5 Enthralling Road Trips In India

There’s nothing more relieving and exciting than hitting the road with the windows down, volume up and a bunch of friends. In a country like India, so colossal and diverse, the beauty of a road trip just gets up a notch. Let's explore some awesome road trips in India.

Manali to Leh

This road trip is off-the-chart breathtaking and needs to be experienced for yourself. With some deadly twists and turns, the snow-capped mountains, distinct valleys, spectacular landscapes and stunning monasteries will spice up your journey. The distance between Manali and Leh is 478 kilometres and should be covered in two days as most of it is above 4,000 metres (13,123 feet) of altitude. Make a stopover at Keylong and further at Sarchu to relax and acclimate to the high altitude.

Guwahati to Tawang

Perhaps one of the must-take road trips to take in northeast India is Guwahati to Tawang, which covered in approximately 14 hours and 509 kilometres (316 miles). The roads are rough but well worth the trip for the mesmerizing scenery unfolding at every turn, both snow-clad mountains and lush greenery. As it’s an extensive road trip, make a stopover at Dirang in West Kameng to witness the Buddhist culture at Kalchakra and Ngingmapa Monastery, or stop at Tezpur in Assam and explore its cultural and historical attractions. Don’t forget to indulge in the lip-smacking momos at one of the many stalls on the way.

Shimla to Manali via Mandi

Those with a passion for photography will instantly fall in love with this camera-ready road trip. Manali is merely 247 kilometres (153 miles) from Shimla, which can be covered in a seven-hour drive via NH205 and NH3. With beautiful mountains on one side and deep valley and verdant greenery on the other side, this road trip will definitely leave drivers spellbound for a long time.

Darjeeling to Pelling

Lush tea gardens, majestic mountains and scenic landscapes on all sides are a sight to behold on this road trip. Darjeeling and Pelling are 72 kilometres (44 miles), which can be covered within four hours. Stop at a tea garden and sip refreshing tea for an energy boost. The roads are perfectly maintained, offering a smooth ride throughout, and they’re studded with numerous food joints.

Bangalore to Ooty

This road trip calls out to nature lovers: pass miles of nature on both sides and marvel at the picturesque route, embellished with lush green mountains and scenic landscapes. Ride past the dense, calming and soul-refreshing forests of Bandipur as well as the historic palaces of the ancient city Mysore. Be greeted with untapped beauty filled with acres of tea plantations, majestic waterfalls and clear lakes. The route stretches along NH275 for 278 kilometres (172 miles), which can be covered within six hours, and it’s dotted with many eateries en-route to fill your belly.

For those who find joy in travelling offbeat, road trips are the best ways to explore and discover the life across different places. Whether in the east, west, north or south, India offers a plenitude of roads and destinations that make for enthralling road-trip.