We are always yearning to break out of the monotony of daily life and escape on a liberating road trip to our favourite destinations. A new trend of overlanding has emerged where the road trip itself becomes the destination and the journey. Tackling tough terrains and living on the road to reach exquisite destinations is now an attraction for those who seek more adventure on their trips. If you are looking for an overland trip to undertake, here are 3 exquisite destinations for an adventurous, peaceful, and memorable overlanding experience.
Leh Ladakh
Leh Ladakh is one of the hottest destinations amongst travellers, off-roaders, bikers and even overlanders. The challenging rugged terrain, unpredictable weather and high altitude makes Leh Ladakh a bucket list destination for almost everyone. From beautiful and scenic surroundings to mesmerizing lakes and amazing people, the journey to Leh Ladakh will surely be a memorable one. As an overlanding destination, Leh Ladakh as a destination offers adventurous routes that offer everything from an overnight camp in the lap of nature to scenic overnight routes.
Best Time to Visit: Travel during the months of April to July, when temperatures are between 15-30 degrees Celsius.
Best Overlanding Routes to Leh Ladakh
While Leh Ladakh as a destination is a mesmerizing place, the on-road journey to Ladakh is one of the most memorable drives you will experience. While there are plenty of ways to reach Ladakh, here are some of the most scenic routes:
Route 1: Srinagar – Kargil – Leh
One of the most sought after routes to Leh is via Srinagar, which in itself is a destination worth exploring. As you plan your overlanding journey to Leh, you will encounter Sonmarg, and this is the place from where the adventurer in you will thrive. As you start going up the mighty Zoji La mountain pass, you will cherish every view you encounter. At 3,528m above sea level, Zoji La is the second highest pass on the NH-1 that passes between Srinagar and Leh.
Going through the mountain passes, you will eventually cross Drass, and witness how the scenery changes as Leh approaches. This will be one of the most memorable drives ever with barren land on both sides, and a wonderful sky to greet you at all times.
Distance to be covered: Srinagar to Kargil – 250 kms. Kargil to Leh – 220 kms
Route 2: Chandigarh – Manali – Jispa – Leh
Another beautiful route to reach Leh starts off from Chandigarh, from where you will reach Manali in about 8 to 9 hours. Once you reach Manali the most beautiful, scenic and breathtaking journey begins. This is also the same route that was popularized by the Bollywood film Jab We Met.
From Manali, the journey will take you through lush greenery, charming villages, snow-capped mountains, high mountain passes, and even glacial lakes. After reaching Leh and witnessing the classic Ladakh vibes, don’t forget to explore the Pangong Tso and Nubra Valley before heading home.
Distance to be covered: Chandigarh to Manali – 290 kms, Manali to Jispa – 100 kms and Jispa to Leh – 340 kms
Places of Interest
Your overlanding journey towards Leh will have a number of interesting places of interest to visit. If you take the route from Srinagar, you can explore places like Zanskar River, Kargil Memorial, Lamayuru Monastery, Sonmarg, Gurudwara Pathar Sahib, and Magnetic Hill. On the other hand, your journey from Chandigarh will take you to places like Keylong, Sarchu, and Sooraj Tal, where camping can be possible.
Specific Vehicle Requirements and Things to Pack
Leh is undoubtedly an unforgettable journey, but the journey brings in a lot of different views, terrains and sceneries. While most trip to Leh are popular amongst bikers, those preferring to undertake the journey on four wheels can opt for an SUV, MUV, and even a rugged hatchback. To reach the more inaccessible areas, a 4×4 vehicle with features like traction control, high ground clearance, and powerful engines will make tackling mountain passes, valley fronts, and icy roads a breeze.
When it comes to things to pack, make sure to pack camping gear for overnight camping in picturesque locations, a portable gas stove for quick Maggi meals, and a reliable GPS navigation system that will help you navigate in uncharted territory. In addition to this, do remember to take all the essentials like first aid kits and appropriate clothing for the journey and destination.
The Great Rann of Kutch Trail
Dubbed as one of the true wonders of India, the Great Rann of Kutch spans across a mammoth area of 16,000 square kilometres divided into two regions – the Little Rann and the Great Rann. The Great Rann of Kutch is sandwiched between a sea on one side and a desert on the other. The result is a unique overlanding experience that will take your breath away.
Best Time to Visit: Travel during the months of October to February, when temperatures are between 25 to 12 degrees. This is also the time the Rann Utsav takes place, giving you an opportunity to experience the culture of the Rann of Kutch.
Best Overlanding Route to the Great Rann of Kutch
The white wonderland of the Kutch will captivate you as you traverse the scenic landscape on your journey. While there may be many routes to visit the Great Rann of Kutch, the most memorable and diverse route is the:
Mumbai – Ankleshwar – Vadodara – Bhuj – Rann Route
A great overlanding route that will reap the joy of witnessing the city of dreams, traditions of Gujarat, the history of Bhuj and the prize of it all: the Great Rann of Kutch. The route starts from Mumbai where you can visit places like the Gateway of India. From Mumbai, the route takes you to Ankleshwar, where you can visit the Narmada bridge built during the British era. The journey continues onward to Vadodara and Bhuj, where you can immerse yourself in the traditional culture of Gujarat and explore the rich legacy of historic buildings and Kutch handicrafts. Upon reaching Kutch, the white salt desert will surely make you wonder how barren terrains can be so soothing and unique. The entire journey will take you through so many diverse experiences that the entire overlanding experience will become an immortal memory.
