5 Perfect Weekend Getaways from Delhi to Himachal Pradesh
When You Need Mountains But Only Have 48 Hours
Delhi's proximity to Himachal Pradesh is one of its greatest perks. In under 10 hours of driving — or an overnight bus — you can go from concrete and smog to pine forests and snow peaks. Here are five weekend getaways that maximize mountain time.
1. Kasauli — The Closest Escape (290 km, 5-6 hours)
Best for: Couples, families, anyone who wants minimum travel time
Kasauli is the closest Himachal hill station to Delhi and one of the most charming. This tiny cantonment town has no Mall Road madness, no adventure sports circus — just colonial-era bungalows, Christ Church, pine-scented walks, and the kind of quiet that Delhi desperately needs.
Must do: Walk to Monkey Point (the highest point in Kasauli, run by the Air Force — carry ID). Stroll through the Lower and Upper Mall. Have a beer at the Kasauli Club if you can get a member to sign you in.
Stay: Baikunth Resort (luxury), Kasauli Regency (mid-range), or any of the heritage cottages.
2. Shimla — The Classic (340 km, 7-8 hours)
Best for: History buffs, families, first-time visitors to Himachal
Yes, Shimla gets crowded. But time it right — arrive Friday night, explore Saturday morning before the day-trippers arrive — and the colonial heritage, the walks through the forest, and the views from Scandal Point still deliver.
Must do: Heritage walk (Christ Church → Gaiety Theatre → Viceregal Lodge). Toy train ride from Shimla to Kandaghat and back. Dinner at one of the Ridge's old restaurants.
Stay: Clarkes Hotel (heritage), Oberoi Cecil (splurge), or homestays in Mashobra/Kufri.
3. Tirthan Valley — The Nature Lover's Pick (480 km, 9-10 hours)
Best for: outdoor types, trekkers, anyone escaping tourist crowds
Tirthan Valley is the antidote to every over-touristed hill station in Himachal. The gateway to the Great Himalayan National Park, it offers clean rivers (swim in them!), dense forests, trout fishing, and some of the best homestays in the state.
Must do: Swim in the Tirthan River (natural rock pools near Gushaini). Day hike to Jalori Pass and Serolsar Lake. Trout fishing with local guides. Evening bonfire at your homestay.
Stay: Raju Bharti's Homestay (legendary hospitality), The Himalayan Trout House, or any of the riverside camps.
4. Bir Billing — The Adventure Pick (480 km, 9-10 hours)
Best for: Adventure seekers, solo travelers, paragliding enthusiasts
Combine Asia's best paragliding with a Tibetan monastery town, good cafes, and a laid-back vibe. Friday night bus from Delhi, Saturday morning paraglide, explore the town, Sunday drive back.
Must do: Tandem paragliding flight. Visit Chokling Monastery. Coffee at Garden Cafe. Mountain bike ride around Bir.
Stay: Colonel's Resort (mid-range), Zostel Bir (backpacker), or homestays in Billing village.
5. Prashar Lake — The Offbeat Gem (500 km, 10 hours)
Best for: Trekkers, photographers, people who hate crowds
Prashar Lake at 2,730m is one of Himachal's most photogenic spots — a small floating island in a high-altitude lake beside a 13th-century pagoda temple. The 7 km trek from Bagi is easy enough for beginners, and the campsite beside the lake is remarkable.
Must do: Trek to the lake (start early Saturday morning). Camp overnight by the lake. Explore the Parashar Rishi temple. Catch sunset from the ridge above the lake.
Stay: Camp at the lake (tent rental available) or guesthouses in Bagi village.
