Key Takeaways:
- India’s small towns, from Idukki to Tawang, offer serene escapes, scenic beauty, and cultural experiences away from crowded tourist spots.
- With nearby airports and options like Indian Eagle’s cheap flights from the USA to India, planning a weekend getaway to these towns is easier than ever.
- Whether it’s trekking, exploring plantations, or enjoying quiet streams and valleys, these towns provide the perfect mix of adventure, peace, and rejuvenation.
Travel in India is often about big names and crowded attractions, but what if the real charm lies in places less spoken of? Beyond the usual buzz, there are small towns in India for weekend getaway that offer peace, beauty, and authentic experiences. In this blog, we will take you through some of these gems that might just become your new favorites.
Diskit Town in Ladakh
Diskit is a small town situated in the remote area of Ladakh. You will get to visit a 14th-century monastery and a massive Maitreya Buddha statue almost 106 feet. People follow Buddhism here and the peaceful ambiance amidst the mountains, desert landscapes and beautiful old monastery will leave you mesmerized.
Majuli in Assam
Where the Brahmaputra spreads wide, Majuli rests, a river island vast as the horizon. The world’s largest of its kind, it whispers solitude to every visitor, offering peace like a song carried by flowing waters. Discover a wide variety of flora and fauna along with embracing an all new culture of the small town. The best thing to do in Majuli is the ferry ride and spectacular sunrise. In case you are planning a trip to Majuli anytime soon from a distant location, book last minute flights to Guwahati and drive to Majuli.
Idukki in Kerala
To walk in Idukki is to unlearn the city’s haste. The mountains remind you that strength needs no hurry, the streams remind you that progress makes no noise. Barely 97 kilometers from Cochin, nature turns into your patient teacher. Walking its trails, you begin to see how every flower bends with the breeze, how unseen animals leave subtle marks of belonging. Even the Tea Museum in Munnar becomes more than history; it becomes a mirror of how humans too are woven into the landscape.
Valparai in Tamil Nadu
One of the perfect small town considered as an amazing holiday destination in India is Valparai in Tamil Nadu. It is an eco-friendly tourist destination – eco-tourism being given greater importance here. Engulfed in the Annamalai Hills and tea estates, Valparai turns out be a peaceful and beautiful place for nature lovers. There are several magnificent waterfalls, streams, valleys, dams and high mountains. Also visit the Annamalai Tiger Reserve – home to elephants, tigers and panthers.
Khimsar
Craving desert thrills? Head to Khimsar in Rajasthan. Trek across rolling dunes, jeep through the rugged landscapes, and keep your camera ready at Dhawa Doli Wildlife Sanctuary. It’s small in size but massive in adventure. You can also enjoy camping in the Khimsar sand dunes. Remember paying a visit at the ancient Jain Temple.
Also Read: Top Places to Visit in India to Get a One-of-a-Kind Experience
Khonoma in Nagaland
Believed to be one of the oldest villages in India, almost 700 years old, Khonoma in Nagaland is stretched over 123sq.km. It is known for the unique agriculture form, forests and the terraced cultivation. You will have a perfect retreat among the lush green forests, deep valleys and scenic views.
Malana in Himachal Pradesh
Malana is a popular town of Himachal Pradesh known as one of the best hashish places in the world. If you and your friends love adventure, this is a place you should definitely visit. Go on a trek from Kasol to Malana and go high on the pure hash. It is one of the best places you can visit on a 3 days trip to India.
Fagu
Being an avid traveler, you must have been to hill stations like Shimla, Nainital, etc. but what about the secret heavens these places are surrounded by? Fagu is one such small town situated near Shimla, only 20 kilometers from the hill station. Fagu is considered a better holiday destination than Shimla by many travelers for the breathtaking views it offers and being less crowded. You will get to indulge in various interesting activities like the Ski Fest in the month of February.
