Travelling is not always about the destinations. Many of us find the journey to be the most beautiful part of travel. It is on the roads that we see the terrain and culture change, the hustle-bustle of the markets and the solitude, away from the cities. As such, road trips give us the opportunity to experience a lot more than any other kind of travel. And if you are ready to hit the road, we have curated a list of circuits that could be the perfect drives for small vacations.
But before you head out with your car make sure that you get a fastag for it. All the National Highways in India have been declared as fastag lanes, and starting from December 1, you won't have to stop at toll plazas to pay the tolls manually. Instead, the fastag on your car will automatically register your movement, and make the deduction from your linked account. This will decrease your travel time by hours, and also make the ride way smoother. You can purchase the fastag at the next toll plaza, petrol pumps, banks and even online on your banking app.
And now get ready to hit the roads:
The Shekhawati Circuit ( Duration: 4 nights, 3 days)
1. Delhi – Sambhar – Pushkar – Bikaner – Ramgarh Shekhawati – New Delhi
Itinerary:
Drive overnight to reach the saline Sambhar lake (seven to eight hours) in morning to spot exotic birds.
After spending a few hours here, head ahead to Pushkar (two and a half hours). Check in to a hotel/ backpacker hostel, and spend the evening by the Pushkar lake.
Start off for Bikaner early morning the next day (six hours). Check in to a hotel, and visit Junagarh Fort and Rampuria Haveli after some rest. Enjoy the street food of Bikaner in evening.
Next morning leave for Ramgarh Shekhawati (three and a half hours). Enjoy a haveli homestay experience here, before you finally leave for Delhi at night.
Reach Delhi early morning the next day (seven hours).
The Wildlife Circuit ( Duration: 3 days/ 3 nights)
2. Delhi – Bharatpur – Dholpur – Ranthambore – Delhi
Itinerary:
Leave early morning for Bharatpur Bird Sanctuary (four hours). Spend the day here, and check in to the sanctuary resort.
Next morning, leave for Dholpur (two hours). Spend a few hours on Chambal Safari, and then leave for Ranthambore Tiger Reserve (five hours).
Spend the night at the resort here, and go for the Safari next morning.
Later in the night, leave for Delhi ( nine hrs).
The Punjab Circuit ( Duration: 3 nights/ 2 days)
3. Delhi – Amritsar – Ludhiana – Delhi
Itinerary:
Leave for Amritsar late in the night (eight hours).
Visit the Golden temple early in the morning, and then head to Wagah border. Spend the night in Amritsar.
Leave for Ludhiana early in the morning (four hours). Spend the day enjoying food and shopping in Ludhiana.
Head to Delhi in evening (six hours).
The Historical Circuit ( Duration: 7 nights/ 6 days)
4. Delhi – Lucknow – Prayagraj – Rewa – Khajuraho – Orchha – Gwalior – Delhi
Itinerary:
Leave for Lucknow at night (9 hours).
Reach Lucknow early morning. Rest for a while, and then head out to visit the monuments and markets of Lucknow. Enjoy street food in evening, and spend the night in the city.
Leave for Prayagraj the next morning (5 hours). Spend a few hours at the Sangam, and then head to Rewa (4 hrs). Spend the night at Rewa.
Explore the forts and temples of Rewa in the morning, and leave for Khajuraho in evening (5 hrs). Spend the night in Khajuraho.
Explore Khajuraho the next morning. Leave for Orccha by evening (5 hrs). Spend the night in Orchha.
Explore Orccha the next day. Leave for Gwalior by evening (4 hrs). Spend the night in Gwalior.
Explore Gwalior in the morning. Leave for Delhi by evening (5 hrs).
The Royal Circuit (Duration: 6 nights/ 5 days)
5. Delhi – Jaipur – Chittorgarh – Udaipur – Jodhpur – Pushkar – Delhi
Itinerary:
Leave for Jaipur late in night (six hours). Reach Jaipur in the morning.
After taking some rest, explore the forts and palaces of Jaipur. Spend the night in Jaipur.
Leave for Chittorgarh early in morning the next day (seven hours). Visit the fortified city, and spend the night at Chittorgarh.
Leave for Udaipur the next morning (three hours). Spend the day exploring the lakes and palaces of Udaipur. Leave for Jodhpur by night (eight hours).
Reach Jodhpur early morning. Take rest, and then head out to visit Mehrangarh Fort and Bishnoi village. Spend the night in Jodhpur.
Leave for Pushkar early morning (six hours). Explore the markets, lakes and temples of Pushkar during the day, and leave for Delhi late night (nine hours).
Reach Delhi early in the morning.
The Adventure Circuit (Duration: 4 days/ 3 nights)
6. Delhi – Rishikesh – Kanatal – Mussoorie – Delhi
Itinerary:
Leave for Rishikesh late in the night (Seven hours).
Reach Rishikesh early morning. Enjoy water sports during the day. Spend the night in Rishikesh.
Leave for Kanatal the next morning (four hours). Spend the day enjoying the views of Kanatal and Dhanaulti. Leave for Mussoorie by late afternoon (one and a half hours). Spend the night in Mussoorie.
Enjoy activities in Mussoorie during the day. Leave for Delhi by night (seven hours).
Which one of these road trips excite you the most? Are there any other circuits which you would like to recommend to other travellers? Tell us in the comments below.
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