Delhi, the national capital of the country, is surrounded by beauty of nature, ruins of history, and religious centres. The geographical location of the city is one of the major source of its diversity. Although the city itself boasts of places for tourist attraction but most Delhiites have visited the places within the city during the weekends. The people in the city await for the weekend to come and as soon as the week starts, Delhiites look to shell out their monotonous life of 9-5 jobs and seek to rejuvenate their body and mind. The weekend acts as a respite for the working class population, thus, its is necessary that there are places nearby the city where people can go out with their family or friends to relax and enjoy during the weekends.
The top 5 weekend getaways places for Delhiites:
Agra
Once capital of the Mughal India, Agra is situated in Uttar Pradesh. The city has always been a place of tourist attraction from all over the globe, as the iconic Taj Mahal is always top on the list of any traveler visiting the northern part of India. The city has several architectural marvels, that have passed the test of time and wars, and still stand strong with its glorious past and rich cultural history. It is a good option for weekend getaways due to the close proximity of the city with Delhi.
How to Reach: Agra is close to Delhi and travelers can reach the city by train, by air or by road.
Distance: 230 Kilometers
Places to Visit: Taj Mahal, Agra Fort, Buland Darwaza, Fatehpur Sikri, Akbar’s Tomb Sikandra, Taj Mahal Museum
Best Time to Visit: January, February, March, October, November, and December
Kasauli
Kasauli is a town located in Solan District of Himachal Pradesh. The town is home to various places of worship for the different religions in the country. The small town of Kasauli is one of the country’s most fascinating hill stations, the lush green trees of oak, willows and firs add to the majestic landscape of the town. Kasauli is a paradise for all sorts of travelers, be it honeymoon couples or nature lovers, the serene and secluded environment attracts thousands of tourists who flock the destination to enjoy their weekends and holidays.
How to Reach: Shimla is the nearest railway station and airport, apart from that travelers can reach Kasauli by road as well.
Distance: 288 Kilometers
Things To Do: Paragliding, Camping, Ice-Skating, Heli-Skiing, Wildlife exploration
Places to Visit: Great Himalayan National Park, Daranghati Wildlife Sanctuary, Kanwar Wildlife Sanctuary, Kasauli Brewery, Christ Church, Sunset Point Road
Best Time to Visit: February, March, April, May, October, and November.
Rishikesh
On the foothills of the Himalayan range, this holy land of Rishikesh lies, covered with lush green mountains, while the serene Ganga river flows across the city. According to Hindu mythology, Rishikesh is known as a “Stairway to Heaven”, as the holy city is the corridor for pilgrims to important Hindu worship places like Badrinath, Kedarnath, Gangotri, and Yamunotri. The place is named after Hindu god Lord Vishnu. For ages and even in ancient times Hindu saints and sages came to this place to meditate and in search of Nirvana. Rishikesh has many sacred temples and holy places, where lakhs of people travel throughout the year to seek blessings, while in recent times river sports have become a major source of attraction for the youth.
How to Reach: Dehradun Airport is in close proximity, while the travelers can reach the destination by train as well as by road.
Distance: 242 Kilometers
Things to Do: River Rafting, Cliff Jumping, Rock Climbing, Flying Fox, Camping, Bungee Jumping, Kayaking
Best Time to Visit: January, February, March, April, September, October, November, and December
Mussoorie
Mussoorie lies on the foothills of Himalayas in Uttrakhand, and is popularly known as “Queen of Hill Station” in India. Mussoorie has always been the preferred destination for vacations and holidays for Indians as well as foreigners, as the Hill Station’s fairy land picturesque atmosphere captures the breathe of travelers. The famous hill station was founded by Captain Young in the 18th Century and is in close proximity to Dehradun, the capital of the state. A walk down the lanes of Mussoorie can mesmerize the tourists with historical places such as Gun Hill, Landour Bazaar, Lal Tibba, Chaar Bazaar, the Mussoorie Library, Kempty Falls and many other such places where the tourists can sit back and enjoy in the arms of nature.
How to Reach: Dehradun has the nearest airport and railway station, while travelers can also reach Mussoorie by road.
Distance: 289 Kilometers
Things To Do: Sightseeing, Cable car ride, Trekking, Skywalk, Zipline, Zip Swings, Mountain Cycling
Places to Visit: Laxman Jhoola and Ram Jhoola, The Beatles Ashram, Shivpuri, Neelkanth Mahadev Temple, Neer Garh Waterfall
Best Time to Visit: January, February, March, April, May, November, and December
Alwar & Sariska Tiger Reserve
A historic city located between the Aravali Range in Rajasthan, Alwar has rich culture and history, as the city boasts of ancient palaces and forts, while covered with Tropical Dry Deciduous Forests. Sariska Tiger Reserve is one of the major tourist attractions in Alwar District and became a wildlife reserve in 1955. The Sariska National Park is a biodiversity hotspot in the region. Alwar District is becoming popular among the masses for Sariska Palace that sits at the top of an Aravali hill, while the tiger reserve attracts nature enthusiasts.
How to Reach: Alwar and Sariska are well connected with Delhi by Road as well as train services
Distance: !67 Kilometers
Places to Visit: Sariska Palace, Sariska National Park, Alwar Fort, City Palace, Silserh Lake, Bala Quila, Shiva Temple
Best Time to Visit: January, February, March, September, October, November, and December
