Everyone loves to travel right? But how many of us go and explore places? Contemplating about every plan has become so common that overthinking everything kills the mood by the time anything can happen. The recent lockdown following the global pandemic upturned our lives, locked us in our homes, and more so than not reminded us about how much we are missing out on our lives. Having basic materialistic things is just not enough; this generation wants more, more experience, and a hell of a lot of adventure. 

Are you a ‘need-a-six-month-vacation-twice-a-year’ guy too? Then you’ve landed on just the right page!

We have brought an out-of-the-box story that is not only about travel, but a unique guide, how to travel budget-friendly, because who doesn’t love exploring places without having to burn holes in their pocket. 

Dev Soni, a travel enthusiast, is setting goals for everyone interested in meaningful experiences. A resident of Indore, he began his journey from his hometown to Delhi by train, following Manali, Kullu, Kasaul, Kalga, and Tosh while covering many nearby small towns and villages. Dev enjoys his own company and likes to travel solo and has covered 8 states so far and we don’t think he is stopping any time soon!

Can you guess how much he spent on the entire journey? Read till the end to know. 

In the spirit of covering the Himachal belt, he started the trip in April; met other travelers along the way, and joined them for further journey. The main inspiration for Dev to take on so many adventures is not just to have self-experiences but to inspire others and make a budget-friendly travel guide for beginners. Moreover, he recommends staying at cheap places like hostels to save up on money. 

For all the vloggers out there aspiring big but limiting themselves due to pricey technology and equipment. Dev mostly uses his phone camera for videos. However, he does have a DSLR, 360° camera, and a drone. Nevertheless, it should not be the reason to stop you from achieving your dreams. When asked, “Is traveling solo safe?”, He said that he has not experienced any debacle so far and that being alone not only teaches self-management but also makes one more independent in life. And for the equipment and other valuable items, the hostels provide moderately secure lockers. 

A journey of a thousand miles begins with a single step.

– Lao Tzu

Looking for affordable cameras, We’ve got you covered- https://indiachalk.com/blog/lets-browse-affordable-cameras-for-enthusiastic-travellers/

Being on the road has made Dev extremely adaptable and prepared. When asked about the planning and scheduling for the trip, he said he believes in making on-the-spot plans. While setting out the main stoppage points, the rest of the excursion was planned and changed according to the situation. “This is what the real experience is”, says Dev. 

Manali was the first main stop on his list, where he stayed for 3 days, later went to Atal tunnel and then to Kullu. Next was Kasaul, where he stayed for a day and continued his journey to a nearby village, Kalga. 

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He spoke very highly of this village and said it is a must-visit site. But readers beware! This is a complete off-beat place, with no major transportation, and extremely low temperatures. Make sure you wear the right shoes because it’s a long trek. Although according to dev it’s worth it. The serene beauty and utter calm, while surrounded by the mountains, the sunsets here just like a dream. The village does have lodging facilities with food. 

Have we inspired you to take on an adventure or what? Check out trekking essentials- https://indiachalk.com/blog/a-brief-guide-on-trekking-kits-how-much-should-you-spend/

He trekked from Kalga till Tosh which took him approximately two hours. Dev believes that the roads less traveled are the ones that often turn out to be the most beautiful. He loves exploring places that are not necessarily mainstream.

Upon being asked about how he manages his trips, he said Instagram collaborations often help him to cover his costs and get him free facilities in exchange for making vlogs and videos of their businesses. After this long cruise, he wishes to go to Himachal yet again to cover some unexplored places. And we have full faith, he will!

Well, we asked you to guess how much this trip must’ve cost him, Did you?

INR 6000!

Yes, we were as shocked as you, we promise. 

So this is the inspiring story of a graphic designer, data marketer, and freelancer, Dev Soni, who is perfectly balancing his work life and passion simultaneously. Which leaves you with no excuses to cancel plans anymore. 

Check out his page for photos, videos, and more- dev__soni