Pinjore - A weekend getaway from Delhi

Location: Panchkula district in Haryana

Distance: 270 km from Delhi

Popular As: Gateway to Himachal Pradesh

Pinjore Garden

Getting There –

By Train – Chandigarh railway station is the nearest railhead, 22 kms away. A number of express and superfast trains ply between Delhi and Chandigarh. From Chandigarh, you can either hire a taxi or travel by bus to reach Pinjore.  

By Road – From Delhi, take the NH 1 to Ambala. Further, hit the NH 21 to reach Zirakpur. Then, take a right onto Chandigarh – Kalka Highway (NH 22) to reach Pinjore. The driving time from Delhi to Pinjore is about seven hours. 

Overview – 

Pinjore is small town, lies in Panchkula district of Haryana. Due to its strategic location, on the Chandigarh – Kalka route, the town is often referred to as the ‘gateway to Himachal Pradesh’. Pinjore is situated in a picturesque valley, overlooking the Shivalik hills, at an altitude of above 1800 feet above the sea level. Far from the maddening crowd of the cities, the beautiful town is ideal for a relaxing vacation. Tourists flock the town to rejuvenate their mind and spirit, and experience the nature at its best. Pinjore is known world wide for the Mughal Gardens and tractor manufacturing unit of HMT Ltd. 

Don’t Miss – 

Visit the Mughal Gardens, the prime attraction of the town, especially at night, to enjoy delightful lighting and tranquil ambience. The terraced gardens at Pinjore, unlike other Mughal Gardens instead of ascending, descend and create a magical effect. The Sheesh Mahal built in the Rajasthani – Mughal style, Jal Mahal, Rang Mahal, along with a series of musical fountains and waterfalls, add to the charm of the gardens. While in Pinjore, do not miss to taste the delicious fruit chaat, prepared from the fresh fruits plucked from the gardens.

Pragpur - India’s first heritage village

Location: Kangra Valley of Himachal Pradesh

Distance: 430 km from Delhi

Popular As: India’s first heritage village’

Getting There –

By Train – Una Himachal railway station is the nearest railhead, at a distance of about 60 km. Himachal Express, an overnight train, run daily between Delhi and Una. The train departs from Delhi at 23.20 pm and reaches Una next day, at 7.50 in the morning. From Una, you have to reach Pragpur by road, approximately one and half hours away. 

By Road – From Delhi, drive on NH 1 till Phagwara via Ambala and Ludhiana. Then, switch onto the state road to reach Hoshiarpur. Further, NH 70 takes you to Gagret. From there, take the state road to reach Pragpur. The road trip from Delhi to Pragpur, should take around 10 hours. 

Overview – 

Renowned as ‘India’s first heritage village’, Pragpur is situated in Kangra Valley of Himachal Pradesh. Pragpur is beautiful hamlet in the Dhauladhar mountain ranges, thronged by visitors in large numbers for a relaxing weekend break. Bestowed with abundant greenery, the quaint village is a perfect eco-tourism destination. Pragpur is the home of the world famous Kangra School of painting. In addition to its serene beauty and magnificent views, the village is also known for its historic significance. It is said that world’s oldest ruling lineage comes from Pragpur. 

Don’t Miss – 

Pragpur is known for its traditional architecture. You can see a glimpse of the age old architecture, in the mud plastered and slate roofed houses, cobbled lanes and ornamental tanks, sprawling in the village. Interestingly, the water-tank at Pragpur is the centre of almost every activity of villagers. Take the leisurely walks across the village and nearby places, dotted with seasonal fruits and colourful flowers orchards. You can also enjoy fun-filled activities like angling and water sports. Other nearby attractions are Sidh Channo Temple (3 km), Chinour Temple (15 km), Kaleshwar Temple (20 km), Jwalamukhi Temple (21 km), Chintpurni Temple (20 km), Kangra Fort (45 km) and Dharamsala (65 km). 

Pokhran - the place of five mirages

Location: 110 km east of Jaisalmer, Pokhran

Distance: 730 kms from Delhi

Popular As: The place of five mirages

Getting There –

By Train – Pokhran railway station is situated on the Delhi – Jaisalmer route. The railway station is served by Delhi – Jaisalmer Express, running daily between Delhi and Jaisalmer.

By Road – From Delhi, proceed on NH 10 to reach Hisar. From there, take a left onto NH 65, leading to Fatehpur. Then, switch onto NH 11 and drive on the same road till Bikaner. Further, NH 15 takes you to Pokhran. The road trip from Delhi to Pokran should take around 16 hours.