Shoja
Need a break from honking horns and crowded streets? Head to Shoja. It’s 275 km from Chandigarh but feels light-years away. No traffic, no rush, just hills, fresh air, and that kind of calm you wish weekends always had. You will love the 38 kilometers drive past the apple orchards. For an adventurer, it is a great place to go camping with his troops. You can also go trekking to Jalori Pass, only a short distance of 5kms from Shoja. If you are planning to visit the beautiful town by air, that is, a flight to Chandigarh and then the mesmerizing drive to Shoja, trust us even booking business class flights will be fruitful.
Kangojodi
When the city noise becomes overwhelming, Kangojodi invites you to find calm in its embrace. Only 275 kilometers from Delhi, this tranquil haven holds whispers of ancient forests and sacred hills. Here, the air flows pure, and laughter around the campfire feels like a chant, unlocking peace you never knew you needed.
Instead of endless notifications, you get cliff dives and zipline whooshes. Even your excuses for escaping are better here: “Sorry boss, I was too busy rappelling off a mountain.” Trekking feels like therapy, camping feels like living again, and ziplining makes you wonder why adults don’t scream with joy more often. Whether your team is family or friends, Kangojodi guarantees your weekend is far from ordinary.
Jibhi
Regarded as one unexplored heaven amidst the Himalayas, Jibhi is one of the most amazing weekend getaways for people living in Chandigarh. At a distance of 268 kilometers from Chandigarh, Jibhi has some of the most tempting wooden houses. You will be in a peaceful verdant green ambiance, away from the daily humdrum of city life.
Also Read: Stowe to Telluride, Best Mountain Towns in USA for Autumn Trips
Tawang in Arunachal Pradesh
Tawang rests in the cradle of mountains where silence speaks. Snow peaks hold it in timeless embrace, and lakes reflect not just the sky, but the soul itself. Presiding over it all, the vast Tawang Monastery radiates centuries of wisdom, sheltering the valley with sacred calm. In Tawang, you can trek up hills, raft down frothy rivers, and meet friendly villagers who tell wonderful stories. To get there, you can fly to Guwahati or Tezpur, then take a drive where clouds sometimes race beside your car.
Thinking about visiting India’s charming small towns? You can find great deals on flights from USA to India that fit your schedule. Using Indian Eagle cheap flights helps you save money so that you have more to enjoy in Kerala, Himachal, Arunachal, and beyond. Get ready for an easy journey and a memorable trip!
FAQs
What are the best small towns in India for a weekend getaway?
Some of the top small towns include Idukki in Kerala, Majuli in Assam, Shoja and Jibhi in Himachal Pradesh, Valparai in Tamil Nadu, Tawang in Arunachal Pradesh, and Khimsar in Rajasthan. Each offers unique landscapes, cultural experiences, and adventure opportunities.
How can I reach these small towns by air?
Most towns are accessible via nearby airports. For example, Idukki is 97 km from Cochin Airport, Majuli via Guwahati, Shoja and Jibhi via Chandigarh, and Tawang via Tezpur or Guwahati. From the airport, travelers usually take a scenic drive or hire a car.
Are these small towns suitable for a family weekend trip?
Yes. Many towns like Valparai, Idukki, and Majuli are family-friendly, offering calm environments, scenic beauty, and safe trekking or sightseeing activities. Adventure-focused towns like Kangojodi or Shoja are also great for active families.
What activities can I do in these towns?
Visitors can enjoy trekking, river rafting, exploring tea and spice plantations, visiting monasteries, wildlife spotting, camping, and cultural experiences such as local festivals or markets. Each town has its own specialty. For instance, Tawang is rich in Tibetan Buddhist culture, while Khimsar offers desert adventures.
When is the best time to visit these small towns?
Most hill towns like Idukki, Shoja, and Jibhi are best visited between October and March when the weather is pleasant. Majuli is ideal from November to February. Desert towns like Khimsar are comfortable in winter months. Monsoon visits are great for lush greenery but may involve heavy rains.
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