You’ve heard of road trips, right? The idea of a group of friends getting together to do something? Like, go somewhere? Or, who knows, maybe they’re just going to their friend’s house to chill?
As the summer draws to a close, the long, lazy days of summer are starting to give way to the crisp mornings and golden afternoons of autumn. The leaves are beginning to turn, signalling the end of another year of living in the same place, and the need to pack up the car and head out on the open road. The promise of an adventure is always hard to resist, and the experience of a road trip holds a certain allure that can’t be matched by anything else. The promise of the open road is a powerful one, and for many people, the thought of a long road trip is enough to stir their sense of wanderlust.
Travel is one of the most exciting things in life. You get to see the country and meet new people.
One of the most memorable parts of road trips is the food you eat. When you’re on the road, you’re not always sure where your next meal is coming from.
Take a look at some of the best and most thrilling road trips in Himachal Pradesh that you can plan with your friends and have a fantastic time exploring and discovering the striking beauty and diverse life of the scenic Himalayas.
P.S- We too will suggest some Holiday Mantras.
Best Road Trips to Himachal Pradesh
1. Manali to Leh
2. Delhi to Shimla
3. Chandigarh to Dalhousie
4. Shimla to Manali via Kinnaur and Spiti
5. Delhi to Dharamshala
6. Shimla to Bir Billing
1. Manali to Leh
This one’s quite popular among youngsters not only because of the picturesque destination, but also the route, which is equally stunning and enthralling with rugged landscapes under the brilliant blue sky, deep ravishing valleys and breathtaking views which you will love to record on your cameras. It takes two days to travel from Manali to Leh with adequate stops, as the distance is approximately 479 km. The journey through Rohtang Pass and Khardungla Pass is a one-of-a-kind experience with the scenic beauty of the Himalayas. Water flowing nearby, Himalayan animals passing by, beautiful wildflowers in bloom all around make it even better. It is among the most travelled routes in Himachal Pradesh, so if you are looking to explore something new, this is among the best options to plan a road trip with friends and family.
‘Haan hai koi toh wajah jo jeene ka maza yun aane lga’
2. Delhi to Shimla
Shimla is the most beautiful of all, full of Pine and oak forests. So what if it is taken by a thousand travellers, there must be a reason. Throwing a light, Shimla is justifiably called the Queen of the Himalayas. It has Himalayan Peaks, alpine forests and a colonial aura of its own. Shimla is a 10-hour drive from Delhi, the distance is 352 km. It’s refreshing to drive along the winding roads and breathe in the fresh air. On the way, you’ll meet many dhabas where you can stop by and have tasty parathas with lots of butter and Aachar. Delhi to Shimla road trip is best planned between March and June when the weather is mild, allowing for a pleasant journey in the hills with nature in full bloom. However, if you’re a winter person you can plan your trip in winter and enjoy the ethereal beauty of Shimla when it snows. Also, don’t, don’t and don’t forget to ride on Shimla’s toy train.
‘Ghoome ghoome banjarey, ghoome galiyan yeh bechare’
Distance- The distance between Delhi and Dharmashala is 277 km.
Duration- 7 hours 30 minutes.
3. Chandigarh to Dalhousie
Taking the Dalhousie-Chandigarh route provides breathtaking and exceptionally beautiful views. Dalhousie is about 9 hours away from Chandigarh. You’ll find the roads to be smoothly paved and safe to drive. Imagine riding along that snowy road in an open jeep or in a bullet? Ah! Just beautiful! You totally forget about all the other things when you are driving along with mountain ranges! Those curly roads, the soft hills, and the gentle terrain will imprint a permanent place in your heart for an eternity. For sure! Except for the monsoons, then, the road to Dalhousie is extremely dangerous. Those slippery mountains can slide anytime. Beware! Nevertheless, there is a lot you can do in Dalhousie, you can explore scenic places like Panchpula, Dainkund peak, Kaltop wildlife sanctuary, and the Mini Switzerland Khajjiar Lake.
