A Last-Minute Guide to the October Long Weekend: 4 Places to Consider

Do you realise that there’s a long weekend coming up this weekend? Gandhi Jayanti, October 2, falls on a Friday, so if you’re blessed with Sat-Sun offs, you have a long weekend coming right up! If you cannot manage this one, there’s another one around the time of Dussehra. The festive holiday falls on October 20, Tuesday, so if you can manage to take a Monday WFH or a complete leave, it creates a four-day off from October 17-20.

Now, if you’re an early planner who has leaves sorted but not what to do on them? You’ve reached the right place. This is a last-minute shortlist for travellers who are planning now and want options they can realistically pull off.

It might seem a little late to start planning a longer destination trip for the October 2-4 weekend. We bring you 4 options where you can choose to go:

1. Alibaug, Maharashtra: Easy, Breezy, Beachy Days

Instead of going to proper Alibaug, you can explore the beaches around Alibaug and avoid the usual weekend crowd. Accessibility to Alibaug is very convenient from Mumbai with M2M ferries and the jetty. The monsoon has started retreating, and the coast is open for activities again. However, it might be a little too humid with the heat rising.

Keep your itinerary simple: spend time by the beaches, visit the Kolaba Fort if the tide allows, gorge on some coastal-style meals and enjoy local sightseeing. You can go visit old temples in and around Alibaug, check out the relatively remote Revdanda beach, and go towards Kashid for water sports.

But these spots and activities may be crowded. So, instead of the same thing with hundreds of others, book a private villa near Alibaug and make the most of your break. Gather with your best friends and families, take the kids along and stay put at a beautiful property, where you can relax and make the most of the amenities.

At a villa, you don’t even have to plan things endlessly. Your meals are sorted; you can also ask for additional services like BBQ, picnic setups, play indoor games and make memories. Enjoy 2 days of fun and play, or do a bit of sightseeing if you’re visiting after a long time.

2. Igatpuri, Maharashtra: Make the Most of the Post-Monsoon Greenery

Igatpuri shows off the lushness in the Western Ghats post-monsoon. You don’t need a rigid itinerary here; if you feel like it, you can also go towards Nashik and explore the countryside on your own.

Igatpuri lets you enjoy the best of nature and being outdoors. The views around Camel Valley, cascading waterfalls near Bhavli Dam and lakeside, the Dhamma Giri Vipassana centre for a midday spiritual reset and Myanmar Gate offer many spots to cover nearby. With the help of locals, you can even go for nature trails or short treks around. If you love drives, you can head towards the Bhandardara road and enjoy the view of the backwater en route. There is so much to do in and around Igatpuri, especially post-monsoon, when the weather is clear and the valleys are blooming with colourful flowers.

For the first long weekend in October, Igatpuri is a great option. You can check out our villa Smultronstalle, located along the backwaters of the Vaitarna Dam too.

3. Udaipur, Rajasthan: For a Long Weekend That Feels Like a Holiday

Udaipur is a good choice when you want your October long weekend to feel like a proper change of scene rather than a quick break near the city. With its lakes, palaces, old-city lanes and rooftop restaurants, Udaipur has so much to explore without requiring a tightly packed itinerary. October is also a relatively better time to explore Rajasthan than the hotter months. Sightseeing palaces and heritage sites, shopping and cafe hopping in the evening is a good way to plan your day.

For a 3- or 4-day trip, you can divide your time between the City Palace, Lake Pichola, local markets and a leisurely boat ride, while keeping a few hours free simply to wander or sit down for a meal.

If you have never been here before, Udaipur is best to explore on a slightly longer weekend such as the one around Dussehra. It fits in for places to visit in October that offer culture, food and a slower pace in one trip.

4. Mysuru, Karnataka: A Weekend Trip Full of Grand Celebrations

1. Which are the long weekends in October 2026?

Gandhi Jayanti is October 2–4, and Dussehra is October 17–20 if October 19 is taken as leave are the two long weekends in this month.

2. Where can I go for a 3-day trip from Mumbai in October?

You can visit Alibaug, Karjat, Mahabaleshwar, Kolad, Mulshi, and Igatpuri as some destinations near Mumbai for a long weekend.

3. Which places are good for a 4-day trip in October?

Hampi, Goa, Mysuru, Coorg, Jaipur, Udaipur, and Shimla, are all great places to explore in October in India.