Craving a trip during the festive season? Luckily, October has a long weekend with the perfect timing!
October 15 (Friday) to October 17 (Sunday) is the Dussehra long weekend, where you can whisk yourself away to a myriad of places with exciting things to do. Enjoy pleasant post-monsoon weather in most cities, national parks opening up for safari season, and the last of summery outdoor activities in Himalayan hill stations before winter sets in.
To make this trip super affordable, here’s our tip: book ASAP! Since October 15 is just over 30 days away, it has low airfare if you book a flight by today or tomorrow.
This is because airlines have a domestic fare cap for 30 days from the date of booking, where their prices have to be within a range set by the Ministry of Civil Aviation. If you book a flight for a date after this period (in this case, for October 14 or later) you can enjoy lower fares!
Book your flight with the code: DEAL to get up to ₹3000 instant off:
Search FlightsNow that you know speed is essential, what’s next? A list of trip ideas! Here are the best places to visit in October: Delhi, Nainital, Hampi, Sikkim and Bandhavgarh.
More details below:
Delhi
Three days is never enough to fully enjoy the flavours of Delhi, but you should get a pretty good taste! Explore iconic monuments like the Red Fort, Humayun’s Tomb, the Qutub Minar and Purana Qila; dine at some of the finest restaurants and cafes in India; and take a heritage walk along the historic Chandni Chowk, known for its shopping and street food.
Nearest airport: Delhi Airport, in the southern part of the city.
Entry rules: No RT-PCR report or vaccination proof required. Passengers from high-risk states may be tested on arrival.
Nainital, Uttarakhand
This beautiful hill station needs no introduction. Nainital’s postcard-perfect scenery features a dreamy lake, misty mountains and charming picnic spots. Travellers can enjoy many sunrise and sunset points, boating and the aerial ropeway to Snow View Point. Nature lovers shouldn’t miss the Pangot and Kilbury Bird Sanctuary, 13 km away from the main city.
Nearest airport: Pantnagar Airport (approx. 70 km away)
Entry rules: Register on the Dehradun Smart City portal. Carrying a COVID-19 negative test report (RT-PCR/TrueNat/CBNAAT/RAT) not older than 72 hours is also required. Fully vaccinated travellers (two doses) who took the second dose at least 15 days before arrival can show their vaccination certificate instead.
Hampi, Karnataka
Hampi was one of India’s grandest medieval cities, and you can still see that in every corner of this UNESCO World Heritage Site. A giant complex of temple ruins, palaces, shrines and many other beautifully carved structures, it lies on the banks of the Tungabhadra river. The Virupaksha Temple here is an active place of worship, and a marvelous reminder of the Vijayanagara empire.
Nearest airport: Belagavi Airport (approx. 265 km away)
Entry rules: Arrivals from Kerala and Maharashtra must carry a negative RT-PCR report not older than 72 hours, regardless of their vaccination status. Children below 2 years of age, those travelling for emergencies and constitutional/healthcare workers may be exempted. Symptomatic arrivals from any state must carry a negative RT-PCR report not older than 72 hours. See additional rules for arrivals from Kerala…
Sikkim
We’ve named the full state, because it’s hard to narrow down just one destination inside! Sikkim’s dramatic landscape features mountains, meadows, glaciers, waterfalls and pristine forests—all of which are worth seeing. But for a three-day trip, it’s best to take one corner of the state and explore it fully. One of the most popular tourist circuits is in North Sikkim, featuring Gangtok, Lachung, Gurudongmar Lake and the Yumthang Valley.
Nearest airport: Bagdogra Airport (main, approx. 125 km from Gangtok), Pakyong Airport (limited flights, approx. 27 km from Gangtok)
Entry rules: Register on the state tourism portal to get a travel card. Fully vaccinated (two doses) travellers can enter Sikkim with a vaccination certificate. Those partially vaccinated or below 18 years of age must carry a negative RT-PCR report conducted within 72 hours of arrival. Travellers coming by road should ensure that the driver is fully vaccinated/returns the same day. More info…
Bandhavgarh National Park, MP
If Madhya Pradesh is tiger country, Bandhavgarh is one of its capitals. The park is home to over 22 mammal species and 250 kinds of birds, and you can book jeep safaris from dawn to dusk. Apart from Bengal tigers, Bandhavgarh is known for sightings of leopards, jungle cats, sloth bears, nilgai, hyenas and elephants. When done with safaris, try cycling trails, village visits and a trip to the Bansagar Dam.
Nearest airport: Jabalpur Airport (approx. 165 km away)
Entry rules: None to enter Madhya Pradesh, except for travellers arriving in Gwalior from Maharashtra. They must carry a negative RT-PCR report not older than 72 hours. Those without the report will have to undergo a (free) COVID-19 test on arrival.
Stay tuned to ixigo for more trip ideas!
