Post Lockdown, Get Behind The Wheel, And Take These Road Trips Around Your City.

The last several months of the lockdown has felt like an eternity, and many of us are itching to go out there and restart traveling. Given the need for maintaining social distancing, road trips as a way of travel will allow us, travellers, to discover hitherto unknown places for us while giving us the autonomy and chance to maintain safety and privacy while traveling. With the “Unlock” process gradually being implemented across the country, you too might want to satiate that craving for the wanderlust, along with your family or friends, and hit the road after being stuck at home for the longest in your lifetime yet.

Here are some not so touristy routes that you could set your wheels on, from most of the larger cities of India. The routes mentioned here are a few among the various options that you may have around the city/town of your residence, and have been curated such that you would be able to return to the safe confines of home, while having had spent a great day travelling.

1. Mumbai to Malshej Ghat

The drive from Mumbai to Malshej Ghat has been popular among Mumbaikars, even before the lockdown. The monsoons are the most magical time for the Western Ghats and driving through the smooth roads with stunning views of the hills, valleys and waterfalls is an experience one should have at least once. Malshej Ghat is dotted with waterfalls, forts and breath-taking views.

Distance from Mumbai: 127 km

Estimated One Way Driving Time: 3 hours

Best Time to Visit: Monsoon months and October to March

2. Pune to Kaas.

The Kaas Plateau in Satara comes to life in September and October, with the retreating monsoons. This smaller version of the “Valley of Flowers” is a mesmerising landscape of lakes, flowers and butterflies. Situated 1200 metres above sea level, this biodiversity area hosts over 850 wildflower species and several endemic butterfly species. If witnessing Nature’s bounty is your thing, you would love this drive to Kaas.

Distance from Pune: 135 km

Estimated One Way Driving Time: 3 hours

Best Time to Visit: September to October

3. Delhi to Neemrana

Neemrana, famous for a 15th century fort – palace, now converted into a heritage hotel, is a quick and popular road trip from the National Capital Region. Located in Rajasthan’s Alwar district this historical fort can be visited from 9.00 AM to 3.00 PM, with or without stopping by the palace hotel for lunch. There is a 15th century baori next to the fort that is worth a dekko too. The view from the ramparts of the fort is brilliant.

Distance from Delhi: 130 km

Estimated One Way Driving Time: 3 hours

Best Time to Visit: July to March

4. Bangalore to Hogenakkal

The Hogenakkal Falls, popularly termed ‘Niagara Falls of India’, is a great option for a short roadtrip from Bangalore. A perennial waterfall, these falls may just be the break that you are looking for to escape the confines of your walls and city. Rides on the coracle are popular here, ofcourse it depends on you whether you would want to venture into “touristy experiences” just yet.

Distance from Bangalore: 129 km

Estimated One Way Driving Time: 3 hours 10 minutes

Best Time to Visit: October to February

5. Chennai to Pondicherry

The East Coast Road from Chennai to Pondicherry via Mahabalipuram, is probably one of the most scenic road trips in the country. With the Bay of Bengal on one side of the road, this road trip leaves enough choice to stop, walk on the pristine untapped beach, and move on to the next, incase you just don’t want to sit by and enjoy the me time there. This road trip will leave you spoilt for choices on when and where to take that next break and soothe your eyes.

Distance from Chennai: 150 km

Estimated One Way Driving Time: 3 hours

Best Time to Visit: October to March

6. Hyderabad to Nagarjuna Sagar

A popular destination from Hyderabad, Nagarjuna Sagar offers a mix of history, nature and a marvel of human engineering, to the visitor. The tallest masonry dam, the island of Nagarjunakonda with the Buddhist relics, and the Ethipothala waterfalls will ensure that the visitor is spoilt for choices on how to spend the few hours available. Monsoons and post monsoons are a great time to discover the opulence of nature.

Distance from Hyderabad: 153 kilometres

Estimated One Way Driving time: 3 hours 25 minutes

Best time to visit: June to September

7. Visakhapatnam to Araku Valley

Araku Valley, isn’t a popular tourist destination, and hence you’ll get a respite. The curved roads on the gentle elevation, and the coffee plantation laden hills make for a great road trip from Vizag. Once in the valley, you could stop by the Borra caves and the Tatipudi Reservoir. Donot forget to bring back the coffee from Araku, true coffee aficionados would agree.

Distance from Visakhapatnam: 115 kilometres

Estimated One Way Driving time: 3 hours

Best time to visit: October to March

8. Kolkata to Raichak

This village by the river Hooghly is one of the road trips from Kolkata that will leave you calm and provide the much-needed respite from city chaos. For shutterbugs, nature enthusiasts and history buffs, Raichak has an offering for all. The Ffort (now a converted hotel) and Chingrikhali fort for history enthusiasts, and the river side views and Diamond Harbor for camera happy people, this roadtrip will be a full package. You can also relish the freshly-caught fish and pick up some local handicrafts.

