North India has some of the world’s most splendid and diverse landscapes for road trips. They are full of adventure, thrill, scenic beauty, and the natural landscape. You will get something to look up to in every journey, ranging from the lofty Himalayas to rich green valleys down to old villages. Each of these seven panoramic routes promises visitors memorable experiences when taking road trips in North India. Whether you are a nature enthusiast, adventure seeker or just looking for some new place that you have never been to before. The most suitable way to explore these roads are through Tempo Traveller on Rent or car rental service. That will give you all the comfort even in the difficult terrain.
Shimla to Manali
There are two routes to opt for Shimla to Manali one is via NH3 and another is via NH5 and NH305. The route via NH3 is shortest and fastest but here we are only covering the routes that are scenic, in this matter this route can not beat NH5 and NH305. As this is not the common route you will have to face very less traffic on the way, you can enjoy the pine forest, snow peaked mountains, green valleys so basically you are going to love this road trip. Best time to visit Shimla Manali for snowfall is during December and January when you will find rain of snow and covering all roads and places. Shimla to Manali is one of the most explored road trips in India.
Shimla to Manali distance is 253 Km via NH3
Duration: approx. 8-9 Hours
Best Time to Visit: March to June and September to December
Popular Destinations on the Way: Bhimakali Temple, Kufri hill station, Narkand, Fagu village, Mashobra Forest Sanctuary
Shimla to Manali Route: Shimla > Narkanda> Jibhi> Kullu > Manali
Food points: Himachal Rasoi, Café Amigos, Negi Dhaba, Café So, Wake & Bake Café, HPTDC Restaurant, Café Nirvana
Read Also: Places to Visit in Shimla and Manali
Manali to Leh
Driving from Manali to Leh is not an ordinary journey, it is an adventure across some of the most isolated and mountainous regions. Some believe that it is one of India’s toughest yet amazing driving experiences you could ever undertake which will leave you with a sight of high altitude deserts, clear watered lakes as well as mountain tops that touch the sky. Manali to Leh road condition is very exciting and filled with adventure. Each time you take a bend there will be a different scene making the trip challenging yet memorable. For a fascinating and thrilling experience, adventure seekers take this best road trips in North India.
Manali to Leh Distance is 427 Km
Duration: 12 – 13 Hours
Best Time to Visit: June to September
Popular tourist destination: Rohtang Pass, Pangong Lake, Nubra Valley, Leh, Tso Moriri Lake
Ideal Route: Manali > Sarchu > Taglang La > Changa > Leh
Food point: The climber’s cafe, Hotel Debring, Pangong Restaurants, Lamayuru Restaurant
Jammu to Srinagar
Travelling from Jammu to Srinagar by road will give you two choices: either to take NH44 that is shorter and another is via NH144A that is around 330 km but we do not recommend taking this route because of the road conditions and not so scenic route. But if you are planning this trip, we would suggest you consider the various factors such as weather conditions, political situation, any curfew, network connectivity etc. While in monsoon season you will see a vibrant colour landscape all around yourself in this trip.
Distance: 244 Km
Duration: 6 – 7 hours
Best Time to Visit: April to October
Popular tourist destination: Jawahar Tunnel, Patnitop, Saffron market, Titanic View Point, Sawalkot Dam, Bijbehara
Ideal Route: Jammu > Udhampur > Ramban > Qazigund > Lethipora > Srinagar
Food point: Peerah Market, Punjabi Haveli Domel, Khan Sweet Shop, Sarmuli, Mount View Dhaba, Kud Market
Delhi to Ladakh via Srinagar
Ideally there are two routes to reach Ladakh from Delhi first is via Srinagar, which is an old route and another one is via Manali but this is pretty new route. We have chosen the first route as it gives you a thrilling ride experience passing through high mountains and from the bank of a beautiful serene lake. But the most important reason is, while passing through this route, you will get quite a few petrol bunks as well, which is a necessity while travelling to far deserted places by road.
