and diarrhea medicine from home along with a supply of paracetamol and anti-septic. The best way to see the real India is to travel with your own transport. If youre coming from said neighbour, youll be starting right in Amritsar, which is home to the famous Golden Temple and legendary Sikh hospitality. But whatever India backpacking route you take, prepare to be astounded, amazed and a little bit frustrated! Bring sickness. There are two large, elliptical doors that can stow away easily in the door-storage pockets on either side. After youve spent a solid amount of time living the high-altitude life, its time for Srinigar, the capital of Indias portion of Kashmir. The town of Kasol can be reached by a five to six hour bus ride from Manali for 200RS. Backpacking Agra. Backpacking Tents - NEMO Equipment The rainfly employs straps that buckle into place, so you can loosen them for more ventilation or tighten everything down when the weather turns foul. If It Had Been My First, It Would Have Been My Last, Reviewed in the United States on May 13, 2020. Here are some useful Hindi (North Indian style) phrases; Hello Namaste (Stick to hi/hello for a casual greeting). And why not use what youve saved to treat yourself to something nice upon arrival? The Grayl Geopress is the markets leading filtered water bottle protecting your tum from all the waterborne nasties. You can however mitigate its horror by choosing carefully where to stay in Jaipur. I got some beautiful, custom made shirts in Udaipur which cost about $4 each well worth it. However, people come here for the quiet, secluded beaches which are 6km and 150rps in a Tuk Tuk away. If you want to explore caves, unlit temples, or simply find your way to the bathroom during a blackout, a headtorch is a must. Scooters can be rented cheaply in Hampi (300-400 rps), but arent actually necessary. Find the best transport, best time and thebest fare with12Go. For the most comfortable long-term camping experience, we recommend getting a tent with a listed capacity of two more people than you anticipate will be using it. Let us know! Nemo Aurora 2 Person Backpacking Tent - OMCgear But you can also get much of the same protection by using a standard tarp, provided it covers the floor of the tent. India shares land borders with Pakistan, Nepal and Myanmar. It is possible to arrange a rickshaw to take you to a lovely river where you can swim, ask around. I've been wanting this tent for ever, I like the vertical walls. The Details: 13.8 pounds | 90 x 100 x 75 inches | 4 people. No cherry-picked units sent by manufacturers. In addition to his insight, he worked with a cadre of testers who put each tent through real-world tests to evaluate the key features, ease of set-up and take-down, overall durability and weather protections, key design features, and pricerating each key feature on a one-to-five scale. Take care when crossing roads and try to follow locals across. I think Nemo must 'know' this because of the more-than-usual wall toggles (for guy lines) that appear all over the rain fly. Be warnedits easy to get stuck here! We independently buy, test, and rate all the products we review. Pushkar is renowned as a town of religious importance and you cant drink or eat meat here meaning that, of course, you can but your beer will be disguised in a teapot and will cost more. Amazon.com: Customer reviews: Nemo Aurora 2P (Nova Green) & Footprint Visas are issued on arrival and transport links well established. Each side vestibule is large enough to protect a backpack and footwear from the elements. Our biggest challenges came in two parts, #1 there is only a single zipper on the entrances, this means you have to open the full door to get in and out, which lets bugs in and means you have to lean in to open as the zipper concludes, at the back of the vestibule area. Sale Ends in . #2, the edge doesn't seem to have as much of a lip which means while going in and out there is more dirt/earth that carries inside the tent. For a kick ass Mutton Biryani, check out the ever busy and beautifully basic Shivaji Military Hotel in Banashankari and for a classic South Indian breakfast of rice cakes head to Sree Krishna Kafe in Koramangala. For a taste of something a little bit different, check out a Hindu temple that is still running; some of the best ones are in Udaipur. You cant explore India without having a proper Varanasi experience I say experience because Varanasi is totally nuts and will leave you reeling as you navigate through twisting alleys, passing holy men and funeral processions, stray cows and colourful stores selling silken saris. Anyone can join and everyone belongs. Whilst exploring the lake, avoid the priests like the black plague they are extremely skilled scammers. Start by the visiting the amazing palace and the massive Stupa the donkey sanctuary is also worth a visit. India is also home to the largest vegetarian population on earth and in some regions, the sale of meat is forbidden! There is a lot of commune-style accommodation around; it tends to attract plenty of wannabe hippies but dont give up if your first experience isnt great, try a few of them to see if you can find a place with a vibe to suit you. The pole segments are all connected with elastic so sliding them all into place is a quick process. Show More . When backpackingIndia, you will be assailed on all sides by mind-boggling sights, sounds, smells, and tastes Here are a few must-try