The Best Road Trips in India

Much has been written on the pleasures of taking a road trip, and only when I went on the road for the first time was when I truly understood what Kerouac meant. There may be much to be said about the advantages of the faster ways of going from A to B, like the aerial route or railroad, but for me, the only way to travel is, and has been, and will be ROAD TRIP! Zooming along the highways tasting the air, enjoying the scenery at your own pace, making stops whenever you feel like, bathing in cold waterfalls, stopping at roadside Dhabhas for refreshment, speaking to friendly villagers, and sleeping under the stars, these are just some of the reasons why a trip by road has always been my fix. When the pressures of living get too much, I just get the car keys, take the highways and set off to a random destination.

The key to a road trip is that, like life itself, the journey is as much fun as the destination itself, sometimes much more, and as unplanned, as you can make it, that’s the fun part. The sheer randomness that constitutes any road trip, and the attractions that change each time you drive by, the people you meet, are all treasures that make any road trip an out-of-the-world experience, almost mystical.

The perfect way of exploring India is by road, and nothing else can give you the immense joy that can be derived from sights at such a level. Listed below are some of the most incredible trips I have taken, along with some information on how you can make it happen too. Throw caution to the high winds, and set out on a life-changing journey.

Leh Manali Highway

Among the best Road trips in the world, The Leh Manali Highway is one incredible experience.

Last summer was when I took the legendary highway from Manali to Leh Ladakh. Known as one of the world’s highest and most remote highways, the Leh Manali Highway was an experience unparalleled by none. Manali Some 295 miles through the lofty Himalayan peaks, this is one ride that turned into a test of endurance. I had some initial problems with altitude acclimatization, but some medication I had taken along helped a bit. The road was a bit rough, but the scenery more than made up for it, the spectacular vistas that beheld me while on the highway were truly heavenly. I passed through numerous charming villages, narrow passages through the mountains, and some ancient Buddhist monasteries. I also met three Babas (ascetic men of God) on the way. The insight and wisdom of these holy men amazed me, as I couldn’t comprehend how anyone living in such a remote location could be so learned and wise. The trip was certainly out of the world and easily wins top place on my Road trip list.

Bengaluru to Goa

There are two possible routes you can take when traveling from Bangalore to Goa - Via Belgaum or Via Shimoga. Both are pretty much the same distance. The Belgaum route is preferable, as I had heard the Shimoga one has rather bad roads and the possibilities of landslides and other disadvantages. I took the N H 4 till Hubli out of Bengaluru and turned off towards Karwar. The coastal highway of N H 17 goes all the way up to Goa. There were some detours I had to take as some road work was going on, otherwise, the trip was excellent, and had some good sights as well.

Shillong to Cherrapunjee

A scenic route, the Shillong to Cherrapunjee road was in remarkably good condition and covered a distance of approximately 60-kilo meters. The Shillong Cherrapunjee Road had many beautiful sights and the Cherra Bridge, which comes about halfway into the journey, is a really good place to stop at. There are some scenic locations here.

Pune to Didwana (Rajasthan)

A nice route if you want your pedal to the metal, the Pune Didwana Route is a nice trip, preferably by bike. It bypasses a lot of interesting cities and small and is a great trip to get the taste of India. The route extended from Pune, passing Ahmednagar, Shirdi, Nasik, Bardoli, Surat, Ahmedabad, Ajmer, and Kuchaman City, and finally reached Didwana. These small-time cities and towns were an excellent experience. The highway from Kishangarh to Didwana has two lanes and is extremely convenient. It is best to plan out this trip, as it is about 1575 kilometers.