Okay, so I’ve been itching to write this one down ’cause man, figuring out where to travel in India is like picking your favorite child. Last month, I stood staring at a map with my backpack halfway zipped, totally torn between Himachal Pradesh and Uttar Pradesh. Here’s how that mess went down.
The Starting Point
First off, I grabbed my dusty laptop and typed “best India trips” like some basic tourist. Algorithms spat out Himachal’s mountains and UP’s cultural stuff. I’m sitting there like – snow or Taj Mahal? Paragliding or boat rides? My brain felt scrambled.
Scouting Himachal Pradesh
Dove into Himachal first since I craved mountains. Booked a busted bus to Shimla – dude, those hairpin turns almost launched my sandwich into the valley. Stayed in a wooden hut where the owner fed me dal while barking at his goats.
What clicked:
- Woke up to clouds literally sitting in my window. Felt like cheating on reality.
- Hiked some unmarked trail near Manali and found a waterfall. Soaked my sneakers grinning like an idiot.
- Ate momos till I sweated chili oil. Zero regrets.
What tanked:
- Roads crumbled worse than my last relationship. Ten hours bouncing in a Jeep? Never again.
- Phone signal died more times than I did trying “authentic local hooch”.
Testing Uttar Pradesh
Then I hauled ass to UP. Landed in Agra – immediately got mobbed by rickshaw wallahs yelling “Taj! Taj!”. Felt like a walking ATM. Saw the Taj at sunrise though… okay yeah, that slapped hard.
What clicked:
- Taj Mahal actually made me shut up and stare. Built different.
- Varanasi’s river rituals? Hauntingly beautiful. Burned my throat on chai watching sunset boats.
- Street chaat cost less than my laundry back home. Budget win.
What tanked:
- Agra’s air tasted like exhaust soup. My lungs filed a complaint.
- Got hassled non-stop for “selfie sir!” until I hid in a lassi shop.
- One hotel bed felt like concrete with commitment issues. Slept hugging my backpack.
The Verdict
Finally unpacked my crap at home, still smelling like incense and sweat. If you want your soul scrubbed by icy rivers and quiet pines? Himachal’s your fix. But if you’re cool with chaos soaking up history that punches you in the feels? UP delivers.
Me? I’m team mountains now. UP’s incredible but loud as a metal concert. Himachal lets you breathe – when you’re not gasping up steep trails anyway. Both will wreck your plans gloriously. Just pick your flavor of beautiful disaster.