Distance to be covered: Mumbai to Ankleshwar – 330 kms, Ankleshwar to Vadodara – 90 kms, Vadodara to Bhuj – 440 kms, and Bhuj to Rann of Kutch – 73 kms.
Places of Interest
The overlanding journey to the Rann of Kutch is a route filled with unique and memorable sights along the way. In Mumbai you will witness sights like the Gateway of India, Marine Drive, and the Taj Hotel. Experience the wilder side of life at the Shoolpaneshwar Wildlife Sanctuary in Ankleshwar and the Kutch Wildlife Sanctuary in Kutch. For a more historic sightseeing experience, the Sayaji Baug and Laxmi Vilas Palace in Vadodara, and the Aina Mahal of Bhuj will bring you closer to the historic culture of Gujarat.
Specific Vehicle Requirements and Things to Pack
This is a less demanding overlanding journey as compared to heading to the mountains. Most of your journey will be done on plains with very light off-roading that can be handled by any car. The only challenging terrain you may encounter will be at the Rann of Kutch itself, where marshy ruts might surprise you if you are not careful. An SUV with all-wheel drive or 4×4 capability should be able to get out of such situations easily.
The Rann of Kutch is known for its iconic nighttime landscapes framed by a starry night sky and white salt flats. Appropriate camping gear should help you make the most of your trip to the Rann. Do remember to take warm clothes on your journey to the Rann as temperatures can go lower when you are in the desert.
Spiti (Kaza) Trail
For millennials, Spiti isn’t an unfamiliar name. The scenic valley of Spiti and its refreshing camping, trekking, off-roading and overlanding terrains are popular amongst adventure enthusiasts seeking an exotic adventure. Dubbed as the “Middle Land”, Spiti (Kaza) is a Trans-Himalayan territory sharing its borders with Tibet, situated at an altitude of about 4000 meters. Spiti is the centre of some of the oldest monasteries in the Himalayan region. The overlanding journey through the Valley is one of the most challenging, adventurous yet peaceful experiences.
Best Time to Visit: May to October is the perfect time to overland through the Spiti Valley. These are months when the roads are comparatively clear and joyous.
Best Overlanding Route to Spiti
Narkanda – Sangla – Tabo – Kaza – Manali Route
In keeping with the adventurous theme, this route has everything from the ski-town of Narkanda to th apple orchards of Sangla. Your journey starts 8000 feet above sea level at Narkanda and heads towards the lush greenery of Sangla. Driving through Sangla, make sure to spend a night alongside the river Baspa before you head on. From Sangla to Tabo, you will encounter one of the world’s most treacherous roads where there wouldn’t be any sign of human life for hours. From Tabo you will have a single petrol pump on the way where you can refill. From there heading towards Kaza you will eventually reach a height of 12,000 ft. and the views, air, scenes would be mesmerising.
After spending a few days in Kaza exploring its beautiful landscape, get ready to head towards Manali. Be prepared for a challenging drive as you tackle river crossings, sharp hairpin bends, water cascades and a lot more. As you move ahead you will reach the Kunzum pass, the highest pass of Spiti Valley at a height of 14,900 feet. As you come down you will be greeted with the perils of the Rohtang Pass. Drive through it carefully and you will come closer to the town of Manali where your overland trip comes to a beautiful end.
Distance to be covered: Narkanda to Sangla – 160 kms, Sangla to Tabo – 200 kms, Tabo to Kaza – 50 kms, and finally Kaza to Manali – 200 kms.
Places of Interest
The monasteries and breathtaking landscapes of Spiti are a sight to behold. Among the places to visit and see Hatu Mata Temple, Apple Orchids of Sangla, Tabo Monastery, and Hikkim Village would be our recommendations.
Specific Vehicle Requirements and Things to Pack
The overlanding journey to the Spiti Valley poses plenty of challenges on the way. From the difficult roads of the Rohtang Pass, to the treacherous routes down from Kaza. We highly recommend taking the trail on an off-road, 4×4 capable SUV that comes with features like differential locks, water wading capacity and a lot more. With careful and skillful driving, the Spiti trail would undoubtedly be one of the best experiences of your life.
When it comes to things to pack, make sure to pack camping gear for witnessing exquisite terrains overnight, portable gas stove for quick meals, a tough GPS navigation system that will help you sail through the journey. And when you plan your journey, do not forget to take all the essentials you will need.
These exquisite destinations are just a guide to the amazing locations overlanding can take you. With the right equipment and preparation, an overlanding road trip will be a unique experience to fill your traveller’s soul. These destinations aren’t the only locations to explore by overlanding. There are locations across the country that are waiting to be discovered and experienced. If you are an intrepid traveller, looking for the unknown, it’s time to pack your bags and head out.
