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If you live in Delhi or NCR, you already know this feeling well—the urge to escape, but without the drama of airports, crowds, or overbooked hill stations. A Delhi weekend getaway doesn’t have to mean sitting in traffic all the way to a place that looks better on Instagram than in real life. Sometimes, the best breaks are closer, quieter, and still deeply rewarding.

This guide is built for explorers who want slow travel, meaningful landscapes, and places that haven’t been turned into full-blown tourist factories yet. Whether you’re looking for a 1–2 night reset or planning a long weekend of 3 nights, these destinations strike the right balance between accessibility and authenticity.

Below are 10 handpicked destinations near Delhi, split into:

• 5 places for a short 1–2 night stay
• 5 places ideal for a long weekend (3 nights)

Each destination covers what makes it special, what you can do there, and how to reach it—so you can actually plan, not just read. If you’ve been searching for a Delhi weekend getaway that feels fresh, this guide is for you.

Short Breaks: 1–2 Night Delhi Weekend Getaway Options

These places are close enough for a relaxed drive and perfect if you want to leave Friday evening and be back by Sunday without feeling rushed. Ideal for couples, solo travelers, and working professionals.

1. PANGOT, UTTARAKHAND

Pangot is one of those rare places that still feels untouched despite being close to Nainital. Dense oak and rhododendron forests surround this quiet hamlet, making it a peaceful Delhi weekend getaway for nature lovers who prefer silence over sightseeing lists.

What makes Pangot special is its birdlife. Over 250 species have been spotted here, including Himalayan griffons and colourful flycatchers. Mornings are slow, misty, and meant for long walks rather than rushing out with an itinerary.

What you can do at Pangot for your Delhi weekend getaway:

• Early morning forest walks and birdwatching
• Sit by the valley-facing cafés and read or journal
• Short hikes to nearby forest clearings
• Do absolutely nothing—and enjoy it

Distance from Delhi: ~320 km

How to reach Pangot from Delhi

By road: Delhi → Kathgodam → Nainital → Pangot (approx. 7–8 hours total)

By train: Train to Kathgodam, then a 1.5-hour taxi

By bus: Delhi to Nainital, then local taxi

2. KANATAL, UTTARAKHAND

Kanatal quietly sits above the better-known hill towns of Dehradun and Mussoorie, offering wide Himalayan views without the crowds. It’s an excellent weekend getaway near Delhi if you want mountains without noise. Unlike commercial hill stations, Kanatal still feels rural. You’ll see apple orchards, local homes, and open skies instead of neon signboards. Evenings are cold, quiet, and best spent around a bonfire.

What you can do here at Kanatal for Delhi weekend getaway

• Walk through village trails and forest paths
• Visit Surkanda Devi early morning (before crowds)
• Stargazing on clear nights
• Short nature hikes and slow photography

Distance from Delhi: ~330 km

How to reach Kanatal

By road: Delhi → Mussoorie → Kanatal (approx. 8 hours)

By train: Train to Dehradun, then taxi (3 hours)

By bus: Delhi to Dehradun, then taxi

3. MANDAWA, RAJASTHAN

Mandawa is often skipped in favour of louder Rajasthani cities, which is exactly why it works as a quiet Delhi weekend getaway. This Shekhawati town is known for its faded frescoes, havelis, and slow desert pace. Walking through Mandawa feels like stepping into a living museum. There’s no rush, no checklist—just stories painted on walls and empty streets that invite wandering. One of the best places for weekend trips around Delhi is far away from the crowded mountains!

