Graduation is synonymous to a whole array of emotions. While on one hand it emphasizes on the need of letting-go, on the other, it stands for coming of age and seizing what you have long toiled for. Before you even know it, bills, deadlines and schedules will be mounting their weight on your tender frame. The time that is left between the final examinations and the flurry of job interviews, is practically all you have, so make this journey memorable.

After all, you would need some crazy pictures of your younger self and crazier stories to go with them, or your kids are going to think you were really boring!

1. Wake up to the sound of the ocean in Kashid, Maharashtra

Image Source: Flickr @Tomas Belcik

Situated between two rocky hillocks on the Alibaug-Murud road, Kashid is one of the less commercialized and probably one of the best beaches along the Konkan coast. About 4 hours from Mumbai, the beach is a popular camping holiday destination among youngsters. If you and your gang are on the lookout for some sweeping natural beauty, along with some adventure then you should definitely give Kashid a try; camping by the beach is not commonplace. A trek to Phansad wildlife sanctuary is also recommended.

2. Set out on a mountain safari to Spiti Valley via Kinnaur, Himachal Pradesh

Image Source: Flickr @Christophe

Watching the dawn break across the gorgeous Spiti Valley is a sight that will stay in your memory forever, trust us on this one! Remember when Bilbo Baggins first set foot outside Shire? Spiti, which means ‘the middle land’, is a desert mountain valley located high in the Himalayas. The valley is home to Ki Monastry, the biggest fort monastery here and a religious training centre for Lamas. You must also take out time to explore the locales of Kinnaur en-route. A mix of Buddhist and Hindu culture, the valley makes for a very interesting and enlightening journey.

3. Take an unusual trek to Roopkund Lake, Uttarakhand

Image Source: Flickr @Abhijith_Shastry

Agreed that treks are all sweat and hard-work but if taken with friends, there smiles matter more than the miles. The famous fabled Roopkund Lake in the Garhwal region of Uttaranchal, perched at 5000m, starts from Loharjung that stands at 3200m. Mention this to your family and they would start citing their long dormant medical history. But mention this to your friends and they will immediately start figuring out the best time to leave. Moreover, at such a high altitude, away from the usual city madness, you will get the much-desired time to introspect and brace yourself for the transition.

4. Discover the enigma of pristine Ziro, Arunanchal Pradesh

A favorite of the World Heritage Organization, Ziro is not just a music festival but a town in itself. Situated in the Lower Subansiri district in Arunachal Pradesh, surrounded by hills on the sides and covered in lush green paddy fields throughout, Ziro is mostly inhabited by the Apa Tani Tribes. This quaint little town is so heart wrenchingly gorgeous and has the most beautiful people; just get there soon before the music festival makes it “popular”.

5. Explore cycling in Nandi Hills, Karnataka

This is what everyone wants, a BIG slice of pure, unadulterated serenity. Sixty kms from Bangalore, Nandi Hills is a very popular weekend getaway for adventure enthusiasts. The Hills are at an elevation of 1,479 meters, offer great sightseeing opportunities and a fantastic terrain for trekking and cycling expeditions. At the base of the hills is the glistening Amrita Sarovar, around which you can set up camp or trek through the lush green trails.

6. Eat, Sleep, Rave, Repeat at Varkala, Kerala

Varkala is the perfect place to truly unwind before the official grill begins, the beach is stunning. A paved footpath runs along the length of the cliff, bordered by coconut palms, quaint shops, beach shacks, hotels, and guest houses. Nestled at the bottom of the cliff is a long stretch of sparkling beach, reached by steps leading down from the cliff top. One of the charms of this spot is that it is not super commercial nor does it have the craziness and the crowds of North Goa. A host to some unusual music gigs, it sure is one chiller spot!

7. Discover the rustic Indianness at Pushkar, Rajasthan

Image Source: Flickr @A_Vahanvati

For most of the year, Pushkar is a sleepy little religious town that attracts a lot of backpackers and hippie types. Though, a different energy transcends this town for a couple of weeks every year, when the Pushkar Camel Fair comes to town. It’s a peculiar sight, and a great opportunity to witness the flair of traditional style Indian festivals. Pushkar is worth a visit at any time of the year. Apart from the fair, life happens around the lake ghats, sacred temples and main bazaar. Stay at one of the hundreds of basic and cheap guesthouses offering great views of the lake from their rooftops.

Before the corporate world seizes your soul and you are officially inducted into the vapid world of being an ‘adult’, take some time out and plan a fun vacation with your besties. This time will never come again! We’d love to hear your awesome graduation trip stories in our comments section!

Shubhra

After spending almost 3 years creating buzz around brands, I decided to quit the world of PR and pursue my true calling which was all about traveling and yoga. If not planning my next trip then I could be found cooking up a storm in the kitchen. Though born and raised in the hillside town of Dehradun I am a beach bum at heart.

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