5 Last minute holiday gateways from Delhi

We people working in metropolitan cities live our live with a speed of 6G. No wonder we are always short of time & need everything last minute. Last minute presentation, food, movie & even our holidays.

So to ease your last minute travel plan pain, here is a list of 5 places which you can plan last minute with your friends or family for 2-3 days. Although these places are quite accessible via road but they are also well connected with railway network too. Also if you don't have your own conveyance then you can always go for bus. Since these places are quite near, there are N no. of buses running on these routes daily taking 5-7 hrs time. So its up to you whether you wana drive or wana take bus or train, all options are open. 

1. HARIDWAR & RISHIKESH

Pic Credit: Easemytrip

Sometimes when we are exhausted from our hectic daily work routine and desperately look for a break, either we search for a holiday in hills or look forward to enjoy on a beach and if not these things then just relaxation at an extremely nice 5 star property but none of these things can be compared to the peace & inner joy you'll experience while sitting at the Ghat of Har Ki Pauri & enjoying the magnificent Ganga Arti. Haridwar is one of the most famous Hindu pilgrimage site, situated in the state of Uttarakhand. While you are in Haridwar you can visit the famous temples there like Mansa Devi & Chandika Devi. You will also be able to enjoy the rope way or as they call it Udan Khatola in their local language. You can also visit Rishikesh one day. Rishikesh is also famous for its camping & river rafting.

• Distance: 220 km
• Travel Time: 4-5 hrs 
• How to Reach: Either you can drive to Haridwar from Delhi or can opt for bus service. There are also many direct trains available to Haridwar from Delhi. 
• Best Time to visit: Throughout the year except rainy season. Summers are considered as the best time to visit. March-June, Sep-Nov.
• Where to stay: You will get multiple options for stay in all budget range. Few people prefer hotels near Har ki pauri as the Ghat, Mansa Devi Temple & local market will be nearby & conveniently accessible while few look for good hotels/resorts in the outskirts area. In premium range you can check Haveli Hari Ganga & Ganga Lahari. In budget range Hotel Chitra Grand, La Casa Hotel & Alpana Hotel.  
• Days required: 1-2 Days. Keep one day for Haridwar & enjoy Ganga Arti in the evening at Har Ki Pauri. Next day you can cover Rishikesh.

2. AGRA & MATHURA

Pic Credit: OYO Rooms

Agra is a place which needs no introduction. It is worldwide famous for Taj Mahal - one of the seven wonders of world. Visiting Taj Mahal is a delight and later one can visit the Agra Fort & admire its architecture. Generally Agra needs only one day time but if we have more than a day then there is no better option that visiting Mathura too. While Agra showcase the glorified era of Mughal Empire, Mathura takes you to the lane of Hindu culture & spirituality. Beautiful temples of Radha Krishna are enchanting. Where Agra is famous for its Petha, Mathura is known for its Peda.

Pic Credit: Indian Travel Waves

• Distance: 235 km
• Travel Time: 3-4 hrs 
• How to Reach: Thanks to Agra Expressway it is just 3 hrs drive from Delhi. You can also opt bus & train if not travelling by your own conveyance. 
• Best Time to visit: November-March. Winter is the best season as during summer the place is quite hot.
• Where to stay: In Agra you will get multiple options for stay in all budget range. Jaypee, Hilton, Radisson, Trident are one of the best options in 5 Star category but one can also check Hotel Parador, Seven Hills Tower, Panna Paradise & Taj Villa in budget category. 
• Days required: 2-3 Days. You can keep 1 day for Agra, 1 day for Mathura & 1 day to explore Vrindawan or Fatehpur Sikri.

3. JAIPUR

Pic Credit: Empire Tours & Travels

Jaipur is a city of rich culture & heritage. It is famous for its beautiful forts, antique jewellery & vibrant colour clothes & shoes. Their special quilt, also known as Jaipuri Razai or 100gm razai is also a not to miss thing when you are visiting Jaipur.

