So, this all started last weekend, when a few of my best friends came to meet me and visit Agra for a 2-3 days trip. Although I’m a resident of Agra, I again explored another unexplored part of this historic city with my friends.

We visited many popular monuments and places in the city such as The Taj Mahal, Agra Fort, Guru Ka Taal Gurudwara and Fatehpur Sikri.

Then I thought about why not to visit Bharatpur Bird Sanctuary, which is located at a distance of around 55 Km from the centre of the city. Though neither of us has photography or bird watching as a hobby, still we made our mind to visit here.

But after visiting there, we realised that there are some things which we missed out and I don’t want you people, to make the same mistakes. Well, before discussing these points, let’s have a look at a suitable time to visit here.

Things You Should Know Before You Visit Bharatpur Bird Sanctuary

Below are some enlisted points I would like you to know about before visiting here:

1. Reach As Early As Possible

The bird sanctuary opens with the sunrise and closes with sunset. Although you can make entry at any time, but as per my personal experience I would recommend you to visit it as early as possible.

You should reach here maximum by 9:00 or 9:30 AM IST, especially on the weekends, otherwise, you might face some difficulty.

If you get late, you might not be able to rent a cycle or hire a rickshaw, as the services are available on the first come first serve basis. This happens on weekends due to the limited number of transportation mode and at the same time a comparatively higher number of visitors.

2. Must Carry Good Quality Binoculars

If you love watching birds, then you cannot afford to forget carrying good quality binoculars with you. Trust me, most of the birds would be sitting a little far from what your naked eyes can see.

And obviously, if you are coming to a bird sanctuary for bird watching, then binoculars is a must-have thing inside your bag.

3. DSLR Camera With Zoom Lenses

I don’t personally own any DSLR or a high-end camera, but I can definitely say that if you wanna capture the birds with you, then you should carry a camera with the lenses which are able to capture the far object clearly.

I did the mistake of assuming that my mobile camera is good enough to take some pictures. But it really didn’t work.

4. Renting Cycle Is Cheapest & Adventurous

I would highly recommend you to rent a cycle, as they are the cheapest way to explore the sanctuary inside. Otherwise you may opt for a rickshaw with the driver, but this may cost a little more.

The cycle costs around INR 50 for 3 hours, while a rickshaw will costs around INR 150 per hour for 2 people.

It really depends on you, whether you want comfort while enjoying watching birds, or you wanna ride on your own.

5. Do Not Opt For A Walk

Do not, I repeat, do not opt for a walk, if you want to explore the whole bird sanctuary. The distance is of around 5.5 Kms one way.

As discussed, in the last point, try to rent/hire some mode of transport inside the sanctuary. Otherwise, if you walk you’ll soon get really tired and gonna spoil your mood.

And don’t forget to reach at the sanctuary early, otherwise the only option you will be left with is nothing but to walk.

6. Carry Student ID For Cheap Ticket (For Students)

Some good news for students! Students with a valid student ID proof will get tickets for a very cheaper rate than usual.

This is because the government want the youth to be aware about the nature and develops the student’s interest and knowledge.

By carrying a valid proof, you can save a good amount of money on the tickets. *The rate card is given below.

7. Don’t Forget To Carry Light Snacks & Water Bottle

This is the most common yet useful point. It is always preferred to carry a water bottle with you while you are coming to visit here.

Also, to enjoy your visit, you may carry some packaged chips and other stuff with yourself and consume them in between your way.

Bharatpur Bird Sanctuary – Ticket Price / Rate Card

Please do refer the rate card/ticket price list given below, to calculate the estimated cost you would incur here.

Final Words – Bharatpur Bird Sanctuary

In the end, I would like to recommend the place to visit once if you’re fond of bird watching or bird photography. Otherwise, you might get bored. Do keep the above mentioned 7 points in mind before visiting here.

I hope you liked the article and are ready to be here and enjoy the place. Do share your view in the comment section below.

Don’t forget to follow me on Facebook and Instagram. In case of any updates/queries, you can contact me here or DM me on the given Instagram handle.

Keep Gliding!

The post 7 Things To Know Before You Visit Bharatpur Bird Sanctuary appeared first on Breath Gliding.

G B Pant High Altitude Zoo, also known as Nainital Zoo, is one of the main attractions of this beautiful hill station Nainital. It is situated on the Sher Ka Danda hill located in Nainital. It is also one of the favourite tourist spots in Uttarakhand.

The Zoo has different kinds of animals and birds. Animals such as Royal Bengal tiger, Himalayan bear, Leopard cat, Tibetan wolves, etc. and birds such as kalij pheasant, rose-ringed parakeet, red junglefowl, golden pheasant, etc.

Ticket Price/Entry fee of Nainital Zoo

The ticket price or entry fee is given below:

Nainital Zoo Timing

How To Reach Nainital Zoo?

Nainital Zoo is 1.6 km away from the very famous Mall road and 1.9 km away from Nainital (Tallital) bus stand.

One can either walk uphill towards the zoo, hire a shared taxi at a reasonable cost or hire a two-wheeler on rent for a day.

However, when I visited Nainital, I took a bike on rent for a day. As on that day, I visited the zoo, eco cave garden and went for paragliding. Hence, it was economical for me to take a bike on rent.

