Got Three Days? 8 Getaways For The Gandhi Jayanti Long Weekend

Getaways From Delhi

Neemrana, Rajasthan

Around 120 kilometres from Delhi, Neemrana is one of the easiest ways to bring a little Rajasthan into a three-day break. The town is best known for the 15th-century Neemrana Fort-Palace, a sprawling hilltop property built in 1464 and restored as a heritage hotel. Its terraces, courtyards and old stone passages are reason enough to spend a few hours exploring rather than simply checking in. Nearby, the Neemrana Baori offers a glimpse into the region's water architecture, with its stepped structure descending deep into the ground. You can also explore the old town and surrounding Aravalli landscape before settling in for a leisurely evening. The short distance from Delhi means you can leave early on Friday and still have most of the day ahead.

Route to Follow: To reach Neemrana from Delhi, take NH48 towards Gurugram and Manesar, passing through Dharuhera and Bawal. The journey is approximately 120 km and takes around 2.5 to 3 hours, depending on traffic. It’s advisable to leave early to avoid long-weekend traffic

Nearby Attractions: Start by strolling through the old lanes of Neemrana, then visit the Neemrana Baori, where the stepped architecture offers insight into the region's historical water systems. Once you’re back at the fort, take time to explore its terraces and courtyards, and enjoy lunch with views of the Aravalli hills.

Agra, Uttar Pradesh

Agra is familiar, but a weekend here can go well beyond the standard Taj Mahal stop. Start with the monument on Saturday morning, then spend time at Agra Fort, where Shah Jahan spent his final years after being confined by his son Aurangzeb. Across the Yamuna, Mehtab Bagh offers a different view of the Taj, while Itmad-ud-Daulah introduces you to the delicate marble inlay work for which Agra is known. The city's old markets are worth exploring for petha, marble handicrafts and leather goods, too. For a stay, choose somewhere close to the Taj so you are not spending your short break commuting across the city. Remember that the Taj Mahal is closed to visitors on Fridays, so plan your visit for Saturday or Sunday.

Route To Follow: Take the Yamuna Expressway from Greater Noida towards Agra. The journey is approximately 230 km and usually takes around 3.5–4 hours, depending on your starting point and traffic.

Nearby attractions: Start early at the Taj Mahal before the crowds build up, then make your way to Agra Fort to explore its Mughal courtyards and palaces. In the evening, cross the Yamuna to Mehtab Bagh for a different view of the Taj. Save some time for Agra's old markets and a plate of petha.

Getaways From Mumbai

Alibaug, Maharashtra

Alibaug works particularly well when you want a beach holiday without committing to a long journey down the Konkan coast. Beyond its beaches, the destination has a distinctly coastal character, with coconut groves, old homes, seafood restaurants and historic forts. At low tide, you can walk towards Kolaba Fort, the 17th-century sea fort associated with Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj. Kihim and Awas offer stretches of coastline away from the main town, while the surrounding villages make for easy drives between meals and beach stops. For accommodation, choose between boutique villas, heritage homes and resorts depending on whether you want a social or secluded weekend. Another option is to take the ferry from Mumbai to Mandwa, making the sea crossing part of the trip rather than simply a way to get there.

Route To Follow: By road, take the Mumbai–Goa Highway towards Panvel, continue through Pen and Wadkhal, and then head towards Alibaug. Alternatively, take a ferry from Mumbai to Mandwa and continue by road from the jetty. The ferry is a good option for avoiding a longer road journey over the weekend.

Nearby attractions: Begin with a morning walk along Alibaug Beach, then head towards Kolaba Fort when the tide recedes enough to make the crossing possible. Later, drive towards Kihim or Awas for a quieter stretch of coast and stop at a local seafood restaurant before sunset.

Lonavala-Khandala, Maharashtra

Lonavala is hardly an undiscovered destination for Mumbai, but the surrounding Sahyadri landscape gives it plenty of reason to return. Instead of spending the entire weekend around the main town, head towards the region's older attractions. Karla and Bhaja Caves contain ancient Buddhist rock-cut architecture, while Rajmachi is an option for travellers looking for a more demanding trek. Khandala's viewpoints offer sweeping views across the valleys, and the post-monsoon landscape around October can still be green. You can split the weekend between sightseeing and simply staying put at your accommodation. From large activity-led resorts to smaller hillside stays, there are plenty of options.

Route To Follow: Take the Mumbai–Pune Expressway towards Lonavala. The drive is roughly 80 km and can take around 2–3 hours depending on traffic. For a more scenic route, continue towards Khandala after reaching Lonavala. Leave early on Friday, as the expressway can get busy during a long weekend.

Nearby attractions: Start your morning at the ancient Karla Caves, where rock-cut Buddhist architecture dates back centuries, then continue to Bhaja Caves nearby. If you want something more active, set aside time for the Rajmachi trail. In the evening, head towards Khandala's viewpoints for views across the Sahyadris.

