Published By: Puja Sinha

Five Road Trips in India You Should Navigate

Awaken the pesky traveller in you by setting about on these road trips.

Drink life to the leas and as Ulysses would have it explore the gleams of the untraveled world whose margin fades forever.

Manali to Leh: Sign up for the best panoramic views of sparkling stars on clear night sky, monasteries, mountain flanked roads and dangerous terrains. Make sure you are accompanied by a professional driver to traverse the deep water crossings, perilous stretches and mud sludge. To satiate the wanderlust in you, the roads are dotted with scenic spectacles—the lush kullu valley, barren patches, solitude, distant sighting of snow-capped mountains, the dancing of cool breeze and nallas. On the high altitude passes, you are greeted by a different culture of the Ladakh and its eccentric lifestyle.

Guwahati to Tawang: Tawang is the culmination of nature’s beauty and Budhhist culture, all amplified by the serene abandonment it offers. On your drive, forests, sprawling rivers and mighty hills will follow you till you reach Tawang at 2,669m above sea level. Trans Himalayan Highway is most preferred by travellers since it is unclogged and scenic. Stop at the white, porcelain Rupa hills and Tibetan Budhhist architecture. It is best to take a stroll on the winding mountain roads and explore on foot.

Chennai to Pondicherry: From Chennai, you can stop at Kanchipuram, Auroville, Palar Bridge and Vellore before reaching Pondicherry—a beautiful conglomeration of French architecture, beaches and quaint cafes. The strip is flanked by many popular eateries. Embark on the trip in dawn to witness the spectacular sunrise on the way. Once you reach Pondicherry, try to immerse in the spirituality and laidback, quirky lifestyle hidden in the nooks of the old town

Gangtok to Lake Tsomgo: Be ready to get dazzled by the mesmerising beauty of the entire stretch. As you cruise through the narrow roads, the Himalayan peaks, mysterious Alpine forests, monasteries , waterfalls and calm villages will make you ecstatic. Lake Tsomgo is ephemerally beautiful and transitions magically with seasonal changes. Starting from Gangtok, within a span of two hours, you cross the unexplored vistas to land up in the pristine glacial lake Tsomgo.

Pamban Bridge to Rameshwaram: Start from the holy town of Pamban via the century-old bridge that leads to Rameshwaram. For hours, you have the liberty to indulge in vast stretches of water under the clear, blue sky punctured by the rattling trains wheezing past you. The shortest expanse and will probably require about 20 minutes to cover, you do not want to miss out on the infinity it offers!