To reach Nainital, you may check out my another post on How I reached Delhi to Nainital in Rs.175 only (Train+Bus)

Nainital Zoo Review

Pros

• Location of the zoo is nearby the Mall road
• The zoo is well maintained and very neat & clean
• The top-view from the zoo is amazing
• All the animals are in good condition
• Toilet facilities are available

Cons

• If a person has some sort of joint pain in legs, then this place is not advisable as it is located in a hilly area
• The sharing taxi service available there overloads the taxi with so many people, which I felt quite suffocating and risky

Nainital Zoo Photo Gallery/Images

Final Words For The Place

At last, I would like to say that this is a fantastic place with a variety of animals and birds to see. Here you’ll get to know more about these animals and birds by carefully observing them. The zoo is very neat and clean.

Hence, as per my opinion, it is a must-visit place if you’re going to Nainital. Also, comment down below with a ‘YES’ if you’re going to visit this place.

I hope I have resolves all your queries related to this place. If there is any edit, suggestion or query, feel free to contact me here. You may follow me on Facebook and Instagram as well.

Thanks for reading. Keep Gliding!

(Data Source: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/G._B._Pant_High_Altitude_Zoo,_Nainital#Overview)

The post Nainital Zoo Guide | Ticket Price | Timings | Images appeared first on Breath Gliding.

Many people dream of flying in the sky like a bird. They wish that they too had wings.

Then suddenly they stop dreaming about it, explaining themselves that it cannot happen, not at least in this life.

But what if you can fulfil your dream in this life itself? Yes, you heard right! Paragliding can be one thing which can give you the wings and the exact feel of flying like a bird.

Last year I also experienced the same while I was in Nainital. Trust me, I felt like I was on top of the world, at least for 3-4 minutes.

To share such a wonderful experience, here I am on your screen with another blog post telling you about the in-depth experience of paragliding in Nainital, cost and some hidden charges too.

A Day Before Paragliding In Nainital – How I Prepared Myself

I went to Nainital last year with one of my friends. Our aim was to make this trip successful on a very low budget. You can also check out how we reached Nainital from Delhi in just Rs. 175.

So, after reaching Nainital, we started exploring the hill station. We didn’t have any pre-plan for paragliding. But suddenly his girlfriend called him and said that she will not talk to him unless we go for paragliding.

And when your loved one says something like this, you can’t ignore. Same thing happened with my friend too. He insisted me a lot to go for it. I was literally afraid.

After a few minutes, though it was not so easy for me, I finally made up my mind. I was ready to go and experience paragliding for the first time in my life.

The Paragliding Day – How We Reached Naukuchiatal (Near Nainital)

On the second day of our trip, we took a bike on rent. We visited the Zoo, Eco Cave garden, and then after a wonderful bike ride, we reached Naukuchiatal (which is around 23 km from Nainital).

After reaching out there, we searched for the paragliding place, as we didn’t book it earlier. Some local people helped us with the way towards paragliding.

At last, we found a person who was a part of the paragliding team. We were charged with INR 1,500 per person for paragliding. We also took a GoPro camera with a selfie stick on rent and gave INR 500 per camera for that.

Then, we parked our bike at the starting point. To reach the top of the mountain, they offered us a bike ride (you’ll need it if you don’t want to walk towards the top). Remember, do not try to ride a vehicle on your own as the path towards the top is really difficult.

We also paid some amount of money for the same. I do not exactly remember the charges, I guess they charged us in the range of INR 20-50 per person (Hidden Charges Part 1) for a bike ride to the top of the mountain.

At The Top Of The Mountain – Launch Point

After reaching the top of the mountain, you’ll start getting the feel. But I got a bit nervous there. The only thing which was going in my mind – should I do paragliding or should I walk back down? Thankfully, my friend encouraged me to do it.

Over there, we signed the declaration form mentioning the emergency contact name and number. Don’t think too much about it. We have one life, enjoy it to the fullest.

We waited there for the glide for around 30-40 minutes, as the air direction was not suitable at that time. Meanwhile, they prepared all of us (incl. other people who also came for paragliding) for it.

The Paragliding Starts – Experiencing Heights

They tied up all the belts around me and re-verified. I was not able to handle the selfie stick properly because of the height fear. I was afraid about leaving the selfie stick while taking off. But that selfie stick was connected with the belt using a rope.

The whole Bhimtal city was visible in front of my eyes. OMG! the ride started. For a few seconds, I was like literally not looking down. But somehow I managed to think that I’m safe. Then my confidence was boosted up, and I started enjoying the ride and the view.

At that time, I felt that I got the real wings, flying so high above in the sky. It was like I’m doing the best thing in my life. Soon after that, they started doing stunts like taking rounds in the air, side fall, etc.

Meanwhile, I was recording the whole experience in the rented selfie camera. I think the selfie camera is worth renting. Today, whenever I saw my video, it refreshes my memory. I feel like I’m still flying.

The whole ride time was for around 3 minutes and a few seconds.

Landing After Enjoying The Glide

After we landed, we got another surprise. Their photographer was clicking our photos from the ground while we were enjoying paragliding. Although, they charged us for providing the photographs. And one cannot say ‘no’ to their own photos.

You have to bargain a bit. They were asking for INR 300-400 per person (Hidden Charges Part 2) for transferring the photos & selfie video into our pen drive / mobile phone. We settled down at INR 200 per person.

Final Words

This trip to Nainital was special. I really enjoyed a lot during this whole trip. Especially the paragliding experience in Nainital. Having such moments are priceless. And this is how good memories are made.

I hope you have enjoyed a lot reading this article. I’ve tried writing it down with my whole heart and soul. Even my old memory freshen ups while I’m writing this. Really thanks a lot for reading it till the end.

Also, I have tried mentioning all the charges incurred for paragliding. In short, INR 1,500 + INR 500 + INR 200 + INR 25 = INR 2,225 per person (approx.).

If there is any correction, suggestion or query, feel free to reach me out here. You may also connect with me via Facebook and Twitter.

