Delhi, our national capital is undoubtedly the heart of India. Several people move into Delhi in search of living or to study from all over India. It's home to people from all class, religion, creed and status. Living our life, doing all that we do repeatedly, does take a toll on us. While Delhites can party off all that stress and frustration, they might be aware of how costly those bars and drinks can be and its all just momentary to be precise. And that's where travel comes in. Delhi and its surrounding area are filled with awesome tourist spots. And these destinations can even be reached on a shoe-string budget. So here we come up with 7 weekend getaways that are cheaper than a Night out in Delhi.
1. Jaipur
Jaipur the capital city of Rajasthan dates back to the 18th century. Jaipur is India's first planned city and is a blend of rich past heritage and modern ambience. The feeling of honour, prestige, valour and pride comes alive once you visit this city and its numerous palaces, forts, Havelis and majestic temples. Not just Jaipur but the entire landscape and the rich cultural heritage of the surrounding region have made Jaipur an ideal tourist destination. Jaipur is roughly 300 km from the capital and a road journey from Delhi takes around 5-6 hours. Summers are very extreme in Rajasthan and the best time to visit Jaipur, therefore, is during winter months from November to March. You can visit Amer fort, Jai Mahal, Hawa Mahal and Nahargarh Fort. You can stay at hotels in Mahipalpur or the hotels near Delhi airport and start out early morning to avoid the traffic rush of Delhi.
2. Jim Corbett
Jim Corbett National Park is an ideal tourist destination for the nature aficionado. The home of the Royal Bengal Tiger also hosts several animal species such as the Great Indian Elephant, spotted dear, golden Jackal, Himalayan Black Bear and leopard cats. Overall the park boasts of 580 species of birds and 50 species of mammals. The best time to visit the National park is in winter months. The distance from the national capital is only 246 km and can be covered in roughly 6 hours. You can also enjoy the Corbett Museum and Corbett falls along with the Jungle Safari. For convineance, you can stay at hotels in Paharganj near railway station to catch the train that goes to Ramnagar. Ramnagar is the closest you can get to Jim Corbett from Delhi on a public transport.
3. Udaipur
Udaipur is still synonymous to Royalty. The city of Lakes is at a distance of 661 km or roughly 11 hours from New Delhi. Not just the city but even the incoming roads are maintained buttery smooth. The grandeur of the City of Palaces is sure to keep you spellbound for the entire period of the trip. You will be awed with the intricate carvings on the ancient remnants of the glorious past of the Rajputana warriors. Often called the 'Venice of the East', Udaipur is surrounded by the Aravalli Hills which make it even more picturesque. Several ancient temples, magnificent palaces and their astounding and unique architecture will leave you in awe. You ought to take a boat ride in Lake Pichola to sense the grandeur and elegance of this beautiful city. You can also go shopping in this city and you will be swayed by the colourful and playful vibes in the locality. Surrounded on all 4 sides by lakes, the city never ceases to surprise you with its offerings, take a boat ride and watch the sun go down the horizon or take a walk across this beautiful city and bask in its glory. Summers are extreme in Rajasthan so a visit in winters is more enjoyable.
4. Auli
If you want to ski in India, Auli is one such places that would be suitable to fulfil your desire. The Auli hill resort dates back to 8th century AD and is still the most preferred destination for couples. Lined with apple orchards, oak trees and pine trees there is no paucity of natural beauty in Auli. Other than the ski resorts, Auli also has several interesting treks in the hills of Garhwal region of the Himalayas where you can enjoy the beautiful view of snow-capped mountains. At a staggering altitude of 2800 metres above sea level, Auli is home to several well-known peaks such as Nanda Devi, Mana Parvat and Kamat Kamet. Auli also scores high on religious values and has several temples all across the place. It is believed that Adi Shankaracharya himself visited this place back in the day. Auli can be visited all round the year and is a must-visit for all the nature lovers and those who want a peaceful and calm environment away from the buzz of the city.
5. Mcleodganj
Mcleodganj or often called as Little Tibet is a suburban area in the Dharamshala district in Kangra region. Lying on the Dhauladhar range, Mcleoadganj is famous for the spectacular views of the bare mountain ranges capped with snow. The highest peak of the Dhauladhar range, Hanuman Ka Tibba is visible from here. You can visit the Monasteries, Library of Tibetan Works and Archives, Tibetan Institute of Performing Arts to get a detailed understanding of Tibetan culture and values. Even the local cafes are themed with Tibetan figurines and display Tibetan culture. You can spend a night camping at Triund. Just a 5-hour trek will take you to the top of Triund and you can see the entire Mcleoadganj from the top. Night at Triund is very lively as many people camp at the top. Make sure you carry your own cooking and camping equipment if you wish to avoid being overcharged. The best time to visit Mcleoadganj is from October to June. The journey takes around 9-10 hours via road and there are several buses that ply between Delhi and Mcleoadganj from ISBT Kashmiri Gate. You may stop at a hotel in Paharganj if you reach Delhi in day time and start at night so that you reach Mcleodganj the next morning. There are several options if you want hotels by the hour thus making your stay economical.
6. Agra
Agra is world-renowned for the monument of love the Taj Mahal and can be truly called a couple's paradise. At a distance of just 233 km from the National capital, Agra is well connected via road and train route. Just ride on the Yamuna expressway and in just 3-4 hours you will be in Agra. Viewing this architectural marvel is truly an experience that cannot be fathomed with words. Agra is also the part of the famous Golden Triangle other than Jaipur and New Delhi. Apart from the Taj, Agra is also famous for its craftsmen and its delicious local food. It is truly one of the best and most popular tourist destinations and it can be easily accessed without spending a fortune. You must visit Fatehpur Sikri and Agra Fort other than the Taj. The best time to visit the city is from December to February as the onset of winter makes the weather cooler and more enjoyable. A road trip to Agra with your loved one would truly be a romantic and a heartwarming affair. You may stay at the best couple friendly hotels in Delhi and if you start early you may be back to Delhi before late night. There are several 24 hour check in hotels in Delhi where you can come at any time of the day without paying anything extra.
7. Manali
Manali is one of the most famous hill stations in North India and is often called the gateway to other paradises like Lahaul- Spiti Valley and Leh-Ladakh. It takes around 11 hours to cover the distance of 537 km from Delhi to Manali. There are numerous state government buses making the trip round the clock at very affordable rates. As soon as you enter close to Manali, the crystal clear waters of Beas river accompany you along the road making the ride a memorable and scenic affair. You can indulge in several adventure activities like paragliding, rafting, & skiing etc. There are several places to visit such as old Manali which is famous for its bars and clubs and also religious places like Hidimba Temple and Vashishth Kund where you can soak in natural hot water. You can also visit the Rohtang pass for its sheer beauty and snow-covered picturesque mountainous landscape. Manali also has several attractions close by such as the town of Kullu and Kheerganga Trek. Kullu is often known as the Valley of Gods and you can find steep slopes covered with fruit trees and the river gushing at the bottom. The Kheerganga trek is not a difficult one and is rather filled with beautiful scenes and open blue skies. There is also a natural hot water pool at the top. Just jump into it and all your pain will vanish.
So while you may be usually partying on your weekends, visiting these wonderful places would be a memory that would stay with you forever. The touch of nature would definitely heal all the burnout caused from living in the city and a run down the highways is sure to ignite the freshness that you might have forgotten slogging in your monotonous routine. So let go of the crazy nights once in a while and check these awesome weekend getaways for a change.
We also have the best nightlife spots for a crazy Friday night. Check out these 10 Nightlife spots in Gurgaon that you should surely hit up for a crazy night.