10 Best Himalayan Road Trips Before You Turn 30 – Part 1
As soon as you enter your 30s, the buoyancy of the 20s starts retreating and you discover a new ‘you’, who is more mature and responsible. The 30s are like a wake up call to attempt things you have never done before. So, how about exploring alternatives that are adventurous, exciting and refreshing before welcoming a new decade of your life? A road trip, for instance. Mind you, we are not talking about the run of the mill trips like Mumbai-Goa or Bangalore-Munnar. Instead, we recommend you to traverse your bikes and jeeps through the peaks of the Himalayas, and that too before you hit the 30th milestone!
Here are some of the best road trips in india to bring out the true road warrior in you.
Trans Himalayan Jeep Safari: Chandigarh – Srinagar – Leh – Manali – Chandigarh
Location: Ladakh, Jammu Kashmir, Himachal Pradesh
Best Time to Visit: June – September
Total Distance Covered: About 1500 kms (Round Trip)
The best road trip in India is laden with adventure and scenic magnificence.It is must the most popular in the list of Himalayan Road Trips . The road distance from Chandigarh to Srinagar is about 600 km and takes roughly 12 hours to cover. Srinagar, rightfully termed as Heaven on Earth, brings to you a plethora of breathtaking views, the calmness of Dal Lake, and unparalleled creative artwork carved out of wood, paper, stones and silver. From here to Leh is another 417 km. The beauty of the city of monasteries, forts and palaces is beyond articulation. The wonderful 475 km drive from Leh to Manali is truly blissful. The stretch back to Chandigarh takes 7 hours. All in all, an extensive journey, but every hour spent on the road is worth the effort.
There are other road trip from Chandigarh which takes you to the pristine Himalayas as Chandigarh serves as the entry point to Himachal Pradesh. The road trip from Chandigarh towards Kinnaur and Spiti Valley is full of adventure and beautiful places and scenery.
Spiti Valley Road Trip or Old Hindustan Tibet Road Trip
Location: Manali
Best Time to Visit: Mid May – Mid October
Total Distance Covered: About 415 kms (one way)
Taking the Hindustan – Tibet highway to travel from Shimla to Spiti Valley or Kaza is advisable, as this route highlights gradual ascent. Therefore, the probability of mountain sickness is relatively lesser. The road is tricky, but bestows with an ecstatic view. This journey would take 29 hours, making a night halt mandatory. The entire ride is devoid of population, albeit full of mesmerizing landscapes. Once you reach Manali, traffic jams and abundant tourist crowds may jolt you out of your reverie. Spiti Valley Road trip is the other famous road trip from Chandigarh.
Guwahati to Tawang – The Best Road Trip of North East India
Location: Tawang
Best Time to Visit: March – October
Total Distance Covered: About 576 kms (one way)
Arunachal Pradesh is indeed a traveler’s paradise. The distance between Guwahati Airport and Tawang over 500 km, but it takes about 12 to 13 thrilling hours to cover when traveling by road. If the snow clad mountains will captivate your eyes, then the gallantry stories of our uniformed men at the Army Camps will make your hearts swell with pride and the hot tea at the Sela Pass will warm up your body. It is now becoming famous as the best road trip in India.
Bhutan Road Trip
Location: Bhutan, NJP, Paro, Thimpu, Punakha, Bumthang
Best Time to Visit: October – May
Total Distance Covered: About 665 kms (one way)
This road journey covering the Eastern Himalayas will take about 11 days, to allow you the pleasures of sightseeing at your own pace. This stretch is enriched with the beauty of the village paddy fields of Paro, the National Library of Thimpu housing age old Buddhist manuscripts, Punakha Dzongu constructed in the 17th century and much more.This route is certainly one of the most beautiful of all the Himalayan Road trips.
Dalhousie – Manali via Sach Pass
Location: Manali
Best Time to Visit: June / Early July – Mid October
Total Distance Covered: About 350 kms (one way)
The distance from Dalhousie to Sach Pass is about 174 km and can be accomplished in 6 to 7 hours. Bairagarh is the first big town that one comes across during the drive. It is advisable to halt for the night here. The PWD guest house is a good option. The route to Sach Pass is complicated; therefore, one needs to be cautious. Do not forget to take a bite at the dhaba located right under the pass. This small eating place is run by a Nepalese lady and exhibits unique charm. After the Sach Pass, the roads are narrow and not in good condition till Udaipur. This entire road trip, better attempted on a jeep, may require an expert driving, but is a sure a treat for the eyes!
Read Part 2 here!
Read the Part of Best Road Trips in India