Overview –

Located 110 km east of Jaisalmer, Pokhran also spelled Pokaran or Pokharan is a quaint weekend getaway. Literally meaning ‘the place of five mirages’, the town lies in the Great Indian Thar Desert. Despite its remote location, Pokhran is internationally renowned as the test site for India's first underground nuclear weapon detonation. On May 18, 1974, the town shot to international fame, when India successfully detonated its first nuclear weapon under project ‘Smiling Buddha’. Again after a gap of 24 years, on May 11 and May 13, 1998, India conducted five successful nuclear tests at Pokhran.

Don’t Miss –

Pokaran Fort is the landmark of the town. Built in the 16th century by Rao Maldeo, a Marwar Thakur (local chieftain), the fort is now a hotel. Also known as Balagarh, the magnificent fort houses exquisite palaces, namely Phool Niwas, Hawa Mahal, Rani Mahal and Mangal Niwas. Visit the museum, located inside the fort to see a fine collection of royal weapons, costumes, paintings, and pottery. Close to the fort are some marvellously carved sandstone chhatris (cenotaphs), belonging to the royal family. Also, visit the famous Baba Ramdeo Temple, situated at a distance of 15 km from Pokhran.

Phalodi - A weekend getaway off Jodhpur, Rajasthan

Location: Rajasthan

Distance: Around 140 km from Jodhpur, 670 km from Delhi

Popular For: Kalyan Raoji Temple

Getting There –

By Train – Phalodi railway station is located on the Delhi – Jaisalmer rail route. Delhi – Jaisalmer Express is the only train, running between Delhi and Jaisalmer daily. 

By Road – From Delhi, drive on NH 10 leading to Hisar. Proceed further, on NH 65 and switch onto NH 11 at Fatehpur to reach Bikaner. Then, take a right on NH 15 and drive straight to Phalodi. The road journey from Delhi to Phalodi, usually takes 15 hours. 

Overview – 

Situated in western Rajasthan, Phalodi is an excellent weekend getaway, about 140 km south of Jodhpur. The town enjoys a special place among the tourists, because of its strategic location, en-route to Jaisalmer (165 km west). In fact, Phalodi itself is home to a number of tourist attractions. Established in the 15th century, the historic town is known for its magnificent monuments, old temples and more. Phalodi serves as a major hub for commercial and industrial activities of the region. The town is also called the ‘Salt City’, due to presence of numerous salt manufacturing units.    

Don’t Miss – 

Kalyan Raoji Temple is major attraction of Phalodi, constructed in 1230 AD. The temple is famous for its stone epigraphic inscriptions, indicating existence of the old Phalodi town, called as ‘Vijay Nagar Patan’. Latiyal Devi Temple, Santinath Temple and Parsanth Jain Temple are other important temples. Hardly 5 km from Phalodi, Khichan is a must visit place, known for Siberian migratory birds ‘Kurja’. Take an excursion to see the temple of Pabhuji Maharaj, approximately 35 km away.

Nalagarh - A town of production units

Location: Himachal Pradesh

Distance: 300 km from Delhi, 60 km from Chandigarh

Popular for: production units for chemicals, threads and breweries

Getting There –

By Train – The nearest railhead is located at Chandigarh, approximately 60 km away. Chandigarh railway station is served by a number of express and superfast trains from Delhi. Taxis and bus services are available from Chandigarh to Nalagarh.  

By Road – From Delhi, drive on NH 1 up to Ambala. Further, take the NH 21 till Zirakpur and then switch onto NH 22 to reach Pinjore. From there, proceed on NH 21 A for about 30 km, and then take a right on the state road to reach Nalagarh. The road trip from Delhi to Nalagarh should take around eight hours. 

Overview – 

Nalagarh, also called Nawalgarh is a small town in the north Indian state of Himachal Pradesh. Founded by the Chandela Rajputs in 1100 AD, the town was a princely state during the British Raj. Set an altitude of 1,220 feet above sea level, Nalagarh draws tourists for a quiet weekend break, away from the maddening crowd of big cities. An industrial town, Nalagarh is also home to several production units of leather, steel, chemicals, threads and breweries.   

Don’t Miss – 

Nalagarh Fort is the prime attraction of the town, known for its excellent architecture and well-manicured lawns. Built in 1421 during the reign of Raja Bikram Chand, the magnificent fort is now functional as a heritage resort. Visit the fort to enjoy breathtaking views of Shivalik Hills and nearby areas. Nature walks along the forested trails is a must do recreational activity at Nalagarh. You may also visit Pinjore (35 km) en-route to Nalagarh, to see the famous Mughal Gardens. 

