Some of the best road trips in India

Gateway to Heaven

The first on our list is Gateway to Heaven. From Delhi, it’ll be a 1,500km round trip. It is suggested that you take at least a week to complete this journey so that you can properly explore places like Reckong Peo, Nako and Tabo. The altitude goes up to 12,000ft, and road conditions can change from racetrack smooth to narrow and rocky in the blink of an eye. Whether you’re a first-timer or a seasoned traveller, you are advised to take it easy!

And if you’re looking for a more adventurous trip, you can always go deeper into the valley and beyond Tabo to places like Kaza and Komik. You can even go further and return via Manali, covering Kunzum Pass and Rohtang Pass on the way. However, for these roads, a 4×4 SUV or an adventure motorcycle would be the ideal choice.

Hunt for snow

We recommend to take a route which leads to the town of Rohru and, then, to a lesser-known mountain pass – Chanshal. Situated at a height of over 12,000 feet, this pass throws up challenges to even the most seasoned driver – the relative lack of traffic means that infrastructure here is minimal at best, which only means that you have to be on the top of your game. Chanshal greeted us with a fair amount of snow on the summit of the pass, lifting our spirits, for we found what we were looking for.

Of course, despite only being front-wheel drive, the fantastic chassis and suspension capabilities of the Venue shone through. The SUV tackled everything that the roads, or the lack thereof, could throw at it with aplomb – proving that you don’t need a dedicated 4×4 for a dose of adventure.

Gangotri

To get to Gangotri, you have to ride through Dhanaulti and then head towards Chamba. The road and the views of the Himalayas it offered were breath-taking in every sense of the word. The tarmac was fresh and smooth, and traffic non-existent. This 56-kilometre stretch from Landour to Chamba is every rider’s dream.

Once you cross Chamba, the road is simply unbelievable. You’ll see empty forests, rivers, and a series of twisty bends, with wide run-off areas.

The stretch from Chamba to Rishikesh is about 65 kilometres, offering a perfect combination of long straights and very wide, smooth flowing twisty bends.