- Republic Day 2026 offers a rare 4-5 day long weekend for Indian travelers
- Top domestic picks include Rajasthan, Andamans, Kerala, and nearby international spots
- Drivecations, unique stays, and adventure activities are gaining popularity
As Republic Day 2026 falls on a Monday, the calendar is handing travel-loving Indians a rare four-to-five-day escape at the start of the new year, by taking just a day or two off work. The upcoming long weekend has sparked a surge in holiday planning, with travellers across age groups using the opportunity for short but meaningful breaks. From hills to tropical islands, heritage stays and spiritual circuits, travel companies are witnessing a clear shift towards experiential, closer-to-home and easy-access destinations.
Industry experts say the demand reflects a growing appetite for 'minications' that balance convenience, novelty and value, while also catering to families, young professionals and first-time travellers to new destinations.
Domestic And Short-Haul Destinations Lead The Way
According to Rajeev Kale, President & Country Head - Holidays, MICE & Visa at Thomas Cook (India) Limited, the Republic Day long weekend is driving strong interest across both domestic and nearby international destinations.
"The upcoming Republic Day long weekend, falling on Monday and taking leave on Friday/Tuesday, offers travel-hungry Indians a welcome break via a four-day minication," Kale said, adding that destinations such as Rajasthan, the Andamans and Kerala are among the top domestic choices.
Closer-to-home international destinations are also seeing heightened demand, particularly Bhutan and Sri Lanka within the Indian subcontinent, as well as Dubai-Abu Dhabi, Oman, the Maldives and Mauritius.
Central Asian countries like Georgia, Kazakhstan and Uzbekistan are gaining popularity, alongside emerging island destinations such as Sabah in Malaysia, Cebu and Boracay in the Philippines, and Sa Pa and Phú Quốc in Vietnam.
Drivecations, Unique Stays And Experience-Led Travel
Kale noted that multigenerational families, millennials, Gen Z travellers and young professionals are increasingly opting for drivecations to offbeat destinations, including Panchgani, Mahabaleshwar, Lonavala, Coorg, Ooty, Munnar and Wayanad.
"There is a growing preference for eclectic stays and unique accommodations such as heritage bungalows, havelis and palaces, forts, tree houses or tea and coffee estate properties," he said.
Travellers are also prioritising outdoor and adventure experiences, ranging from safaris and biking trips to camping, trekking, river rafting and paragliding. Spa and wellness-focused getaways continue to remain a strong draw for those seeking relaxation during the short break.
Winter Getaways, Soft Adventure And Spiritual Travel In Focus
Echoing similar trends, SD Nandakumar, President & Country Head - Holidays & Corporate Tours at SOTC Travel, said that long weekends continue to fuel demand for short holidays, especially to winter destinations.
"For the Republic Day long weekend, customers are opting for popular winter destinations like Kashmir, Himachal Pradesh, Uttarakhand and Rajasthan," Nandakumar said. He added that activities such as gondola rides and mountain biking in Gulmarg, ice skating and snowboarding in Shimla, skiing in Auli and glamping experiences in Rajasthan are seeing strong interest.
Beyond traditional hotels, travellers are exploring unconventional stays such as machans and tree houses overlooking tropical landscapes in Wayanad, Chikmagalur, Munnar and Thekkady, as well as restored heritage forts in Goa and private villas with concierge services and in-house chefs in Alibaug. Plantation bungalows set amidst tea and coffee estates in Darjeeling, Assam, and Coorg are also gaining traction.
Visa-Free Travel And New Flight Connectivity Boost Outbound Demand
Nandakumar pointed out that visa-free or easy-visa short-haul destinations like Vietnam, Thailand, Malaysia and Indonesia are popular choices for the long weekend.
Greece is also expected to see increased interest following the announcement of direct flights by several low-cost carriers.
Spiritual tourism, meanwhile, is emerging as a significant trend. Travellers are visiting religious hubs such as Ayodhya, Varanasi, Prayagraj, Bodh Gaya, Mathura-Vrindavan and the Rishikesh-Haridwar circuit, along with southern destinations like Tirupati, Rameshwaram and Kanchipuram. Ramayan trail itineraries in Sri Lanka are also drawing interest.
"What is particularly encouraging is the shift in demand from metro cities to a strong emergence from tier 2 and tier 3 markets across regional India," Nandakumar concluded.
