Working and living in and around Delhi NCR has its own merits and unlike any other city we have a host of options when it comes to weekend getaways. But many of us are wary of wasting our hard-earned weekend over long travel hours and a crowded tourist destination that mostly turns out be disappointing. For those who desperately crave to turn the usual weekends into mini vacations, there are a lot of interesting tourist destinations around Delhi and there is something for everyone. You neither have to travel too far or burn a hole in your pocket with these locations. One of the criterions for finalizing these names was that they should be accessible and not more than 300 kms away in terms of the travel distance, fair enough we guess! From arty heritage sites to nature and wildlife, there is a lot on your plate and it’s about time you started exploring.
WAH Rating – 3.5
Distance – 30 kms.
Best For – Family, Historical Trip.
Price – INR 1000 – 1500.
Steeped in vibrant history Surajkund is an ideal weekend getaway destination to unwind and relax. Located just 8 kilometers from South Delhi and 20 kilometers from the city-center and well connected to major airports, the destination comes up as a good option for those who don’t want to travel too far in search of peace and tranquility. It revives the experience of village life in an entirely rural setting; this place offers you the best of both worlds. Also, it is one place that offers a mesmerizing natural view along with an authentic and traditional mix of arts, crafts and cultural affairs.
WAH Rating – 4.0
Distance – 120 kms.
Best For – Couples, Historical Trip, Wildlife Lovers.
Price – INR 1200 – 2000.
Located very close to Delhi, Alwar has many historical sites of interest which attract tourists from all over the world. Silserh Lake and Hill Fort Kesroli along with Sariska Tiger Reserve and the haunted Bhangarh are main attractions in and around Alwar. Neemrana is a small town in Alwar District. The magnificent Fort around which the town is established was built by Raj Dup Raj in 1467. It is now converted into a heritage hotel. Only a few weekend getaways from Delhi have the luxury of offering a majestic view along with a monastic ambience to truly detox your senses.
WAH Rating – 4.0
Distance – 160 kms.
Best For – Family, Religious Trip.
Price – INR 1000 – 2500.
Famous for its Braj Holi the world over, Mathura and Vrindavan will draw you back into time like no other place. The birthplace of Lord Krishna, Mathura is known for its culture and heritage and lies well within the golden triangle of Delhi-Jaipur-Agra and lies 145 km south-east of Delhi. The Mathura museum is famous for the ancient sculptures from the Mathura School of Art, which is an archeological museum. Places to visit in Mathura include the Krishna Janma Bhoomi which is the birth place of Lord Krishna and Dwarkadheesh temple. Vrindavan is an extremely famous twin city of Mathura and it beautifully hosts a variety of breathtaking Lord Krishna Temples.
WAH Rating – 4.5
Distance – 195 kms.
Best For – Wildlife Lovers, Couples.
Price – INR 1200 – 2500.
India that was formerly called as ‘Bharatpur Bird Sanctuary’. This park hosts a large number of avifauna during the summers and is considered as one of the India’s best national parks to observe exotic migratory birds and other birds of India. Declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site, Bharatpur was an important well fortified city before independence. It’s a great place to travel to on weekends and you could also include Fatehpur Sikri and Sikandra or even Taj Mahal if you have more time on your hands.
WAH Rating – 4.5
Distance – 230 kms.
Best For – Adventure Seekers, Couples, Religious Trip.
Price – INR 1500 – 3000.
The Beatles were here back and 1968 and it can be fittingly described as one of the international nomad’s favorite destination. Nestled in the Himalayas with the holy Ganges flowing by its side; Rishikesh is more than just an important Hindu pilgrimage destination. A short distance away from Delhi, Rishikesh is best visited for Yoga tourism, spirituality and adventure sports like rafting, trekking and climbing tours. If you want to keep your trip minimalistic then check into a riverside camp and let nature work its magic on your stress-wrecked senses. Being a religious destination the place is entirely vegetarian but eateries like ‘The Third Eye Café, German Bakery and The Pyramid Café would certainly satiate your senses both with their food and their simplicity.
