Short Winter Trips From Delhi

1. Jaipur : For a Royal Weekend Trip from New Delhi

Amer Fort, Jaipur source: (sandeepachetan.com)

Rajasthan’s culturally rich pink city, Jaipur is an history buff’s paradise – gorgeous forts, enchanting palaces, ancient temples – even the streets of Jaipur bask in the history of this place. Amber Fort, Hawa Mahal, Jantar – Mantar are just few of the many places you could see in Jaipur.

Jaipur is just 4-5 hours from New Delhi and the trip’s ideal duration is around 2-3 days.

Jaipur

2. Shimla : For a trip to the hills from Delhi

Kalka-Shimla Train, HImanchal Pradesh (Source)

The chill mountain air and the gorgeous apple orchards sprawling around the landscapes, Shimla is one of those destinations that you can go again and again. A day spent in the beautiful Mall Road of Shimla is a day well spent; the ancient Jakhu Temple, the church with stained glass windows and so much food! Kufri is another delightful place near Shimla, a 30 min drive arrives you this exotic place where you can spend half of your day. Add Shimla to the your of places to visit near Delhi in winters if you really want to make the most of winters.

Shimla is 8 hours from Delhi and there are multiple HRTC and private buses running on a daily level. Shimla along with Chail and Kufri are a good weekend getaway option.

Shimla

3. Manali and around: For a snowy weekend

Manali (Source)

Morning in Manali can be spent at the 450 year old Hidimbadevi Temple in serene ambiance and then visit the Tibetan monastery and the Vasisth village which is known for its Hot spring.  For snow and adventure activities, you must head out to Solang Valley. Till most parts of December, Rohtang Pass is also open and you can visit it for an even more surreal experience, however it gets crowded frequently.

You can stay in old Manali or visit Kasol and Manikaran if you are looking for slightly offbeat options. Rafting in Bhuntar is carried out sometimes, particularly when the weather is not so cold.

Manali 

4. Rishikesh + Devprayag: A weekend spent by the rivers

Rishikesh (Source)

Where the River Ganges flows down from the Himalayas, this small town ofUttarakhand is located justifiably, making it one of the holy places of India. Incidentally, this is where the Char Dham Yatra usually begins. Triveni Ghat, Bharat Mandir, Trayambakeshwar Temple are some noted places here while white-water rafting, rapelling, rock climbing, Kayaking are some of the many activities that Rishikesh is famous for. Devprayag – famous for the confluence of the two rivers, Alaknanda and Bhagirathi, houses the oldest Lord Rama Temple known as Rajhunathji Temple. Blessed with ample natural beauty, the charming little town of Devprayag has built suspension bridges over the two rivers which offer a panoramic view of whole town.

Overall, Rishikesh is one of the most popular weekend getaway from New Delhi. It is even better in the months of October to December, making it one of the places to visit near Delhi in winters. Combining Rishikesh with Devprayag for a long weekend  trip will make the trip even more worthwhile.

Rishikesh Devprayag

5. Udaipur + Chittorgarh: A trip to beautiful lakes, forts and palaces

City Palace, Udaipur (Source)

Udaipur – the palace town of Rajasthan will leave you spoilt for choices with the number of attractions this place has to offer – City Palace, Jagdish Temple Sahelion-Ki-Bari, Lake round of Fateh Sagar and Folk Museum are some of the must visit places here. While Chittorgarh boasts of the exotic ruins of forts that represent the traditional and once powerful Rajputs of Rajasthan.

When clubbed together, Udaipur and Chittorgarh makes for an amazing long weekend getaway from Delhi. The classiness of Udaipur’s City Palace and the robustness of Chittorgarh fort will definitely make your trip one of the most memorable ones. Udaipur is overnight journey from Delhi and there are trains or buses available for the same. Chittorgarh is just 2-3 hours from Udaipur and can be easily combined with this trip if time permits.

Udaipur  Chittorgarh

6. Jhansi + Khajuraho: To the land of erotic architecture

Khajuraho (Source)

Jhansi as is famous for its iconic queen Rani Laxmibai, her fort lies in all its grandeur as a testimony to the historic period of the war that Rani Laxmibai fought for. Enroute toKhajuraho, you can have a pit stop at Orchha to visit the famous Jehangir Mahal, Chaturbhuj Temple and the Betwa River. Once in Khajuraho you’ll be engulfed in admiring the sheer brilliance in the explicitly carved temples of the Chandel Dynastywhile a visit to Raneh falls is also recommended.

Madhya Pradesh is quite warm in summers and hence the drop in temperature October onwards makes it one of the places to visit near delhi in winters. The area is well connected by trains and roads, go ahead and plan your weekend trip for the love of architecture.

