10 Epic Road Trips In India This Winter 2025

OT Staff

Manali–Leh (Ladakh)

A legendary Himalayan route with dramatic passes and valleys. Winter access is limited, but when open, it offers crisp skies and stark landscapes—best for seasoned drivers with proper acclimatisation.

Manali–Leh highway ronnie_and_barty/instagram

Srinagar–Gulmarg (Kashmir)

A short yet stunning winter drive past orchards, frozen streams and snow-covered meadows. Ideal for those heading to Gulmarg’s ski slopes—carry chains and monitor daily weather.

Srinagar–Gulmarg highway adventurous_kashmir/instagram

Shimla–Kaza (Spiti Valley)

A striking route of high-altitude villages and monasteries. Winter brings isolation, icy roads and limited access, making preparation essential and travel best with an experienced local driver.

Along the Shimla–Kaza highway favorite.trip/instagram

Mumbai–Goa (Konkan Coast)

A popular coastal drive with breezy beaches, forts and lush countryside. Winter offers clear skies, smooth roads and pleasant temperatures ideal for relaxed, scenic self-drives.

Road in Goa indiatravellife/instagram

Bengaluru–Ooty (Nilgiris)

A misty ascent through tea gardens and forested ghats. Winter mornings are cool and crisp, perfect for leisurely driving, hill-station stays and quiet nature walks.

Road along Bengaluru–Ooty traveltaleswithlisha/instagram

Bhuj–White Rann (Kutch)

A mesmerising drive across salt deserts, wetlands and artisan villages. Winter’s clear skies and Rann Utsav festivities make this route particularly atmospheric and photogenic.

Biker at Bhuj–White Rann _mystery_soul_traveller_/instagram

Shillong–Cherrapunji–Dawki (Meghalaya)

A lush circuit of waterfalls, caves, cliffs and crystal-clear rivers. Winter brings drier conditions, making viewpoints, living-root bridges and scenic forest drives comfortably accessible.

Camping at the Dawki River in Meghalaya Shutterstock

Delhi–Auli (via Rishikesh / Devprayag)

A long but rewarding drive through river valleys to snow-laden slopes. Winter ensures crisp mountain air, good visibility and easy access to Auli’s skiing and serene views.

Snow in Auli, Joshimath wehimalayas/instagram

Darjeeling–Gangtok–Lachung (Sikkim Himalayas)

A varied Himalayan route with tea gardens, monasteries and high villages. Winter provides clearer skies and calm mornings, ideal for photography and quiet mountain exploration.

Loop Bridge, Darjeeling darjeelingtips/instagram

Kanyakumari–Pondicherry–Chennai (Tamil Nadu Coast)

A gentle coastal drive past temples, fishing villages and beaches. Winter’s mild weather, calm seas and heritage stops create a relaxed, culture-rich journey.

End point of the Indian mainland (Arichal Munai), where Bay of Bengal and the Indian Ocean meet fredingivo/instagram

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