On your marks, get set and go plan your long weekends of 2023

India January 2023: As 2022 was the year of re-igniting the excitement of exploring places, multiple experiences springing up to fuel this fire and Indian travellers curating a never-ending checklist that remains un-ticked, well the good news is that 2023 has just started. 2023 is packed with several long weekends and if planned well, you can turn them into mini vacations that are sure to make it to your 2023 round-up Instagram reels.

So, for all those waiting to hit the roads and the skies and making the most of the long weekends, Booking.com brings to you a list of places around your bubbling city that would make for the perfect getaway for these weekends.

Dates to plan your travel for the first half of the year:

Republic Day (26th January, Thursday)
Maha Shivratri (18th February)
Holi Weekend (8th March, Wednesday)
Good Friday (April 9th, Friday)
Buddha Purnima (May 5th, Friday)
Bakra Eid (29th June, Thursday)

Bir Billing: The small town of Bir Billing is located in the state of Himachal Pradesh is a haven for all adventure seekers. Widely known as the ‘Paragliding capital of India’ Bir offers sports like paragliding, hand gliding, mountain biking and trekking. The town also hosts the World Paragliding Championship every year. Bir is further recognised as a place for meditation as the town is an important centre for spiritual studies. Shopping at the Bir Bazaar, walking by Bir River, travelling by the toy train, visiting Bangor waterfall and the Deer Park Institute or just exploring cafes of Bir are some of the other things you could do while holidaying in Bir.

Mashobra: Nestled in the lap of Himalayas, at an altitude of 2246 m Mashobra is a quaint little hill retreat located in Shimla district of Himachal Pradesh. This beautiful hill town is a great destination for travellers looking at a relaxing and peaceful weekend surrounded by flowing streams, captivating fruit orchards and lush oak trees. This place is perfect for nature lovers, with spots like Craignano Nature Park and Reserve Forest Sanctuary, which is Asia’s largest watershed. The Sanctuary is also good for trekking and camping, so ensure you pack your camping gears along. So whether you are looking for a secluded holiday, a romantic retreat or an adventure-packed vacation, Mahsobra will not leave you disappointed.

Darang: This little Hamlet of Himachal is situated near Mcleodganj on the road to Palampur. Darang boasts of the sprawling teas estates which are mystically snuggled in the upper Dhauladhar ranges of the Himalayas.It is one of the best offbeat holiday destinations near Delhi from where you can view the majestic Dhauladhars standing tall over the delightful hamlet. For the adventure lovers, the estate has trekking expeditions that go through the enormously spread tea plantation, mountain streams, and forests of Pine and Deodar.

Nahan: A serene town that is nestled amongst the mesmerizing Shivalik Mountains is Nahan. A short 4–5-hour drive from Delhi is all that you need to escape reality and settle amidst captivating scenic beauty. Nature enthusiasts can never get bored of the lush greenery and spell-bounding mountains. Nahan is an ideal escape for romanticists who are in search for homestays surrounded by panoramic scenery. Nahan is also home to few marvellous temples residing in the picturesque town.

Alwar: A city rich in heritage and culture, Alwar is the paradise surrounded by the Aravali hills. This age-old city has preserved its charm of the historic times. This city is home to multiple forts that wait to be explored. Adventurous and daring souls could test themselves by visiting the spooky Bhangarh Fort. Alwar is also home to the wonderful Sariska Tiger Reserve and a safari is a must to explore the reserve. You could get a chance to spot the royal Bengal tiger and other wildlife like Indian leopard, Sambhar and more. While in Alwar, don’t forget to also visit the Siliserh Lake and the Grand City Palace.

Kanatal: Perched at an elevation of 8,500 feet above sea level on Mussoorie – Chamba Road, is Kanatal, a perfect destination for travellers looking for breathtaking views and scenery. Surrounded by mountains and rivers, this hill station is known to be untouched by tourists as most of the crowd chooses to stay in the commercial town of Mussoorie. While being in Kanatal, during the morning you can walk through a dense forest jungle of Kodia where you can spot many wild animals and, in the evenings, take a walk to experience the natural spring at Tehri Dam.

Now what are you waiting for? Pack your bag and go to these locations to make the most of your long weekends in the first half off 2023.