Khajuraho  Orchha

7. Hastinapur + Chitrakoot: For offbeat religious trip from Delhi

Chitrakoot (Source)

The small town of Hastinapur finds its origins in the ancient text of Mahabharata known as being the capital city in the Pandava’s rule. Apart from being home to numerous important temples and shrines it is also known for its wildlife sanctuary that sprawls covering a large piece of land and inhibiting numerous variety of flora and fauna. Chitrakoot located near Hastinapur, too houses a number of temples however it is more known for places like Sita Rasoi – where Lord Ram’s wife Sita was known to have her kitchen, the caves of Gupt Godavari, Ram Ghat and the Chitrakoot Falls. Overall it is a great option for a short trip from Delhi.
Hastinapur  Chitrakoot

8. Pachmarhi + Bhopal: A weekend spent by lakes and waterfalls

Tajulldin Mosque, Bhopal (Source)

Set amidst a lake, Bhopal famously known for the Haukat Mahal designed by a French architect, the Tajulldin Mosque and Sadar Manzil. One can visit the Sanchi Stupasnearby before proceeding to Pachmarhi which is located in the Satpura National Park. The only hill station in Madhya Pradesh with many attractions like the Pandava Caves, Bee Falls, Jata Shanker and various view point to soak in the beauty ofPachmarhi.

Bhopal is overnight journey from Delhi, whereas Pachmarhi is another 3-4 hours from Bhopal. The ideal duration of this trip is 4 days, but one can do this trip in 3 days as well if time is a constraint.

Being Delhi it is usually difficult to go on a full-scale holiday given the lack of leaves from work and college, that’s why we have brought to you a collection of twelve destination which will suit your weekend getaway plans from the city.

9. Lansdowne

Lansdowne (source)

One of the quietest and well-maintained hill stations in Uttarakhand, Lansdowne is a stunning place with mesmerizing landscape. The best thing about Lansdowne though is that it’s insanely close to Delhi, at 248 km it is not more than a five hour drive from the capital. The place is full of old Colonial Bungalows, beautiful sunrise and sunset points and provides some rare views of the Himalayas and the River Ganga. You can engage trekking activities; visit St. Mary’s Church and the old War Memorial.

10. Auli

Auli (source)

The second most famous skiing destination in the Indian sub-continent after Gulmarg, Auli is truly a heavenly place. The winters make Auli a place full of buzzing skiers eager to put on their gear and ski their way to happiness. The beautiful hill station is situated at a distance of 262 km from Delhi which comes down to a 7-8 hours drive. The place is perfect for adventure skiers and general sport enthusiasts. You can ski, go on Gondola rides, take a trek through Oak forests and watch sunrise from the highest hills. Definitely one of the places to visit near delhi in winters, especially for the skiing buffs.

 11. Pushkar

Pushkar (source)

One of the oldest and holiest cities in India, Pushkar is a city of many charms. Justseven hours drive away from Delhi on National Highway 8, Pushkar is a special city to visit on a weekend during winters as it is full of greenery and colors post monsoon. The city famous for its holy Pushkar Lake, it’s rare Brahma Temple rebuilt in the 15^thcentury and for its Pushkar fair is a delight to visit. The Pushkar fair which is a cultural extravaganza of sort for the folks of the desert is to be held this year in the first week of November and is the best time to visit Pushkar.

Pushkar is the ancient temple town of Rajasthan which houses one of the few Brahma Temples in the world. If planning a trip in November, you can also see the Pushkar Fair, one of the grandest cattle fairs in the entire world. A perfect royal getaway for winters.

12. Mandawa

Mandawa (source)

The Shekhawati town adorned by beautiful havelis and castles is a serene place to visit.Mandawa, is known for its giant Mandawa Fort and its numerous havelis which dot the medieval landscape of this sleepy town in Western Rajasthan. It is situated at a distance of 271 km from Delhi offering a perfect recluse for the citizens of the capital for a weekend. You can spend your time in sightseeing some of the finest works of the Shekawats such as the giant Mandawa Fort, Hanuman Prasad Goenka Haveli, Murmuria Haveli, Jhunjhunwala havelis and Gulab Rai Ladia Haveli. Some of these havelis have been converted to stunning hotels offering a glimpse into the Shekhawati way of life.

13. Shoja

Shoja (source)

Just off the Kullu highway and a part of the Great Himalayan National Park, Shoja is an out-an-out offbeat destination about which very few know. A stunning place full of natural beauty and apple orchards, its serenity is soul touching. It is the perfect retreatfor those wanting away from the heavy dullness of Delhi’s monotonous life, a place meant for rejuvenation of body and mind. Shoja is a 480 km drive from Delhi and provides many sightseeing options such as Serolser Lake and Raghupur Fort. There is a government rest house and Banajara Retreats, a mid budget resort, for accommodation.