Also, do check my Travel Photography on Instagram.

Wish you all the best for your upcoming paragliding.

Keep Gliding! (>‿◠)

The post Paragliding in Nainital – My Experience (HIDDEN Charges) appeared first on Breath Gliding.

You must be planning to go for a mountain trekking, right? Of course, that’s why you’re reading this post.

But what I LIKE about you is that you’re ready to put efforts into getting your body ready for it.

That’s why in this post I’ve written some useful and effective exercises that will prepare your body for your upcoming mountain trekking.

You may refer to “Table of Contents” for your ease.

Why Exercise Is Important Before Trekking?

Can you believe that over 90% of the first time trekkers think that a fit body is not required for going on a trek?

But soon after they have been through their first trekking, they realise that it’s not the truth.

In fact, you should start exercising weeks before the trekking day. For a long hike, you should start at least 8-10 weeks prior.

And the reason why doing exercise is important before trekking is to give your body parts a kind of warm-up.

You’re about to go towards a higher altitude, so the level of oxygen will be less over there. Hence, to cope up with this, a daily walk/running and stretching is a must as it prepares you for the main day.

So, without wasting much time we will straight away proceed further to some best exercises.

6 Exercises To Do Before Trekking To Prepare Your Body For It

1. Running/Speed Walking

Let us start with the basic one. You must be thinking that why I’m telling you such a normal thing

But just think about it. Do you really count 10,000 steps a day? I bet most of you people don’t even think of it. Comment down and let me know about it.

Why run/walk?

It is necessary because a warmed-up body has very fewer chances of internal injuries while doing an exercise or stretching out your body.

You should start doing 20-40 mins of running/walking to warm up your body and prepare it for exercise.

No! I’m not saying that tie your shoes and do it from the very first day. I mean to say that start doing it and slowly improve your running time.

2. Lunges

This is a must-do exercise so as to strengthen your thigh muscles. It will make your thighs strong enough to do trekking even on a very difficult trek.

Stand straight with your feet 6 inches apart. Step forward with your right leg, lowering your body until both of your knees bent at 90 degrees as shown in the image. Then come back slowly to the original position. Do the same for the left leg.

You can do the lunges around 20-30 times, as per your strength. This will make your thighs more strong and stable.

This one can be tuff in starting if you have an extra dose of fat or your muscles are rigid. Don’t mind my words. I’m just preparing you for the trek day.

3. Step Exercise

You must be aware of this exercise. Many of you have even done step exercise earlier. If you are not sure, have a look at this image.

The above image shows you how to do step exercise.

You don’t need such accessories to do this. Just find stairs inside your home.

It’s basically step up and step down exercise. All you need to do is put one step up (1), then another step up (2), the then first step down (3) and then another step down (4).

You just need to do this 1234, 1234, and so on. You may take support (if needed). Do it twice, 25 times each.

This step exercise makes your thighs work and provides stability.

4. Squat Exercise

Squats is one of the lower body exercises. It is also an important exercise to do before trekking, as it strengthens your leg muscles.

First, standing straight, you need to widen your legs up to the width of your shoulder. Keeping back straight and hands straight in front of your eyes, you need to go down slowly as shown in the above image. After holding the position for 2-3 seconds, get up slowly.

Remember, your back should be straight while doing this down and up. This down & up counts as 1. You need to do 2 sets of at least 20 counts each.

This exercise provides you with inner strength and stability.

5. Planks

This is a great core exercise as it has many benefits. Doing this will help you in improving body posture, strengthening backbone, and making your body flexible.

To do this exercise, first, you need to lie down straight with your stomach facing down. Then, you need to lift yourself up taking the support of your toes and your elbow, as you can see in the image above.

You need to stay in this position for at least 15 seconds, and you may hold up to a minute or two, as per your strength. After doing a set you may have a few seconds of a break. Do at least 3 such sets.

Remember, your elbow must be in a straight line with your shoulders, so as to reduce the pressure on the shoulder joints.

It is one of the best exercises to do before trekking as it improves your inner strength.

6. Body Stretching

In the end, stretching your body is a must. It is an important part of your exercise that you really can’t ignore.

You may check out various articles available on google regarding the different angles of stretching.

However, I want to show you some benefits of body stretching:

• Helps to reduce the risk of internal injuries
• Relaxes your body after the hard work you did
• Increases the blood circulation in your whole body
• Lowers back pain and improvise your body posture

Conclusion

In short, these are the 6 exercises which you should do before preparing for trekking:

1. Running/Speed Walking
2. Lunges
3. Step Exercise
4. Squat Exercise
5. Planks
6. Body Stretching

I hope you enjoyed reading the post and clear with the must-do exercises before trekking. I also hope that you’ll start doing these exercises from today onwards.

And Yeah, if you don’t mind sharing, comment down the place where you are planning to go for trekking. I really want to know this.

I would really love if you guys connect with me personally. You guys can connect with me using Instagram and Facebook. Also, you may contact me here.

Thanks for reading. Keep Gliding!

The post 6 Must-Do Exercises Before Trekking | 2nd Is Important appeared first on Breath Gliding.

From Delhi to Nainital under 200 bucks!

Last year, my friend and I thought to plan a vacation to Nainital. But the problem was that we had very less amount of money with us at that time, as we were simply college-going students. We did a lot of research online, we checked hotels, routes, etc. Yeah! We found the cheapest way to reach Nainital from Delhi.

I know anyone can research the cheapest route available to Nainital, yet I realised that there is a lack of proper guidance online. I’m sure this post gonna help you out in a true manner.

