With one of the wettest monsoons in a century finally behind us, it's time to lace up your riding boots, get your car serviced, and start mapping out your next adventure—road trip season is officially here. To help satisfy your wanderlust, we've curated a list of underrated excursions that promise cultural deep dives, stunning photo ops, and plenty of open road, so get your playlists set and buckle up. 

Mumbai to Dholavira

Feel like turning your ordinary weekend into a wild ride through history, desert landscapes, and cultural treasures? Hop into your car in Mumbai and aim north towards Dholavira, the gateway to the Rann of Kutch. This 860 km journey will take you around 15-16 hours depending on how many ‘I need chai’ breaks you take, but trust me, every kilometer is worth it. 

Known for its vibrant handicrafts, white salt flats, ancient settlements and surreal landscapes, the Rann of Kutch is best visited during the Rann Utsav, the annual festival that transforms this desert into a carnival of colors, art, and music under a starlit sky. You’ll feel like you’ve driven into a postcard—just make sure to capture that ‘standing in the middle of nowhere’ shot on the endless white salt flats. 

Delhi to Aharbal

If you’re tired of the chaos in Delhi and want to trade the hustle for some Himalayan tranquility, pack up and head for Aharbal in Kashmir. The 880-km drive takes a tad over 15 hours, but the changing scenery will make you forget the time making this a particularly immersive trip for drivers/riders. You'll start with the hustle of the Delhi-Chandigarh highway, gradually moving into the peaceful landscapes of Jammu and Kashmir, where every twist and turn promises something more breathtaking. 

Aharbal is famous for its majestic waterfall, often called the ‘Niagara of Kashmir’, but with fewer tourists and way more serenity. Nestled in the Pir Panjal mountains, it’s the perfect escape for nature lovers and those who want to hit the reset button. Once you’re there, unwind with a cup of kahwa and let the cascading waters melt your stress away. Bonus: the area around Aharbal is prime trekking territory, so lace up your hiking boots if you're up for an adventure. 

Chennai to Dhanushkodi 

Start your engines in Chennai, and drive 564km south to Dhanushkodi, the literal ‘end of the road’ on Rameswaram Island. This trip is a solid 11 to 12 hours of coastal bliss with the perfect mix of city buzz and windswept solitude. As you cruise along the East Coast Road, you’ll want to stop at the legendary Pamban Bridge for some ‘check me out, I’m on a bridge!’ kinda photos. Think Atal Setu but legal. It’s the kind of bridge that makes even your Instagram captions poetic—if not a little too dramatic.  

Once you cross over to Rameswaram, things get interesting. The final 20 km stretch to Dhanushkodi? It’s as if you’ve stumbled into a Mad Max set, with eerie ruins, ghost towns, and the kind of roads that make you question your life choices. And no, your phone signal won’t save you here. But the view is worth the minor heart palpitations. The Bay of Bengal on one side, the raging Indian Ocean on the other—it’s like nature’s way of saying, ‘Welcome to the edge of the world’. Two days is plenty if you’re visiting, but you might want to add an extra night if you’re prone to falling in love with ghost towns. 

Kochi to Puducherry  

What happens when a coastal Kerala city with great seafood and vibrant culture wants to say bonjour to French colonial charm? You get a 559 km road trip from Kochi to Pondicherry, a drive that’s like a buffet of landscapes. Starting in Kochi, the commercial capital of Kerala (where every other shop seems to sell gold), you’ll ride past the lush Western Ghats before cruising down Tamil Nadu’s highways. It’ll take about 12 hours, give or take traffic, so make sure your playlist is a solid mix of everything from ‘90s classics to podcasts that you pretend to listen to.  

Once in Pondicherry, expect a town that looks like Paris if Paris swapped baguettes for biryani. The French Quarter’s colourful houses, cute cafés, and yoga retreats offer you a perfect mix of beachside tranquillity and ‘Oh I’m so bohemian right now’ vibes. Try not to choke on a croissant while you're at it. And don’t forget Auroville—ideal for a quick existential crisis about world peace and eco-living.  

Forbidden Kingdom of Mustang   

Ready for an adventure that makes you feel like Indiana Jones (minus the whip)? Enter the Forbidden Kingdom of Mustang in Nepal, where the landscape is as jaw-dropping as the altitude. Start your trip in Pokhara (Nepal), the land of lakes and mountain views so stunning you may turn into a nomad. From there, it’s a 4x4 route into the Upper Mustang region, covering about 150 km, but the terrain is more bumpy than smooth. Give it about 3 days of driving from Pokhara, considering altitude acclimatisation, because breathing is non-negotiable.  

Mustang was only opened to outsiders in the ’90s, so it’s like travelling back in time—except your smartphone still works. With ancient Tibetan monasteries, mystical caves, and cliffs that look like they belong on Mars, Mustang is a world of its own. The capital, Lo Manthang, still holds on to its royal roots, so don't be surprised if you feel like you’ve stumbled into a lost kingdom. Just don’t expect five-star hotels—this is about adventure, not room service. Also, make sure you have all the necessary permits.