14. Mukteshwar

Mukteshwar (source)

At about 331 km from Delhi, Mukteshwar is an offbeat hill station and one of the places to visit near Delhi in winters The peaceful and pleasing hill station of theNainital district of Uttarakhand is a nice place to relax on a weekend and provides much fun. The town is surrounded by orchards and forests and provides some stunning views of the Mighty Himalayan Range. The important places to check out here are theMukteshwar Dham, Methodist Church, Renewable Park and the sunset point.

15. Rudraprayag

Rudraprayag (source)

A religiously significant town, Rudraprayag is famous for being the site of the confluence of Alaknanda and Mandakini rivers. It is a serene town with lots verdant mountains surrounding it. It’s pretty popular among the pilgrims and as well travelers. Situated at a distance 370 km from Delhi, Rudraprayag is a favored destination for a weekend amidst rivers, green valleys and gigantic mountains.

16. Naukuchiatal

Naukuchiatal. source: (sandeepachetan.com)

A place truly out of a poem, Naukuchiatal is a famous lake in the Nainital district for having nine corners. The lake is a kilometer in length and is situated in heavenly surroundings with verdant hills all around. It is a place for the rejuvenation of body and soul. The ambience, the lake, the surrounding beauty make it a must visit place and being situated just 300 km from Delhi makes it a great place to spend your weekendat. You can boat in the lake, trek to the surrounding villages and just relax near the shore reading your favorite book.

17. Mussoorie

Mussoorie (source)

The most favored of getaways among Delhiites, Mussorie is a cool hill station in thefoothills of the Himalayas. It is popularly known as the ‘Queen of the Hills’ and the breathtaking scenery it provides is one to travel for. On an overcast day the hills of Mussoorie are kissed by the clouds providing ethereal sceneries. It is a nice place to relax and spend your weekend at. It is just a five hours drive away from the capital city and has many interesting places you can check out such as the Mussoorie Lake, theBhatta Falls, Company gardens, Cloud End and Gun Hill.

18. Bharatpur Bird Sanctuary

Bharatpur Bird Sanctuary (source)

One of the world’s finest bird sanctuaries and a UNESCO World Heritage Site,Bharatpur Bird Sanctuary now known as the Keoladeo Ghana National Park is a bliss in winters. Home to thousands of species of migratory birds plus hundreds of endemic species of birds, the bird sanctuary is one the places to visit near delhi in winters owing to the number of migratory birds who pay their visits to winter. The Sanctuary is just three hours drive away from Delhi and attracts thousands of tourists who come to be awed by the bird population, the beautiful Bharatpur Lake and the greenery of the region. It is a nice place to free yourself of stress and spend time with family and friends.

19. Jaisalmer

Jaisalmer (source)

The rugged and harsh beauty of the Thar Desert makes Jaisalmer a spectacle to behold. The Golden City as it is popularly known is an oasis in the middle of a desert. The city is located at a distance of 800 km away from the capital, and gives you a taste of the desert life while at the same time mesmerizing you with its grandeur and architecture. Built by Maharawal Jaisal Singh, the city has many historical landmarks such as the imposing Jaisalmer Fort, Bada Bagh and countless havelis and palaces. You can enjoy camel rides, desert camping and desert safari in the city as well.

20. Amritsar

Amritsar source: (sandeepachetan.com)

The cultural, religious and culinary center of Punjab, Amritsar is as much about food as it is about the Golden Temple and the ganne ka juice. The city of the Golden Templeis situated at a distance of 460 km from Delhi and is a favored weekend getaway among Delhiites. The city not only offers you an opportunity to visit the stunning and spiritually moving ‘Golden Temple’ but also to pleasure yourself with the finestparanthas in the world topped by some sweet gajjar ka halwa. A great drive, great paranthas, and spiritual relaxation what more could ask out of a weekend?

21. Cherrapunjee + Shillong: For a weekend spent far far away from Delhi

Bara Pani Lake, Shillong (Source)

These North-Eastern destinations are a gateway to its beautiful undulating hills, valleys and its ever-pleasant climate. Cherrapunjee receives the highest rainfall making it the wettest region of the country, which makes trekking at the Krem Mawmluh Cavequite an adventurous experience. It also boasts of the Double Decker Living Roots Bridge made by the Khasi Tribesmen. While the rest of your trip could include an exciting drive to Shillong – the Scotland of India, visit the Shillong peak for some breath-taking views, the Elephanta Falls is another attraction you shouldn’t miss.

This option can be availed only if you fly from New Delhi to Shillong. For a relatively longer weekend, this trip will make a lot of sense if budget is not a constraint. There are no direct flights to Shillong from New Delhi, so a flight to Guwahati and then taking a cab would be perfect. Shillong from Guwahati is around 5 hours and the route is quite picturesque as well.