Distance: 1231
Duration: 29 – 30 hours
Best Time to Visit: June to October
Popular tourist destination: Pangong Tso, Thiksey Monastery, Hall of Fame, Confluence of the Indus and Zanskar Rivers, Shankaracharya Hill, Dal Lake, Nishat Garden,
Ideal Route: Delhi > Ambala > Ludhiana > Jalandhar > Pathankot > Udhampur > Srinagar > Sonmarg > Kargil > Leh
Food point: The Tibetan Kitchen, Lamayuru Restaurant, Lacima Cafe and Pizzeria, Kant Da Dhaba, Khalsa Hindu Dhaba
Dehradun to Auli
Driving from Dehradun to Auli invites you through Uttarakhand’s natural exquisiteness. Auli, “Skiing Capital of India,” provides clear snow covered ski slopes with Nanda Devi range around it. It is an appropriate route that takes you through picturesque hill stations and thick forests, making it an ideal place for anyone who wants an escape into the wilderness.
Distance: 293 Km Via Badrinath Rd
Duration: 9 – 10 Hours
Best Time to Visit: November to March for skiing, April to June for trekking
Popular tourist destination: Nanda Devi National Park, Auli Artificial Lake, Narsingh Temple
Ideal Route: Dehradun > Rishikesh > Devprayag > Rudraprayag > Gopeshwar > Joshimath > Auli
Food point: Auli ‘D’ Food Plaza, Bawarchi the family restaurant joshimath, Hotel Rajput and restaurants
Delhi to Shimla- Most Popular Road Trips in North India
If you are in Delhi the first destination that comes to mind is Shimla, it is not only some cooler hill station to relax but also you can enjoy driving through beautiful landscapes and lovely villages just on the way. It is a way to get away from the fast-moving city of Delhi and move towards the peaceful hills. Shimla is accessible easily from Delhi via Delhi to Shimla taxi. That is why it is chosen for a weekend or a family holiday by many people. It is famous for its cold weather, natural landscape and plenty of adventure activities, which makes this trip so memorable. You can also book Delhi to Shimla Volvo Bus tour package, which is specially designed to cover all the popular sightseeing places with lowest cost possible.
Delhi to Shimla Distance is 343 Km Via NH 44 and NH 5
Duration: 8 – 9 Hours
Best Time to Visit: March to June and September to December
Popular tourist destination: Brahma Sarovar, Sukhna Wildlife Sanctuary, Jakhoo Temple, Kali Bari Temple, Christ Church, Chadwick Falls
Delhi to Shimla Route: Delhi > Panipat > Karnal > Kurukshetra > Ambala > Chandigarh > Kalka > Solan > Shimla
Food point: Haveli, Amrik Sukhdev, Pooran Singh Da Dhaba, Café Shimla Times, Himachali Rasoi, Sita Ram and Sons
Chandigarh to Kasol
Although there are three routes to travel from Chandigarh to Kasol, the most favourable one is via NH205 while the other two routes via NH154 and via NH503 A are bit longer routes and not so scenic. At times called “Mini Israel of India” given its popularity with Israeli tourists, Kasol offers a peaceful getaway for anyone desiring relaxation in natural surroundings. The trip from Chandigarh to Kasol takes us on a picturesque journey through Parvati Valley that is renowned for its rich vegetation, tranquil streams, and quaint village, Kasol.
Chandigarh to Kasol Distance is 250 Km via NH 205
Duration: 7 – 8 Hours
Best Time to Visit: April to June and September to November
Popular tourist destination: Kheerganga trek, Tosh village, Naggar Castle, Pandoh Dam
Ideal Route: Chandigarh > Bilaspur > Mandi > Kasol
Food point: Uncle Jack’s Cafe, The Evergreen, Panjtara Bar & Grill, Riverview cafe, Sony Cottage, Little Italy Inn
Conclusion
All the above mentioned road trips in India will give you a lifetime memory that you cannot easily vanish. Taking a road trip in North India is a unique chapter that mixes adventure, culture, and amazing landscapes. These highways, roads, mountain terrains, serene valleys will pass through the snow-capped mountains, as well as old style buildings in different parts of this area. If you are still confused or want to explore more, check out North India tour packages and select the best suitable trip for your holiday.
