Women need to travel together more often and farther. We spend so much time and effort manoeuvring through relationships that we often end up side-lining the most rewarding friendships of all. Female friendships are intense, sensitive, loving and life long. So, if your relationship with your girls has been on a back seat lately, then all girl road trips have the magic to revive it effortlessly.
I suggest packing all your bags and hitting the road for an all girl road trip. You don't have to go too far to inject your friendship with an elixir of joy, since there are plenty of scenic road trips in India that will get the job done.
Here is a list of my favourite girls trips destinations in India.
Delhi to Jaisalmer
Ideal for: Women who have a shared love for culture and hatred for high altitudes.
Route: Though there are three popular routes to reach Jaisalmer from Delhi, the best one takes you on NH11 and towards Alwar. Then comes Jaipur, from where you stay on the NH48 till Jodhpur. Then take the NH125 and NH11 to reach Jaisalmer via Pokhran.
Must stop at: Alwar (you can visit the Alwar Fort), Jaipur (for the best coalition of modernity and royalty) and Jodhpur (to witness the beautiful blue city in the background of Mehrangarh Fort).
Where to stay: Madhuban- A Heritage Home in Jaipur, Jewel Palace Haweli in Jodhpur and The Surya Paying Guest House in Jaisalmer.
Read the travel story of Tripoto Wanderer Debabrat Das, Jaipur Jodhpur and Jaisalmer: A colorful extravaganza, for a more detailed account.
India to Thailand
Ideal for: A totally insane bunch of women in their late twenties who believe in grabbing life by its horns.
Route: The route from India to Thailand via Myanmar opened just two years ago, providing some exciting options for road trip lovers. The best way is to first reach Imphal from wherever you are in India. Then comes Bagan, from where you stay on the NH37 till Inle Lake in Myanmar. Then take Route 3 from Yangon and reach Bangkok via Tak. Book online Thailand tour packages
Must stop at: Imphal, to visit the world's only floating national park at Loktak Lake. Bagan, for a peak into the history at Bagan Temples and Tharabar Gate. Yangon, to visit the urban heart of a Buddhist country.
Where to stay: Shalom Lodge in Imphal, Sky View Hotel in Bagan, 20th Street Hostel in Yangon and Rambuttri Village Plaza in Bangkok.
Read the travel story of Tripoto Wanderer Sanjay Madan, All you want to know about Delhi to Bangkok Road Trip - Myths & Reality, for a more detailed account.
Mumbai to Goa
Ideal for: Every woman in Mumbai whose priority in life right now is a break, and not so much travel.
Route: There are two popular routes to reach Goa from Mumbai. One takes you through the popular hill stations of Khandala and Lonavla, and the other through Kolad and Mahabaleshwar. Take your pick after crossing the toll on the Mumbai-Bangalore Toll Road. Both routes meet at Satara, from where Goa is just 6 hours away.
Must stop at: Khandala and Lonavla, to see why these misty mountains are worth all the hype. Kolad, to try your hand at white water rafting on the River Kundalika. Mahabaleshwar, for a day in the strawberry capital of India.
Where to stay: Gail Ann's Villa in Lonavla, Misty Hills Lodge in Mahabaleshwar and Hospedaria Abrigo De Botelho in Goa.
Read the travel story of Tripoto Wanderer Akanksha Biswa, The Ultimate Mumbai-Goa Road, trip for a more detailed account.
East Coast Road
Ideal for: Women who believe that the secret to unforgettable travel lies in hitting the offbeat track.
Route: The East Coast Road or State Highway 49, moves along the Bay of Bengal connecting Chennai to Cuddalore and Pondicherry. The road will take you through the best of beaches and cultural attractions situated on the East Coast of India such as Sirkali, Akkur, Tharagambadi, Karaikal, Nagore, Nagapattinam, Thiruthuraipoondi, Mahabalipuram, Manora, Manamelkudi, Ramanathapuram, Koodankulam and ending at Kanyakumari.
