Attention travellers! This list of weekend retreats in India under INR 3000 will surely make you travel to these places without thinking twice! The destinations are easily accessible from all major cities. Come, take a trip:
From Delhi
Kasauli
A hill station that inspires you to do nothing at all, Kasauli does not give itself to touristy activities. This is not the place if you want swanky malls on your day’s outing. But you can stroll through the town, down the Lower Mall or the Upper Mall, and up to Monkey Point. There’s a tiny bazaar with a few dhabas, Tibetan food and warm clothes.
Photo by Suman Wadha
Food: Local eateries at the Mall Road are best places to have your meal at affordable prices. You will get a good meal for INR 200 at these local restaurants.
Rishikesh
The world may know of Rishikesh as a temple town, a hippie abode, the place where the Beatles took to spirituality under Mahesh Yogi or as an international hotspot for yoga, but more than anything else, it is the River Ganga that defines the city of Rishikesh. Around 224 km from Delhi, Rishikesh is the perfect getaway from the capital city, offering a lot to its guests.
Rishikesh City
Food: A lavish meal would cost you around INR 200 in local eateries.
From Pune
Alibaug
One of the most famous weekend retreats from Pune, Alibaug is a charming little town with sun-kissed beaches and lush greenery. Even though it is an year round destination, it looks best during the monsoons.
Food: Alibaug has a number of restaurants where you can enjoy meals for less than INR 500.
Mahabaleshwar
Home to some 30 sightseeing points including the famous Hunter Point, Wilson Point and Kate’s Point, Mahabaleshwar is a scenic town with a feel of good old days. Once the summer capital of the Bombay Presidency, the hill station is now a famous weekend getaway with something for everyone!
Food: Enjoy a hearty meal at INR 200 in this scenic hill town.
From Bangalore
Mysore
Once considered to be a laidback stopover city en route to Coorg, Wayanad and the Nilgiris, Mysore has suddenly become a favourite weekend destination for Bangaloreans. There is more to Mysore than its royal edifices, museums and churches. The city offers one of the best sunset views across the globe, so don’t forget to click some amazing pictures when you are here!
Food: Get good south Indian food at around INR 150 per person.
Nandi Hills
A popular getaway and a very convenient day trip close to Bangalore, Nandi Hills is a craggy range of hills. The magical hills get their name from the beautiful statue of Nandi standing guard outside the Yoga Nandeeshwara Temple atop the hills. Visit this place for its scenic beauty and that much needed break from the hustle bustle of city life.
Food: KTD (Karnataka Tourism Department) has veg and non-veg restaurants for affordable meals. Veg meal- INR 200/non-veg meal-INR 400
From Kolkata
Digha
Digha is a busy sea resort, the most popular in West Bengal, and a comfortable 4-hour drive from Kolkata. There are two beaches at Digha, the older one, and the one known as New Digha, a kilometre to the west of the old one. The beach at Shankarpur (16 km), though not far, is less crowded. The glistening white Mandarmani Beach, one of the famous beaches in India, 32 km east of Shankarpur, is even more clean and unspoilt. The journey to Mandarmani itself is an unforgettable, lovely drive.
Photo by Antorjal
Food: A day’s meal would cost you somewhere between INR 500 to 600
Shanti Niketan
Though known worldwide for its Rabindra Bharati University, Shantiniketan is more of a weekend retreat for people living in Kolkata. The place is known for its vocational training centres–from Japanese scholars to language-enthusiasts from Argentina, all come here. Head to Shantiniketan for a relaxed and quiet holiday while you do some soul searching.
Photo by Sub4u.roy
Food: A day’s meal would cost you around INR 400 to 500.
Hotel Stay: Utsav Hotel is a recommended budget option.
From Hyderabad
Hampi
A trip to Hampi is perfect to get away from the chaos of city life, its hustle and bustle. The ruins of the ancient city of Hampi are strikingly beautiful. A UNESCO World Heritage Site, Hampi has a 33 km area which is scattered with ruins. There are hundreds of ruins and the important ones are grouped into the Sacred Centre and the Royal Centre.
Food: A day’s meal would cost you around INR 500 to 600.
Pondicherry
The famous French Quarter has so many things to explore–windswept roads, sunny Mediterranean buildings, Aurobindo Ashram and the sweeping vistas of the Bay of Bengal. Almost an overnight journey from Hyderabad, Pondicherry is an ideal getaway for people looking for some quietude and solitude, away from maddening city life.
Food: A day’s meal would cost you around INR 700 to 800.
So, what are you waiting for? Plan a quick trip to these weekend retreats in India under INR 3000 and save some cash for your next vacation!
