Delhi, the Capital of India is strategically placed in the northern part of the country. It is the gateway to some amazing places in the Himalayan valley as well as to the deserts of Rajasthan. Delhi is an international airport accessible from major centres of the world as well as the major cities and towns of india, one can book flights from Mumbai to Delhi or from any other major city in India. Once you get to Delhi, you have some really amazing options for road trips. Here are some of the top road trips that one can do from Delhi.
Road Trip from Delhi to Agra
Agra is a city that is situated about 206 kilometres from Delhi. Agra is renowned for the fact that the world famous Taj Mahal which is one of the seven wonders of the world is situated there. Apart from the Taj Mahal, Agra also has two other heritage monuments namely Fathepur Sikri and Agra Fort. All the three monuments are UNESCO World Heritage Sites. There is an expressway called Yamuna Expressway which makes the drive to Agra fast and smooth. The distance to Agra can be covered in under three hours. While in Agra apart from being awed by the magnificent monuments, one can taste the famous sweet known as Petha which is made from white pumpkin.
Road Trip from Delhi to Mussoorie
Mussoorie is hill station which lies about 290 kilometres from the north of Delhi. It lies at an altitude of about 6,579 feet above sea level. The drive to Mussoorie takes anything around 7 to 8 hours depending on the traffic. Enroute it is advised to stop for lunch at any of the roadside food joints known as Dhabas to relish some spicy cuisine Punjabi cuisine. Once in Mussoorie, one is greeted by cool and fresh mountain air which will make you forget the weariness induced by the long drive. Some lovely views of the valleys below are sure to rejuvenate you. Waterfalls, viewpoints, and small nature walks are sure to keep you enthralled in Mussoorie. While in Mussoorie do check out the adjacent and picturesque town of Landour. The well known Indian author of British descent, Ruskin Bond has made Landour his home.
Road Trip From Delhi to Shimla
Shimla is a very popular hill station in the north of India. It is situated about 360 kilometres to the north of Delhi and can be reached in about 8 to 9 hours. Shimla is the Capital of the northern Indian state of Himachal Pradesh and nestles in the foothills of the Himalayas. The town of Shimla stretches out on a ridge and is fringed with forested hillsides on all directions. Shimla was the summer Capital of India during British rule and is today a popular getaway for vacationers looking for the cooler climes of the hills. Shimla also serves as a pit stop for travellers making their way to Manali, a high altitude resort town in the Himalayan ranges. Shimla is also the terminus of the picturesque and heritage Kalka-Shimla Railway. Enroute to Shimla one also passes through the city of Chandigarh which has the distinction of being the Capital of two Indian states, Punjab and Haryana. One can stop at Chandigarh if time permits and visit the famous Nek Chand Rock Garden which is a unique garden created completely from waste. Another experience to enjoy on this road trip is to eat at the roadside food joints that dot the highway. These are called Dhabas and serve some lip smacking fare. Do not forget to taste some Parathas(Indian Bread) served with dollops of white butter and Sarson Ka Saag which is a spicy curry made of Mustard greens.
Road Trip From Delhi to Jaipur
Jaipur which is the Capital of the famous Indian state of Rajasthan is about 268 Kilometres from Delhi. Jaipur is also the gateway to other famous cities of Rajasthan that lead to the great Thar Desert. The drive from Delhi to Jaipur takes about four hours.
Jaipur is a historic city, a city of forts and palaces. The original city that was founded in the year 1727 is today known as the “Old City” or “Pink City” owing to the colour of the buildings. One of the most impressive of the monuments in Jaipur that one must see is the Amer Fort. The Amer Fort is situated atop a hill and encircles a magnificent palace as well as a complete and fascinating self-contained township. The palace is built of red sandstone and marble and is built on four levels. The other must see sights in Jaipur include the City Palace a vast Palace complex that houses opulent courtyards, buildings and gardens, the Hawa Mahal which is the most iconic landmarks of the city and Jantar Mantar which is an open air collection of astronomical instruments made of stone and iron. Jaipur is also the city which serves as the pitstop when traveling to the interior of the state to the other gems of Rajasthan. The cities of Jodhpur, Bikaner, and Jaisalmer are easily accessible from Jaipur. Also Pushkar which is famous for its annual camel fair is about 146 kilometres away from Jaipur. A road trip to Jaipur is indeed a trip to another enchanting world.
These are only some of the amazing road trips that can be done from Delhi. The possibilities are much more. For the more adventurous ones longer road trips can be done right up to Leh which is situated more than a thousand kilometres away at an altitude of 11,480 feet. The final stretch of the road that leads from Manali to Leh is open for only about four months in the summer. Another adventurous road trip would be to the Spiti Valley across difficult roads and a distance of more than 750 kilometres. Of course the more adventurous the trip, the more spectacular vistas that will unfold.
Head to Delhi to getaway to some really amazing places and have some incredible experiences.