As we start the year with all positivity and glee, what’s the one thing which we shouldn’t miss out on? Long weekends. To reduce your stress, here is the list of all long weekends and suggested places you can look forward to this year.
Table of Contents
January
Where to go: Manali–
Popularized thanks to YJHD, this tourist destination has seen a giant leap in term of tourism. With a reputation of being a backpacker’s paradise, Manali has a lot to offer apart from trekking. For adventure seekers, it also has a jumping-off point for paragliding, rafting, and mountaineering in the Pir Panjal Mountains, home to 4,000m-high Rohtang Pass. Popular tourist places include Hadimba temple, Rahala falls, Solang valley.
Why do we recommend Manali? The Manali Winter Carnival, a 5-day long festival is a highly anticipated yearly event organized to showcase the cultural and historical synopsis of Kullu Manali.
The ideal number of days to visit can be 3-4 days. Best time to visit is October- February.
February
March
Where to go: Goa –
This time Goa trip for sure! The state is obviously very well known for its beaches, nightlife, and churches. Apart from the beaches, there are some fascinating historical sites, religious structures, and quite a few adventure sports opportunities to explore.
Why do we recommend Goa? Goa Carnival, a 3-day celebration, which is the largest in India and one of the few happening across Asia. The ideal number of days to visit can be 3-4 days. Best time to visit is November- March.
April
Where to go: Madurai-
Where the skyline is dominated by the 14 colorful gopurams (gateway towers) of Meenakshi Amman Temple, Madurai is the heart and soul of Chennai. Popular tourist attractions include Thirumalai Nayakkar Mahal, Alagar Koyil and the Koodal Azhagar Temple.
Why do we recommend Madurai? Chithirai Thiruvizha, the annual celebration of Madurai takes place during the month of April and is one of the longest celebrated festivals in the world and lasts for one month.
The ideal number of days to visit can be 3-4 days. Best time to visit is December- April.
May
June
Where to go: Mahabaleshwar–
A lovely place for a long weekend getaway, Mahabaleshwar provides numerous activities and several sightseeing options. Do not miss the famous Mapro Farms which is famous for its strawberry jam and fruit jelly sweets. At the farm, you can book a tour, where they show you how jam is processed and also take you to their beautiful farm. There’s, of course, a small shop here too where you purchase jams. Other popular attraction places are Elephant’s Head Point, Pratapgad Fort Venna Lake, and Lodwick Point.
The ideal number of days to visit can be 3-4 days. Best time to visit is March-June.
July
August
Where to go: Darjeeling-
Witness the Mt. Kanchenjunga tower over you, Darjeeling is bordered with Bangladesh, Nepal, and Bhutan. The town is also a jumping off point for travelers heading to Sikkim. The tourist attractions include the Mall road, Observatory Hill, Chowrasta, Tiger Hill, and the Himalayan Mountaineering Institute.
The ideal number of days to visit can be 4 days, and the best time to visit is between April-June and August-December.
September
Where to go: Ooty–
Nicknamed as the “Queen of Hill stations” Its natural environment attracts tourists and it is a popular summer destination. Famous tourist spots include Ooty Lake, the Rose Garden, the Government Botanical Garden, and Pykara Falls.
The ideal number of days to visit can be 2-3 days. Best time to visit is March to June & September to October.
October
Where to go: Kanyakumari-
The only place in the entire world where one can witness both the rising and setting of the sun, Kanyakumari lies at the southernmost tip of the Indian peninsula, where the Indian Ocean, Arabian Sea, and Bay of Bengal confluence takes place. Famous tourist spots include Vivekananda Rock Memorial, Thiruvalluvar Statue, Kumari Amman Temple, Gandhi Memorial, and Triveni Sangam.
The ideal number of days to visit can be 2-3 days. Best time to visit is October to March.
November
Where to go: Pushkar and Ajmer-
The visit to the holy cities of Pushkar and Ajmer can be clubbed together for a single journey, not located more than 20kms from each other. Set on the banks of Pushkar Lake, the Pushkar townhouses more than hundreds of temples, including the 14th-century Jagatpita Brahma Mandir, dedicated to the god of creation. The town is also known for its handicrafts. While Ajmer is renowned for the Shrine of Sufi Saint Moinuddin Chistri- Ajmer’s Dargah Shariff, another important tourist place is the Akbar Fort Museum.
Why do we recommend Pushkar and Ajmer? The Pushkar Fair is an annual multi-day livestock fair and cultural fête held in the town of Pushkar
The ideal number of days to visit both the cities can be 3-4 days. Best time to visit is October- March.
December
Where to go: Gwalior –
Known for its palaces and temples, this is a delight for history buffs. This former princely state is rich with heritage and culture, which can be seen as sandstone mosque, rock temples and fabulous statues that carries influences of the rich past and tradition of this place. Popular tourist spots include Gwalior fort, Tansen Memorial, Sun Temple.
Why do we recommend Gwalior? Tansen Sangeet Samaroh, is a 4-day extravaganza is celebrated every December to commemorate the Music Legend Tansen.
The ideal number of days to visit can be 3-4 days. Best time to visit is October- March.
