The Himalayas afford India’s most dramatic and hypnotic scenery, combined with an enviable pace of life that contrasts with the chaos of the city. From the green hill stations around Shimla and Darjeeling to the far-flung mountainous extremities of Ladakh, this is a region with diverse natural beauty that must be seen and explored once in a lifetime. With this, the chilly and pleasant weather of these places offers you a state of pure bliss enhancing the beauty of these hill stations making your experience worth remembering.
As there are several popular hill stations in the Himalayas, in this article, you will get a list of 10 such places around Delhi and Kolkata. If you are looking for an amazing weekend gateway from Delhi or Kolkata in the foothills of the Himalayas, this article is for you.
Weekend destination from Delhi
1. Chakrata
Where: Uttarakhand
Known for its pristine and unparallel beauty, Chakrata is situated at an elevation of 2270 m above sea level. This secluded hilly town is cradled in the Dehradun district and is an ideal weekend gateway for backpackers. In these mythical hill stations, you will get some of the ravishing waterfalls that are enough to entice your souls in the lap of nature. You can also do some exciting treks which pass through cascading waterfalls, the gorgeous tiger falls, etc. If you are an adventure buff, you can explore the colossal caves and ancient temples located in Chakrata.
How to reach:
Chakrata is approximately 350 km apart from Delhi. You can take a flight or a train or a bus, but all these options are only available till Dehradun which is the nearest major city. Dehradun is around 92 km away from Chakrata. From Dehradun, you can take a taxi or cab to reach the place.
2. Bir
Where: Himachal Pradesh
Nestled amongst the aesthetic natural bounties, Bir is a small mountain town in northern Himachal Pradesh with a large, well-established Tibetan community. It lies in the foothills of the Dhauladhar mountain ranges. The waterfalls, pine forests, serene monasteries, impeccable weather, adventure activities like paragliding have transformed Bir from a sleepy little town to a tourist destination that is worth visiting. You can also do a lot of activities in Bir like paragliding, trekking, mountain biking, hand gliding, etc. So, if you are searching for an activity-filled weekend in a picturesque location, Bir is a perfect match for you.
How to reach:
Bir is approximately 490 km apart from Delhi. There is no direct flight or rail connectivity to Bir. The easiest way to reach Bir is by taking an overnight private bus from Delhi to Bir. The nearest major railhead is in Pathankot, which is 142.2 km away from Bir. You can take a taxi or a bus from Pathankot to Bir.
3. Lansdowne
Where: Uttarakhand
Encircled by the dense oak and blue pine forests, Lansdowne is one of the quietest and unspoiled hill stations of India and has been a popular destination since Britishers came to India. The pristine surroundings and the pleasant weather of Lansdowne will surely encourage you to indulge in meditation. Moreover, this place offers a marvelous view of the sunrise and sunset, accompanied by the tangy hues of the sun. Lansdowne is a destination where all you need to do is just walk around at your own pace and explore the small town and its surrounding forests on foot.
How to reach:
The distance between Delhi and Lansdowne is 275 km which will take merely 6 to 7 hours to reach by road. The nearest railway station to Lansdowne is Kotdwar which is located at a distance of 40 km. You can get taxis or buses from there to Lansdowne.
4. Kasol
Where: Himachal Pradesh
If you are searching for a destination that is beautiful, serene, adventurous, and available throughout the year, Kasol is an example of such a destination in India. This quaint little town in Himachal Pradesh is situated on the banks of the Parvati River and has maintained a level of pristine beauty throughout the year. Kasol is also known as Mini Israel as it is inhabited by a huge number of people from Israel. In Kasol, you can find plenty of cafes that offer Israeli food, and the street signposts inscribed in Hebrew.
How to reach:
Kasol is approximately 520 km apart from Delhi. There is no direct bus service from Delhi to Kasol and you will have to get down at Bhuntar bus station. The best option is to take an overnight bus from Delhi to Bhuntar which will typically charge you Rs. 1000-1500. After getting down at Bhuntar, you can take the HRTC bus to Kasol, which will take about an hour or more to reach the destination.
5. Kanatal
Where: Uttarakhand
Located in the picturesque settings of the Garhwal Himalayas, the charming hill station of Kanatal is a perfect weekend getaway for the exhausted souls. Although the place is relatively unexplored and secluded among travellers, you can swiftly travel Kanatal as it is well connected with motorable roads. Here, you can stroll around the village, visit the apple orchards, breathe in the scent of the rhododendrons, pick the wildflowers, enjoy photography, and bond with nature itself. If you are an adventure lover, you can go on a quest into the wild and walk through the dense jungle located near Kanatal.
How to reach:
The distance between Delhi to Kanatal is 305 km. As Kanatal is well connected with motorable roads, you can easily reach Kanatal by road. Alternately, you can take a train to Dehradun which is the nearest railhead to Kanatal and 85 km apart. From Dehradun, you can get an ample number of buses or taxis to reach Kanatal.