Must stop at: Marundeeswarar Temple and Covelong near Adayar, Cholamandal Artists' Village near Chennai, Thameem Ansari Darga near Kovalam, Tiger Cave in Mamallapuram, the collection of temples at Mahabalipuram, Alamparai Fort near Kadappakkam and the colonial beach town of Pondicherry.
Where to stay: Daphne Hotel in Mahabalipuram and La Maison Radha in Pondicherry.
Read the travel story of Tripoto Wanderer Adithya Sivaraman, Bike Trip to Pondicherry along the East Coast Road!, for a more detailed account.
Bagdogra to Gangtok
Ideal for: Inexperienced undergraduates who still believe that Sikkim is one of the 'seven sisters of India'.
Route: The best and only route to take the epic road trip from Bagdogra to Gangtok is on the NH10 to Siliguri. Then enter south Sikkim from Rongli, and keep moving towards Zuluk. After Zuluk a few hours drive will bring you close to Nathang Valley, from here head to Gangtok via Tsongmo Lake.
Must stop at: Rongli, to spend time exploring the tiny Sikkimese villages around it. Zuluk, for a taste of life in a remote mountain village.
Where to stay: Lily Flora Residency in Rongli, Chill & Warmth Homestay in Zuluk and The Royal Oaks in Gangtok
Read How To Experience The Best Of East Sikkim And Darjeeling In Just 5 Days, for a more detailed account.
Delhi to Khajuraho via Orchha
Ideal for: Young women who need an alternative destination to Kasol for their "green" adventures.
Route: Though there are two popular routes to reach Khajuraho from Delhi, the best one is to take the Taj Express Highway and move towards Agra. Then comes Gwalior, from where you get on NH44 till Orchha. Then take the NH39 to reach Khajuraho via Chhatarpur.
Must stop at: Agra, to pay your respects to the world's favourite monument of love. Orchha, for an authentic experience of a sleepy historic town.
Where to stay: Aura Mumtaz Mahal in Agra, The Orchha Resort in Orchha and Clarks Khajuraho in Khajuraho.
Read the travel story of Tripoto Wanderer Disha Kapkoti, Guess What? The Most Convenient Weekend Getaway From Delhi Is This Town In Madhya Pradesh, for a more detailed account.
Spiti Valley Circuit
Ideal for: Women who have lost faith in men, and need to see a completely different part of the country to restore their belief in humanity.
Route: The best way to visit Spiti is to move in an arc-like route. If you are beginning from Manali, then you will reach Kaza from Batal and Losar. From the Shimla side, you start from Ramnagar and reach Kaza from Reckong Peo, Pooh and Tabo.
Must stop at: Chandratal Lake (camping at the lake is not allowed), to feel completely insignificant in front of nature's beauty. Key Monastery, to pay respects to one of the most revered monasteries in India. Kibber, to check the highest (continuously inhabited) village in India off your bucket list. Dhankar, for a glimpse of ancient and modern Buddhist practices coexisting peacefully.
Where to stay: Hostel in Kaza, Hotel Summit Le Royale in Shimla and Hotel Mountain Trail in Manali
Read the travel story of Tripoto Wanderer Sabikhi Saurabh, The Spiti Travelogue, for a more detailed account.
Delhi to Nepal
Ideal for: Ambitious adventurers who don't like going too far from home.
Route: Though there are quite a few popular routes to reach Nepal from India, the best one is to take the NH9 from Delhi till Nainital. From Nainital take NH730 towards Sunauli, from where crossing the Nepal border is easiest. You can even take a small detour en route to Sanauli and head to Palia Kalan to visit the Dudhwa National Park.
Must stop at: Nainital, to become one of the many many lovers of this hill station. Palia Kalan, for a quick visit to the Dudhwa National Park.
Where to stay: Bob's Place in Nainital
Read the travel story of Tripoto Wanderer Dixit Khurana, Road trip to Nepal, for a more detailed account.