Seven best locations in and around Delhi to visit during extended weekends
There are a few things about Delhi that any tourist should know. First, the capital city has several places surrounding it, providing visitors with anything from natural and spiritual to idyllic escape. Then, it is known for its public transport system, running on compressed natural gas (CNG). Most importantly, Delhi has one of the best international airports in the world, and it is the Indira Gandhi International Airport, preferred by most international travelers
Travelers from the UAE can discover Delhi and its surroundings by flying Dubai to Delhi flights, wherein you can find direct and connecting flights. There are daily and weekly flights operated by Air India, Air Arabia, Emirates, Air India Express, IndiGo, and SpiceJet. If you are planning a trip to Delhi during weekends, have the places listed hereunder in your itinerary to make it memorable.
Agra, Uttar Pradesh
If you are in New Delhi, you can never afford to miss Agra, which is just 209 km away from the capital city of India. It takes about 2 hours and 30 minutes by car on Yamuna Expressway in normal traffic. You will come across two major cities like Gurgaon and Noida en route. Here are some attractions you will find on the way:
- Lodhi Garden
- Drizzling Land Water and Amusement Park
- Humayun’s Tomb
- ISKCON Temple
- Qutub Minar
- Lotus Temple
- Deeg Palace
- Prem Mandir, Vrindavan
- Buland Darwaza
- Agra Fort
- Fatehpur Sikri
- Taj Mahal
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The best time to visit these places is from November to March. Being in Agra, you can plan to visit early in the morning to enjoy its exquisite beauty and craftsmanship. You can also go shopping in Kinari Bazaar for handicrafts, textiles, leather items, spices, glassware, and marble works.
Neemrana, Rajasthan
Neemrana is an ancient town in Alwar, Rajasthan. The historical town is 129 km away from Delhi, taking about 2 hours and 30 minutes to travel by car. The Neemrana Fort Palace, which is converted into a heritage resort hotel, is known for its long history and architecture. The 553-year-old palace is built in the Aravalli Hills. You can visit the fort palace by paying an entry fee or experience the royal service while staying here.
The other places to visit in Neemrana are the Sariska National Park, Baori – a multi-storied underground well, Alwar Fort, Vinay Vilas Mahal, and Siliserh Lake. During the visit, you can engage in a stunning zip-lining tour and trekking. The ideal time to visit this place is between July and March.
Dehradun, Uttarakhand
Dehradun is known for its pleasant climate throughout the year. This capital city of Uttarakhand is 245 km away from Delhi. You can travel by road, which takes about 4 hours and 45 minutes. Dehradun is located at the foothills of the Himalayas in the Doon Valley. Known for its scenic surroundings, Dehradun has several academic institutions and research organizations. It is also a gateway to pilgrim places like Rishikesh and Haridwar.
After a long road trip, you can find good homestays, offering decent accommodation. During the day, you can engage in trekking, mountain biking, and sightseeing. The best time to visit Dehradun is between March and June and October and December. Some of the attractions here are Tapovan, Forest Research Institute, Assan Barrage, Robber’s Cave, Rajaji National Park, Malsi Deer Park, Buddha Temple, Guru Ram Rai Gurudwara, and Dehradun Zoo.
Lansdowne, Uttarakhand
This quaint hill station is located in Pauri, Uttarakhand. Your road trips in Delhi can never miss out on Lansdowne for the scenic beauty you can enjoy all the way to the hill station, which is 260 km away from Delhi. Traveling on the Meerut Highway takes about 7-8 hours to reach Lansdowne.
Staying here, you can indulge in various outdoor activities like camping, nature walking, boating in Bhulla Lake, hiking, trekking, birdwatching, jungle safari, sightseeing, and shopping. Some places to visit here are Bhulla Lake, Bhim Pakora, Tip-in-Top View Point, Garhwal Rifles Regimental War Memorial, Kalagarh Tiger Reserve, St. Mary’s Church, and Kaleshwar Temple. Uttarakhand is known for its local delicacies like Phaanu, Kafuli, Baadi, Thechwani, and Kulath ki dal.
Bharatpur, Rajasthan
Bharatpur in Rajasthan is rich in a wide range of flora and fauna. Taking a road trip from Delhi to Bharatpur is worth it, for you can have a great time watching a large number of bird species. Don’t forget to carry a camera with you. Bharatpur is 169 km away from Delhi, and you can reach there by taking the Yamuna Expressway in about 3 hours.
You can find several places to visit, and they include the Keoladeo National Park, Bharatpur Palace and Museum, Government Museum Bharatpur, Lohagarh Fort, Laxman Mandir, Dholpur Palace, Band Baretha, Ganga Mandir, Chawad Devi Temple, and Seetharam Temple. The Keoladeo National Park is a UNESCO WORLD Heritage site famous for birdwatching. You can plan your visit in any of the months from October to March.
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Corbett, Uttarakhand
If you have an itinerary for your Delhi visit, you will surely have Corbett top on the list. Getting away from the Delhi crowd and being in nature is enthralling. The Corbett National Park, built by Jim Corbett, the famous and legendary conservationist, is known for tigers.
The park is located near Ramnagar and Nainital. It is 245 km away from Delhi and takes about 5 hours and 30 minutes to travel by road. One of the distinctive features of the park is it spreads across the beautiful landscapes of Pauri Garhwal, Nainital, and Almora. Some activities to engage yourselves in are jeep safari, river rafting, trekking, camping, and fishing.
Rishikesh, Uttarakhand
Rishikesh is one of the popular pilgrimage places in India. The Himalayas in the backdrop and the Holy Ganges flowing through the city makes it divine and spiritual. Tourists visit Rishikesh to learn meditation and yoga and engage in adventurous sports. The holy place is 242 km away from Delhi, which will take about 5 hours and 40 minutes of road travel.
Some places to visit here are Parmarth Niketan, Lakshman Jhula, Byasi, Gita Bhavan, Beatles Ashram, Shivpuri, Triveni Ghat, and Bharat Mandir. Sports enthusiasts can indulge in rappelling, river rafting, bungee jumping, and flying fox.
