Himachal Pradesh is much more than the usual places such as Manali, Shimla, Kullu etc. which generally comes to our mind when one mentions Himachal. If you want to really explore the real beauty of this Mountain state then there are some real hidden gems to look at -
Chitkul, Reckong Peo, Kalpa, Nako, Tabo and of course Spiti Valley the crown jewel.
To address the issue of budget travelling one can easily get a guesthouse or homestay for about INR 200 - 600 per night depending on your bargaining skills and Travelling in HRTC buses would make your life easier and pocket-friendly which offers brilliant connectivity throughout the state. Important Note - HRTC buses offer 25% discount for female passengers which will come in really handy.
Booking Hotels online in advance might be a comfortable option but you won’t save as much as when you approach the hotel personally on your arrival.
For the Food Part - Maggie and Tibetan food are easily available at almost every corner of the state and one must definitely try Thupka which is a soupy noodles dish filled with veggies.
Don’t try to plan too much in advance just go with the flow!