There is another level of joy that comes with seeing the transition from hot, hotter, hottest Delhi summer to see it raining and what better way to make it more joyful than by planning a mini vacation? Of course, longer trips are hard to plan and even harder to convince people to come with you. But a weekend escape during a glorious rainy season can be exactly what everyone wants and needs.
So, to sort you out with the best picks where you can book this mini vacation, check out our roundup!
Khas Bagh is no more than a ten-minute drive from Amer Fort on farms around the city of Jaipur. Built on the lines of a Haveli but spread out like a country home with large open terraces, courtyards, and verandas, the property offers 18 spacious suites. Ransher Singh, a polo player, is the owner and host. A stable of robust polo ponies shares the four-acre space that Khas Bagh is set on. An inviting swimming pool on the estate is just made for a relaxing day with a tall drink at hand, and visits to the elephant camp, horse safaris, and riding lessons are some activities you can undertake.
Distance From Delhi (approx.): 5 hr 5 min (243.0 km)
Price Per Day (approx.): INR 5,800
Check-in/Check-out Timings: 12 PM & 11 AM respectively
Social Media/ Website: Khas Bagh
Jim’s Jungle Retreat in the southern forests of Corbett offers 18 cottages and lodges close to a seasonal river that comes alive during monsoons. The retreat combines luxury with a concept that borrows as much from the forest bungalows as from the enduring architectural legacy of the local villages. The land features water bodies and open spaces with native shrubs and trees for birds to nest, and animals like deer and birds can be seen walking through the natural fencing, creating a vital connection between man and jungle.
Distance From Delhi (approx.): 5 hr 13 min (263.1 km)
Price Per Day (approx.): INR 5,800
Check-in/Check-out Timings: 1 PM & 11 AM respectively
Social Media/ Website: Jim's Jungle Retreat
Churu is a quaint town and a delightful getaway in the fresco region of Shekhawati. Amidst sprawling havelis, Churu’s heritage buildings are in various stages of decay, but thanks to crusaders like Deepak Balan (born here, educated overseas), who have kick-started a passionate movement to conserve the city's history and architecture. Visit Malji Ka Kamra, set within a restored Haveli that brings into focus the region’s rich heritage and conservation history, which is a rare proposition.
Distance From Delhi (approx.): 6 hr 7 min (281.4 km)
Price Per Day (approx.): INR 5,000
Check-in/Check-out Timings: 2 PM & 11 AM respectively
Social Media/ Website: Malji Ka Kamra
Patan, up to the early 18th century, was the centre of a small state ruled by the Tomara clan. The Battle of Patan, one of the last great battles in Indian history between the Marathas and the Rajputs, supported by the Mughals, was fought here. Surrounded by high Aravallis on one side and a private farm on the other, Patan Mahal has 19 spacious and elegantly furnished palace suites opening to large terraces. This palace hotel is a perfect getaway from Delhi and is connected to Shekhawati and Jaipur. You can undertake treks to the monsoon palace, craft centres like bangle-making units, and so on.
Distance From Delhi (approx.): 4 hr 2 min (179.8 km)
Price Per Day (approx.): INR 12,000
Check-in/Check-out Timings: 2 PM & 11 AM respectively
Social Media/ Website: Patal Mahal
Catle Kanota, featured as the ‘Viceroy Club’ in ‘The Best Exotic Marigold Hotel’ parts 1 and 2, is a stunning property. A definite highlight is the museum, which showcases Thakur Amar Singh's meticulously preserved collection of arms and ammunition, maps, and diaries.
Distance From Delhi (approx.): 4 hr 20 min (278.1 km)
Price Per Day (approx.): INR 4,500
Check-in/Check-out Timings: 12 PM & 11 AM respectively
Social Media/ Website: Castle Kanota
Solitude By The Riverside is a nature lover’s haven, a birder's paradise, a trekker’s dream and an accessible getaway for vacation seekers from the plains. It is an award-winning Himalayan retreat which is just six hours away from Delhi. It's basically a 1940s house, but a lot modern now and is comprised of two cottages. The rooms are warm, earthy, and everything you need to be cosy when it is raining outside!
Distance From Delhi (approx.): 6 hr 13 min (308.8 km)
Price Per Day (approx.): INR 14,000
Check-in/Check-out Timings: 2 PM & 10 AM respectively
Social Media/Website: Solitude By The River
Alila Fort in Bishangarh is a 230-year-old fort that has been converted into a heritage resort where you can fulfil your childhood dream of living as royalty. Alila redefines luxury getaways like nothing else, and this one in Bishangarh is no less. It is a refurbished 18th-century fort from which you can get a scenic hilltop view. To give you a full-blown Rajput-like experience, there is a rooftop restaurant that serves classic Rajput dishes.
Distance from Delhi (approx.): 4 hr 32 min (219.4 km)
Price Per Day (approx.): INR 18,000
Check-in/Check-out Timings: 3 PM & 12 PM respectively
Social Media/Website: Alila Fort
Enjoy a nice and quaint weekend at the Neemrana Fort Palace. You can choose to take a dip in the pool or take a tour of the town. If you are a history buff, you can ask the manager to walk you through its history. There are many rooms available, and some also include turrets, antique furniture, whirlpool tubs, and kitchenettes. There is also an art deco-style rooftop tent.
Distance From Delhi (approx.): 2 hr 43 min (123.0 km)
Price Per Day (approx.): INR 12,000
Check-in/Check-out Timings: 2 PM & 12 PM respectively
Social Media/Website: Neemrana Fort
Rishikesh has become the go-to escape for Delhiites, and rightly so. It’s the kind of place where you can meet warm, like-minded travellers, try your hand at adventure activities, and stay close to nature. While rafting during the monsoon is a no-go, a glamping getaway at Antrix Resorts & Retreat should very much be on the cards. Take advantage of gorgeous mountain-view rooms, gourmet dining, yoga sessions, and yes, even pool parties to shake things up.
Distance From Delhi (approx.): 5 hr 31 min (265.5 km)
Price Per Day (approx.): INR 6,600
Check-in/Check-out Timings: 2 PM & 11 AM respectively
Social Media/Website: Antrix Resorts & Retreat
Pro-Tip: Things To Do In Rishikesh: Places To Stay At, Eat, & Activities To Do
Not to sound too market-y, but peak grandeur meets top-notch service at Ratan Vilas. It's a luxury resort inside the Sariska Tiger Reserve, which overlooks a serene lake. With a range of stay options, from club and pool-view rooms to royal club cottages and the Maharani suites, it is all about giving you royal treatment. The reserve is also home to majestic tigers, so don't miss the chance to plan a safari and have a wild experience.
Distance From Delhi (approx.): 3 hr 45 min (188.3 km)
Price Per Day (approx.): INR 14,000
Check-in/Check-out Timings: 2 PM & 11 AM respectively
Social Media/Website: Ratan Villas Sariska
