It is difficult to live in Delhi. Every morning begins with the inconveniences of transit. You have to change the crowded metros at various junctions, rush to work on time or spend hours in Delhi’s traffic. This all can make your weekend very exhausting.
This is why you need to take a weekend trip to rejuvenate, especially in the autumn (October -November).
Autumn travel has its benefits and perks. The weather suddenly changes, and everything around you is enjoyable. It is not too hot or too cold. There is no fog, and it rains very rarely.
The majority of hill stations have a balanced climate and winters. They are ready to welcome you with their captivating beauty and a new sense of freshness. This season is synonymous with a soothing breeze, chirping birds, and a steaming cup (with a plate of Maggie) at a Dhaba along the road are just a few of the many things you will find.
Delhi is fortunate to have some of the unique getaways that have survived commercialization. A self-drive road trip with your friends is a great way to discover them.
These are seven places that tourists may not have heard of near Delhi:
-
Pangot, Uttrakhand: A land of clouds
Pangot, a charming hillside town about 13km from the Nainital District of Uttaranchal, is a haven for bird lovers and nature enthusiasts. The forest of Cheena Peak Range surrounds Pangot, where you will find around 580 bird species. It is the perfect spot for a long, pleasant walk through the Guano Hills. You can also enjoy rare bird species.
Distance from Delhi: 300km via NH9
How to get to Pangot: Pangot can be reached by road from Delhi. AC and non-AC buses can only be compared to Nainital.
-
Darang, Himachal Pradesh: A hamlet with beautiful tea estates
This tiny Hamlet of Himachal can be found near Mcleodganj, on the way to Palampur. Darang is home to sprawling tea estates that are magically nestled in the Himalayan’s upper Dhauladhar ranges.
This is a great spot to visit if you are looking for a unique holiday destination near Delhi. From here, you can see the magnificent Dhauladhars towering above the charming hamlet. The estate offers trekking trips that take you through the vast tea plantations, mountain streams, forests of Pine and Deodar.
Distance from Delhi: 434km via NH44
How to get there: Tourists must book their flights for Dharamsala (21km from the estate) to travel to Darang.
-
Bilaspur Himachal Pradesh, India’s first planned hill station
Undoubtedly, Bilaspur is one of the most adventurous monsoon destinations close to Delhi. India’s first planned hill station, Bilaspur, is known for its artificially created Gobind Sagar Lake on the Sutlej River. You can relax and enjoy watersports like fishing at this beautiful lake.
Gobind Sagar lake, which is beautiful during the rains, is a fantastic sight. It has green surroundings that make it an excellent backdrop for adventure activities. This little town is close to Chandigarh, Mandi and Parwanoo.
Distance from Delhi: 396km via NH44 or NH 205
How to get there: Chandigarh is the nearest airport. You can also travel by road from Delhi to Bilaspur via Chandigarh.
-
Fagu, Himachal Pradesh — Quaint little village in Himachal
Fagu, a tiny hill resort about 22 kilometres from Shimla, is a true wanderer’s paradise. The swaying green fields and the snow-covered Himalayas are well-known. Deep valleys are also dotted with apple orchards and flower fields. Fagu is best visited between July and November to see its deciduous forests in their best.
Distance from Delhi: 361km via NH44 or NH 5.
How to get there: Take the road route NH 1 (New Delhi-Chandigarh) to reach Fagu and head towards Shimla.
-
Kausani, Uttrakhand — The Switzerland of India
Kausani, located 53km north of Almora in Uttarakhand, is a stunning hill station. The breathtaking views from the peaks of Nanda Kot and Nanda Devi, Trishul and Nanda Gunti are stunning. The best time to take in the beautiful scenery and enjoy the temperate climate is October-December.
Road-tripping is a great way to discover the charming charm of this small town, as well as the 360 km view of the majestic Himalayas. You will find that the effort was well worth it in the end.
Distance from Delhi: 415km via NH 9
How to get there: Kathgodam is the nearest station and is located 142km from Kausani.
-
Chakrata, Uttrakhand: A paradise for nature-lovers
Chakrata, located 98 kilometres from Dehradun in Uttarakhand, is a beautiful hill town and one of the most unexplored places for travellers. It is known for its tranquil surroundings, virgin forests, and pollution-free environment.
Chakrata offers peace, tranquillity, gentle trekking, magnificent waterfalls, and majestic mountains. It is sure to delight any wanderer.
Distance from Delhi: 318 km via NH 44, or 306 km vis Delhi – Saharanpur Road
How to get there: Jolly Grant is approximately 115km from the town.
One route is via Panipat, Kurukshetra, and Ghaziabad via Loni Baghpat Badaut Shamli and Saharanpur. It is less crowded to travel via Saharanpur.
-
Shoghi, Himachal Pradesh-The tranquil destination of Himachal
Shoghi, located just 13 kilometres from Shimla, is a paradise that provides a peaceful escape from the hustle and bustle of the concrete jungles. Although the road to Shoghi is relatively quiet and unaffected by people’s daily grind, it becomes steeper as you get closer to the village’s heart.
The hills surrounding the hill station are dotted with oak and rhododendrons. Tourists can enjoy peace and tranquillity in the valley of Shoghi, which is surrounded by lush greenery. Shoghi is a great place to review camping, hiking and bird-watching.
Distance from Delhi: 330 km via NH44 or 425km via NH 5.
How to get to Shoghi: Delhi has good connections to Shoghi via Grand Trunk Road or NH-22. To reach Shoghi by car or cab, it will take approximately 5-6 hours from Delhi.
