10 Best Workation Destinations in India: Work From Anywhere

Planning to go for a workation? Whether you are a mountain lover or a beach bum, here are the 10 best workation destinations in India where you can work and vacay at the same time!

The pandemic brought us hundreds of woes, but if there’s one thing it blessed us with – that’s working from anywhere!

The entire world learned to thrive online – from the kids attending their regular classes over Zoom calls, to the CEO holding important business meetings.

All you’d need is your laptop and a good internet connection, and there’s literally no need to worry. Thus, the concept of ‘workation’ slowly came into vogue and more people started to ditch their monotonous lives within the four walls of the house, to wake up in a new destination.

This latest travel trend is nothing but a working vacation, where you can relax and work simultaneously.

If you’re also dreaming of living out-of-the-box, then here’s a list of the 10 best (and most popular) workation destinations in India.

Best Workation Destinations in India are:

1. Ladakh

When you think of Ladakh, you probably imagine a bike trip with your adventure buddies or a romantic holiday where you’d soak in the serenity with your partner!

But let me tell you, Ladakh is now one of the best workation destinations in India – and other than digital nomads and Instagram influencers, even IT consultants and Tech Geeks are escaping to this paradise.

What can be better than waking up to see the mighty Himalayas every day, enjoying local Ladakhi cuisine, and absorbing the freshness that lingers in the air! Well, you’d need to be in Leh to work, since the other places in Ladakh are too remote to have access to the internet.

If you have a postpaid Airtel / Jio connection, you’re mostly sorted. Most of the hotels / hostels / homestays in Leh also have high-speed internet, catering to the needs of the millennials.

I recently took a month-long trip to Ladakh, and stayed at Zostel, where the terrace turns into a makeshift office during day time!

There are several cafes at Leh market, where you can sit and work while enjoying a cup of coffee and gazing at the snow-clad peaks.

Cost: Roughly, you can manage a month’s stay in Ladakh within 40,000 INR (including your stay + food + weekend trips, etc).

2. Nathuakhan, Uttarakhand

While there are numerous popular places in Uttarakhand like Nainital, Mukhteshwar, Almora, Mussorie, Landour & Rishikesh, you can opt for an offbeat destination for your next workation!

A tiny hamlet, located in the heart of the Kumaon Mountains of the central Himalayas, Nathuakhan is close to the towns of Mukteshwar and Nainital. Head over to The Doi Homestay, nestled amidst the lush greenery, overlooking the entire Nanda Devi Range.

Offering cozy and comfortable rooms with splendid views, the hosts here would never fail to pamper you with delectable meals – ranging from Pav Bhaji to Pizzas, freshly baked cakes as well as local Kumaoni dishes!

And if you’re someone who loves to play with dogs, then you’d have three goofballs to spend your free time with. Grab a book and sit on the terrace, or just spend your days working from this quaint homestay – as you ditch the chaos of the city life.

And in case you wanna know why I loved my workation at The Doi Homestay, then you’d have to be there to see the sunsets!

Cost: Roughly, you can manage a month’s stay in Nathuakhan within 30,000 INR (including your stay & food, etc).

3. Naggar, Himachal Pradesh

Perched high up on a mountainside, Naggar has a commanding view of the valley below and the snow-capped mountains beyond.

While Manali and Kasol have always been popular among travelers, Naggar is the new favorite for millennials who are looking for a budget-friendly workation destination with cozy homestays, good places to eat, offbeat trails to explore, and more.

Work throughout the week and make the most of your weekends by hiking around the ancient villages in Kullu, eat the local dishes, and hop around the apple orchards in Naggar. In case you’re lucky enough, you might also get to witness a few local festivals!

Cost: Roughly, you can manage a month’s stay in Naggar within 30,000 INR (including your stay & food, etc).

4. Bir, Himachal Pradesh

While Bir has always been a favorite destination for nature lovers and adventure enthusiasts, it’s now attracting a lot of people who are keen to work from the mountains and indulge in the Tibetan way of life!

With a bunch of hostels (goStops, Hosteller, Zostel, and more) coming up in this Himachali town, Bir isn’t just the ‘paragliding capital of India’ anymore, but also a hub for enthralling activities like mountain biking, trekking, hand gliding, etc.

High-speed internet connectivity is available at all the accommodations, as well as there are numerous Insta-worthy cafes where you can sit and work.

Bir also has a super cool co-working space – Karyashaala, where you’d get to meet a bunch of like-minded people, seeking a break from urban life.

Make the most of your weekends exploring the beautiful monasteries of Bir, hike up to the Gunehar waterfalls, go for a toy-train ride from Jogindernagar to Kangra, learn to cook local Himachali dishes – and time will pass by the wink of an eye! Rest assured, you might just want to extend your workation for longer in Bir!

Cost: Roughly, you can manage a month’s stay in Bir within 25,000 INR (including your stay & food, etc).

5. Udaipur, Rajasthan

For those who are a little skeptical about spending a month or more in the mountains, and thinking how much they can sustain in the cold – there’s nothing to worry about!

Head off to ‘The City of Lakes’ in Rajasthan and soak in the richness at Udaipur. Back in time, I had lived in Udaipur for nearly a year, and trust me when I say this, you’d fall in love with this place at the first glance.

Udaipur’s history and heritage, backed by its scenic beauty make it a perfect destination to stay and work.

No matter whether you opt for a budget stay or a luxurious property, you’d never fail to experience the royalty in the hospitality.

The best place to stay would be somewhere close to Lake Pichola, as you’d get to see amazing views of the sunrises and sunsets every day!

