Weekend breaks from Delhi for october !!!

After a full month of no long weekends and with festivities round the corner, most of the people would now be planning for vacations, weekend getaways for October. Some of them would have planned long back and some as usual would be bag packers, who are still waiting for their chutti to be sanctioned.

I’m also quite one of them, as I’ve been listing places since last two weeks but still can’t finalise because of that “chutti” factor. My friend has been teasing me for that and finally she gave me the idea of sharing the list of places with others, so that they can atleast benefit from that.

So here I’m to put down my list of options for weekend getaways from Delhi. Alaknanda, Chamba, Binsar, Surajgarh, Kuchaman & Gwalior are few selected destinations of many.

Alaknanda - As the season for rafting has already begun and the water is slightly less chilly so this seems to be the best time. A 4hr drive from Haridwar will take one to Rudraprayag which is generally the start point. From here one would raft past the Temple Rapids, the town of Srinagar, Maletha beach, Devprayag till one of the lower ghats. Besides rafting one the Badrinath temple, sited at a breathtaking altitude of 11,268 ft on the banks of the Alaknanda is surely the heaven within reach. Several thermal springs — Tapta Kund, Narad Kund and Surya Kund, associated with remedial and religious significance are also scattered around the region.

Binsar: Just 30kms from Almora, are the beautiful, quiet and peaceful Binsar in the Kumaon Hills, always ready to soothe the city jaded soul. Far from the maddening crowd that has invaded most of the hill stations in the north, one can safely head to Binsar for its scenic vistas and tranquil environs. Binsar is perched on top of the Jhandi Dhar hills and completely surrounded by dense forests. Oak, rhododendron, pine and deodar grow in abundance here, which not only refreshes but also gives the tired souls a mesmeric relief. Binsar is a wildlife sanctuary that may be termed as a goldmine for birdwatchers.

Chamba: Away from the din of Mussoorie, Chamba is a quiet getaway that offers 360 degree views of the Himalayas. Situated at an altitude of 1600m above sea level, this haven in the Garhwal Himalayas serves as a junction to the destinations located in the higher reaches. Best suited for those looking for a slice of nature and great views in peaceful environs, Chamba is the place to be. One can reach Chamba in about 7-8 hrs from Delhi via Hardwar, Rishikesh and Narendranagar. (Uttarakhand, 80 km from Dehradun)

Surajgarh: Situated in the Shekhawati region of Rajasthan, 150kms from Gurgaon, Surajgarh derives its name from the 18th century fortified Palace Surajgarh. The name literally means 'The Castle of The Sun'.

The fortified palace spread over 4 acres is lovingly restored and has been converted into a heritage hotel. There is plenty to do in Surajgarh. Visit painted havelis in the Shekhwati region known as an open-air art gallery. Kajra, famous of its havelis is just 5 kilometers away. Go shopping, as Surajgarh is famed for Laak bangles. Enjoy countryside views setting on a camel or cart.

Kuchaman - Around 145-km drive from Jaipur to the Nagaur district till Kuchaman covers strategic sites such as the white fields of marble in Makrana and Kishengarh – famed for it miniature paintings. The place is named after the Kuchaman fort, which used to be a popular trade route 1200 years back.Towering parapets, numerous balconies, ten gates, various defenses and its sheer vantage of height have made it one of the most formidable and unconquerable bastions through time. Besides the fort, the Sambar lake, the Meena Bazar and the bustling colorful people all over the streets are surely a traveler’s delight.

Gwalior - A historical city, lies around 320kms from Delhi. At the heart of Gwalior is its fortress – Gwalior Fort, built by Raja Man Singh Tomar, which is reputed to be the one of the most invincible forts of India. The fort is often refered as the Gibraltar of India overlooks the city. The new city consists of three large areas, called Lashkar, Morar and Gwalior. In the east of the city are two magnificent examples of early Mughal architecture. One is mausoleum of, 16th century Sufi saint Ghous Mohammed, and another is tomb of Mian Tansen, a great singer and one of the 'Nine Jewels' of Emperor Akbar's court, which are worth visits. If time permits, one could visit the grand Jai Vilas Palace, patterned on the style of the 'Palais de Versailles' in France combines Tuscan, Italian and Corinthian styles of architecture. Rich in cultural heritage and architectural marvels, Gwalior has the added advantage of it's proximity to Agra, the city of Taj Mahal, Khajuraho, the city of great temples and Delhi, the national capital.

So why wait, just pack your bags and get set go!