So, we divided our travel into 2 parts, the first one is travelling from Delhi to Haldwani via train, and the second one is travelling from Haldwani to Nainital via local bus. Let’s dive into the details of the journey.

Part 1 – Delhi to Haldwani

First, we booked a train with the name “Utr Samprk K Ex” which departed from Old Delhi railway station, Chandni chowk, at around 4 PM in the evening. It took approximately 6 hours for us to reach Haldwani railway station, arrived at around 10 PM in the evening.

It costs us INR 110 per ticket (prices may change, check IRCTC). Although it is a “second seating” or “2S” class. But if one has a low budget, then this can also be a good experience to have. For availability of seats, book the tickets 3-4 days prior to the date of travel. However, during the peak time, book the tickets as soon as possible

We also carried with us some homemade food, so as to save some bucks.

After reaching Haldwani, we walked for 5-7 minutes towards Haldwani bus stand. We thought to stay in Haldwani for a night, so as to enjoy the nightlife of this town. We found a room next to the bus stand, they charged us INR 400 a room for a night. That is INR 200 per person.

The room was small, but enough for 2 people to sleep. It was not a proper hotel, we can say a sort of single room apartments. We ordered a plate of Maggi. After having that, we locked our room at 11:45 PM and went outside. The environment was good. Street food was also available like Maggi (Noodles), South Indian food, North India food, Kulfi Faluda (dessert), Shakes, etc. That’s how our day ends.

Part 2 – Haldwani to Nainital

Next morning we woke up and freshen up ourselves. Checked out from there. Had some amazing food “Chole Bathure with Lassi and Jalebi“, and got ready to proceed ahead.

We took a local bus from Haldwani bus stand to Nainital. It costs us around INR 65 per ticket. After 1 hour approx. we reached Nainital. Finally!

Conclusion – Delhi to Nainital

This is how we reached from Delhi to Nainital in INR 175 (excluding food and stay). This is one of the cheapest ways to reach Nainital. Train INR 110 per ticket + Bus INR 65 per ticket.

I hope you found this post helpful and you have enjoyed reading this post. If yes, I would love to receive your comments below. Also, if there is any update regarding the prices or the route, please do let me know. It will be really helpful.

I would also love to connect with you lovely people. You can connect with me using my Facebook page and Instagram profile. Also, you may contact me here for any queries and suggestions.

Thanks for reading. Keep Gliding!

The post How I reached Delhi to Nainital in Rs.175 only (Train+Bus) appeared first on Breath Gliding.

For easy navigation, you may use the given “Table of Contents”

Best Places To Visit Near Delhi For 2 to 3 Days Weekend Trip

Luckily, there are plenty of beautiful scenic places or hill stations near Delhi (National Capital Region of India) where you can plan for your upcoming weekend trip. As you’ll have around 2 days, so these first 14 places have been written keeping that in mind. If I forgot to mention any exciting place, then please feel free to contact me.

So, without wasting much time, let us have a look at these best places to visit near Delhi:

1. Nainital, Uttarakhand

   

   Nainital is situated in the India state of Uttarakhand, known for its lakes and natural beauty. It is also known as the Lake City of Uttarakhand. It is one of the favourite vacation destinations for Indians and foreigners. Average annual temperature in Nainital is 13°C or 55.4°F. Average annual rainfall in Nainital is 1636 mm.

   • Best time to visit Nainital: March to June is the best time to visit Nainital. However, if you wanna enjoy the snow, then chances of its occurrence are in between November to February
   • Things to do in Nainital: Boating in the lake, bike riding, shopping, travelling in a ropeway, rock climbing, activity, paragliding, etc.
   • Places to visit in Nainital: Naini lake, Eco cave garden, Mall road, Tiffen top, Snow view point, Naina Devi temple, Naina peak, Tibetan market, Nainital high altitude zoo.
   • How to reach Nainital: By road- direct a/c and ordinary buses are available from Delhi. Taxi services are also available. By rail- Nearest station is Kathgodam or Haldwani, then a local bus or taxi to Nainital. By air- Nearest airport is Pantnagar airport, then a local bus or taxi to Nainital.
   • Journey time from Delhi: 7-8 hours
   • Distance from Delhi: 302 km approx.

2. Mussoorie, Uttarakhand
   

   

   Mussoorie is also located in the Indian state of Uttarakhand. It is one of the nearest places from Delhi which offers a snowfall in heavy winters. It is a perfect location for people who want to have a short break from their work life. And it is a place which is near Delhi too. Average annual temperature in Mussoorie is 14.9°C or 58.82°F. Average annual rainfall in Mussoorie is 2206 mm.

   • Best time to visit Mussoorie: The best time to visit Mussoorie is from April to June. This place has occasional snowfall between December and February.
   • Things to do in Mussoorie:  Hiking, rock climbing, roller skating, paragliding, shopping, wildlife, cycling, adventurous sports.
   • Places to visit in Mussoorie: Mall road, Kempty falls, Gun hill, George Everest house, Mussoorie lake, Lal tibba, Adventure park.
   • How to reach Mussoorie: By road- local buses and taxis are available from Dehradun (Capital city of Uttarakhand). By rail- Nearest railway station is Dehradun, from there local bus or taxi to Mussoorie. By air- Nearest airport is Jolly Grant Dehradun airport, from there local buses or taxi to Mussoorie.
   • Journey time from Delhi: 7-8 hours
   • Distance from Delhi: 288 km approx.

3. Chakrata, Uttarakhand
   

   

   Chakrata is another hill station in this list. This place is full of greenery, adventure, waterfalls, caves and more. This can be your next destination as it is not so commercialized if we compare it with places like Shimla. Average annual temperature in Chakrata is 14.8°C or 58.64°F. Average annual rainfall in Chakrata is 1734 mm.

