The time between the departure of Dussehra and the arrival of Diwali is considered to be the most beautiful period of the year. During this period in North India, neither scorching heat nor bitter cold is felt. Mild pink chill, clear blue sky and pleasant breeze invite everyone to get out of the house and go on a beautiful journey. If you want to take a break for a few days from the hustle and bustle, heavy traffic and pollution-filled life of Delhi-NCR and spend some moments of peace with family or friends, then this season is most suitable for a weekend trip. The geographical location of the capital Delhi is such that in just 3 to 6 hours' drive from here you can reach amidst high mountains, historical forts, calm lakes and dense forests. To make your festive season holidays special, you do not need to go far or take long flights. Pick up the keys to your car and head towards these 5 magical places located around Delhi, whose experiences will remain fresh in your memories forever. Lansdowne: A picturesque place of calm valleys and pine forests of Garhwal. If you like the peace of the mountains, dense pine-deodar forests and the calm atmosphere of the British era, then Lansdowne of Uttarakhand should be your first choice. Located at a distance of about 250 kilometers from Delhi, this beautiful hill station can be reached in just 5 to 6 hours via Kotdwar. Lansdowne is still largely untouched by the commercial glamor of big and crowded hill stations like Shimla or Mussoorie, making it a paradise for tourists seeking peace. The mornings in Lansdowne during this season are filled with light mist and fresh air. Here you can enjoy a serene boat ride in the Bhulla Tal Lake, view the snow-clad Himalayan peaks from a tip-in-top and visit the historic Regimental Museum of the Garhwal Rifles. Walking on the quiet paths between St. John's Church and the forests brings immense peace to the mind. Due to its proximity to Delhi, it is the most economical and best hill station for a short trip of two to three days. Neemrana: A wonderful confluence of royal grandeur and heritage in the Aravalli hills. If you are a fan of history, grand architecture and royal grandeur, then Neemrana, located on the Delhi-Jaipur Highway (NH-48), is the most suitable weekend getaway for you. This historical town, situated at a distance of only 120 kilometers from Delhi, can be reached in hardly two and a half to three hours. Neemrana Fort Palace, built in the 15th century, is spread in a terraced manner on the Aravalli hills, whose evenings bathed in golden light look very magical. This time between Dussehra and Diwali is the most suitable time to visit Neemrana because the heat of the scorching sun has ended. Heritage walks, traditional folk dance and music performances of Rajasthan, and vintage car rides can be enjoyed in the Fort complex. For adventure lovers, India's most exciting zip-line (Flying Fox) is available here, from where you can see a bird's eye view of the entire fort and hills. Apart from this, the 9 storey deep historical stepwell of Neemrana also surprises the tourists with its architecture. Bharatpur Keoladeo National Park: A paradise for bird lovers and nature lovers, Bharatpur's Keoladeo National Park (formerly Bharatpur Bird Sanctuary), located at the gateway to Rajasthan, is a world famous destination included in the UNESCO World Heritage List. You can reach here in 4 hours by traveling about 220 kilometers from Delhi via Yamuna Expressway and Agra-Jaipur route. The month of October is very special for this national park because at this time, migratory birds start camping here after traveling thousands of kilometers from Siberia, Central Asia and Europe. The biggest attraction of this sanctuary is that the entry of polluting motor vehicles is completely prohibited here. You can explore the serene surroundings within the park by renting a bicycle or taking a rickshaw driven by a local trained guide. Capturing the rare storks, pelicans, ducks and colorful kingfishers swimming in the calm water bodies is an unforgettable experience. To attain mental peace by staying close to nature, Delhi hardly has any better option than Bharatpur. Morni Hills: Haryana's only hill station where unique peace resides. Most of the people of Delhi go straight to Himachal or Uttarakhand for the mountains, but very few people know that 'Morni Hills' located in Panchkula district of Haryana is a hidden gem. Located about 260 kilometers from Delhi, this quiet hilly area is situated in the Shivalik hills near Chandigarh. Driving on the National Highway from Delhi via Kurukshetra and Ambala, you can reach the winding green valleys of Morni Hills in 5 hours. Morni Hills is situated at an altitude of about 1200 meters above sea level, due to which the weather here remains very pleasant and refreshing in the month of October. The 'Tikkar Tal' here are two beautiful natural lakes connected to each other, where you can enjoy boating, paragliding and camping. Morni Fort, adventure park and small trekking trails make it a perfect holiday destination for both children and youth. The peace and less crowd here completely separates you from the noise of the city. Sohna and Damdama Lake: A Relaxing Rural and Adventure Trip on the Border of Gurgaon If you have limited time of only a day or two and don't want to do too much driving, then Damdama Lake and Sohna, located just 50 to 60 kilometers from Delhi, is an ideal option. Damdama Lake, situated in the foothills of Aravali, is one of the largest natural lakes of Haryana. For residents of Delhi, Noida and Gurgaon, this place makes for a quick and stress-free weekend outing. During this season of October, many excellent luxury and rural themed resorts are active around the lake, where you can enjoy the rural surroundings, traditional Haryanvi food and folk music. There are plenty of adventure activities available here like rock climbing, rappelling, archery, paintball and ATV rides. Apart from this, the historical sulphur-rich hot water springs (Garam Kund) of Sohna are also worth seeing, the water of which is considered to have medicinal properties. This one day trip is enough to recharge your energy amidst the busyness of Diwali preparations.
