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Encyclopedia of Tours and Travel to India, featuring information on Fairs & Festivals, Wildlife, Excursion, Adventure, Weather and Major Cities of every state/province of India. |
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Driving holiydays to the North Indian Places 
You've taken the train, the bus, the plane, this time make it a driving vacation, and journey north to the fantastic vistas of the Himalayas. You could make Delhi your starting point, or, If you're coming from other parts of the country, take a break in Delhi before you begin your journey into bliss. When you take a driving holiday you'll discover that the journey is a huge part of the experience. You can stop where you want, slow down if you feel like it, speed Where conducive, and get a much greater appreciation of the landscape you're covering. And when you're headed into the Himalayas, you'll be thankful you have your own car. Once you get to your destination, you can take day-trips at your own convenience, and cover more ground than you would if you Came by train, bus or air. Besides, the highways and roads of India have improved a great deal over recent years, making the whole experience so much more pleasurable. Magical Manali From Chandigarh, get onto NH21 and drive to Manali via Bilaspur, Mandi, Bhuntar and Kullu. The Mandi-Manali drive in particular is truly pleasant, as the road runs along the Beas River right up to Manali. On the last leg of the journey into Manali you will find plenty of apple orchards, which no doubt supply this delicious fruit to the rest of India. As while driving up any mountain road, watch out for blind corners and undisciplined driver (Specially some of the speedster tourist bus guys). The drive to Manali is long, but once you start your climb into the Himalayas, tired thoughts will evaporate and you will find yourself spellbound by the majesty of these mountains. In Manali you will of course stay at the wonderful Club Mahindra Snowpeaks at Timber Trail. This lovely resort is located in the middle of a beautiful orchard and has numerous facilities such as a well stocked bar, recreation centre, multi cuisine restaurant and coffee shop. Each of the rooms has a view of the abundant apple orchards and grandiose, snow-capped peaks. There's plenty of activity organised by the resort and much you can do by yourself as 'well, so make this an active, fun-filled vacation. While in Manali, drive around and discover the wonderful landscape with Himalayan coniferous forests and gurgling streams. Do pay a visit to the 16th century Hadimba temple and to the Vashisht hot springs where you can take a healing dip if you wish. Not far from Manali, you can even experience snow. Another great drive from Manali is the road to the imposing Rohtang pass. It's a pretty daunting 50 km up to the Rohtang Pass from Manali so you're best off hiring a jeep or four-wheel drive to take you there and make it a day-long trip. En route you can stop at Snow Point for a little snowball throwing session, then again the village of Kothi and Rahalta Falls for spectacular views, Marhi for a pleasant tea break, and Finally to Rohtang Pass 13,060 feet above sea level. The pass itself is only open during july and August, but even when it's not, it's a trip worth taking. It's an outing to remember, for you will be treated to the most spectacular Himalaya panoramas you've ever known. A word of advice though, you will need to be really warmly dressed in snow shoes and down jackets to enjoy your time in the snow, so hire this equipment for your personal comfort. Blessed Binsar From Delhi take the National Highway NH24 all the way to Rampur. From there the road changes to NH87, which continues to Rudrapur (just across the state border into Uttaranchal) and then past Haldwani to Kathgodam. After Kathgodam you are driving on beautiful mountain roads, though they are a bit narrow. The views all around are absolutely stunning, and if you roll your windows down you will be surprised to Find clean, unpolluted air scented with pine wafting through the car. Since your destination ought to be Binsar you can of course drive directly to Binsar. From Kathgodam switch to state highway to Almora that goes via a Bhowali and Khairna. Or if you prefer, I continue on NH87 from Kathgodam, via Jeolikot to Kumaon's most popular hil station Nainital. From there to Almora is an easy road, and from Almora you get off the state highway onto a district road and go up to Kaparkhan, beyond which the mountain road into the Binsar Wildlife Sanctuary is simply breathtaking. Sure the road is a bit narrow and not that well maintained, but that adds to the adventure, and in these parts, the dense forests and singing birds make up for any inconvenience while driving. As an alternative route, you can break your journey at Corbett National Park (closed in the monsoon) staying at Club Mahindra's Tiger wilds at Claridges Hide away. From Delhi drive up in an easy (6 hour) journey on NH24 to Moradabad, then transfer to a state highway for the journey to Ramnagar from where the resort is just 20 km. Corbett is not only India's first national park it is also one of its best. After you've spent a day or two spotting tigers and other wildlife, head into the Kumaon hills which are studded with places with names like Bhimtal, Naukuchiatal, SaatTaal, Mukteshwar, Almora, Binsar, Ranikhet, and Bhowali. But the jewel in the Kumaon crown is surely Binsar, with its incomparably beautiful views of Himalayan peaks. You can see the fabulous Nandadevi, Kedamath, Badrinath, Trishul and Shiviing. Stay at Binsar's best resort the Club Mahindra Valley Resort. Superbly located and managed, make this your luxury residence for the duration of your stay. The resort has charming cottages that blend perfectly into the beautiful surroundings. All the modern amenities you may crave are available in the apartments satellite television, kitchenette, fridge, microwave oven, electric kettle and more. And the multi-cuisine restaurant Bird Song promises both great food andgreat views. However, if you aren't so keen on luxuries and prefer the charm of an old colonial villa you have a choice; you can stay at the Club Mahindra Manipur Villa next door. Binsar is a birder's paradise, a trekker's haven, a nature-lover's dream locale. This thickly wooded countryside, with mountain streams all over the place is cool and tranquil, and makes you want to stay outdoors to enjoy nature at its best. When you're in the mood for something a little different, get into your car and visit one of the numerous towns that dot the Kumaon hills, each with its own unique attractions. At Kausani you can visit the Katarmal Sun Temple or the Baijnath temples nearby. Near Ranikhet you can visit the Chaubatia orchards and Bhalu dam, or you can make it a day's picnic at one of the numerous taals (lakes) in the region. At Jageshwar deodar woods form a picturesque backdrop to the temples. Best of all, is the BinsarWildlife Sanctuary with dense woods and teeming birdlife. Spend time wandering through Binsar, it's an awesome world. Distances & Driving Times To Binsar To Manali Take this advice seriously: |
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and on to Chandigarh. Soon after, you bit the foothills of the Himalayas
and enter Himachal Pradesh and the Kullu valley. Although the 250-km
drive from Delhi to Chandigarh is pretty straightforward and you
can count on driving fast. Don't let your attention stray, sometimes
you get an unexpected person deciding to cross the highway at the
precise moment of your passing through. Driving through Punjab you
will pass loads of farms and fields and see locals busy on their
tractors. One stop you absolutely must make is at a Punjabi dhaba.
Pick one that is crowded with parked cars and you can be sure you
are getting the best food known to mankind. Aloo parathas topped
with huge dollops of butter (take it off if you're counting your
calories) and lassis so thick you have to eat them with a spoon,
are our personal favourites.
holiday
is one that takes you into the Kumaon hills. Besides the more famous
(and crowded) Nainital and Almora, there are a host of lovely hill
stations and places all within driving distance from one another.