   • Best time to visit Chakrata: One can visit this place in any month of the year. However, the summer season, March to June, can be the best time to visit. December to February is very cold.
   • Things to do in Chakrata: Camping, trekking, river rafting, rock climbing, cycling, adventure, skiing, horse riding.
   • Places to visit in Chakrata: Deoban hill, Tiger falls, Hathni Kund barrage, Moila top, Tiger cave, Budher cave.
   • How to reach Chakrata: By road- local buses and taxis are available from Dehradun (Capital city of Uttarakhand). By rail- Nearest railway station is Dehradun, from there local bus or taxi to Chakrata for 92 km. By air- Nearest airport is Jolly Grant Dehradun airport, from there local buses or taxis to Chakrata are available.
   • Journey time from Delhi: 7-8 hours
   • Distance from Delhi: 323 km approx.

4. Shimla, Himachal Pradesh
   

   

   Shimla is one of the famous tourist spots for Indians. It is situated in Himachal Pradesh, and it is the Capital of this state. Weather is always cool here, and snowy in winters. You can visit this place if you haven’t visited yet. But if you wanna re-visit, I would suggest you go to some lesser-known places. Average annual temperature in Shimla is 14.2°C or 57.56°F. Average annual rainfall in Shimla is 1480 mm.

   • Best time to visit Shimla: It is a cool place to visit in summer. However, if you want to enjoy the snowy weather, then the best time to visit is from December to February.
   • Things to do in Shimla: Trekking, shopping, toy train ride, river rafting, nature walk, cycling, camping, ice skating, paragliding, bird watching.
   • Places to visit in Shimla: Christ Church, Mall Road, Kufri, Shimla state museum, Chail, Bird park, Annandale, Wax museum, Toy train, Chadwick waterfall, Wildlife sanctuary, Green valley.
   • How to reach Shimla: By road- Buses and taxis are available from Delhi. By rail- Train from Delhi to Kalka, then Kalka to Shimla route. By air- Chandigarh airport is the nearest and popular one, then local buses or taxis to Shimla.
   • Journey time from Delhi: 7-8 hours
   • Distance from Delhi: 342 km approx.

5. Haridwar, Uttarakhand
   

   

   Haridwar is one of the starting points of River Ganga if you come from Delhi. There are thousands of people who visit this city every week, as this place is nearby to Delhi. This city is connected with the sentiments of Hinduism culture. Average annual temperature in Haridwar is 23.6°C or 74.48°F. Average annual rainfall in Haridwar is 1285 mm.

   • Best time to visit Haridwar: Usually people visit this place all over the year. But summer days are not so cool here, as it is just a starting point of mountains.
   • Things to do in Haridwar: Bird and wildlife watching, Meditation, yoga, religious bathing in River Ganga, shopping, praying.
   • Places to visit in Haridwar: Har Ki Pauri, Mansa Devi Temple, Chandi Devi Temple, Patanjali yogpeeth, Fun valley water park, Bara bazaar, Vishnu ghat, Bilkeshwar Mahadev temple, Bhimgoda tank, Crystal world water park.
   • How to reach Haridwar: By road- Buses and taxis are easily available from Delhi. By rail- Direct train from Delhi to Haridwar railway station is available. By air- the nearest available airport is Jolly Grant Dehradun airport, from there local buses or taxis are available which might take 1.5 to 2 hours.
   • Journey time from Delhi: 5-6 hours
   • Distance from Delhi: 218 km approx.

6. Rishikesh, Uttarakhand
   

   

   Have a lot to say about Rishikesh, as you know that this city is my grandmother’s hometown. Rishikesh is one of the most beautiful cities in India. It is popular not only in India but also worldwide. It is known as the Yoga Capital of the world. Fresh air, beautiful scenic nature and Ganga river makes it a superb place to visit. Average annual temperature in Rishikesh is 21.8°C or 71.24°F. Average annual rainfall in Rishikesh is 2136.7 mm.

   • Best time to visit Rishikesh: Whole year is suitable if you wanna visit Rishikesh. Summer is a bit hot here, just like any other city. But rainy and winter season is awesome here. Chances are less for snow here.
   • Things to do in Rishikesh: Camping, trekking, river rafting, bungee jumping, Ganga aarti, photography, air ballooning, wildlife observing.
   • Places to visit in Rishikesh: Triveni ghat, Ram jhula, Lakshman jhula, Bharat mandir, Barrage dam, Geeta bhawan, Rajaji National park.
   • How to reach Rishikesh: By road- Buses and taxis are easily available from Delhi. By rail- Train from Delhi to Haridwar railway station, then sharing autos, buses or private taxis to Rishikesh. By air- the nearest available airport is Jolly Grant Dehradun airport, from there local buses or taxis are available which will take 40-50 minutes.
   • Journey time from Delhi: 5-6 hours
   • Distance from Delhi: 240 km approx.

7. Agra, Uttar Pradesh
   

   

   As you people know, Agra is my hometown. If you don’t know, please read more about me. Agra (The City of Taj) is famous in the world of its monument, Taj Mahal. This monument comes under the seven wonders of the world. Not only the Taj Mahal but also there are so many monuments available in this city. Average annual temperature in Agra is 25.6°C or 78.08°F. Average annual rainfall in Agra is 745 mm.
   