• Distance: 280 km
• Travel Time: 4-5 hrs 
• How to Reach: Easily accessible via road & railway both. You can either take early morning train or opt for overnight journey.
• Best Time to visit: November-February. Winter is the best season to visit Jaipur as during summer the place is quite hot & makes it difficult to visit forts & other tourist spots. 
• Where to stay: Jaipur not only offers you a variety of 5 star hotels & heritage palace properties for stay like ITC Rajputana, The Lalit, Hilton, Radisson Blu, Rambagh Palace etc but also good reasonable hotels like Hotel Ashok Palace, Hotel Krishna etc. During peak season it is recommended to do a prior booking. 
• Days required: 2-3 Days. You can keep 1 day for Jaipur sightseeing, 1 day for local market & Chokhi Dhani & 1 day to explore Ajmer & Pushkar as they are quite near to Jaipur.

4. NAINITAL

Pic Credit: navuttarakhand.com

Nainital truly present the meaning of its name. Located in the Kumaon foothills, it is a district of Uttarakhand and known as one of the most beautiful hill station in India but topping of the cake is its various lakes with which it is surrounded. It is known for its beautiful lakes, boarding schools, unique candles in various shapes & special sweets. You can take a walk on the mall road, enjoy the boating at Naini lake or get yourself indulged in shopping at Tibetan Market. 

• Distance: 300 km
• Travel Time: 7 hrs 
• How to Reach: Easily accessible via road & railway both. You can travel via train till Kathgodam station & can take a cab from Kathgodam to Nainital or you travel by your own conveyance. If you are looking for bus then also you have no.of buses available which leaves Delhi (Anand Vihar) in the evening & reach Nainital in the morning. 
• Best Time to visit: April-June, Sep-Nov, Dec-Feb. Summer is the best time but since it is a peak season so it also becomes quite crowded. Winters too bring a new charm to it with white snow making it a Narnia of India but there is also a chance of landsliding that time. Rainy season is not very much advisable.
• Where to stay: There are various hotels & resorts available at Nainital for every budget. Its up to you whether you want to live near mall road & have a lake view room or you are looking for solace & want to stay in a resort at Bhimtal or Sattal. You will find most of the resorts & 5 star properties at the outskirts of Nainital. The Manu Maharani Hotel, The Naini Retreat, The Earl's Court are few of the famous hotels at mall road area.
• Days required: 2-3 Days. You can keep 1-2 day for relaxing and exploring local Nainital and its nearby places like Bhimtal, Naukuchiatal, Satal, Ghorakhal Temple & can visit Corbett National Park one day. 

5. SHIMLA

Pic Credit: NewsPatrolling.com

Shimla is one of the most beautiful & famous hill destination of India. Its well connectivity from Delhi makes it a perfect weekend gateway. Its alluring beauty attracts tourist from all over the country every year. You can either book a cab to take a day tour of Shimla & its nearby places like Kufri & Naldhera or you can just take a carefree walk at Mall road to the Ridge & Jakhoo temple & enjoy its natural beauty.

• Distance: 340 Km 
• Travel Time: 7-8 hrs 
• How to Reach: Easily accessible via road. Delhi-Shimla highway is fully functional & safe for driving or you can opt train from Delhi to Kalka & cab from Kalka to Shimla. If you are visiting Shimla for the first time then I would suggest to go for Toy-Train which itself is a unique experience and is a world's heritage.
• Best Time to visit: April-June, Sep-Nov. Summer is the best time but since it is a peak season so it also becomes quite crowded. People also visit Shimla during winters to experience snow & get indulge in various adventure activities like skiing. Rains too bring an extreme green beauty to Shimla but they are quite unpredictable so that time is not very much advisable.
• Where to stay: Shimla offers you all kinds of stay be it a 5 star property like Radisson, Oberoi or a budget hotel. During peak season it is recommended to do a prior booking. 
• Days required: 2-3 Days. You can easily cover major tourist points in shimla in 2 day & can keep 1 day for Kufri or Naldhera.

Hope it helps you in planning your next last minute trip from Delhi. Do share your ideas in the comments section below.