend doing the Inner Engineering programme here or one of their many residential stays. We recommend visiting Isha, not only is it a powerful place to learn but also has fantastic accommodation and food there too, with meals being served twice a day and also a café if you are hungry.

Kerala: One Month in the Backwaters, Ashrams, Beaches and Mountains

Varkala and Neyyar Dam

From Coimbatore, we caught an overnight bus south to Varkala, Kerala’s clifftop beach paradise. Four days of barefoot wandering, yoga classes with ocean views, and chill backpacker and holidaymaker cafés. We even found an amazing German café with great cakes while looking out into the sea. It is also not as conservative there due to all the travellers so you can wear a bikini on the beach without being disturbed, but it is best if you are a woman to go with someone else so as not to be bothered.

We headed inland to Neyyar Dam, where we stayed at a homestay and took day trips to the misty Ponmudi Hills. Think misty peaks, sleepy mountain roads and relaxed before our next stop where we stayed for two weeks.

Sivananda Ashram, Neyyar Dam

This was one of the most transformative parts of the trip. We stayed at the Sivananda Yoga Ashram for two weeks, taking part in the structured yoga and Ayurveda Wellness course, which happens twice per year. The daily routines included early morning satsangs, asana practice and Karma yoga for the yoga course participants. For our two-week intensive course, our days were filled with Ayurvedic teachings and practicals with satsang morning and evening, and two hours of yoga in the morning. The discipline, simplicity and community spirit here stays with you long after you leave. We met friends for life here, it was an amazing experience especially for solo travellers, newbies to yoga (although they had both a beginner and advanced class) and for those looking to have an introduction to spirituality.

Munnar

From the jungle, we headed up to Munnar, Kerala’s mountainous tea country often called the Little Switzerland of India. Crisp air, winding roads and green-on-green landscapes make this a dream for hikers and anyone needing a break from the heat. Holidaymakers around India visit here due to its comfortable climate. We spent four days here and rented a driver and a jeep for the day to see the sights.

Goa: Party North, Peaceful South

North Goa

We flew up to North Goa, thinking it might be a welcome break. It was different. While the beach scene and music culture are lively, we found it more of a party destination. Good for a night or two, but it was not our vibe. We met a great group and together we moved on to South Goa which was just what we were looking for.

South Goa

So we headed south. Quiet, palm-lined beaches, clean cafés with vegan menus, yoga spaces, and long swims at sunset. Agonda and Palolem were our favourites, perfect for grounding, writing, and just being. We stayed at Bhakti Kutir, a hostel meets private rustic huts. There was a full schedule from yoga in the day to cacao ceremonies and ecstatic dance at night. If you are looking to meet like-minded backpackers this is a great place to stay and also visit.

The Golden Triangle: Jaipur, and the Taj Mahal

Jaipur

We could not leave India without visiting the famed Golden Triangle, even if it was a stark shift from avoiding big cities. We flew into Jaipur, the pink city with palaces, chaotic markets, and desert landscapes were different than our previous beach trips and time in the forests and mountains. We spent three nights here before heading to see one of the Wonders of the World.

Agra

Most India travel guides will say you must stay in Agra and visited the Taj Mahal. While we loved visiting the Taj, we weren’t that impressed with Agra so we decided to stay two days. We took a bus to Agra to visit the Taj Mahal and yes, it is worth it. We would recommend going at opening time, 30 minutes before, for a quieter, more sacred experience. It was gorgeous to see the early morning mist, and the sun break through at sunrise. We got amazing pictures and managed to take it all in before the tour buses arrived.

Rishikesh: The Spiritual Capital of the World

Finally, we reached Rishikesh where we stayed in the surrounding area for over a month. Nestled at the foothills of the Himalayas and flanked by the sacred Ganga river. This is where many spiritual seekers and yogis end up and for good reason. It is the birthplace of yoga so you can find countless ashrams, yoga studios, teacher training centres, you name it, it is there.