   • Best time to visit Agra: November to February is the best time to visit Agra. Warning– Avoid going to Agra in the summer season, because of the very hot temperature.
   • Things to do in Agra: Visiting monuments, malls, street food, street shopping, morning breakfast with “bedai jalebi” is a must.
   • Places to visit in Agra: Taj Mahal, Agra fort, Gurudwara Guru ka Tal Dayalbagh, Itimadh-ud-dualah tomb, Sikandra, Fatehpur Sikri, Jama Masjid, Mehtab Bagh, Sadar Bazaar.
   • How to reach Agra: By road- Buses and taxis are easily available from Delhi. Best route- Yamuna Expressway. By rail- Direct train from Delhi to Agra Cant. railway station. By air- Kheria airport is available in the city, but usually, it is being used for defence purposes.
   • Journey time from Delhi: 2-3 hours
   • Distance from Delhi: 220 km approx.

8. Mathura & Vrindavan, Uttar Pradesh
   

   

   Mathura is a city located in Uttar Pradesh. It is the city where Lord Krishna was born. The city has many temples and the River Yamuna. Hundreds of people visit here on a weekly basis. It is one of the nearest places where Delhiites can come. Average annual temperature in Mathura is 25.6°C or 78.08°F. Average annual rainfall in Mathura is 707 mm.

   • Best time to visit Mathura: One can visit Mathura at any time in a year, but it is recommended to avoid summers and visit here between October to April.
   • Things to do in Mathura: Visiting temples, city tour.
   • Places to visit in Mathura: Radha Kund, Kusum Sarovar, Vaishno Devi Dham, Kans Qila, Dolphin water park, Mathura museum, Birla temple, Goverdhan hill.
   • How to reach Mathura: By road- Buses and taxis are easily available from Delhi. Best route- Yamuna Expressway. By rail- Direct train from Delhi to Mathura junction. By air- No airport available in Mathura.
   • Journey time from Delhi: 2 hours
   • Distance from Delhi: 170 km approx.

9. Jaipur, Rajasthan
   

   

   Jaipur, the Capital city of Rajasthan, known as the Pink city. This city consists of forts, monuments, gardens, and more. It is also one of the great places to visit near Delhi. This can be a good place for people who are interested in history. Average annual temperature in Jaipur is 25.1°C or 77.18°F. Average annual rainfall in Jaipur is 601 mm.
   

   • Best time to visit Jaipur: November to February is considered to be the best time to visit Jaipur.
   • Things to do in Jaipur: Visiting forts and monuments, jungle safari, air ballooning, cycling, shopping, Rajasthani food.
   • Places to visit in Jaipur: Hawa Mahal, Jaigarh fort, Jantar Mantar, Jal Mahal, Birla mandir, City Palace, Raj mandir cinema, Panna Meena ka Kund, Amber fort, Chokhi Dhani, Wax museum.
   • How to reach Jaipur: By road- Buses and taxis are easily available from Delhi. By rail- Direct train from Delhi to Jaipur railway station. By air- Sanganer international airport is there in Jaipur.
   • Journey time from Delhi: 5-6 hours
   • Distance from Delhi: 281 km approx.

10. Amritsar, Punjab
    

    

    Amritsar is a city situated in the Indian State of Punjab. This city is attached to the Pakistan border. It is famous for the Golden Temple and Wagah border. Wagah border is also known as Attari. It is a must-visit place as thousands of visitors visit this place in a year. Average annual temperature in Amritsar is 25.3°C or 77.54°F. Average annual rainfall in Amritsar is 703 mm.

    • Best time to visit Amritsar: To enjoy the spots here, the best time to visit Amritsar is from October to March.
    • Things to do in Amritsar: Visiting Golden temple, Punjabi food, bhangra, nightlife, watching flag ceremony at the border, shopping.
    • Places to visit in Amritsar: Golden Temple, Wagah border, Jallianwala bagh, Partition Museum, Hall bazaar, Sun city water park, various forts and gurudwaras.
    • How to reach Amritsar: By road- You may travel on a bus, or you may book a taxi from Delhi. By rail- Direct train from Delhi to Amritsar railway station. By air- Direct flights from IGI Airport Delhi to Sri Guru Ram Das Jee International Airport Amritsar are available.
    • Journey time from Delhi: 7-8 hours
    • Distance from Delhi: 450 km approx.

11. Dhanaulti, Uttarakhand
    

    

    It is one of the great hill stations in Uttarakhand. This is located on a higher altitude than Mussoorie. It is famous for its natural beauty and photogenic views. It’s a wonderful place to visit near Delhi. Average annual temperature in Dhanaulti is 13.4°C or 56.14°F. Average annual rainfall in Dhanaulti is 2016 mm.

    • Best time to visit Dhanaulti: This place has very cool and pleasant weather. However, the best time to visit Dhanaulti is from September to June.
    • Things to do in Dhanaulti: Trekking, camping, photography, sightseeing, rock climbing, adventurous sports, biking, paragliding.
    • Places to visit in Dhanaulti: Dhanaulti adventure park, Eco park, Deogarh fort, Hilltop khet, Tehri dam, Potato farm.
    • How to reach Dhanaulti: By road- local buses and taxis are available from Dehradun (Capital city of Uttarakhand). By rail- Nearest railway station is Dehradun, from there local bus or taxi to Dhanaulti. By air- Nearest airport is Jolly Grant Dehradun airport, from there local buses or taxi to Dhanaulti.
    • Journey time from Delhi: 7-8 hours
    • Distance from Delhi: 290 km approx.

12. Ranikhet, Uttarakhand
    

    

    Ranikhet is another beautiful hill station. It is one of the best places to visit near Delhi for a vacation. This place is famous for its natural greenery and scenic views. This place is also famous for Golu Devta temple. Average annual temperature in Ranikhet is 14.2°C or 57.56°F. Average annual rainfall in Ranikhet is 1823 mm.