WAH Rating – 4.5
Distance – 235 kms.
Best For – Couples, Wildlife Lovers.
Price – INR 2500 – 15,000.
This is India’s finest tiger reserve and a national park with the highest diversity in terms of flora and fauna. Its location in the Himalayan Terai Region ensures that even if you doesn’t spot the big cats, staying in one of the many swiss cottages is a delightful experience. It was established in 1936 to protect the regal Bengal Tigers. This park has been named after the popular wildlife story writer, Jim Corbett. The beauty and wilderness of this park attracts enthusiasts from various parts of the globe. This wildlife tourist destination of India has also been featured in many wildlife documentaries in order to raise awareness towards the mighty and stunning Bengal Tigers.
WAH Rating – 4.0
Distance – 250 kms.
Best For – Couples, Hill Station Lovers, Adventure Seekers.
Price – INR 2000 – 5000.
A beautiful little town setting in itself, Lansdowne has gained popularity for serenity, where one can enjoy their solitude, just be peaceful and a group can enjoy the company of friends and family too. An advantage about Lansdowne is that it is only 250 kms. from Delhi which makes it an amazing spot for lazing around on a weekend. You could take a stroll in the surrounding oak & pine forests, go for trekking, do bird watching, boating or simply do nothing. Originally derived from the name of Lord Lansdowne (Viceroy of India 1888-1894), the town stands at an altitude of 1700 mts. above sea level. Whenever you visit this awesome weekend getaway near Delhi/NCR, make sure to drop by at the Bhulla Lake, St. Mary’s Church (oldest church in town), Tip In Top (the best spot in Lansdowne to get amazed with the splendor of the Himalayas). The Himalayan peaks Chaukhamba & Trishul are visible from here. Visit anytime after the summers to avoid rugged weather.
WAH Rating – 3.0
Distance – 260 kms.
Best For – Family, Historical Trip.
Price – INR 1500 – 4000.
Mandawa is a small and aesthetically appealing town located in the Jhunjunu district of Rajasthan and famous for its sprawling mansions, havelis, and forts. The popular and majestic fort of Mandawa was built in 1812 by Thakur Nawal Singh. The fort is spectacular in its beauty with a painted arched gateway representing Lord Krishna and his cows. The castle of Mandawa is highly renowned for exquisite frescoes. The rooms are decorated with magically enticing artwork, mirror work, engravings and paintings of Lord Krishna in a wide variety of forms and figures. Mandawa is situated at a central location and has now been converted into a hotel well equipped with modern amenities and luxuries. The town of Mandawa is popularly nicknamed as an open art gallery of Rajasthan owing to the lovely collection of frescoes.
WAH Rating – 3.5
Distance – 260 kms.
Best For – Couples, Historical Trip.
Price – INR 1200 – 3000.
The ancient town of Dausa is the perfect weekend getaway destination from Delhi, because of a number of archaeological attractions. Dotted with a number of mansions and temples Dausa is a cultural delight. Placed on National Highway No. 11, 54 km eastward of Jaipur, it was one of erstwhile kingdoms of Kachhawah rulers of Dhundhar. It is also quite close to a number of tourist destinations like Abhaneri, Bhandarej, Jhajhirampura and Khawaraoji. This is just the right kind of a destination to get away from the hustle-bustle of the city and enjoy a relaxing vacation.
WAH Rating – 3.0
Distance – 265 kms.
Best For – Historical Trip.
Price – INR 1500 – 4000.
A famous town in the Jhunjhunu district of Rajasthan, Dundlod is known for its magnificent forts and havelis. Located in the Shekhawati region of Rajasthan this is a popular tourist destination in Rajasthan and is best known for the Dundlod Fort, from the 17th century. The Dundlod Fort was built by Keshari Singh in 1750. Even today, it still stands tall as a beautiful blend of the Rajputana and Mughal schools of architecture.