Nahan - A beautiful hill station in Himachal

Location: Himachal Pradesh

Distance: 265 km from Delhi

Popular As: Hill Station

Getting There –

By Train – Ambala Cantt Junction is the major railhead close to Nahan. The railway station is served by numerous express and superfast trains from Delhi. Further, you can hire a taxi to reach Nahan, approximately three hours away. Bus services are also available at regular intervals from Ambala to Nahan. 

By Road – From Delhi, take NH 1 to reach Ambala town. Further, switch onto NH 72 leading straight to Nahan. The road journey from Delhi to Nahan, usually takes seven hours. 

Overview – 

Nahan is a picturesque town, situated in the state of Himachal Pradesh. Perched on a hill atop the Shivalik Hills, the town is an ideal getaway for a weekend break. Set at an altitude of about 900 mtr, Nahan enjoys pleasant weather round the year. Established in 1621 by Raja Karan Prakash, the city has its connections with great saints and princes. A well-planned town, Nahan is known for a man-made lake, lush gardens and beautifully decorated temples. Nahan is also a good base to visit popular places such as Paonta Sahib (20 km), Suketi Fossil Park (21 km) and Trilokpur Temple (23 km).  

Don’t Miss – 

Leisure walks across the town and nearby places is a must do activity. The Mall Road is one of the favourite areas for walking, especially in the evening. Do some shopping at Mall Road. Visit the magnificent temples, colonial buildings and other interesting structures situated in and around the town. Kalisthan Temple, Jagannath Temple, Sanatan Dharm Temple and Lakshmi Narayan Temple are some of the famous temples. Other must visit places include Rosin and Turpentine factory, Ranital Tank and Garden, Pakka Tank and Nahan Foundry. You can also go fishing on the rivers and streams, flowing close to the town. 

Munsiyari - A Quaint Weekend Getaway from Delhi

Location: Kumaon Hill of Uttarakhan

Distance: 600 km from Delhi, 260 km from Kathgodam

Popular As: Hill Station

Getting There –

By Train – Kathgodam railway station, at a distance of 260 km, is the nearest rail head. Board the Ranikhet Express or Uttarakhand Sampark Kranti Express in Delhi to reach Kathgodam. Further, you have to travel by road to reach Munsiyari, approximately 10 hours away. 

By Road – From Delhi, drive on NH 24 till Rampur. Then, take a left onto NH 87 to reach Nainital, a convenient place to break your journey en-route. The road journey from Delhi to Nainital, should take around eight hours. Further, the state road via Almora and Bageshwar, takes you to Munsiyari, around 280 kms away.  

Overview – 

Munsiyari is a quaint weekend getaway in the Kumaon Hills of Uttarakhand. Situated at an altitude 2,200 mtr above sea level, the small hamlet serves as a starting point of thrilling treks into the inner ranges of the Himalayas. Munsiyari is set along the banks of Goriganga River, flanked by lofty snow capped peaks. Opened to visitors only a few years back, the town draws discerning travellers, nature lovers and adventure seekers from across the globe. A fast growing tourist destination, Munsiyari greets visitors with its unspoiled environs, verdant valleys and breathtaking views of the glaciers.

Don’t Miss – 

From Munisyari you can enjoy splendid views of the snowy Himalayas, including the famous Panchuli quintuplets, looking like five chimneys. Proceed on leisurely walks along the exciting trek routes, leading to Milam, Ralan and Namik glaciers. Remember, you require inner line trekking permits before starting your expeditions. While trekking along the Munsiyari jungles, you can see vast range of mountain birds and animals. You can also enjoy river rafting on the Goriganga River and skiing on the higher slopes of Khaliatop and Betulidhar. Madkote (22km), Birthi Falls (31 km) and Jaulijibi (66 km) are other must visit places around Munsiyari. 

Moradabad - An Industrial City of Uttar Pradesh

Location: Uttar Pradesh

Distance: 165 km from Delhi 

Popular as: Industrial City of Uttar Pradesh 

Getting There –

By Train – Moradabad railway station is an important railhead of the Northern Railways. Several express and superfast trains connect Moradabad to Delhi. 

By Road – NH 24 connects Delhi directly to Moradabad. From Delhi, drive on NH 24 to Ghaziabad. Drive further on the same road to reach Moradabad, crossing Hapur, Gurumuteshwar and Gajraula en-route. The driving time from Delhi to Moradabad is approximately four hours. 

