The National Capital Region or NCR as it is known is a fantastic place to stay. The national monuments, the historic locations and the city in itself is a wonderful reminder of the diversity of our country. Not to mention the proximity of the capital region to the Himalayas in the north and east and the great Indian desert to the south-west. Picking the best places for corporate outings out of these many options is a difficult task; nevertheless, here are our top 5 picks for corporate outings near Delhi where you can go with your team for a short getaway. We’ve included details of some of the stays and activities you can explore in the different locations to help you plan that long-awaited team outing.
1. Jim Corbett National Park
Roughly 6 hours from Delhi, situated in Ramnagar near Nainital, Corbett National Park is a good place for a team outing if you are looking for a quiet place away from the city. It is the perfect place for those who are into bird watching and wildlife.
Vanghat: Of all the places here, Vanghat holds a special place due to the service it provides and the offbeat location. Reaching this place is an adventure in itself. You can take a train to the nearest railway station which is Ramnagar and from there you need to go on a 2-km cross-country walk followed by a river crossing of the Ramganga river. What awaits you is pure bliss. Located deep in the jungle is Vanghat Jungle Lodge. Conceptualised by an internationally acclaimed conservationist, the camp upholds principles of wildlife conservation measures as spearheaded by Jim Corbett. All the activities within the camp are eco-conscious and in perfect sync with the wilderness. If you wish to follow the trails that lead into the wilderness, the camp has a team of renowned naturalists and locals who will be your guide. At night, you can enjoy a barbecue by the campfire and retire to your comfy rooms to rest.
2. Jaipur
The city of Maharajas is a perfect getaway for the winter. The diversity of activities and the abundance of stays makes it an ideal place for corporate outings near Delhi. We have two stays situated in the heart of the city that would be perfect for your team.
Sugan Niwas Palace: This palace resort located in the heart of Jaipur was a colonial home built in the 1940’s. It is situated in the Bani Park area in over 4,000 square yards of an area with lush green landscaped gardens. Being a property belonging to the Tomar clan of Rajputs who ruled Delhi and Gwalior, this resort still holds family memorabilia and portraits that tell stories about the erstwhile era. The in-house restaurant has a host of chefs to cook authentic local delicacies to suit your taste and preferences. You can try your luck in palmistry and astrology if you wish to. Additionally, traditional puppet shows and Rajasthani folk dance show can be arranged on request.
Devi Niketan: Located away from the hustle of the city is this lovely resort that reflects the culture and heritage of Rajasthan. This budget-friendly resort is run by a Navy Admiral and his wife and is located on a 1-acre campus with a swimming pool. The rooms are both spacious and kept tidy and clean. The resort has facilities for indoor and outdoor games and a library. It is situated pretty close to a lot of heritage places in the city making it the ideal place to stay if you want to go sightseeing in Jaipur. While you are staying in Jaipur, you may want to go for a food trail in the city to get a taste of the local flavours.
3. Agra
Just around 5 hours from Delhi, Agra is one of the most sought-after destinations in India for travellers from around the world. Of course, Taj Mahal is one of the main sources of this attraction, which makes it a popular choice for couples and newly-weds. However, there are many facets of the city that makes it ideal for groups as well and should be on your list for corporate outings near Delhi.
City tour by the day and night: Agra often tops the list of the most famous travel destinations, being home to one of the seven wonders of the world. This five-hour tour takes you to all the iconic locations in the city. If you choose to go around the city at night, that’s an even better choice. You can visit Agra Fort, stop over at Taj Mahal to view the monument in all its splendour at night, visit Jama Masjid and then go shopping in the famous Agra market.
Agra Food Tour: One of the best reasons to travel is the chance to explore different cuisines and their flavours. The food trail in Agra is designed exclusively for those who would travel any distance for the love of food. Not only would you get a chance to taste all the local delicacies but you would get a chance to understand how they are prepared too. From parathas to kebabs to roomali rotis and badam pista kulfi the list is endless. And for the culmination of the food trail, you would visit the region’s best petha and namkeen shop, where you get to taste different types of petha like Petha Gulab Ladoo, Kancha Petha, Kesar Angoori Petha, Dry Cherry Petha, Lal Petha etc.
4. Rishikesh
Rishikesh should probably be one of the favourite destinations for corporate outings near Delhi, because of the various outdoor activities and camping options available here. Being just around 6 hours from Delhi, you can spend less time travelling and more time enjoying the various activities.
Half Day Safari at Rajaji National Park: It is usually the magnificent wildlife sanctuaries and national parks that turn into forgotten corners on the map. But trust us when we say that not many experiences come close to an up-close encounter with an animal in the wild. Over the span of 5 hours, your curiosity and eagerness will take you deep within the park on four wheels. The rich biodiversity of the park is shared by a variety of flora and fauna. Bird lovers are also in for a special treat. Along the journey, you may chance across a family of elephants enjoying the mud, or a herd of wild boars amidst the tall grass. You may consider yourself lucky if you spot the elusive tiger or leopard. The entire trail lasts around 5 hours and is sure to carry your camera along to capture some good memories as you drive along.
River rafting and Camping: The rough flow of the Bhagirathi and the Ganga through the mountainscapes is a sight to behold. Then again, there are two types of people. One set who stands by the banks and watch the river flow and the second set who ride the rapids. If you belong to the second kind, then you have a monster waiting to be tamed. Going in for river rafting as a team would be a great idea, as this would improve the team coordination and teamwork – two of the most important attributes of a team. You can also camp by the side of the Ganga and enjoy an amazing night with your team. if possible, take a dip in the Ganga at night. You will understand why millions of Indians worship this river.
5. Shimla
Shimla is yet another wonderful destination for a short team outing near Delhi. You can either choose to spend a quiet day with your team or to go out, see the city and have fun in other activities that are available in the city.
Fruit Orchard Visit: For those coming from plains and big cities, fruit orchards are a fascination. This trail satisfies exactly that fascination of yours. Unlike a trek or a hike, this activity takes you to a family-owned orchard in Fagu, Shimla. Fagu is one of the biggest producers of apples in India and a lot of people depend on fruit farming for their livelihood. Through this activity, you get a first-hand view of how the farm is run. Walk around the farm and understand the purpose of the different types of trees in the orchard. If you happen to visit the orchard during the harvest season, you can see how the fruits are plucked and partake in the process.
Heritage Walk in Shimla: It was the climatic conditions that made the British establish the city in Shimla and it is still the climate that draws a large number of tourists to Shimla. The history, heritage and architecture of the city is something to behold. The heritage walk will be through the streets of Shimla and you will touch upon all the major monuments in the city. The walk starts from Christ Church, the second oldest church in North India and then continues to the Gaiety Theater, a lovely Victorian theatre opened in 1877. The Gordon Castle, Bantony Castle, Bentik Castle are all famous monuments which you will cover on this walk. This whole activity will keep you busy for an entire day and to top it off you may end the walk with a shopping session at Mall Road.
The above list is in no way comprehensive and it would be a folly to try and capture the entire list here. But this list is definitely a starting point for your next team outing near Delhi. So, all that is left for you to do is to plan your corporate outing, inform your team and get going.