    • Best time to visit Ranikhet: March to November is the best time to visit Ranikhet. However, it is advisable to avoid the rainy season. In winters, one can enjoy the snow too.
    • Things to do in Ranikhet: Visiting temples, playing golf, photography, nature walk.
    • Places to visit in Ranikhet: Jhula Devi temple, Katarmal Sun Temple, Haidakhan temple, Upat golf course, Chaubatia garden.
    • How to reach Ranikhet: By road- local buses and taxis are available from Delhi. By rail- Nearest railway station is Kathgodam, then from there local bus or taxi to Ranikhet. By air- Nearest airport is Pantnagar airport, from there local buses or taxi to Ranikhet.
    • Journey time from Delhi: 8-9 hours
    • Distance from Delhi: 360 km approx.

13. Bhimtal, Uttarakhand
    

    

    Bhimtal is located nearby Nainital in Uttarakhand. One can visit this place for a 2-day trip if planning to visit near Delhi. People who visit Nainital usually Bhimtal also, but some people don’t know that it is a place which one can independently visit. Average annual temperature in Bhimtal is 15.7°C or 60.26°F. Average annual rainfall in Bhimtal is 1671 mm.

    • Best time to visit Bhimtal: One can visit this place at any time of a year. However, during winters, you can enjoy the snow too.
    • Things to do in Bhimtal: Boating, mountain view, cycling, bike riding, shopping, ropeway ride, paragliding, visiting zoo, nature photography, fishing, stargazing.
    • Places to visit in Bhimtal: Bhimtal aquarium, Bhimtal lake, Victoria dam, Karkotata temple, folk culture museum.
    • How to reach Bhimtal: By road- Direct a/c and ordinary buses are available from Delhi. Taxi services are also available. By rail- Nearest station is Kathgodam or Haldwani, then a local bus or taxi to Bhimtal. By air- Nearest airport is Pantnagar airport, then a local bus or taxi to Bhimtal.
    • Journey time from Delhi: 7-8 hours
    • Distance from Delhi: 342 km approx.

14. Chandigarh, Chandigarh
    

    

    Chandigarh is one of the Union territories of India. This place is not only famous for its Rock garden but also known for its modern Punjabi culture, Punjabi food, malls, lake and museum. Average annual temperature in Chandigarh is 24.1°C or 75.38°F. Average annual rainfall in Chandigarh is 979 mm.

    • Best time to visit Chandigarh: October to March is the best time to visit Chandigarh and enjoy its cool weather.
    • Things to do in Chandigarh: Street food at night, a long drive (if you have a car), nightlife, photography, shopping, boating.
    • Places to visit in Chandigarh: Rock garden, Sukhna lake, Rose garden, Fun city water and amusement park, Thunder zone, Botanical garden, Garden of fragrance.
    • How to reach Chandigarh: By road- Buses and taxis are easily available from Delhi. By rail- Direct train from Delhi to Chandigarh railway station. By air- Direct flights from IGI Airport Delhi to Chandigarh Airport are available.
    • Journey time from Delhi: 4-5 hours
    • Distance from Delhi: 245 km approx.

Best Places To Visit Near Delhi For 3 + Days Weekend Trip

1. Kasol, Himachal Pradesh
   

   

   Kasol is a small piece of land situated in the district of Kullu. The place is famous for its culture, natural beauty and adventure. This is one of the great places to visit near Delhi, especially for youngsters. Average annual temperature in Kasol is 16.8°C or 62.24 °F. Average annual rainfall in Kasol is 1582 mm.

   • Best time to visit Kasol: March to September is the best time to visit Kasol. Prefer not to visit this place in winters, because of heavy snow the roads are usually blocked.
   • Things to do in Kasol: Trekking, Israeli food, shopping, riverside camping, dancing, fishing.
   • Places to visit in Kasol: Manikaran Sahib, Kheer Ganga, Parvati river, Tosh village, Tirthan village, Malana, Bhuntar town.
   • How to reach Kasol: By road- Buses and taxis are available from Delhi. By rail- Nearest railway station is Pathankot, then local buses or taxis to Kasol. By air- Chandigarh airport is the nearest and popular one, then local buses or taxis to Kasol.
   • Journey time from Delhi: 12-13 hours
   • Distance from Delhi: 518 km approx.

2. Manali, Himachal Pradesh
   

   

   Manali is one of the favourite destinations of tourists. It is situated in the Indian state of Himachal Pradesh. During winters, people love to visit here to enjoy the snow and skiing, as you can see in the above image. Average annual temperature in Manali is 15.1 °C or 59.18 °F. Average annual rainfall in Manali is 1972 mm.

   • Best time to visit Manali: Whole year is good to visit Manali. But if you’re a person who loves cold winters and snow then you should visit here between November to February.
   • Things to do in Manali: River rafting, paragliding, skiing, trekking, camping, zorbing, bike riding.
   • Places to visit in Manali: Solang Valley, Beas Kund trek, Rohtang pass, The Great Himalayan National Park, Hadimba temple.
   • How to reach Manali: By road- Buses and taxis are available from Delhi. By rail- Nearest railway station is Jogindernagar, then local buses or taxis to Manali. By air- Bhuntar airport is the nearest one, then 10 km via local buses or taxis to Manali.
   • Journey time from Delhi: 12-13 hours
   • Distance from Delhi: 537 km approx.