Indulge in savoring the tastes of Rajasthani cuisine, go for walks around the lakes or just sit by the ghat at dusk, explore the forts and palaces, and make the most of your workation in Udaipur.

The lake city in between the Aravallis will surely keep you refreshed throughout, which will help you in your work and give you the perfect break that you’re seeking.

Cost: Roughly, you can manage a month’s stay in Udaipur within 25,000 INR (including your stay, food, and transport, etc).

6. Goa

A paradise for backpackers and hippies, Goa is now turning into a hub for workation – especially for those who are absolutely in love with beaches!

You can convince your friends to work away, rent a villa on the beach and live in Goa for a month or more, experiencing the off-beat things that this place has to offer.

In case you are traveling solo, there are some incredible hostels where you can share a dorm and get to know some amazing people!

Enjoying breath-taking sunsets, or grabbing a beer after work will surely be on the cards. You can rent a scooter and go for drives, join a heritage walk, or a food-trail walk over the weekends.

Otherwise, you can just chill on the beaches, binge on delicious seafood, and watch the waves crashing by the shore.

While North Goa is a little crowded and meant for the party-goers, you can choose to spend a couple of weeks in South Goa during your workation, and soak in the serenity. 

Cost: Roughly, you can manage a month’s stay in Goa within 35,000 INR (including your stay & food, scooty, etc).

7. Gokarna, Karnataka

A much quieter twin of Goa, this beach town is meant for those who are bored of the party scenes and looking forward to avoiding the hustle!

One of the best reasons to choose Gokarna for a workation is the calmness of this place and the secluded beaches which are seldom visited by tourists. And if you wish to go for a beach trek, then that also is possible here! 

Accommodation in Gokarna is quite affordable and would suit everyones’ budget. A high-speed internet connection is available almost everywhere, but you can check with your host before booking a place.

The boho-chic vibe of its cafes, flea markets, and hostels make Gokarna an unparalleled location for a workation in Karnataka, especially for people living in Bangalore.

You can also indulge in learning surfing, or go for a yoga retreat on the weekends. Several Yoga schools in Gokarna offer short-term and one-day courses. 

Cost: Roughly, you can manage a month’s stay in Gokarna within 15,000 INR (including your stay & food, etc).

8. Panchgani, Maharashtra

With vast strawberry gardens sprawling over the lush green Sahyadri hills, Panchgani has always been a favorite hill station for those living in Mumbai.

Off late, it’s gaining popularity as an offbeat workation destination, especially among people who are looking for a calm gateway and moderate weather conditions.

Located at a distance of about 20 KM from Mahabaleshwar, Panchgani has some unique hostels and BnBs, offering postcard-perfect views of the surrounding mist-laden valleys.

You can check out the Zostel in Panchgani, which is made out of shipping containers – and it’s one of the best places for workation in this hill station.

Although not very popular, Panchgani also offers paragliding options, and you can actually learn to glide by yourself by pursuing a course!

You can also explore the popular forts like the Pratapgad Fort and Kamalgad Fort, as well as indulge in hiking around the forest trails.

Cost: Roughly, you can manage a month’s stay in Panchgani within 20,000 INR (including your stay & food, etc).

9. Pondicherry

The crystal clear waters and the white sandy beaches of Pondicherry have never failed to win hearts – and if you are thinking of heading there for a workation, then don’t procrastinate any longer!

Once a French colony, Pondicherry still holds on to its old-world colonial charm, and you’d have a great time exploring the nooks and corners of this quaint town.

You can opt to stay by the beaches or somewhere in White Town where plenty of Airbnb options are available.

And if you wish to stay closer to nature, then the best choice would be to find accommodation at Auroville.

You can learn surfing or try your hands in organic farming, during your free time, or just sign up for a yoga and meditation session to feed your soul with some peace.

Your workation in Pondicherry will turn out to be a perfect retreat and when you’ll head back home, you’ll feel completely rejuvenated! 

Cost: Roughly, you can manage a month’s stay in Pondicherry within 25,000 INR (including your stay & food, etc).

10. Gangtok, Sikkim

Known to be the ‘Getaway to Northeastern India’ – Sikkim is the land of lush green valleys, mystical mountains, pristine glacial lakes, and Mt.Kanchenjunga – the 3rd highest peak in the world!

Gangtok, the capital of Sikkim, used to be a hub for trekkers and backpackers who were heading to the far east, to explore Arunachal Pradesh, Assam, Nagaland, or Meghalaya.

And now, you can also opt to stay in Gangtok for a month or more, without stressing about pending work at all!

With several hostels like Zostel and Tagalong Backpackers, you can find affordable accommodation with a Wi-Fi connection. Finish your work early to take a walk around MG Marg in the evening and binge on delicious momos!

On clear days, you’d definitely catch a glimpse of the snowclad Himalayas, and at nights, you can spot the Milky Way too! There are several monasteries around Gangtok, that you must not miss out on.

You can plan weekend trips to quaint Himalayan towns like Lachung, Lachen, Yuksom, Pelling, Ravangla, etc (note that the internet will not be available in these towns). You can also go for a hike in the Kanchenjunga National Park – home to some unique flora and fauna of the region.

Cost: Roughly, you can manage a month’s stay in Gangtok within 30,000 INR (including your stay & food, etc).

There are various things that you need to consider while planning a workation (since you’re gonna spend a considerable time there).

Make sure to choose a destination that suits your preferences, has favorable weather conditions, as well as fits your budget. And if you’ve already been on a workation, share that too with us in the comments below. We’d love to hear back from you!

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How to become a digital nomad – a beginner’s guide