‘Chala jata hoon kisi ki dhun mein’
Distance- The distance between Delhi and Dharmashala is 310 km.
Duration- 7 hours.
4. Shimla to Manali via Kinnaur and Spiti
Take the Shimla-Manali Road trip via Kinnaur and Spiti with the River Satluj thumping alongside, it’s an ideal way to relax and unwind in Himachal Pradesh. Throughout the journey, beautiful hills, deep valleys, and tall trees provide stunning views that enhance the journey. Double your fun by listening to some soulful music. Stop by some local Dhabas on the way and taste the authentic Himalayan food. Also, a little shopping can be done in Kullu town, 50 km before Manali, you can buy famous Kullu shawls and handicrafts etc. Look no further if you are in Shimla and planning for a road trip to Spiti. By the way, Manali from Shimla is a popular weekend getaway option for most locals. To feel the atmosphere, you can play some Pahadi songs (It isn’t for locals since they already have their Pahadi playlist ready).
Cover Kalpa, Sangla valley and even higher bits of the valley like Nako, Chango, Ropa if you wish.
‘Ghut ghut mare chai ra lana Bimla re tere hotle’
Distance- The distance between Delhi and Dharmashala is 625 km.
Duration- It will take 4-6 days (including stopovers)
5. Delhi to Dharamshala
Dharamshala is not just a place, it’s an emotion! This weekend, if the weather in Delhi isn’t doing it for you, plan a trip to Dharamshala. Ride in a sunroof-equipped car with friends and sing along the way. It’s great to drive on the highways and see the scenery.
Travelling is a blast. Several food joints line the highway to keep your stomach full. Any of them would be a good pit stop. Refuel and move on! In Dharamshala, you’ll find both Indian and Tibetian cultures. You can have truckloads of good times at monasteries, museums and ancient temples. Or you can shop at Kotwali Bazar and buy handicrafts, clothes, murals, and lots of organic stuff. Trust us, you’ll never run out of things to do in Dharamshala.
‘Yun hi chala chal rahi, yun hi chala’
Distance- The distance between Delhi and Dharmashala is 471 km.
Duration- 10 hours 50 minutes.
6. Shimla to Bir Billing
Maybe it is time, my dear Shimlaites, to seek the solace of Bir Billing. Take a breather! The beauty of a trip on those hills is something we cannot beat in our hearts, behind vertigo and nausea. You’ve got the windows down and the radio turned up playing Kishor Kumar’s voice, and the only thing on your mind is where you’re going to stop for a cold drink and something to eat. Don’t worry! The road to Bir from Shimla is calm, serene, and lined with several Punjabi dhabas that serve delicious food. Stop by! As you know Bir Billing is the Paragliding capital of India. And that’s exactly what evokes no second thoughts of visiting the same. Once you reach here, you’ll discover a lot here. From camping, trekking, and shopping, to hang gliding, mountain biking, and cafe hopping, the place has a lot to offer. So, let yourself be swept up in the culture and the evergreen beauty of Bir Billing.
‘Musafir hoon yaro, na ghar hai na thikana’
Distance- The distance between Delhi and Dharmashala is 216 km.
Duration- 6 hours.
Exploring as much as possible on your own is always the best idea. In the end, there’s nothing like being on the road, can there? The open road provides the perfect canvas to gaze upon the stunning scenery, and the freedom of the road allows you to feel the wind in your hair and the sun on your face. When you only have a few days to explore a region, you want to see as much of the area as possible. That’s where a road trip to the Himalayas comes in.
“Main udna chahta hoon, daudna chahta hoon, girna bhi chahta hoon bas rukna nahi chahta”
remember these lines from Yeh Jawani Hai Deewani. Don’t you want a life of the character Bunny aka Kabir aka Ranbir Kapoor? Some corner in you surely want. So, better start packing.
HAVE FUN!
