India is… huge. Really huge. First time backpacking? You’ll get trains, buses, streets, smells, food overload… all at once. Honestly, it’s messy. But some places make life easier. Cheap hostels, other travellers, not total chaos.

Here are 15 destinations that make a great introduction to backpacking in India:

Rishikesh –

 yoga everywhere, rafting, and evening Ganga aarti. Chai stalls are on every corner. You’ll probably linger longer than expected.

McLeod Ganj –

 tiny mountainside town, Tibetan flags everywhere, monks walking past, momos steaming. Triund trek is short… but wow, the view.

Manali –

 Old Manali is full of backpacker cafés. Bikes for rent, people heading to Leh… easy vibe, cheap rooms.

Kasol –

 by the Parvati River. Chill. People come for 2–3 days, end up staying weeks. Treks to Tosh or Kheerganga nearby.

Pushkar –

small town, holy lake, camel rides, rooftop cafés. You can wander all day.

Jaipur –

 palaces, forts, markets. Hostels on every street. Easy to explore even if it’s your first trip.

Udaipur –

 lakes everywhere, sunsets from rooftops… slow town, easy on beginners.

Jaisalmer –

 golden fort, desert safaris. Stay inside the fort walls if possible… feels like a storybook.

Varanasi –

 chaotic, smoky, loud… sunrise on the Ganga is something else. Hostels near Assi Ghat make it manageable.

Gokarna –

 Om Beach, Kudle Beach. Goa vibes without the crowds. Campfires, hammocks… very relaxed.

Hampi –

 ruins, boulders, temples. Rent a bike, cycle around. Banana pancakes in cafés are optional but highly recommended.

Pondicherry –

 French streets, beach, cheap cafés. Slow, easy, relaxing.

Alleppey –

backwaters. Skip fancy houseboats, take the local ferry… very green, calm.

Kochi –

Fort Kochi. Art murals, coffee shops, small homestays. Walkable, beginner-friendly.

Goa –

 obvious. Hostels, beaches, fellow backpackers. Easy start.

Tip : Don’t try all 15 at once. Pick a region: Himachal, Rajasthan, Kerala… spend a week or two. Move slow. Wander. India is best that way.