What you can do here at Mandawa for your Delhi weekend getaway

• Explore heritage havelis and old frescoes
• Walk through local markets without crowds
• Sunset views from Mandawa Fort
• Heritage photography and cultural exploration

Distance from Delhi: ~240 km

How to reach Mandawa

By road: Delhi → Mandawa (approx. 5–6 hours)

By train: Train to Jhunjhunu, then taxi

By bus: Delhi to Jhunjhunu, onward taxi

Also Read: Top 10: Best Offbeat Places to Visit in Rajasthan in 2026

4. BIR, HIMACHAL PRADESH

Bir works perfectly as a Delhi weekend getaway when you want mountains, movement, and calm—without committing to a long journey. The village has a grounded energy, shaped by Tibetan culture, monasteries, and slow cafés rather than loud tourist attractions. One of the most popular places near Delhi for the weekend.

Two nights are enough to experience Bir properly. Days are for open skies and short hikes, while evenings are best spent walking through upper Bir villages or sitting quietly with views of the Dhauladhar range. It’s an easy weekend getaway near Delhi that doesn’t feel rushed or overdone.

What you can do/experience at Bir for your Delhi weekend getaway

• Paragliding from Billing (optional, not mandatory)
• Visit monasteries and learn about Tibetan settlement life
• Short forest walks and café hopping in Upper Bir
• Sunrise and sunset views with minimal crowds

Distance from Delhi ~460 km

How to reach Bir

By road: Delhi → Bir (approx. 10–11 hours)

By bus: Overnight Volvo to Bir Road.

Long Weekend Escapes: 3-Night Trips for Delhi weekend getaway

If you have an extended weekend or can take one day off, these destinations are worth the extra travel time. These destinations near Delhi for weekend travel reward you with deeper experiences and fewer people.

5. PABBAR VALLEY, HIMACHAL PRADESH

Pabbar Valley feels like Himachal before tourism took over. Apple orchards, wooden homes, and a flowing river make it a deeply immersive getaway close to Delhi option for long weekends.

What you can do here at Pabbar for your Delhi weekend getaway

• Riverside walks and picnics
• Apple orchard exploration (seasonal)
• Photography and cultural immersion
• Long scenic drives

Distance from Delhi: ~430 km

How to reach

By road: Delhi → Rohru → Pabbar Valley (approx. 12 hours)

By train: Train to Shimla, then taxi

6. TONS VALLEY, UTTARAKHAND

Tons Valley feels raw and old-world, far removed from mass tourism. Villages here still revolve around farming, forest life, and the river. It’s a strong choice for travelers looking for getaways near Delhi NCR that feel untouched and immersive.

The landscape is dramatic yet calming—perfect for long walks, conversations with locals, and staying offline. Fun fact: Tons is the largest tributary of the Yamuna River.

What you can do/experience at Tons for your Delhi weekend getaway

• Riverside walks along the Tons River
• Hikes and Treks
• Explore traditional mountain villages
• Forest hikes and quiet picnics
• Slow living with minimal connectivity

Distance from Delhi: ~400 km

How to reach

By road: Delhi → Purola → Tons Valley (12–13 hours)

By train: Train to Dehradun, then taxi

7. Naukuchiatal Hinterland, Uttarakhand

Instead of staying right by the lake, explore the villages around Naukuchiatal. This turns it into a meaningful getaway around Delhi, away from the usual crowd clusters.

The area offers lakes, forests, and village trails—ideal for travelers who want nature without long travel days.

What you can do/experience 

• Lake walks during non-peak hours
• Village trails and forest edges
• Kayaking or paddling (seasonal)
• Slow cafés and quiet stays

Distance from Delhi: ~330 km

How to reach

By road: Delhi → Bhimtal → nearby villages (7–8 hours)

By train: Train to Kathgodam, then taxi

8. KANGRA VALLEY, HIMACHAL PRADESH

Instead of treating Kangra as a stopover, staying within the valley reveals a completely different Himachal—wide open landscapes, monasteries, old villages, and a strong cultural layer. It’s a rewarding Delhi weekend getaway when stretched into a long break.

