Top 5 Summer Weekend Driving Destinations: North India

Nainital

Known as the lake district of India, Nainital is a paradise for nature lovers. The extensive network of roads, connect Nainital with prominent cities in Uttarakhand and other north Indian cities and makes the journey of 310 kilometres from Delhi a complete delight. The drive from Delhi takes approximately six and a half hours by car and the route is rather scenic.

The ideal time to visit this peaceful hill station is between March to June. Drive down to Nainital and enjoy the picturesque locale while indulging into activities like fishing, boating, mountaineering and trekking.

Mussoorie

Mussoorie is a lovely hill resort in the state of Uttaranchal and is a one-stop destination for the old and the young. The distance from New Delhi to Mussoorie is 281km that takes about five and a half hours by car. Once you reach Mussoorie the hill station unfolds a variety of activities for you. From trekking, mountain climbing to long walks down nature’s path, Mussoorie is also a great place to just relax and unwind while soaking in the cool mountain air.

Shimla

The Queen of hills is possibly the favourite summer destination for North Indians. Surrounded by spectacular mountains and gorgeous valleys, the seven hour drive from Delhi to Shimla is rather splendid and the 350 kilometres literally just zip by. The route there is more or less blessed with great roads; however the stretch between Zirakpur and Parwanoo can be a little cumbersome.

Once you get to Shimla, it is recommended that you find a hotel that has a decent parking lot so that you can leave your car there. Shimla is best explored on foot, and we recommend that you use your car sparingly for the roads can be congested at times.  Apart from enjoying the cool weather, Shimla offers you a glimpse of British India like no other hill station in the north so take your camera along and do spend an evening on Mall Road. Apart from that, there is the usual biking, and sightseeing tours you can avail. For the more adventurous, you can also head up to Mashobra and enjoy the untouched beauty of nature there.

Dharamshala

Dharamsala is small city blessed with many clear and unpolluted streams and unspoiled healthy ambience. It is a quite getaway for those who wish to spend some time with themselves and their loved ones. Dharamshala makes for a perfect combo of spirituality and nature. The roads are also decent and calm for a distance of 518km from New Delhi to Dharamsala which takes almost ten and a half hours by car.

Manali

You are welcomed by snowy mountains and dense pinewoods with the meandering Beas River as you enter Manali after driving for eleven long hours. With mountains that reach for the heavens, many people opt to take on the rigours of trekking and mountaineering expeditions in the area. However, if you are there to relax, then Manali has fantastic resorts to ensure you unwind while enjoying the cool mountain air. For those interested in exploring the area by car, then we suggest that a trip up to Rohtang Pass is a must, but be ready to tackle some rather bad roads on the climb up to the pass. The distance from New Delhi to Manali is approximately 550kms.

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Before you pick your favourite spot and head for a chilly weekend, here is a checklist to help you prepare your vehicle for a safe and fun road trip.

Vehicle Checklist

•    Check the engine oil level and viscosity
•    Ensure you have the coolant topped up
•    Check the battery condition
•    The air-filter should be clean
•    Check the brake fluid level
•    Check the power steering fluid
•    Top up the windshield washer fluid
•    Look for anything irregular - leaks, loose clamps, kinked hoses, etc and get them fixed before the trip
•    Ensure that your headlights and other major electrical equipment is working properly
•    Check the tyre pressure
•    Check the spare tyre pressure
•    Carry your tools

Keeping your Vehicle Safe Away From Home

•    Ensure that your central locking system is working properly
•    Always check that the doors have been properly locked by doing a walk-around and personally checking each door
•    Don’t leave any valuables in sight
•    Look for proper parking spots and avoid any illegal parking
•    When checking in with the hotel, ask them about their parking security (some hotels offer basement parking, others chain up the parking lot at night so that no car can be taken out etc…)

Road Trip Must Haves

•    Carry lots of water
•    A snack basket is a road trip fundamental
•    Music is always a great companion
•    Phone numbers of friends or family along the route
•    Keep tabs of the emergency numbers and closest police station should you need assistance