We first spent a few days in Aurovalley, the ashram related to Auroville, where the onsite guru Swami Brahmdev hosted Q and A sessions every day as well as group meditations. After, we spent two weeks at a yoga course at the largest ashram in Rishikesh called Parmarth Niketan, attending classes and ending the day at Satsang with Pujya Sadhvi Bhagawati Saraswati.

We spent the rest of the time in Tapovan attending more yoga classes, Ayurveda cafés and hanging out in the town with a more youthful backpacking vibe. It was Holi festival when we were there which was such a memorable experience. The celebrations often include throwing coloured powder and water on one another. Holi is celebrated on the last full moon of the lunar month and Rishikesh, being a sober city, was a safe and enjoyable place to spend it.

Following the time in the town and ashrams, we also spent a few days camping in the hills not far from Tapovan as well as a week on a Workaway several hours from Rishikesh, tending to the cows, helping with the land and even attending a school for an English class.

What We Packed for Four Months in India

India spans climates and ecosystems, from hot beach towns to chilly Himalayan foothills. This is our India travel guide, so we will create a more comprehensive guide for packing essentials but here is a quick run through of what we recommend packing for a long-term trip with spiritual and nature experiences in mind. This list is applicable for both men and women:

• Lightweight natural fibre clothing (linen and cotton are your best friends)
• A scarf or shawl for temples and cooler mornings
• A good-quality yoga mat or travel mat
• A journal and a pen (you will want to reflect often)
• Loose trousers and modest tops for ashrams
• A solid water filter or purification drops
• Lightweight hiking shoes and sandals (we brought barefoot shoes with us which take up little space in our backpacks)
• Layered options for colder areas like Munnar and Rishikesh
• Refillable water bottle
• A few outfits such as a dress, long skirt or nice top for women for dressing up or cities

Backpacking India is not for the faint-hearted, but in the best way possible. You will grow and fall in love and a place for travellers with a curious spirit and an open heart. It is deeply rewarding and is like no place we have ever visited. It will test your patience, awaken your senses (good and bad), and you will make amazing connections. The people of India were so welcoming, kind, always offering their wisdom and help. In a country like India, it is the people that make the place.

From the chaos of street bazaars to the stillness of early morning ashram bells, India teaches you to surrender to the flow of life.

Our route was built with intention: more nature, less noise; more mindfulness, less selfie spots. But whatever path you take, trust that India will meet you exactly where you are and take you somewhere you did not expect to go.

FAQ: India Travel Guide: Backpacking India

Is India safe for backpackers?

Yes, but it requires awareness and preparation. India is safe for most travellers, but it is important to stay street-smart, especially in busy cities. For solo women that are nervous about travelling alone, we met plenty of solo travellers and we did not hear of any issues. However, spending time in spiritual centres, ashrams, and backpacker towns such as Varkala can feel safer and more welcoming if you want to ease in.

How much does it cost to backpack India for four months?

India is budget-friendly. You can comfortably travel on £10 to £25 a day depending on your route, accommodation, and how fast you move. Ashrams often offer affordable lodging with meals included, which is how we spent a lot of our time.

Do I need to book everything in advance?

Not necessarily. India is a place where plans often shift. We recommend booking trains and flights a few weeks ahead, but you can be flexible with accommodation, especially if you are heading to less touristy places. Most of the time, the homestays and accommodations are extremely helpful and it is much easier to book there and then.

What is the best time of year to travel India?

November to March is ideal. You will avoid the monsoon and the scorching summer heat. If you are heading north to Rishikesh or the mountains, March to May is also lovely. We started from the beginning of January and left toward the end of April, when it was getting hot even in the Himalayas.

Can you do India without visiting big cities?

Absolutely. India’s beauty shines brightest in its smaller towns, nature retreats, and spiritual centres. Our entire route prioritised nature and smaller towns and it was magical. We did not visit many big cities for long, but we loved Jaipur and its gorgeous architecture so we would highly recommend that.

At Barefoot Backpackers, we’re passionate about helping you navigate the world with purpose. Our site is a hub for holistic health, conscious travel tips, and sustainable living advice. With every guide, we aim to help you create meaningful adventures while staying true to your values. Our content always comes from real experiences and knowledge that is truly aligned with us.

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