The summer of 2018 is only getting hotter for those of us living in the cities. What every Indian needs right now is a weekend at a hill station – a cool break from the heated chaos. The best way to do it? Choose your company, pack your bags, and start. To where? Well, we’ve got a list of places for you to choose from.
The inconsistency of roads combined with the unpredictability of other drivers makes it a demanding task to drive in our country, and it helps when you have a vehicle that can navigate through these challenges. This is exactly where the Toyota Yaris comes in. The newest entrant in the sedan market is specially designed for Indian roads and traffic conditions, and through the course of this article, we'll find out why.
Without further ado, here are the seven outstanding weekend road trip getaways for the summer vacations:
1. Delhi – Kasauli
The pretty little hill station close to Delhi is a cooling getaway for people in the capital who are fed up of the relentless heat. The fact that Kasauli is not even 300km away from Delhi makes it a very convenient option for the weekend. The roads of Kasauli are a bit narrow; so parking becomes a challenge. The front and rear parking sensors in Toyota Yaris become your sixth sense in such cases, helping out in tight corners so that even people who haven't ever driven on the hills can manage easily.
Things to do in Kasauli: The historic Christ Church dates back to the British era, replete with glass windows and a clock tower. Beer lovers would enjoy visiting the famous Kasauli Brewery for a chilled mug.
2. Mumbai – Lonavla
As Aamir Khan quipped in his legendary song, "Lonavla mein chikki khaayenge, waterfall pe jaayenge", Lonavla is a popular hill station near Mumbai. Since the distance is just under 90km, it's very accessible from the Bangalore-Mumbai highway route over the weekend. Ironically, because the people of Mumbai are not used to driving on relatively empty roads, the Cruise Control and Paddle Shift feature of Yaris enables drivers to opt for cruise mode making it near effortless to traverse long, smooth stretches of roads. They can change the gear shift controls from manual to auto (and vice versa), according to their convenience. Hence, even the longer trips seem shorter in the Yaris.
Things to do in Lonavla: Visit the iconic Kune Waterfall in Lonavla - the 14th highest in the country. Bhushi Dam is also a famous place for tourists to chill at. Hoard on your stash of sweets and savouries like chikki and chocolate fudge from Maganlal’s Chikki, and you’re sorted with sweet memories of this weekend, for weeks later.
3. Bengaluru – Coorg
Coorg (or Kodagu) is a popular holiday destination approachable from Bengaluru that a lot of trekkers and casual tourists travel to. In fact, the place is even famous for its freshwater rafting, waterfalls and hills. Since Kodagu district is located 900m above sea level, the drive could become a bit tricky beyond a certain level since it is uphill and there are a lot of trucks driving down the path post evening. The hill start assist system in Yaris will come in handy in case the car stops on the slope and the driver is unable to start the car again. In addition, the HSEA (IR Cut) Acoustic & Vibration Control Glass brings down the noise from outside (read: truck honks) as well as the glare of the sun by cutting down the UV and Infrared rays entering the car, making the inside of the car a peaceful space. Again, it means that this sedan will make driving an enjoyable experience and not a problematic one.
Things to do in Coorg: What you see in the image are the Abbey Falls, situated in the midst of coffee plantations. There is also a hanging bridge nearby, so put on your adventure face and get on to crossing it
4. Chennai – Yercaud
The capital of Tamil Nadu is usually one of the most affected by Indian summers, and so a hill station in the vicinity is quite a boon. Yercaud fulfils that need. Situated in the Shevaroys range of the Eastern Ghats, this gorgeous hill station is just over 350km away from Chennai but is totally worth the drive. However, this 8-9 hour drive can become dreary when there isn't much to do or to look at outside. That's where the LED Infotainment and Navigation with Gesture control installed in Yaris comes to the rescue. The infotainment system can be controlled with hand gestures, allowing easier and more intuitive access to your music, as well as navigation. And with the rear flat floor, you can sprawl out for a comfortable journey with extra leg room at the back. There is also ample luggage space in the trunk to last the extended weekend, and with the 60:40 rear split seats, you can add your own set of accessories into the sedan. Barbeque sets, mini-fridges, cycling gear? Why not?
Things to do in Yercaud: Kiliyur Falls is 91m high and the sight of the of the waters overflowing into the Kiliyur Valley is breathtaking. Shevaroy Temple is situated in a cave high amidst sweeping panoramas and scenery.
5. Pune – Mahabaleshwar
Serving as the summer capital of Bombay Province during the British Raj, Mahabaleshwar has ample testimonies to boast of its beauty and optimum summer weather. Pune to Mahabaleshwar is a pleasant 3-hour journey which takes you through gorgeous tree-lined roads, but it becomes a bit tricky to drive on the slopes because Mahabaleshwar witnesses a lot of rainfall. The fantastic 4x4 disc brakes of Yaris provide unprecedented control over the car eliminating skids and keeping the car steady even on wet road surfaces.
Things to do in Mahabaleshwar: The hill station town of Mahabaleshwar is full of beautiful peaks and points to visit. Pratapgarh is a fort featured significantly in the stories of Shivaji Maharaj. It's located on top of a hill and provides a scenic view. Venna Lake is another tourist attraction.
6. Ahmedabad – Mount Abu
Who would have thought someone would be going from Gujarat to Rajasthan to experience a whiff of cool air in the summer? But Mount Abu, located in the "dry state" of Rajasthan is, actually, a wonderful weekend getaway option for people fatigued by 40+ temperatures in Ahmedabad. Just 5 hours away, it's a pleasant drive that will be enhanced by the 7 Speed Super CVT-i of Yaris that makes the transmission between speeds smoother on highways.
Things to do in Mount Abu: The historical Dilwara Temples which are elaborately carved and dedicated to the 5 tirthankaras. Nakki Lake is a popular tourist attraction where there are a lot of fun things to do during the evening.
7. Chandigarh – Shimla
Shimla is undoubtedly the queen of hill stations in India, since it boasts the most number of tourists throughout the country's geography, all year around. And rightly so, as the place is beautifully engulfed by the majestic Himalayas from most sides. The distance from Chandigarh is just over 110km but it is quite a ride, winding around the mountains upwards. That's where the Power Driver Seat of Yaris lets the driver be more comfortable for longer, by letting them adjust the seat in more than one axis, including height and distance from steering with just the push of a button.
Things to do in Shimla: There's the legendary Mall Road with a plethora of shops and restaurants for you to explore. You can also visit the famous Jakhoo Temple.
There you have it folks! A comprehensive guide to the perfect road trips during the summer. At Tripoto, we have a relentless propensity of motivating you to pack your bags and travel as much as you can but if you are road tripping to your destination, it's only natural that you and your friends or family sit in a car that's equipped to handle all possible adversities of the road. Hence, we recommend the all new Toyota Yaris which will make your journey as sublime as the destination.
Are you also waiting to get your hands on the Yaris as much as we are? You can book a test drive today. Shoot your comments below.
In association with Toyota.
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