Distance from Kolkata: 54 km

Estimated One Way Driving time: 2 hours

Best time to visit: October to March

9. Ahmedabad to Polo Forest

This beautiful forest is much like an oasis in the otherwise arid North Gujarat topography. Surrounded by hills, the Harnav river flows through the forest, making the escape from the heat of the city worthwhile. For wildlife enthusiasts, you could spend the day bird watching and may even get lucky with a sloth bear or a leopard. Post monsoon is when Polo is in its best form. Some 15th century Jain and Hindu temples are of interest to history lovers. Distance from Ahmedabad: 160 Kms

Estimated One Way Driving time: 3 Hours

Best Time To Visit: September To December

10. Jaipur to Pushkar

One of India’s holiest towns, Pushkar is home to the rare Brahma Temple and the sacred Pushkar Lake, thereby offering an ultimate spiritual experience. The markets and cafes of Pushkar have a fascinating vibe which must be experienced in person. If in Pushkar, donot forget to taste the malpua (traditional Indian sweet). Pushkar truly comes alive during the Pushkar fair (every November)

Distance from Jaipur: 145 km

Estimated One Way Driving time: 3 Hours

Best time to visit: November to March

11. Indore to Mandu

A roadtrip from Madhya Pradesh’s commercial capital to the ancient fort town of Mandu, will take you back into a time of the romance of Rani Roopmati and Baz Bahadur, with its present day ruins. While the baobab tree dotted highway is one of the best roadtrips around Indore, culminating with a view of the rich Afghan legacy of the place.

Distance from Indore: 91 Km.

Estimated One Way Driving time: 2 Hours

Best time to visit: July to March.

12. Chandigarh to Chail

The summer retreat of the erstwhile Maharaja of Patiala, Chail is known for its verdant forests and mesmerising beauty. Tucked away from the Chandigarh – Shimla highway, this road trip will leave you rejuvenated despite the uphill drive. The Chail cricket ground is the highest in the world, and the surrounding hills of Kufri has several trekking paths, making it a nature lovers’ paradise

Distance from Chandigarh: 105 Km.

Estimated One Way Driving time: 3 Hours

Best time to visit: July to March.

13. Kochi to Athirapally

The cascading waterfalls will captivate you after a 2-hour drive from the city, and will leave your lungs full of fresh air and the spray on your face. Athirapally has the largest waterfalls in Kerala, and is ideal for a day long road trip from Kochi.

Distance from Kochi: 67 Km.

Estimated One Way Driving time: 2 Hours

Best time to visit: September to January

14. Bhubaneshwar to Chilika

The road trip from the city of temples to the second largest lagoon in the world is replete with views of nature’s bounty. Chilika has many offerings including boating, fishing, bird watching, and wildlife spotting. It is the home to several hundred species of resident and migratory birds.

Distance from Bhubaneshwar: 62 Km.

Estimated One Way Driving time: 2 Hours

Best Time to visit: October -March

15. Dehradun to Chakrata

Chakrata is a remote and serene hill town and one of the best retreats from Dehradun, fit for an idyllic escape, including camping and trekking. This hill town is ideal for solo travellers and couples alike.

Distance from Dehradun: 88 Km.

Estimated One Way Driving time: 3 Hours

Best Time to visit: Around the year

16. Shimla to Hatu Peak.

Enroute Rampur from Shimla, is the highest peak in the Narkanda region at an elevation of 11200 ft. Flush with fir, maple and cedar forests and overlooking the apple orchards of Narkanda, Hatu peak, 7 km uphill from Narkanda town, is great for trekking up to, only to be rewarded with the most spectacular views of the surrounding mountains.

Distance from Shimla: 67 Km.

Estimated One Way Driving time: 2 Hours 30 minutes

Best Time to visit: Around the year (winters can see heavy snowfall and hence would be risky driving up)

17. Shillong to Cherapunji

A road trip on the East Khasi Hills of Meghalaya, home to Shillong, fondly called Scotland of the East, and Cherapunji, among the wettest places in India, is one of the prettiest and lushest scenic drives in the country. Gushing waterfalls and streams dot the hills, and maybe you can stop by one to have gulp. With very friendly locals, the roadtrip in Meghalaya is akin to recharging the soul.

Distance from Shillong: 55 Km.

Estimated One Way Driving time: 2 Hours

Best Time to visit: October to June

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