WAH Rating – 3.5
Distance – 300 kms.
Best For – Adventure Seekers, Hill Station Lovers, Couples.
Price – INR 2000 – 5000.
Naukuchiatal or ‘lake of nine corners’ is a small hill station in Nainital district in Uttarakhand. This place is a ‘Para-glider’s Paradise’ and provides ample scope for rowing, paddling and yachting. This beautiful hill station is surrounded by green forests and the serene lake amidst the lush green fields that are a feast for the eyes. This enchanting valley offers an opportunity of angling and bird watching. The lake is fed by an underground perennial spring. Naukuchiatal is also famous for the ‘Escape Festival’ which happens once every year (in the month of May).
WAH Rating – 4.0
Distance – 300 kms.
Best For – Young Couples, Hill Station Lovers.
Price – INR 1500 – 6000.
This small hill station seems to live in a time warp that belongs to the 19th century. The narrow roads of Kasauli (1951m) slither up and down the hillside and offer some magnificent vistas. Directly below is the spread of the vast plains of Punjab and Haryana which as darkness falls, unroll a gorgeous carpet of twinkling lights. The upper and lower malls run through Kasauli’s length and one can enjoy long walks. A mixed forest of pine, oak and huge horse-chestnut encircles the town. Its colonial ambience is reinforced by stretches of cobbled road, quaint shops, gabled houses with charming facades and scores of neat little gardens and orchards. Kasauli is well connected by road and about 300 kms from Delhi.
WAH Rating – 3.5
Distance – 340 kms.
Best For – Family, Hill Station Lovers.
Price – INR 1500 – 5000.
Located in Almora district in Uttarakhand, the tranquil hill station and cantonment town of Ranikhet is surrounded by lush green forests and majestic Himalayan ranges. The area, rich with pine, oak, and deodar forests, is a much sought after holiday spot. Ranikhet is also an exciting trekking destination. From Ranikhet one can trek up to Gagash bridge and Dwarahat. The farthest trek route is from Ranikhet to Kausani via Majkhali and Gochhina.
WAH Rating – 3.0
Distance – 350 kms.
Best For – Couples, Family, Hill Station Lovers.
Price – INR 1500-5000.
It’s like Snowdonia or The Lake District only more beautiful. Almora is a picturesque district in the Kumaun region, east of Uttarakhand. With a breathtaking panoramic view of the Himalayas, the destination draws tourists worldwide to its alluring grandeur of natural beauty. Famous for its rich cultural heritage, unique handicrafts, sumptuous cuisine and magnificent wildlife, coupled with an easy accessibility, Almora promises a visit full of fun and unforgettable moments.
There are many more names to add but we wanted to keep things brief to get you started. All the above destinations can be easily visited over the weekend but you can double the fun if you plan a trip over a long weekend (to know more about utilizing your long weekend to the fullest, click here), this will give you more time to relax and discover the place better. The best part is, that unlike the predictable tourist spots of India that are classified under endless categories you could visit the above with family, friends or even travel solo. So what are you waiting for, pick up your car keys, throw that backpack in and vrrrrooooom!!
WAH Rating – 3.5
Distance – 343 kms.
Best For – Nature Lovers.
Price – INR 2000 – 6000.
Located at an altitude above 5,700 feet, Shoghi is a small hamlet at a distance of 13 kilometers from the Ambala-Shimla national highway. The hill station is surrounded by oak and rhododendron trees. The lush green valley’s around Shoghi offer much-needed seclusion and tranquility to tourists. One of the major attractions in Shoghi is a village resort known as Park Woods. Other nearby tourist destinations include Jakhoo Hill, Viceregal Lodge, Kurfi and Kandaghat. The town Shoghi is also famous for fruit products, locally made pickles, juices, syrups and jellies. Shoghi is also an ideal place for trekking, camping and bird watching.
