Misty weather, rugged terrains, high altitudes, and a gorgeous landscape by the end of your journey – these adventure road trips from Delhi offer it all. By Smrithi Suresh
Top 5 Adventure Road Trips From Delhi
1. Delhi to Mussoorie
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A drive from Delhi to Mussoorie through Muzaffarnagar is not to be missed. Lined with winding roads traversing through the hilly terrains of Uttarakhand — this journey will take you away from the hectic city life into nature’s beauty. You might face a little traffic during the daytime, but an early morning start would help you skip that. The narrow foggy routes will lead you to streets dotted will colonial-styled architectural buildings. We recommend a cable-car ride at Gun Hill point in Mussoorie for an expansive view of the evergreen Doon Valley and ice-capped Himalayan trails.
Duration of the trip: 6 hours 20 minutes (290 km) approx.
Best time to visit: April to June
Where to stay: JW Marriott Mussoorie Walnut Grove Resort & Spa
Where to eat: JW Café
2. Delhi to Mashobra
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If you wish to travel to an offbeat hill station, allow Mashobra to be your muse. Those taking the Delhi-Chandigarh highway, do not forget to take pitstops at the iconic roadside dhabas — especially, Amrik Sukhdev and Pehalwan Dhaba. With wider highways to drive through, you can reach the ‘Quieter Shimla’ under eight hours from Delhi. When you are in Mashobra, try adventure sports like camping, trekking, rappelling and hiking. Sitting at a distance of about 13 km from Shimla, Mashobra provides perfect serenity for people who are looking for some quietude amid nature.
Duration of the trip: 7 hours 24 minutes (353 km) approx.
Best time to visit: April to June
Where to stay: Club Mahindra Mashobra Resort
Where to eat: For traditional Himachali food, head to Himachali Rasoi on Mall Road.
3. Delhi to Narkanda
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Narkanda is an ideal getaway for adventure lovers who like to drive in snow-laden roads. If you plan your visit during winters, you will be delighted to see a blanket of snow covering the whole town. It takes a skilful driver to manoeuvre around this place as it could get very slippery. You could navigate to Narkanda through Chandigarh, crossing the exquisite views of Shimla. Due to heavy snowfalls in January, roads could be temporarily closed, so check with local authorities before you set off from Delhi. You could go skiing, which is the most popular adventure activity here. The summer season in Narkanda is also an ideal choice for Delhi people to escape the heat and chill in the lap of nature.
Duration of the trip: 8 hours 46 minutes (402 km) approx.
Best time to visit: December to February
Where to stay: Echor – Narkanda Cottages
Where to eat: Negi Dhaba (The New Himalaya Dhaba)
4. Delhi to Jodhpur
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The route between Delhi to Jodhpur has a lot of iconic destinations for you to halt and explore. With roads surrounded by unkempt hills, the three-lane highway takes you through a long drive of minimal traffic. En route, you can stop at Jaipur to indulge in some culinary delights, shopping and sight-seeing. There is also a vast stretch of Thar desert in Jodhpur, where you could go for desert safari camps.
Duration of the trip: 10 hours 34 minutes (622 km) approx.
Best time to visit: October to March
Where to stay: Manvar Desert Camp and Resort
Where to eat: To enjoy the stunning view of Mehrangarh Fort, head to Baradari at Raas.
5. Delhi to Kufri
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Drive down to Kufri for a perfect weekend getaway from Delhi. This drive will take you through rugged hills on one side and lush stretches of greenery on the other. It can be difficult to move past the ever-lasting traffic, but your final destination is worth all the effort.
Duration of the trip: 7 hours 44 minutes (356 km) approx.
Best time to visit: October to April
Where to stay: Sterling Kufri – Resorts and Hotels
Where to eat: Look out for dhabas that serve traditional Himachali food.
Related: #TnlRoadTrips: These Adventurous Road Trips From Bengaluru Aren’t For The Faint-Hearted!