India is a country full of mesmerising views. It has Kashmir (universally acknowledged as a Paradise on Earth), Uttarakhand and Himachal Pradesh (occupying the Western Himalayas) in the north, Kerala (God’s Own Country) in the Southwest, Meghalaya (Abode of Clouds in Sanskrit) in the Northeast. With spectacular and diverse landscapes, India attracts tourists across the country as well as the globe. To enjoy such beauties in entirely, one should travel by road. Road trips have been immortalised in classic novels, blockbuster movies and legendary songs.
Be it the summer or the winter, if you get a car or a motorbike for a road trip, you will see some amazing beaches and stunning national parks, or beautiful skiing and snowboarding destinations. To go on such a trip, plan it wisely. Check the fuel of the vehicle, apart from stocking a sufficient amount of snacks, water and warm clothes.
Here’s a list of few routes you must commute through once in a lifetime regardless of the time of the year.
Delhi to Leh via Manali
Travelling from Delhi to Leh via Manali on a bike is a dream of every adventure enthusiast. Though the journey is tedious and exhausting, it gives goosebumps while one manoeuvres through the bumpy roads of Leh-Ladakh. The astounding beauty of the Himalayan ranges at the backdrop and the thrilling stopovers keep one excited while riding to one of the best places in India.
Bengaluru to Ooty
The route is probably one of the most underrated in India, however, it offers the pass to the picturesque lush green mountains and scenic landscapes. Apart from the splendid views of the Nilgiri hills in Tamil Nadu, there are acres of tea plantations, majestic waterfalls and clear lakes to take in. While commuting through this route, you can pass the dense, calming and soul-refreshing forests of Bandipur and the historic palaces of the ancient city Mysore. During the six hours of the journey, the limping highway will surely lead you to a dense forest.
Jammu to Srinagar
You can feasibly board a 30-minute flight to reach the capital of Kashmir, but the arduous journey via road is something you must experience once in your lifetime. The ride through the 2.85km-long Jawahar Tunnel is worth experiencing during your Jammu to Srinagar road trip. Imagine traveling at an altitude of 4127 feet! Other than the picturesque beauty of the snow-capped mountains, you also get a chance to interact with locals and the Army personnel.
Jaipur to Ranthambore
The route offers spectacular views of the mustard fields, picturesque villages like Balsi & Lalsot. Jaipur to Ranthambore is one of the most popular road trips in India, as massive numbers of people flock to the Ranthambore National Park just to watch a tiger. One can go via Tonk to avoid a mere stretch of 20-25 km on the journey.
Chandigarh to Kasol
Among nature lovers, adventure junkies and trekkers, Kasol is a much-loved place. Popularly called the ‘Amsterdam of India’, the scenic hamlet in Kullu welcomes foreigners and hippies from Israel who spend months together trekking and exploring the place. Kasol is also renowned for its bewitching beauty of Parvati Valley that offers the Kheerganga trek. Thus, the Chandigarh to Kasol route is captivating.
Guwahati to Tawang
A must-take road trip, a journey of about 14 hours from Guwahati to Tawang offers the marvels of the Buddhist culture. Bumpy roads are simply worth every mesmerizing scenery unfolding at every turn, both snow-clad mountains and lush greenery. The trip could be challenging yet satisfying because of its extremely beautiful terrain.
Chennai to Munnar
The journey from Chennai to Munnar takes you to the lap of mother nature, allowing you to pass through some of the most beautiful cities of Tamil Nadu like Trichy, Dindigul and Udumalai. The journey of around 620 km via National Highways 45 and 209 offers marvellous sights of paddy fields, coconut trees, temples, etc.