experiences whilst travelling in India, Eating plenty of Indian street food is one of the best ways to stretch your budget and you can pick up meals for as little as 10RS in some places. Normally, my top three tips for budget travel are to hitchhike, camp and cook your own food but in India, food, transport and accommodation are already so cheap that this is not really necessary unless you are backpacking India on a budget of just a couple of dollars a day. Overhead Light Pockets use special light-diffusing fabric to cast an even glow throughout the tent. Touts are persistent here and like to target fresh backpackers. Unfortunately, I kissed a lot of frogs before finding this prince of a tent. Again, get reallycheap accommodation here. It makes us humble and proud. You could happily spend a week in Pushkar, exploring the many temples and the gorgeous lake within the centre of the town. You can bribe your way out of most situations fairly quickly but the trick is to do it fast; the more police become involved the more expensive it will become get your ass out of the situation before you arrive at the police station. There are loads of yoga classes and meditations, there are jam sessions every night and shops selling some genuine boutique items as well as the standard backpacker stuff. There are good train links between Delhi and Varanasi and I recommend catching a sleeper train go for 3AC class. The Sikhs are some of the most hospitable people in India and whilst travelling in India I was frequently invited to stay by turbanned fellows sporting mighty fine mustaches. You can also find tons of really cheap Tibetan family run places if you shop around a bit. Taking a tent backpacking is not always practical but hammocks are lightweight, cheap, strong, sexy (chicks dig hammocks), and allow you to pitch up for the night pretty much anywhere. There are many interesting day hikes around the area. Whilst medicine is available in India, a lot of it is fake. Dagger OSMO Lightweight Backpacking Tent . Then, every tent was evaluated on a one-to-five scale on each of those key elements to narrow the selections to the ones included in this round-up. Some of the best hostels in Delhi are in Paharganj and more quieter, cleaner options can be found in the upscale South Delhi area. Packing cubes for the globetrotters and compression sacks for thereal adventurers these babies are a travellers best kept secret. From Nashik you can arrange a sleeper bus towards Goa, or if you are feeling adventurous catch a train to Gulbarga and then onwards to Bidar and Bijapur, you may have to go via Bombay. Even if you just hire a scooter for a day, travelling with your own transport in India is the best way to peel back the layers and get to grips with this amazing country. When you travel to some of the worlds most remote places, you come to realise the full extent of the plastic problem. Nemo Aurora 2 Person Backpacking Tent & Footprint - Nova Green. I lingered here for almost a month when I was on my first backpacking trip to India at the age of nineteen. Good vibe, cheap hostels at $10 a night, where you can meet a ton of fellow travellers. The faster you travel, the more it will cost. There are plenty of amazing spots to explore but you need to be sure you choose the right spots at the right time you dont want to be travelling in the Great Thar Desert during summer! If, like me, you prefer to simply chill with a cheeky smoke and watch the mountains, Vashisht is the place to go. With a tent floor that spans 10 x 10 feet, the interior space is massive enough space to accommodate two queen-sized airbeds, and a center height of 6 feet means most campers dont have to bend over while entering or standing inside. Easy to assemble, durable enough for most weather conditions, and sporting ample internal storage, the Aurora Highrise is the perfect outdoor home for tall, gear-loving campers. Where is the bathroom? Sign up to The Broke Backpackers EXCLUSIVE VIP AREA below and download our top backpacking guides as PDFs go offline with peace of mind! Turn to Couchsurfingto help keep your costs down whilst backpacking in India. You can get supercheap acco in Agra for close to $3 a night! Although Lonely Planet claims to have been to Kodagu the information in the book is so point blank wrong that I find this hard to believe. This is too expensive Ye bahut mehenga hai, Make your price less Bhaav (or daam) kam karo. Buy Now $250.00 Our take For backpackers who would rather tax their backs than their wallets, the double-wall Aurora is a can't-miss choice. Top subscription boxes right to your door, 1996-2023, Amazon.com, Inc. or its affiliates, Learn more how customers reviews work on Amazon, See all details for Nemo Aurora 2P (Nova Green) & Footprint. Book your transport on 12Go nowand guarantee your seat easily. That said it is much more tolerable than Mumbai and Delhi; you will get far less hassle and meet with less scams. I couchsurfed in Nashik. You can even filter your personal travel needs to find the perfect place for you. If you visit indigenous villages or small communities in the rural areas always ask before taking photos. It is important to keep in mind that you are an ambassador for your country, which is awesome. Beware of backpacker assholes though, Goa hostels are full of them! You can arrange fishing, dolphin watching and kayaking from the beach. Reviewed in the United States on October 25, 2021. Famed for