Here’s Your Long Weekend Travel Calendar for 2017. Get, Set, Go!

With as many as 14 long weekends falling in 2017’s calendar, you might actually consider living out of a suitcase! Plan ahead, apply for your leaves, fill up your tank and venture out to make the most of these long weekends in 2017. Let the travels begin!

January-February-March

Republic Day Weekend, 26^th to 29^th January (Take a Leave on Friday)

[Thursday, 26 Jan: Republic Day]

Where to go?

For some winter fun, head to the snow-engulfed slopes of Auli, Uttarakhand to try skiing.Auli, 

Mahashivratri Weekend, 24^th to 26^th February

[Friday, 24 Feb: Mahashivratri]

Where to go?

From 18^th to 27^th February, attend the Taj Mahotsav in Agra, a festival of art, craft, culture and cuisine.

Holi Weekend, 11^th to 13^th March

[Monday, 13 Mar: Holi]

Where to go?

Admire the breathtaking beauty of the white coffee flowers in bloom, in Coorg, Karnataka.

Gudi Padva Weekend, 25^th to 28^th March (Take a Leave on Monday)

[Tuesday, 28 Mar: Gudi Padva]

Where to go?

Experience the thrills of white-water rafting amidst the valleys of Rishikesh, Uttarakhand.

April-June-August

 

Ram Navmi Weekend, 1^st to 4^th April (Take a Leave on Monday)

[Tuesday, 4 Apr: Ram Navami]

Where to go?

Gaze at the colourful tulips that bloom in Srinagar, Kashmir. The vibrant coverlets have a striking resemblance to the tulips of Keukenhof Tulip Garden, Netherlands (where Rekha and Amitabh sang Dekha Ek Khwaab Toh Ye Silsile Huye, in the film Silsila).  

Vaisakhi, Ambedkar Jayanti and Easter Weekend, 13^th to 16^th April

Where to go?

Bike lovers, follow your passion all the way to Phuket for the Phuket Bike Week from 8^th to 16^th April, and the Songkran Festival (13^th to 15^th April). Partake in the water-splashing and admire displays of classic motorcycles by collectors, while you’re here.

Eid Weekend, 24^th to 26^th June

[Monday, 26 Jun: Ramzan Eid]

Where to go?

Gorge on Eid fare in Lucknow or Hyderabad.

Get drenched in the monsoon showers in the hill town of Munnar, Kerala.

Janmashtami and Independence Day Weekend, 12^th to 16^th August (Take a Leave on Monday)

[Monday, 14 Aug: Janmashtami]
[Tuesday, 15 Aug: Independence Day]

Where to go?

Fly to Manali, and hire a bike to ride the Leh-Manali Highway and spend at least five days exploring the gems of Leh and Ladakh.

Brave the climb to the high-altitude Himalayan valley, the Valley of Flowers National Park in Uttarakhand to witness the vibrancy of the flora in bloom.

Ganesh Chaturthi Weekend, 25^th to 27^th August

Where to go?

Pune, for its vibrant Ganesh Chaturthi celebrations.

September-October-December

Gandhi Jayanti Weekend, 30^th September to 2^nd October

Saturday, 30 Sep
Sunday, 1 Oct
Monday, 2 Oct: Gandhi Jayanti

Where to go?

From September 16 to October 3, 2017, Munich will host Oktoberfest, the famous three-week long folk festival known for its vibrant parades, food stalls, musical performances, and of course beer!  

Immerse yourself in the Culture of Bhutan as you observe dances performed by trained monks and men in colourful masks and costumes, at the Thimphu Tsechu Festival. The festival takes place from September 30 to October 2 in 2017.

Diwali Weekend, 14^th to 22^nd October (Take Leaves on Monday, Tuesday, Thursday)

Saturday, 14 Oct
Sunday, 15 Oct
Monday, 16 Oct: Dhanteras or take leave
Tuesday, 17 Oct: Naraka Chaturdashi or take leave
Wednesday, 18 Oct: Diwali
Thursday. 19 Oct: Take leave
Friday, 20 Oct: Bhaiduj
Saturday, 21 Oct
Sunday, 22 Oct

Where to go?

For the love of mountains, plan a getaway to Gangtok to capture snapshots of the stunning Mount Kanchenjunga.

Head to Sydney, Australia to explore the Opera House, Darling Harbour, the famous Harbour Bridge, or just like back on the sands of Sydney beach.

Opt for Varanasi’s Ramnagar Ramlila—an idyllic representation to the mythological saga.

Eid Weekend, 1^st to 3^rd December

Friday, 1 Dec: Eid-e-Milad
Saturday, 2 Dec
Sunday, 3 Dec

Where to go?

Attend the Hornbill Festival and revel in Nagaland’s folk dances, songs, handicrafts and food.

Take a jungle safari through the dense covers of Periyar National Park and Tiger Reserve which are home to a variety of flora and fauna.

Christmas Weekend, 23^rd to 25^th December

[Monday, 25^th Dec: Christmas]

Where to go?

End your year with a laidback vacation in the Maldives.

Crystal clear waters of Dawki (in Shillong) are worth making a trip to the Northeast for boating!

Asia’s longest beach festival, Festa De Diu, is a melange of thrilling adventures, fashion shows, musical and dance performances, which takes place in Diu.

Get, Set, Go!