Road vacations now seem like such a dream, thanks to Bollywood. But they actually don’t feel less than that.
Exploring the routes is as enjoyable as traveling to a destination, and India has a lot of offbeat places that are perfect for a road trip.
So here are 10 ideas for offbeat road trip vacations and exploring hidden India from the city to get your wanderlust flowing.
Chandigarh to Pampore
Pampore is a little town about 17 kilometers outside Srinagar, yet few people know it. You may take the conventional route via Pathankot, Udhampur, Patnitop, and Anantnag if Pampore is on the way to Srinagar. However, the drive to Pampore (more than 500 kilometers from Chandigarh) will be worthwhile. Particularly in October and November, you can see the harvesting of the red gold while the farms are covered in vivid purple saffron blossoms.
Delhi to Hamta
Explore the way to Hamta, a hamlet near Manali, where you may clamp in a distinctive geodesic glass dome and savour fine cuisine to get your fill of mountain air.
The dome-shaped tents, perched at an elevation of more than 2,600 meters and overlooking the pristine Hamta Valley and the snow-capped Dhauladhar range, are great places for picnics, walks, and nature trails.
Chennai to Yercaud
The air becomes mistier, the road smoother, and the forests thicker as soon as your wheels leave the urban jungle of Chennai and whoosh past pit stations like Kanchipuram, Vellore, and Dharmapuri. Then, finally, you will arrive at Yercaud after an hour-long uphill trip from Salem and 20 hairpin turns.
Farms abound with coffee and flavorful spices, and colonial buildings provide historical context that will soothe you.
Bengaluru to Bandipur
You can travel from Bengaluru to Bandipur in under five hours through Channapatna, Mandya, and Mysore. You can see wildlife and nature along the way at the Mandyan Ranganathittu Bird Sanctuary and Kokkare Bellur Bird Sanctuary. Make sure to pass through the Bandipur forest department gate before 8 p.m.