the ancient Chinese fishing nets lining the shore, Fort Kochi is a great place to chill out for a couple of days. The good news is that India is one of the cheapest countries in the world to go travelling if youre smart with your money its possible to travel in India on a budget of just $10 a day, even less if you haggle like a pro. I loved Bombay and spent over 2 weeks hanging out but I was couchsurfing and had some great friends to show me Mumbais best neighbourhoods and help keep my costs low. The freestanding tent can be pitched anywhere, with guy lines and stakes to help security, while the outer walls extend to the ground and include mesh areas backed with adjustable fabric panels to customize the air circulation for various conditions. Be careful with the police in India, getting arrested is not fun. Steep side walls provide for massive interior volume, while two doors and two vestibules allow for plenty of room for spreading out and storing gear. Potato and egg dishes tend to be the safest. Try to stay somewhere near the central Jagdish temple. Try to pick a vendor with lots of Indian customers, they usually have the best food. The Pakistan Wagah border can be crossed via Amritsar although you must obtain a visa in advance. The Rasta Cafe is a great place to hang out and is famed for its Special Lassis (be warned, they can be very strong). open = true : open = false" If you fancy spending a second day in Nashik, there is a pleasant day hike to Trimbak which is worth checking out. The pole structure is a little gangly, but ultimately, the tent is easy to pitch. Delicious. The hubbed aluminum poles and freestanding construction allow for a fast and straightforward assembly. Same sex relationships are still taboo in many parts of Indian society, though LGBT travel in India is possible if you stay discrete in public. There are several projects for volunteers here working with Tibetan refugees, be sure to check out Tibetan World where you can sign up for hour long language exchanges with the Tibetan monks, who are always keen to improve their English. I dont speak Hindi Mujhe hindi nahi aati. It's the best option in that niche for under $300. The testing will continue over the next six months to see how well the tents perform over time during rigorous use. Each tent was then evaluated on the key features the ease of setup and takedown, the overall design, durability, weatherproofness, portability, ease of use, internal air circulation, and overall value, which weighed the key features against its price point. Featuring vibrant color, angular patterning reminiscent of mountainscapes, and a competitive price, the Aurora Backpacking Tent screams fun and livability. Tinder is now established in big cities although you may well find that matches rarely go beyond polite chat. On the way, make sure to pick up one of the best lassis in all of India at Blue Lassi in the market. Many westerns work in the backpacker economy. The second is the Taj Mahal, it costs a whopping 1100RS to get in and this will probably continue to rise for foreign visitors in the coming years. The most unique feature of this tent is the amount of volume that it offers relative to its weight. No sponsored content. You can make a positive impact on people when we travel and get rid of any ugly stereotypes that may be associated with your homeland. Served with samba sauces and enjoyed as a South Indian breakfast. Included footprint extends life of tent floor. In addition to confirming that each tent delivered the essentials - ease of assembly and portability, serious waterproof protection, and ample internal space for the desired number of campers - we also took note of the little features, like gear pockets or those that are designed for your headlamp to be transformed into a camp lantern, which helped narrow our suggestions even further. Road closures due to weather changes can be instant, and last for weeks. Never take it for granted that you are healthy and financially able to go traveling. Read this article for more tips on how to save money while travelling in India. From Jaipur, you can catch an overnight train to Jaisalmer and work your way back towards Delhi across Rajasthan or jump to Pushkar. If you are into your photography, Nashik is one of the best places to visit some truly untouched Ghats and to capture scenes of Indian rural life. Pakoras Deep fried batter cakes filled with onions, spices and assorted veg. The side gear pockets could be a bit larger, and there are no vestibules. Crime against tourists is pretty rare (except for sex crimes against women) but pick pocketing occurs and unattended valuables will go missing. The way the skeleton comes together and binds the footprint, tent, and rainfly make putting it up a snap. The main beach is quickly catching on and becoming more touristy, much like Goa. Ive been a total of five times and, every time, its changed drastically. The free shipping method will be the least costly of either UPS Ground Service (1-5 business days . Whilst they are cheap, they can be seriously uncomfortable. A decent head torch could save your life. (94) 94 reviews with an average rating of 4.6 out of 5 stars. It has a standard 88-inch length, but the differentiator is the steepness of its walls. The NEMO Mission. Be sure to completely avoid the tap water, even when brushing your teeth (use purified water!) Around April to May, the temperatures and humidity start to increase