3. Dharamshala, Himachal Pradesh
   

   

   A city located in the state of Himachal Pradesh, known for its Kangra and Tibetan culture, can be the best place to visit near Delhi if you have 3+ days. McLeodganj, really famous among travellers, is an outlying district of Dharamshala. Average annual temperature in Dharamshala is 19.1 °C or 66.38°F. Average annual rainfall in Dharamshala is 2883 mm.

   • Best time to visit Dharamshala: During the summer season, the weather of Dharamshala is pleasant. However, if you love snow, then you must visit here in the winter season. But remember, not to prefer visiting here in the rainy season.
   • Things to do in Dharamshala: Trekking, camping, paragliding, sightseeing, lake sidewalk, cycling, photography.
   • Places to visit in Dharamshala: Dal lake, Tea garden, Triund, Bhagsunag falls, Namgyal monastery, Tibet museum, Dalai Lama temple, Masroor rock cut temple, Mani Lhakhang stupa
   • How to reach Dharamshala: By road- Buses and taxis are available from Chandigarh. By rail- Nearest railway station is Pathankot, then local buses or taxis to Dharamshala. By air- Gaggal airport is the nearest one, then local buses or taxis to Dharamshala.
   • Journey time from Delhi: 9-10 hours
   • Distance from Delhi: 475 km approx.

4. Dalhousie, Himachal Pradesh
   

   

   Dalhousie, located in Himachal Pradesh, is another beautiful greeny hill station to visit. It is an attractive tourist destination in Himachal. You can prefer this place for a 2-3 days trip. Average annual temperature in Dalhousie is 15 °C or 59 °F. Average annual rainfall in Dalhousie is 2237 mm.

   • Best time to visit Dalhousie: One can visit this place at any time of a year. However, this place is much preferable during the hot summer season in Delhi.
   • Things to do in Dalhousie: Boating, trekking, photography, shopping, visiting temples and church.
   • Places to visit in Dalhousie: Chamera lake, Ganji Pahari, Sach pass, Satdhara falls, Bakrota hills, Tibetan market, Dainkund peak, Kalatop wildlife, Rang mahal.
   • How to reach Dalhousie: By road- Buses and taxis are available from Delhi. By rail- Nearest railway station is Pathankot, then local buses or taxis to Dalhousie. By air- Pathankot airport is the nearest one, then local buses or taxis to Dalhousie.
   • Journey time from Delhi: 10-11 hours
   • Distance from Delhi: 560 km approx.

5. Patnitop, Jammu & Kashmir
   

   

   Patnitop, situated in the state of Jammu and Kashmir, is one of the highest peaks to visit near Delhi. This place is full of adventure activities skiing, paragliding and many more. Average annual temperature in Patnitop is 13.4 °C or 56.12 °F. Average annual rainfall in Patnitop is 1214 mm.

   • Best time to visit Patnitop: One can visit Patnitop at any time in a year. However, summertime is the best time.
   • Things to do in Patnitop: Paragliding, skiing, nature walk, photography, shopping.
   • Places to visit in Patnitop: Nathatop, Naag Mandir, Sanasar lake, Billoo ki powri, Madhatop, Shiva Ghar, Circular road.
   • How to reach Patnitop: By road- Buses and taxis are available from Chandigarh. By rail- Nearest railway station is Udhampur, then local buses or taxis to Patnitop. By air- Jammu airport is the nearest one, then local buses or taxis to Patnitop.
   • Journey time from Delhi: 12-13 hours
   • Distance from Delhi: 654 km approx.

6. Auli, Uttarakhand
   

   

   Auli, located in the state of Uttarakhand, also known as the Mini Switzerland of India. This place is unique in itself and its beauty is hard to describe. It’s better if you plan your upcoming visit here and see it yourself. Average annual temperature in Auli is 10.9 °C or 51.62 °F. Average annual rainfall in Auli is 1600 mm.

   • Best time to visit Auli: To get rid of hot weather in Delhi, this is the all-time cool place to visit near Delhi. However, November to March is the best time to enjoy the snow.
   • Things to do in Auli: Skiing, trekking, hiking, camping, nature walk, photography, ropeway ride, shopping.
   • Places to visit in Auli: Joshimath ropeway, Skiing point, Trishul peak, Chenab lake, Rudraprayag, Nandaprayag.
   • How to reach Auli: By road- Buses and taxis are available from Delhi/Dehradun. By rail- Train from Delhi to Dehradun, then bus or taxi from Dehradun to Auli. By air- Jolly Grant Dehradun airport is the nearest and popular one, then local buses or taxis to Auli.
   • Journey time from Delhi: 10 hours
   • Distance from Delhi: 372 km approx.

Conclusion

Best places to visit near Delhi for 2-3 days trip:

1. Nainital
2. Mussoorie
3. Chakrata
4. Shimla
5. Haridwar
6. Rishikesh
7. Agra
8. Mathura & Vrindavan
9. Jaipur
10. Amritsar
11. Dhanaulti
12. Ranikhet
13. Bhimtal
14. Chandigarh

Best places to visit near Delhi for more than 3 days trip:

1. Kasol
2. Manali
3. Dharamshala
4. Dalhousie
5. Patnitop
6. Auli

So, I hope now you have selected one of these destinations for your upcoming weekend trip. Let me know in the comment box by typing the name of the places where you’ve decided to visit. I have already decided. What about you?

Data Source:

Temperature and Rainfall data source- https://en.climate-data.org/

In case of any query or suggestion, please connect with me using my social media handles given on the top-right side of the page or you can also contact me here. Also, if you want to know more about me, then click here.

Also, do check my Travel Photography on Instagram.

Thanks for reading. Stay connected!

The post 20 Places To Visit Near Delhi For 2-3 Days Trip (Detailed) appeared first on Breath Gliding.