As soon as December arrives, the joy of cold weather, holiday planning and travel excitement reaches its peak. Amidst the hustle and bustle of the year and responsibilities, a trip becomes not just a hobby but a great way to refresh yourself. However, when it comes to travelling, the biggest question is always budget. Most people think that in a popular travel season like December, it is impossible to travel for less than Rs 25,000 to Rs 30,000. But, this is not necessarily true. With a little smart planning, your trip can be amazing even with a budget of just ₹12,000. Let us know about some such places where snow, lakes and peace are waiting for you, and that too in a limited budget.

Kasol, Himachal Pradesh

Kasol is a beautiful but small hill station in Himachal Pradesh. In December, this place is famous for its snowy views and serene atmosphere, which is completely away from the hustle and bustle of big cities. Feeling the cool breeze along the river will make your trip memorable. For budget travel, consider taking a night bus (₹700-₹1200), which will save you a day’s hotel expenses. Instead of expensive hotels, choose guesthouses or homestays (₹500-₹800). For food, rely on local dhabas or stalls to keep expenses low and enjoy delicious local food.

Rishikesh, Uttarakhand

If you want to enjoy adventure, nature and peace together, then Rishikesh is the best option for you. The atmosphere here is very positive. Sitting on the banks of Ganga, watching the evening aarti and spending time peacefully on the banks of the river becomes the most memorable part of the trip. The best thing is that there are direct buses from Delhi to Rishikesh, whose fare ranges from around Rs 400 to Rs 900. Hotels here are easily available for Rs 800 to Rs 900 per day, and food is also cheap. You can easily complete this trip for Rs 7,000 to 8,000.

Nainital, Uttarakhand

Nainital, with its serene lakes and fresh mountain air, is a very popular and affordable hill station among couples, and its beauty is at its peak in December. From Delhi, the cheapest option is to go by bus to Haldwani or Kathgodam, which costs around ₹800 to ₹1000 per person. Local taxis or buses are easily available from Kathgodam to Nainital. To keep costs down, avoid expensive activities like boating and instead take leisurely strolls along lake shores and enjoy the beautiful mountain views. For accommodation, budget-friendly guesthouses and homestays range from ₹800 to ₹2,000 per night, especially if you stay a short distance from Naini Lake. By eating at local dhabas and street food stalls, food expenses can easily be kept within ₹ 500 to ₹ 1,000 per person per day, making your entire trip budget-friendly and memorable.

Mussoorie, Uttarakhand

Mussoorie is a beautiful hill station nestled amidst dense pine forests and waterfalls, which is considered to be one of the best weekend destinations for people living in Delhi and nearby cities. To reach Mussoorie, you have to first reach Dehradun, which can be done by taking a non-AC bus of Uttarakhand Roadways for just ₹300 to ₹350. Cheap accommodation options are also easily available in Mussoorie. For two people, good hotels can be found for ₹2,000 to ₹3,000 per night. For groups of friends, hostels are a better option, where a bed can be found for ₹400 to ₹500.