For those who find joy in travelling offbeat, India has a conglomeration of roads and destinations that make for an enthralling road-trip.
Got dumped or found her? Got canned or just because you can!
Road trips never needed a reason.
If you too want to get completely lost in the landscape of India, here are some of the best road trips in India that you should take before the year ends.
1. Mumbai to Goa - From the city of dreams to the party capital of India.
If you love driving, then there is nothing more pleasurable than driving from Mumbai to Goa through the Western ghats. The landscape turns into 50 shades of green from skyscrapers. The Ghats are a visual delight – carpets of lush green dotted with numerous rivers, streams, reservoirs and waterfalls. Certainly one of the best road trips in India.
Credits: pichenettes
Mumbai to Goa route map:
Mumbai-Pune-Satara-Kolhapur-Sankeshwar-Sawantwadi-Goa
Best time to visit:
The best time to visit Goa is between late October and early April. If you want you can avoid the peak season, i.e mid-December to mid-January.
Credits: Sameer Karmarkar
Places to visit during the trip:
Pune, Lonavala, Kolhapur
2. Manali to Leh - From the land of snow-fed meadows to the rooftop of the world.
Fantastic scenery, historical trade routes and breathtaking views are some of the highlights of Manali to Leh - one of the best road trips in India. Traversing through winding roadways and into mountain passes, you will be amazed at the ecosystem that thrives here.
Credits: Deepak Sharma
Manali to Leh route map:
Manali – Rohtang Jot - Gramphu - Kokhsar - Tandi - Keylong - Jispa - Darcha – Zingzingbar - Baralacha La - Bharatpur - Sarchu (state border) - Gata Loops - Nakee La - Lachulung La - Pang - More Plains - Tanglang La - Gya - Upshi - Karu - Leh
Best time to visit:
June to September is the best time to travel down this route. If travelling by road, a person will take at least 2 days with adequate stops for rest.
Places to visit during the trip:
Manali, Rohtang Pass, Keylong, Zingzing Bar and Sarchu.
3. New Delhi to Rann of Kutch - From the heart of India to an extreme corner.
A route where the horizon never ends and the eyes never soak enough! The drive will take you through 3 states- Delhi, Rajasthan and Gujarat. It's an extraordinary experience that cannot be summed up in words. It's a journey through fertile land, mass barren stretches, arid mountains, dry air, colorful attire, huge head wear and abundant smiles.
Credits: dpbirds
New Delhi to Kutch route map:
New Delhi - Neemrana - Ajmer - Pali - Mount Abu - Bhuj - Great Rann of Kutch.
Credits: Utsav Verma
Best time to visit:
The best time to visit is October to March and preferably plan the trip such that you are in the Great Rann of Kutch around the full moon.
Places to visit during the trip:
Ajmer Sharif, Mount Abu, Wild Ass Sanctuary - Dhrangadhra, Bhuj- Prag Mahal, Aaina Mahal, beach at Mandvi Palace.
4. Bengaluru to Munnar - From filter coffee to tea gardens.
If gorgeous valleys and mountain mist is your thing, this might be the best road trip for you. Connect yourself via Coimbatore to find yourself at the appealing hill station of Munnar. Waterfalls and wildlife sanctuaries brand its beauty perfectly. Let the photographer in you breathe as you drive in the lap of God’s own country. The houseboat experience in the backwaters of Alleppey is a must.
Bangalore to Munnar route map:
Bangalore - Mysore - Bandipur - Masinagudi - Ooty - Coonoor -Coimbatore - Pollachi - Udumalaippetai - Amaravatinagar - Munnar
Best time to visit:
The season between October and March (post-monsoon) is considered best for this road trip.
Places to visit during the trip:
Mysore, Bandipur, Masinagudi, Ooty, Coonoor and Coimbatore.
Credits: Robbert Noordhoek
5. Guwahati to Tawang - From Hinduism to Buddhism.
Buddhist culture, snow clad mountains, Indian Army camps and the yak cheese are only some of the things that await on this mystical trail. Guwahati to Tawang is one of the most sublime road trips in India.
Credits: Anirudh Rao
Guwahati to Tawang route map:
Guwahati – Bomdilla – Tawang
Best time to visit:
Summer months between March and October, especially March, is a good time to visit as Tawang is a riot of colours during this season. It is advisable to avoid this route during winters.
Places to visit during the trip:
6. Shimla to Manali via Spiti
Explore the Himalayan desert and watch the magic unfold in front you. The journey promises to be a soul-stirring chapter in your life.
Shimla to Spiti route map:
Shimla - Rampur - Nako - Kaza - Spiti - Manali via Kunzum La and Rohtang La
Best time to Visit
The time between March to April is the best time to visit Manali for holidays.
7. Sonamarg to Kargil
The route is only accessible during summers and as you ride through the dreadful curves of Zojila Pass, you would know you have chosen an extreme adventure for yourself. Dras being one of the coldest inhabited place in the world would definitely be a test. Despite the harsh weather conditions, you would finally find yourself waving at the passing Indian Army trucks by the end of this journey.
credits: Basharat Alam Shah
Route map
Sonamarg – Zojila Pass – Dras – Tiger Hill – Kargil
8. Delhi to Agra via Mathura on Yamuna Expressway
Yamuna expressway is India's longest six-lane controlled-access expressway stretch and you shouldn't miss driving here for anything else in the world.
Route map
Delhi - Mathura - Agra
