A memorable weekend getaway is the refreshing ointment for an exhausted and stressed soul trapped in the concrete jungle of cities, overburden of work, polluted ambiance and traffic congested streets. It yearns for freedom from the daily grind of life. India is an abode of several enchanting eco-tourism getaways where you can get a wonderful opportunity to just lie back, relax and unwind. From snow-capped mountains to gushing rivers, verdant landscapes to exotic flora and fauna, national parks to wildlife sanctuaries, India has it all. With an exceptional variety of eco-tourism, India certainly promises to be a perfect holiday destination for nature lovers, wildlife buffs and also for those who want to spend some time in the tranquil environment and rejuvenate their body. If you have got a few days off and planning for holidays, then read on to know more about the various eco-tourism destinations containing diverse species of wildlife that will simply leave you spellbound.

DELHI

Delhi with its vivid hues is one of the famous destinations in India. Though the national capital of India has a reach wealth of many magnificent historical sites, shopping and entertainment avenues, there are several wilderness escapades near Delhi, blessed with nature’s bounty and wonderful wildlife. Some of the prominent wildlife sanctuaries and national parks situated near Delhi that can be covered in a short span of time are mentioned below:

• Jim Corbett National Park – Located in Ramnagar district of Uttarakhand, 258 kms

• Ranthambore National Park - Located in Sawai Madhopur district of Rajasthan, 359 kms 

• Rajaji National Park - Located in Ansari Road district of Uttarakhand, 220 kms

• Bharatpur Bird Sanctuary – Located in Bharatpur city in Rajasthan state, 192 kms

• Sultanpur National Park – Located in Gurgaon Farukh Nagar Road in Haryana state, 46 Kms

MUMBAI

Eco-tourism weekend getaways around Mumbai serve as a quick respite from the hustle and bustle of city life. Mumbai is a city that never sleeps. People when tired with the perpetual work pressure and daily chaos of everyday life, plan a vacation during the weekends to popular national parks to stay amid the wilderness and feel refreshed.  There are many national parks and sanctuaries near Mumbai that prove to be an excellent escape from the clutches of anxieties and most importantly rejuvenate mind body and soul. Some of them are mentioned below:

• Sanjay Gandhi National Park – Located in Borivali, 40 kms

• Dajipur Bison Sanctuary – Located in Kolhapur,  456 kms

• Tadoba National Park – Located in Chandrapur, 921 kms

• Gautala Wildlife Sanctuary – Located in Aurangabad, 430 kms

BANGALORE

Eco-tourism weekend retreats around Bangalore gives you a wonderful opportunity to get rid from the clutches of work monotony and spend an unforgettable time with their family members. A trip to certain national parks and wildlife sanctuaries, seeing the animals roaming without fear in their natural surroundings is certainly a delight to the eyes. Seeing the majestic tigers pouncing upon its prey, photographing the elephants walking in the groups and sweet chatter of the birds, make you feel extremely close to the nature. There are many prominent national parks and sanctuaries nestled near Bangalore, which are:

• Bandipur National Park – Located in Chamarajanagar, 235 kms

• Cauvery Wildlife Sanctuary – Located in Mysore, 100 kms

• Bannerghatta National Park – Located in South Bangalore, 22 kms 

• Gudavi Bird Sanctuary – Located in Shimoga, 370 kms

KOLKATA

The breeze swirls through the dry leaves, the trails take their own course; the awe-inspiring atmosphere excites, and enchanting lush-green environment supports innumerable species of colorful birds and animals adequately. Without a tinge of doubt, the wildlife in Kolkata is exceptionally rich and guarantees you never feel deprived of getting hooked to the unrivaled excitement. Just take a wildlife tour, stroll through the forests and experience the fascinating Mother Nature like never before. The major national parks and wildlife sanctuaries nestled in and around Kolkata are mentioned below are: 

• Sundarbans National Park  – Located in South east of Kolkata, 99 kms

• Jaldapara Wildlife Sanctuary – Located in Jalpaiguri, 785 kms

• Sajnekhali Bird Sanctuary – Located in Next to Sunderbans Tiger Reserve, 130 kms

• Gorumara National Park ¬– Located in Jalpaiguri, 633 kms

CHENNAI

Few experiences are as bewitching as witnessing the magnificent animals in their natural habitats or in the wildlife sanctuaries and national parks in Chennai. Wandering under the clear sky, watching the animals roaming freely and the mesmerizing landscape, certainly makes you feel strolling in the wonderland. You will be certainly hypnotized by the magical surroundings of the forests in an unbelievable manner. Some of the national parks and sanctuaries, you can plan to visit in Chennai are:

• Arignar Anna Zoological Park – Located in Vandalur, 32 kms

• Guindy National Park – Located in Anna Salai, 12 kms

• Indira Gandhi Wildlife Sanctuary and National Park – Located in Coimbatore, 575 kms

• Bandipur National Park – Located in Ooty Road, 554 kms

Although, these are some of the major national parks and wildlife sanctuaries nestled in various metropolitan cities, but if you keep aside the distance and go by the popularity, then the Corbett National Park, Ranthambore National Park, Kaziranga National Park, Kanha National Park, etc exhibit the exotic world of flora and fauna. Now, a question will pop up in your mind as why these national parks are so popular and visited by the people in large numbers? Well, Corbett is one the first national parks in India where you can find highly endangered Royal Bengal tigers. The icing on the cake is that there are many tourist attractions near Corbett National Park where you can have a blasting time with you near and dear ones. Kaziranga is another famous place, well-known for the unique one-horned rhinoceros. Similarly, different national parks and sanctuaries are also famous for incredible species of wildlife that entice the tourists from various parts of the world.

THE LAST WORDS…

A visit to popular eco-tourism places of India is undoubtedly memorable and that is what makes it even more remarkable when it comes to providing you that great moment of never-ending pleasure and joy at the same time. What's more, the sanctuaries and parks and reserves are very well equipped to offer you the splendid natural beauty that will be much beyond your imagination.

Just nurture your dream of getting wowed by the incredible wildlife by embarking on a short weekend getaway to enjoy eco-tourism places in India and return home with the amazing memories that will always remain engraved in the heart.