What you can do/experience

Explore villages around Dharamshala without staying in town
Visit lesser-known monasteries and heritage temples
Walk through tea gardens and countryside roads
Local cafés, slow meals, cultural immersion

Distance from Delhi: ~470 km

How to reach Kangra

By road: Delhi → Kangra Valley (9–10 hours)
By train: Train to Pathankot, then taxi
By bus: Overnight Volvo to Dharamshala/Kangra

9. CHAKRATA, UTTARAKHAND

Chakrata is one of the few hill destinations near Delhi that has managed to stay quiet. As a former cantonment town, it grew without tourist infrastructure, which is exactly why it works as a grounded Delhi weekend getaway. Instead of markets and viewpoints packed with people, you’ll find forest roads, empty trails, and long stretches of silence.

What you can do/experience

• Forest walks around the Deoban and Lokhandi areas
• Visit Tiger Falls early in the morning (avoid peak hours)
• Explore lesser-known village roads beyond the main market
• Slow mornings, foggy evenings, zero nightlife

Distance from Delhi: ~320 km

How to reach Chakrata

By road: Delhi → Dehradun → Chakrata (8–9 hours)

By train: Train to Dehradun, then taxi

By bus: Delhi to Dehradun, onward local transport

10. BAROT VALLEY, HIMACHAL PRADESH

Barot’s trout zone sits quietly along the Uhl River, far from the noise of typical hill stations. As a Delhi weekend getaway extended into three nights, Barot works best when you slow down and stay close to the river. The village feels functional and lived-in—anglers, forest rest houses, wooden bridges, and long silences define the place. This is an ideal pick for travelers looking for getaways near Delhi NCR that are grounded, affordable, and uncurated.

What you can do/experience

• Trout fishing (with permits, seasonal)
• Riverside walks along the Uhl River
• Explore nearby forest trails toward Nargu Wildlife Sanctuary
• Village walks, reading, journaling, digital detox

Distance from Delhi: ~470 km

How to reach Barot

By road: Delhi → Mandi → Barot (11–12 hours)

By train: Train to Pathankot or Joginder Nagar, then taxi

By bus: Delhi to Mandi, then local bus/taxi to Barot

BONUS: Dungarpur – Banswara Belt, Rajasthan (for long weekend getaways)

Southern Rajasthan feels very different from the desert image most people associate with the state, and the Dungarpur–Banswara belt is the best example of that contrast. Rolling hills, forests, lakes, and tribal villages define this region, making it a refreshing Delhi weekend getaway for travelers who want culture and nature without crowds.

What truly sets this belt apart is water. During and just after the monsoon, seasonal rivers swell, and waterfalls emerge across the landscape, earning Banswara its local reputation as a greener, river-fed part of Rajasthan. Unlike commercial waterfall destinations, these remain raw, local, and lightly visited—often discovered via village roads rather than signboards.

What you can do/experience 

• Explore tribal villages and weekly local markets
• Visit heritage sites like Udai Bilas Palace and old stepwells
• Slow drives through forested Aravalli stretches
• Walk along lakes and seasonal riverbanks
• Monsoon travel photography and landscape exploration

This region works particularly well as a getaway around Delhi when you want something culturally rich but visually unexpected—neither hill station nor desert cliché.

Distance from Delhi: ~780 km

How to reach Dungarpur – Banswara

By road: Delhi → Udaipur → Dungarpur/Banswara (10–11 hours)

By train: Train to Udaipur, then 2–3 hours by road

By bus: Delhi to Udaipur, onward local buses or taxis

Delhi weekend getaway: 5 short and 5 long weekend trips!

A Delhi weekend getaway doesn’t have to mean crowded hill stations, overbooked cafés, or ticking off the same places everyone else is visiting. Just a few hours away from the city, there are quieter valleys, forested belts, heritage towns, and slow landscapes that still feel untouched. These are places where the pace naturally slows down, where mornings begin with walks instead of traffic, and where experiences matter more than checklists.

At Explurger, we are here to help you find the best destinations that suit your travel interests. Need proof? Check out our travel AI, NiVU, which can help you with everything from destination picking to packing ideas, itineraries, and much more!

FAQs About Delhi Weekend Getaway