Here are some of our favorite destinations if you’re looking to get away from the hustle and bustle of Delhi without having to drive too far off. We recommend you drive to these destinations but you can also take the train. The time to get to these destinations mentioned below is the average time it takes by road and can fluctuate depending on what time you leave from Delhi. All the destinations mentioned below are family friendly, mostly for heritage, nature and wildlife enthusiasts, some of the hotels we partner with are pet friendly and offer multiple opportunities for amateurs or professional photographers to fine tune their photography skills. If you have recently relocated to Delhi or are visiting for the first time, these destinations are a great introduction to the diverse and multi-faceted country that India really is.
Taj Mahal from Mehtabh Bagh
Agra – 3 hours from Delhi
Well connected by a world class expressway and several super fast trains, Agra is a must visit if you’ve just moved to India or are visiting India for the first time. If you’re planning to visit Agra during the winter season i.e. October to March for the the iconic marble of love then, plan to stay an extra night or two. We promise you won’t regret it. There is more to Agra than just the Taj Mahal. Within an hour drive from the city you are surrounded by untouched nature and wildlife. Agra and wildlife?? No, we’re not joking. For those of you looking for off-the-beaten-path experiences, please visit our page on Agra Beyond the Taj.
Keoladeo National Park, Bharatpur – 4 hours from Delhi
Another great option not too far from Delhi and one of our favourites especially if you’re traveling as a family is the famous Keoladeo (pronounced as Kevladev) National Park. Back in the day, this Park was the hunting grounds of the former Maharaja of Bharatpur. The Park is best visited in the winter when thousands of migratory birds visit from all over the world. Rent a bi-cycle or tour the Park in a rickshaw with one of our naturalists. Click here for more information on Bharatpur Bird Sanctuary.
Black-shouldered Kite
A Leopard during the jeep safari in Sariska
Sariska National Park – 4 hours from Delhi
Sariska National Park is the closest tiger reserve for people living in Delhi NCR. With a growing tiger population (25+ and counting), Sariska is once again becoming popular amongst tourists anxious to see the big cat. Sariska is also noted as a success story as in the 1990s it was discovered that all tigers in the Park had been hunted. In the first decade of the 21st century, tigers from Ranthambore were relocated to Sariska and today the tiger population is on the rebound thanks to serious conservation efforts of the government and non-profit conservation agencies. Click here to know more about Sariska’s built and natural history.
Jim Corbett National Park – 5 hours from Delhi
Closer from Delhi than Nainital is, Corbett National Park is ideal for those of you looking to do jeep and walking safaris in the Himalayan foothills. As with all national parks, we need to book safari permits at least two months prior to your travel dates, so please plan early so we can get the bookings done in time. Other than two safari gates – Dhela and Jhirna, the entire Park is closed from July to September for the monsoon season. If you’re visiting India or have just moved to Delhi, we recommend you visit Corbett National Park first or if you’re heading towards Jaipur and doing the golden triangle (Delhi – Agra – Jaipur) then you can also visit Ranthambore National Park. If you’ve never been on a jungle safari in India before, please read how to do a safari right.
A tiger snoozing in a water hole in Corbett National Park
Governor’s Mansion in Nainital
Nainital Region – 6 hours from Delhi
If you love the mountains then Nainital is the closest ‘hill station’ for people living in Delhi. The roads are in good condition or you can even take the comfortable train to Kathgodam. From Kathgodam train station we can arrange a taxi for you to your final destination. We are not a big fan of visiting Nainital in the summer (May and June) because that’s when the mountains are most crowded with tourists and there are traffic jams everywhere. Getting stuck in traffic just defeats the purpose of a quiet stress-free getaway in the Himalayas. Instead, we recommend you visit the region from October to April. Winter season sees less traffic so it’s quiet with warm sunny days and cold nights, clear blue skies and amazing views of the snow-clad Himalayan mountains. To read more about what you can do in Nainital, please click here.
Sattal Lake – 6 hours from Delhi
Sattal Lake is very quiet compared to Nainital and is in complete wilderness thanks to the region being declared a protected forest. Think of Sattal as what Nainital would have been when it was initially discovered in the 19th century. Sattal lake and the surrounding forests are a haven for bird-watchers and nature enthusiasts. If you are a birdwatcher and if you’re planning a trip to the region, you may want to read this – Birdwatching in Sattal. We can either book a comfortable lodge in the vicinity of the Lake or you can stay in Nainital and do a day trip. From Nainital, Sattal is a one hour drive.
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