along with periodic thunderstorms so this part of the year is when it makes the most sense to head up into the mountains. However, if you do want a better and more comfortable experience, there are some pretty epic Delhi Airbnbs to choose from. This versatile and inviting home for adventure features high-quality materials and is light enough for backpacking but ideal for car camping. It uses hooks to secure the poles (rather than fabric sleeves), and we didnt even have to refer to the instructions attached to the stuff sack. Even at full price, the Nemo Aurora 2P is a great value. Majuli Island is a particular gem that I recommend getting to nowit might be underwater in coming days. Nemo Equipment Aurora Camping Tent Pawprints - Amazon.com Best Backpacking Tents of 2022 Hyperlite's New Unbound Kit Is an All-in-One System for Ultralight Thru-Hikers The Gear That Backpacker's Editors Loved in . Steep side walls provide for massive interior volume, while two doors and two vestibules allow for plenty of room for spreading out and storing gear.This versatile and inviting home for adventure features high-quality materials and is ideal for car camping, but light enough for backpacking. Forget hostel beds, rent a houseboat for $15 a night!! Food hygiene standards have improved but Delhi Belly can still strike; try to avoid very dirty restaurants, eat only fresh street, frequent busy eateries, and use hand sanitiser. Travel + Leisure is published by Meredith Corporation under license from Travel + Leisure Co. Train tickets tend to sell out really fast; book in advance if you can. Most of all have the time of your life and spread the love! And, to assure complete independence, we buy all the products we test ourselves. The Tent has snaps on the inside corners to hold the paw print in place. Amazon.com : Nemo Aurora Backpacking Tent : Sports & Outdoors Number of Doors 2 doors Best Use Camping Backpacking Features Please/ Sorry/ Excuse me/ Taxi/ Train/ Bus/ Plane are all things you can say in English and people will get you just fine! So yes, the real India can be a real challenge but, for adventurous backpackers, India offers some of the most incredible exploring in all of Asia. The hubbed aluminum poles and freestanding design makes setup quick and easy, and the nearly vertical sidewalls maximize headspace and comfort. ). The NEMO Aurora 2 is a versatile option within the world of budget backpacking tents. The Details: 4.1 pounds | 90 x 50 x 42 inches | 2-person. In the state where every town has a fort, Jodhpur is no exception and its definitely worth visiting. $250; 4 lbs. A backpacking friendly tent and footprint that won't break the bank; Vertical walls increase interior . Ladakh and Kashmir are great places to travel on your own wheels and ideal for motorbike trips. Its well off the tourist radar and definitely worth visiting. No ads. Rooms were cheap, just $6 for a huge double with bathroom. With a peak ceiling height of 44 and near-vertical exterior walls, the NEMO Aurora 2P is a voluminous and highly livable backpacking-to-car camping crossover tent. NEMO Galaxi 2P Review | Backpacking Tent | Backpackers.com The waterproof fly comes with taped seams for full coverage, with plenty of venting to avoid overheating or condensation a key feature for a multi-person tent though it could benefit from a bit more air circulation. If its not raining, there are also a few other things you can do. Despite the daily challenges, Backpacking India is an experience that easily outweighs these small dangers. So cross over and shop around a bit for great deals. This tent is a 'difficult setup,' not because pitching the tent is hard (it isn't) but rather because of what must be done to stabilize both the tent itself (poles + corners), the footprint, and the rain-cover. Deal of the Week: NEMO Aurora 2P Tent - Backpacker Though not a lightweight, the Aurora cuts down on ounces by using small, low-profile aluminum components. The hippie vibes are only beginning amigos, as the mountainous roads will then lead you to Kasol, the main hub of the iconic Parvati Valley. I recommend the simple rooms at Blue Heaven a double, with bathroom, is just $4 and the views are some of the best in town. It is a little on the big and heavy side for two person backpacking tents. The Monkey Temple (Galtaji) is not to be missed set beautifully into the side of a hill, make sure you go all the way up and over to the other side of the hill to find it. The real India can be tough, it can be challenging but it is also one of the most rewarding budget travel destinations in the world. You can find lower-cost tents around $100, but theyll be made of heavy materials that arent built to last and likely employ environmentally unfriendly manufacturing processes. Use the discount code BROKEBACKPACKER. When travelling through India the first time, I fell in love with Bhagsu. Eating street food is fine; just make sure the food is well cooked and is cooked in front of you you dont want something thats been sitting out for hours. Biryani Spicy rice based dish. Show Only In Stock. Guhagar is perhaps my favorite beach in the country that youll have all to yourself during the day. Mysore is a truly ancient city and it still has a real feel of the British Raj about it. Bravely exploring new directions opens our minds, brings us closer to the people we depend on, sharpens our wits, and lifts our spirits.Adventure gives us purpose and perspective.