Weekend destination from Kolkata
6. Ravangla
Where: Sikkim
Located at an altitude of 7,000ft, Ravangla in South Sikkim is dotted with pretty villages surrounded by alpine trees and jaw-dropping views of the Himalayas. You can see some of the major Himalayan peaks from various points in the area e.g., Kanchenjunga, Pandim, Sinolchu, and Kabru. Every year Ravangla attracts tourists in large numbers because of its exotic flora and fauna, haughty snow mountains, gushing waterfalls, quaint villages, hospitable villages, ethnic culture, old monasteries, and fresh atmosphere.
How to reach:
Ravangla is 674 km from Kolkata. To reach Ravangla, first, you have to arrive at NJP Railway station or Bagdogra airport. It will take nearly 5 hours to reach Ravangla from NJP or Bagdogra.
7. Bara Mangwa
Where: West Bengal
If you want to spend two days in the lap of nature where there will not be any hustle bustle, Bara Mangwa is an ideal place. It is a green village with step cultivation all around. You can see the unique cultivation practices and varied range of crops planted by the farmers of villages. As Bara Mangwa is not popular among the tourist, the virginity of nature is not yet destroyed. On a clear day, if you are lucky enough, you can see the peak of Kanchenjunga from the room of your home stays. Bara Mangwa is also famous for its orange orchard. During the orange season, the place becomes a haven for orange lovers.
How to reach:
Bara Mangwa is 615 km from Kolkata. First, you have to take a night train from Howrah to New Jalpaiguri. From there, Bara Mangwa is only 65 km which will take nearly 2.5 hours to reach. Or, you can take a flight from Kolkata to Bagdogra. From Bagdogra also, it is not more than 60 km. You can get ample numbers of taxis from both places. Alternatively, you can get a shared jeep from NJP or Bagdogra to Teesta Bazar. From there, you can hire another car to reach Bara Mangwa.
8. Lepchajagat
Where: West Bengal
Concealed amidst the lush green forest of Rhododendron and Oaktree at an altitude of approx. 7000 ft, Lepchajagat is the place where you can find your peace and calm. The majestic views of the Kanchenjunga range from this place will forever be in your memories. Also, you can find various Himalayan birds in the forest of Lepchajagat makes it an ideal place for bird watchers also. Sprawled with numerous trekking trails in and around the quaint hamlet Lepchajagat, through the dense forest, you can relish the beauty of Himalayan flora while walking on one of those trails.
How to reach:
Lepchajagat is 620 km from Kolkata. First, you have to take a night train from Howrah to New Jalpaiguri. From there, Lepchajagat is only 75 km which will take nearly 3 hours to reach. Alternately, you can take a flight from Kolkata to Bagdogra. From Bagdogra also, it is not more than 70 km. You can get ample numbers of taxis from both places.
9. Mangan
Where: Sikkim
Nestled in the lap of the Eastern Himalayas, the picturesque village of Mangan serves as a gateway to North Sikkim. Surrounded by the meandering mountain streams, forest hills, and trekking trails, this place is called the cardamom capital of India. The Kanchenjunga mountain view at Mangan itself is amazing and that’s just one of the reasons you should plan for a weekend trip to this pretty little place. The best part about Mangan is, however, the unmatched hospitality of the Lepchas. Staying with them in their homestays can be an absolutely enriching experience as you not only get introduced to the history and rich culture of the Lepchas.
How to reach:
Mangan is 615 km from Kolkata. To reach Mangan, first, you have to arrive at NJP Railway station or Bagdogra airport. From there you will get an ample number of cars to Mangan.
10. Chatakpur
Where: West Bengal
Perched at an elevation of 7887 ft from sea level on the hilltop above the quaint town Sonada, Chatakpur is a mountain village within Senchal Wildlife Sanctuary. Being a hilltop situated just at the opposite of Tiger hill, Chatakpur is one such place in India from where you can have an unobstructed view of the whole range of Kanchenjunga.
In Chatakpur, there are several forest trails through lush greenery that are ideal for light treks. However, you should always take a trained guide for treks as wildlife like leopards, barking deer and several other animals live in the forest. If you are lucky, you can even find Red Panda. It is a great place for bird watchers also, as the forest is also home to several lovely colorful birds like Blue Magpie, Bulbul, Flycatcher, Pipit, and a lot more.
How to reach:
Chatakpur is nearly 600 km from Kolkata. First, you have to take a night train from Howrah to New Jalpaiguri. From there, Chatakpur is only 64 km which will take nearly 2.5 hours to reach. Or, you can take a flight from Kolkata to Bagdogra. From Bagdogra also, it is not more than 60 km. You can get ample numbers of taxis from both places. Alternatively, you can take a shared jeep up to Sonada or Jorebunglow. Chatakpur is 7 km from Sonada and 16 km from Jorebunglow. You can hire another car from there to reach Chatakpur.
So, are you ready to choose any of the above-mentioned locations as your next weekend destination? Let us know in the comment section below. If you have any further suggestions, don’t forget to mention that too in the comments.
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