8 Best Weekend Getaways from Chandigarh

Chandigarh is India’s first planned city and is a delight to live in. But even the people living in ‘the city beautiful’ need to break away from their monotonous routines to relax and rejuvenate. Its close proximity to Himachal Pradesh, Uttarakhand and Delhi provides some perfect weekend getaways so that the people of Chandigarh can have memorable weekend trips throughout the year.

Weekend getaways from Chandigarh are numerous and at the same time, breathtaking. Though these weekend getaways are frequented a lot by tourists and visitors,but still they never get too old or too mundane.

Here are some of the best and most popular weekend getaways from Chandigarh:

Parwanoo is a scenic hill station in Himachal Pradesh which is just 30 kms away from Chandigarh. It’s a great summer getaway as its lovely climate provides much needed relief from the scorching heat. Dhalli on its northern outskirts is famous for its (Non Veg pickles. Timber Trail at Parwanoo is a much sought after tourist attraction. It is a beautiful resort with a cable car. The ride in the cable car to the mountain top is adventurous as well as enchanting due to the magnificent views of the gorge below.

Chail in Himachal Pradesh is an exotic hill station at a distance of 103 kms from Chandigarh. Beautiful Chir and gigantic Deodar trees add to the beauty of Chail which was once the summer retreat of Maharaja of Patiala. It is an ideal destination for those interested in hiking and trekking. Chail also has the world's highest cricket ground at an altitude of 2,250 m. Chail sanctuary is also worth a visit to spot 'ghoral', 'kakkar', 'sambhar', 'red jungle fowl' and 'khalij' and 'cheer' pheasants.

The picturesque town of Kasauli in Himachal Pradesh is an ideal weekend getaway which is at 54 kms from Chandigarh. The colonial look and the churches of British era give an old age charm to this idyllic place. It is often described as a hiker's paradise as being a small town, it can be covered mostly by foot.The serene and tranquil ambience of Kasauli attracts many tourists who are looking for some time in peace.

One of the most popular hill stations in Himachal Pradesh, Shimla is at a distance of 130 kms from Chandigarh. This scenic hill station is visited by tourists throughout the year. The climate is pleasant during the summer and in winter, tourists throng to Shimla during snowfall. Shimla offers a wonderful holiday experience full of adventure, romance and complete spiritual as well as inner relaxation. The majestic mountains and stunningly rich greenery of Shimla greet you with their timeless beauty.

At a distance of 200 kms from Chandigarh, Haridwar in Uttarakhand is literally Gateway to God and is one of the Hindu holy places in India and a center of Hindu religion and mysticism for centuries. It is a sacred place to visit not only for religious minded people but also for adventurous people who can enjoy river rafting in the Ganga river.

Naldehra in Himachal Pradesh is a beautiful, very quaint and serene town to spend an idyllic vacation. At a distance of 150 kms from Chandigarh, it’s a perfect place for those who want to spend some quiet time in solitude away from the hustle and bustle of city life. As soon as you step into Naldehra, you can feel the calmness and purity of the Himalayas in the air.Golf enthusiasts can enjoy golf sessions at the 9-hole golf course while the nature lovers can enjoy walks through the apple orchids.

Situated at 45 kms of Chandigarh, Morni Hills in Haryana is a beautiful scenic place with two lakes which are surrounded by hills. With greenery spread all around, this is a great place for trekking and camping.

Renuka Ji in Himachal Pradesh is famous for its beautiful lake which is the largest in the state. Renuka Ji temple on the banks of Renuka lake is another popular tourist destination. This quiet hill station is amidst lofty mountains where one can enjoy boating and trekking.