Overview – 

Moradabad is an industrial city of Uttar Pradesh, located 165 km from New Delhi. Situated on the bank of Ram Ganga River, the city is popularly known as ‘Peetal Nagri’ (Brass City). Moradabad is famous world over for massive export of brass handicrafts, especially to North America and many European countries. One of the important commercial centres of the country, the city is dotted with numerous big and small brass factories. A historic town, Moradabad was established in 1600 by Murad Baksh, the youngest son of Mughal Emperor Shahjahan.

Don’t Miss – 

While visiting Moradabad, don’t forget to buy brass items such as jewellery, pots and trophies. You can also buy impressive metal wares, glass wares and aluminium artworks. Visit the Metal World, an exclusive showroom of metal handicrafts. Prem Wonder Land and Water Kingdom are other interesting places, to indulge in adventure and amusement activities.    

Mohali - The Satellite City of Chandigarh

Location: Punjab, adjacent to Chandigarh

Distance: 252 km from Delhi

Popular as: Satellite City of Chandigarh

Popular for: International Cricket Stadium

Getting There –

By Air – The nearest airport is located in Chandigarh, at a distance of 10 km. Flights of Jet Airways, Air India and Kingfisher operate daily between Delhi and Chandigarh.

By Train – Chandigarh railway station, about 14 km away, is the nearest railhead from Mohali. Shatabdi Express, Himalayan Queen Express, Paschim Express and Howrah – Kalka Mail connect Delhi to Chandigarh. From Chandigarh railway station, you can hire a taxi or auto-rickshaw to reach Mohali.

By Road – From Delhi, take NH 1 to reach Ambala via Panipat and Karnal. Further, switch onto NH 21 and drive straight to reach Mohali via Zirakpur. The road trip from Delhi to Mohali should take around six hours.

Overview –

Mohali is a major city of Punjab, located adjacent to the state capital Chandigarh. The satellite city along with Chandigarh and Panchukla also constitute the ‘Chandigarh Tricity’. Mohali is renowned for housing the PCA (Punjab Cricket Association) Stadium, an international stadium equipped with world class facilities. Visitors throng the city in large numbers, especially to see international cricket matches organised at the PCA Stadium. In addition, Mohali also serves as an excellent base to visit Chandigarh, home to several well-laid gardens, museums, shopping centres and much more.

Don’t Miss –

The massive PCA Stadium is one of the major attractions of Mohali. The stadium organises international as well as domestic cricket matches at frequent intervals. Most of the tourist attractions are located in nearby cities of Chandigarh and Panchkula. Some of the popular attractions around Mohali are Sukhna Lake (Chandigarh), Rock Garden (Chandigarh), Rose Garden (Chandigarh), Arts Museum (Chandigarh), Vatika Gardens (Panchkula) and Nada Sahib Gurdwara (Panchkula). Visit the commercial centre at Sector 17 in Chandigarh, for exciting shopping and eating experiences. 

Malshej Ghat - A weekend getaway from Mumbai & Pune

Location: Maharasthra

Distance: From Mumbai – 150 km, From Pune – 120 km

Popular As: Hill Station

Getting There –

By Train – Kalyan railway station, at a distance of 60 km, is the nearest railhead from Malshej Ghat. From Kalyan, taxi, bus and auto-rickshaw services are available to Malshej Ghat at regular intervals. 

By Road – From Mumbai, drive on NH 3 close to Bhiwandi. Then, take a right onto State Highway to reach Malshej Ghat via Kalyan, Murbad and Saralgaon. The road trip from Mumbai to Malshej Ghat should take around three hours. 

Overview – Malshej Ghat is a little known hill station of Maharashtra, located close to Mumbai and Pune. Set amidst the lofty rugged hills of the Western Ghat ranges, the hill station greets the visitors with its pristine natural environs, hazy tops and ice cold cascades. Tourists throng the hill station in large number, especially during monsoon (July to September) to enjoy the mesmerising views of the heavy fog, deep valleys, amazing waterfalls and beautiful surroundings. Malshej Ghat is also home to huge varieties of flora and fauna, including the interesting avian population. 

Don’t Miss – Malshej Ghat is a paradise for avid trekkers and hikers. The rolling hills provide some never before experience to adventure enthusiasts. Scale the mystic peaks covered with dense fog or explore the thrilling trek routes leading to the waterfalls and other exciting places in the region. Visit the Shivneri Fort (the birthplace of Shivaji), Harishchandragad and other forts located in the vicinity. Take an excursion to nearby Khireshwar village famous for Siberian Hemingo birds, flock the place every year between July and September.