When the monsoon brightly greens the Indian landscape, right from Kanyakumari to Kashmir, from the Rann of Kutch to Dong in Arunachal in the east, and every nook and cranny of India is gorgeously in bloom, it’s time to take your gaadi out and go on a road trip! After all road tripping is the best way to travel.
There are all sorts of epic road voyages you can plan and the web of Indian national highways connects even very rural, remote nodes. You probably haven’t realised this, but India has more scenic routes than most countries in the world!
We have chalked out 10 Beautiful Journeys for you that will take you roaming far and wide…
Mumbai to Ahmednagar, via Malshej Ghat, Maharashtra
Verdant greenery, misty waterfalls and the towering peaks of Sahyadris make this a magical drive. It’s ekdum perfect for those who want to enjoy the great outdoors on a rainy weekend.
The road has a number of incredibly scenic viewpoints, as well several other reasons to take a halt for, like pit-stops for garam-garam chai-pakora or bhutta. Sounds like fun, right?
Distance: Mumbai to Ahilya Nagar (formerly Ahmednagar) is 254 km. Malshej Ghat is 125 km from Mumbai via NH 61. The journey takes approximately 4 hours, one way.
Shimla to Spiti, via Kinnaur, Himachal Pradesh
This one most definitely deserves a place on any list of the top road journeys in India and for good reason!
It’s a wonderfully picturesque route from Shimla to Spiti Valley, through Kinnaur district, and you can take in the beauty of all of Himachal Pradesh through its 400 odd kilometres, looking at landscape that ranges from stark cold desert to flowered rolling meadows.
Of course, you will want to stop at all the must-see spots along the way and the trip will therefore take a little longer than expected. There’s Narkanda and its temple, Karcham dam, the apple town of Kalpa, Tabo monastery and many more attractions. This road to Spiti valley is just as much about the journey as it is about the destination.
Distance: Shimla to Kaza (the main town of Spiti Valley) is at 414 km. Take a break at Kinnaur Valley’s Kalpa town at 220 km, before heading to Spiti the next day.
The journey from Shimla to Kalpa takes approximately 7 hours, one way. The next day, Kalpa to Kaza (Spiti Valley) takes approximately 6 hours. It’s mountainous terrain, hence weather and traffic conditions should be considered.
Shillong to Cherrapunjee, Meghalaya
One of, hands down, the most picture-perfect roadways of Meghalaya is Shillong to Sohra and the travel on this route to Sohra (also known as Cherrapunjee) is about perennially misty, rain-soaked landscapes.
The loveliest stretch begins right out of Shillong and offers expansive views of the hills and waterfalls, that will certainly make it to your Instagram feed.
Distance: Shillong to Sohra is about 54 km, ideal for a one-day excursion. The journey takes approximately 2 hours, one way.
Munnar to Kodaikanal, via Theni, Kerala and Tamil Nadu
This drive, which twists, turns and putters along the little roads that take you through sprawling tea estate country is also a chance to take in the most phenomenal views of the Western Ghats.
One of the most famous highways in the southern part of India, NH 85 connects two dazzlingly-pretty hill stations: Kerala’s Munnar and Tamil Nadu’s Kodaikanal. This sounds like an impressive BoGo offer to me!
Distance: From Munnar, Kodaikanal is 176 km via NH 85. You can choose to travel from Munnar to Kodaikanal or vice versa. Kodaikanal is accessible from Madurai, which is 114 km away and Munnar from Kochi, which is 124 km away. The journey takes approximately 4-5 hours, one way.
Dhanushkodi Beach Road, Tamil Nadu
Imagine rolling past pristine white sand, azure waters to reach sun-baked ruins… Yes that’s the beauteous Dhanushkodi beach road on Tamil Nadu’s Pamban island, that is separated from the mainland by the Palk strait and is 24 km west of Sri Lanka.
This is a short but extremely attractive route along the coast between the Bay of Bengal and the Indian Ocean. It is apparently hailed as one of the most stunning drives in the world. And rightly so, the scenes around there are jaw-dropping!
Distance: Dhanushkodi, which lies on the tip of Pamban island, is about 19 km away from the temple town of Rameswaram. The journey takes approximately 30 minutes, one way.
Photograph: Kind courtesy Shyam Siddarth/Wikimedia Commons
Shivamogga and Udupi, via Agumbe Ghat, Karnataka
Another amazing journey, once again through the sundar pahads of the Western Ghats, there is sublime scenery on offer. Whether it is for a perfect family getaway or just a rejuvenation jaunt, the jungles of Agumbe ghat make for a soothing, fun trip.
Distance: The distance between Shivamogga and Udupi on NH 169 is about 153 km. The journey takes approximately 3 hours, one way. Takes longer during heavy monsoon season.
Rishikesh to Joshimath, Uttarakhand
If you journey from Rishikesh to Joshimath, the foamy, pale-green, elegant Ganga is often in view. It’s awesome terrain: Dramatic forests, The River, mountain ranges.
And don’t miss the scenic lookout point in the pic above from where you can peek at the entire road. Seeing the hairpin bends from above is sure to add to the thrill.
Distance: Joshimath is 246 km away from Rishikesh. There are hassle-free bike and car rental options available in Rishikesh. The journey takes approximately 7 to 8 hours, one way. Again, weather and traffic conditions should be considered. Better avoided during the monsoon months due to landslides in the region.
Gangtok to Nathu La, via Lake Tsomgo, Sikkim
It is just a short excursion from Gangtok, but a very steep drive as you climb 14,000 feet to Nathu La. On this drive you will also trace one the most gorgeous alpine lakes of Gangtok, Lake Tsomgo.
There are magnificent views of the Himalayas all along the way, so keep your cellphone charged, ’cause it’s fabulous from start to finish!
Plan the trip such that you are near Nathu La to witness the sundown from one of the viewpoints. On a clear day, it paints the landscape bright red and orange tints the floating clouds. What an experience!
Distance: Nathu La is about 58 km from Gangtok. The journey takes approximately 2-3 hours, one way.
Visakhapatnam (Vizag) to Araku Valley, Andhra Pradesh
Known as the Ooty of Andhra Pradesh, travelling through the Araku Valley affords a look at the most fetching landscapes of Eastern Ghats, filled with waterfalls, streams and hills.
Apart from its world renowned coffee, the valley is also famous for Kufiya Sidira or Bamboo Chicken (in photograph above), a delicious tribal dish steamed and cooked inside a tender bamboo stem. The rustic flavours are something truly unique. Don’t miss it!
Distance: Araku Valley is about 115 km away from Vizag. The journey takes approximately 3 hours, one way.
Pahalgam to Kargil, via Drass, Kashmir and Ladakh
Ladakh and Kashmir have umpteen delightful drives to choose from — you are spoilt for choice — but the vistas along the Zojila Pass are simply the best.
No matter how many mountain roads you might have driven on before, this serpentine, super charming road will totally take your breath away!
You leave the green countryside of Kashmir behind and enter the dramatic barren landscape of Ladakh, which is connected by Zojila Pass at 11,575 feet above the sea level. Don’t miss a Pahalgam-Kargil excursion if you ever find yourself in this wee corner of the Himalayas!
The road is a favourite among bikers, so it is advised to drive carefully.
Distance: Pahalgam to Kargil is about 290 km. You can also cut short the drive by stopping at the Kargil Memorial War museum and return to Pahalgam the same day. The distance to the memorial: 236 km. The journey takes approximately 7 to 8 hours, one way. Pahalgham to the Kargil War Memorial in Drass is about 6 hours.
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