Getaways From Bengaluru

Coorg, Karnataka 

Coorg is best approached as a place to slow down rather than a destination to rush through. The hills around Madikeri are covered with coffee and spice plantations, and October is a good time to see the landscape still carrying its post-monsoon greenery. Spend part of the weekend walking through a coffee estate, learning about the bean-to-cup process or simply enjoying the scenery from a plantation stay. Madikeri Fort and Raja's Seat cover the historical side of the trip, while Abbey Falls makes for an easy excursion. For something different, drive to Bylakuppe, home to Tibetan monasteries and settlements. The journey from Bengaluru passes through Mysuru before climbing towards the Western Ghats, making the changing landscape part of the getaway.

Route To Follow: Take the Bengaluru–Mysuru Expressway towards Mysuru, then continue through Hunsur and Kushalnagar before reaching Madikeri. The journey is around 260 km and takes roughly 5–6 hours. Mysuru makes a convenient stop for breakfast or lunch before continuing into Coorg

Nearby attractions: Start with a walk through a coffee plantation and learn how the beans are grown and processed. Later, head to Madikeri Fort and Raja's Seat before driving towards Abbey Falls. If you have another half-day, make the trip to Bylakuppe to see its Tibetan monasteries and settlements.

Kabini, Karnataka

If your idea of a long weekend involves an early-morning safari rather than a hill-station café, Kabini is the place to consider. The Kabini River forms part of a larger wildlife landscape adjoining Nagarhole National Park, where jeep and boat safaris offer different ways to experience the forest. Expect to see elephants, deer, gaur, crocodiles and a range of birdlife; tiger sightings are possible but never guaranteed. The best way to plan Kabini is around your safari timings rather than trying to fill every hour with sightseeing. Choose a forest lodge or riverside property, book your safari slots in advance and leave the afternoon free for a leisurely meal or time by the property. The longer drive from Bengaluru is well suited to a two-night stay.

Route To Follow: Take the Bengaluru–Mysuru Expressway to Mysuru, then continue towards Hunsur and H.D. Kote before approaching the Kabini reservoir and forest area. The drive is roughly 210–220 km and takes around 4.5–5 hours, depending on your final stay. Allow enough time to reach before a pre-booked safari.

Nearby attractions: Begin before sunrise with a jeep safari through Nagarhole, when the forest is at its most active. Return for breakfast, then spend the afternoon around the Kabini backwaters or take a boat safari. Keep your evening free, you may want to return to the forest for another safari rather than rush between attractions.

Getaways From Kolkata

Raichak, West Bengal

Around 50 kilometres from Kolkata, Raichak is an easy choice when you want to trade city traffic for wide river views and a slower pace. Set along the Hooghly, the area has a mix of colonial-era history, riverside walks and open landscapes. Spend your morning exploring the old fort area, take a boat ride on the river or simply follow the waterfront as the day cools. The nearby villages also offer a glimpse of rural Bengal, while Diamond Harbour makes for an easy detour. For a more indulgent weekend, there are several upscale stays in and around Raichak, including Taj Ganga Kutir. The short journey means you can leave Kolkata on Friday and still have plenty of time to settle into the weekend.

Route To Follow: Take Diamond Harbour Road from Kolkata towards Bishnupur and Raichak. The journey is around 50–55 kilometres and takes roughly 1.5–2 hours, depending on traffic.

Nearby Attractions: Start with a walk along the Hooghly riverfront, explore the remains of Raichak Fort, then drive towards Diamond Harbour for expansive views of the river.

Bawali, West Bengal

Just over an hour from Kolkata, Bawali offers the kind of weekend where the journey is short but the setting feels far removed from the city. The highlight is The Rajbari Bawali, an 18th-century zamindar mansion restored into a luxury heritage property, with courtyards, ponds and period architecture woven into the experience. Spend the morning exploring the restored rooms and surrounding village, then settle beside the pool or book a traditional wellness treatment. The property also makes a good base for exploring the area's temples and rural landscape. For a two-night Gandhi Jayanti break, Bawali works particularly well for travellers looking for history and indulgence without a long drive.

Route To Follow: Take the Diamond Harbour Road from Kolkata towards Bakhrahat, then continue towards Bawali. The journey is roughly 35–40 km and usually takes around 1.5–2 hours, depending on traffic.

Nearby attractions: Begin with a walk around Bawali's old village lanes, then visit the historic Bawali Rajbari temples and nearby terracotta temples. Return to the property for a leisurely lunch, followed by time by the pool or around its ponds.

A long weekend does not need a long itinerary. This Gandhi Jayanti, choose a destination that lets you spend less time getting there and more time exploring, eating, walking and taking in a different landscape. Whether it is Neemrana's heritage, Alibaug's coast, Coorg's coffee country, Kabini's forests or Raichak's riverside charm, these eight getaways offer plenty to make three days feel like a proper break. Pick your route, leave early and make the most of the extra day.

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