With well-timed public holidays spread throughout the year, 2026 offers Indian travellers the opportunity to turn minimal leave into meaningful breaks. The secret lies in pairing each long weekend with destinations that are seasonally aligned — whether that’s festive immersion in March, monsoon-soaked forest escapes in July, wildlife reopenings in October or snow-dusted landscapes in December.

• Holi Break (28 February – 3 March 2026) Take Monday off for a 4-day escape.

Early March is one of the most versatile travel windows of the year. For those drawn to immersive celebrations, Mathura and Vrindavan deliver Holi in its most traditional form, while Varanasi offers a spiritual, high-energy experience along the ghats. Travellers seeking quieter cultural depth can explore Chettinad’s heritage mansions or temple towns like Kumbakonam. Wildlife enthusiasts benefit from this pre-summer window in Ranthambore and Bandhavgarh, when sightings improve before peak heat sets in. Internationally, Kathmandu and Pokhara offer clear Himalayan panoramas, while Sri Lanka’s Cultural Triangle combines ancient heritage with comfortable weather before monsoon patterns shift. Northern Vietnam, particularly Hanoi and Sapa, is well-suited to this period, with pleasant spring temperatures.

• Ram Navami Break (26–29 March 2026) Take Friday off for a 4-day spring getaway.

Late March is ideal for slow, well-paced travel. Pondicherry’s French quarters, Thanjavur’s temple architecture and Mahabalipuram’s coastal heritage align perfectly with spring conditions. For sea lovers, the Andaman & Nicobar Islands offer calm waters suited to snorkelling and diving. Short-haul destinations such as Hanoi and Halong Bay (Vietnam) provide scenic cruising and culinary exploration. Oman, particularly Muscat and the surrounding wadis, offers a compelling blend of desert landscapes, coastline and cultural depth during this pleasant pre-summer window.

• Good Friday Break (3–6 April 2026, extendable)

As temperatures begin rising across the plains, travellers gravitate towards water-led and elevated escapes. Lakshadweep and the Andaman Islands are at their seasonal best, offering clear waters and coral-led experiences before peak summer crowds.

Hill destinations like Coonoor, Coorg and Wayanad provide milder weather and plantation stays. Internationally, Mauritius presents favourable beach conditions in April, while the Philippines — especially Palawan and Cebu — offers island-hopping experiences with excellent sea visibility. Japan’s cherry blossom season in Kyoto and Tokyo continues to make this a compelling extended short-haul break.

• Labour Day Break (30 April – 3 May 2026) Take Thursday off for a 4-day mountain escape.

By early May, higher altitudes gain traction. Spiti Valley, Munsiyari and Tawang offer dramatic Himalayan landscapes, while classic summer retreats like Ooty and Kodaikanal continue to draw interest.

Beyond India, Almaty (Kazakhstan) and the mountain regions of Georgia present alpine scenery combined with cultural depth. Western China, particularly Yunnan province, is beginning to see favourable weather, offering dramatic landscapes, heritage towns, and distinct culinary experiences.

• Rath Yatra Monsoon Break (16–19 July 2026) Take Friday off for a 4-day green escape.

Monsoon travel is increasingly experiential rather than incidental. Destinations such as Valparai, Bhimashankar and Agumbe transform into lush, mist-laden landscapes ideal for slow travel. Adventure and nature-focused travellers can look to Nature Trails properties designed for active monsoon experiences — at Nature Trails Durshet, Sajan and Kundalika (Maharashtra), Nature Trails Rock Valley (Goa) and riverside adventure at Nature Trails Rishikesh.

This window also aligns well with Thailand, which sees vibrant, rain-washed landscapes and fewer crowds in destinations like Phuket and Krabi — making it an appealing July long-weekend international escape. For another island contrast, Sri Lanka’s east coast (Trincomalee and Pasikudah) experiences favourable weather during this period.

• Raksha Bandhan Break (27–30 August 2026, extendable)

Late monsoon showcases India at its most vibrant. Ziro Valley’s rolling greens, Meghalaya’s living root bridges and dramatic waterfalls, and the backwaters of Alleppey offer immersive slow travel experiences.

Wildlife parks such as Kabini and Tadoba begin to attract interest as the landscapes refresh post-rains. Internationally, Bali aligns well with this late-August window, offering dry-season beach conditions, cultural exploration in Ubud and scenic volcanic landscapes. Luang Prabang (Laos) and parts of the Philippines also remain favourable for culturally immersive yet relaxed escapes.

• Gandhi Jayanti Break (2–5 October 2026, extendable)

October marks one of the year’s most balanced travel windows. Post-monsoon clarity enhances heritage destinations such as Hampi, Orchha, and Khajuraho (Bundelkhand), while Udaipur’s lake-city setting benefits from refreshed landscapes.

This period coincides with the Durga Puja/Navratri festive window, making it an ideal time to pair celebrations with travel. Bali, in its peak dry season, offers a seamless blend of culture and coastline during this festive period. Bhutan emerges as a standout October choice with clear mountain views and festival experiences. Singapore, particularly in the first week of October, remains a strong contender for compact international festive breaks alongside Dubai.

• Dussehra Festive Break (17–20 October 2026) Take Monday off for a 4-day festive window.

Among the most sought-after travel periods of the year, Dussehra sees travellers split between cultural immersion and scenic autumn journeys. Mysuru offers one of India’s most iconic festive celebrations, while Chandigarh, paired with Shimla or Manali, provides crisp Himalayan air.

Internationally, Japan aligns exceptionally well with this Dussehra window, as autumn foliage begins to colour the landscapes of Kyoto and Tokyo, offering comfortable sightseeing weather. Seoraksan National Park (South Korea) is gaining momentum for fall colours, while northern China is also beginning to showcase autumn scenery. Vietnam, particularly central regions like Da Nang and Hoi An, aligns well during this shoulder-season window.

• Christmas Break (25–28 December 2026, extendable)

Year-end travel is increasingly experience-led. Goa remains a festive favourite, while Auli and Gulmarg cater to snow adventure and scenic views. Offbeat winter charm draws travellers to Meghalaya and Majuli, and Ranthambore enters prime safari season.

Internationally, Bhutan appeals to those seeking a quieter, reflective close to the year. For tropical winter warmth, Mauritius and Sri Lanka’s south coast remain strong contenders. In contrast, traditional European winter experiences in Finland, Norway, Sweden, the UK and France continue to attract snow-seekers and Christmas market enthusiasts.