Top 5 driving destinations in India this Diwali

You are one of those who prefer to drive to your holiday destination. Awesome! It's what we would do too, except that here at OVERDRIVE we drive everywhere for work, while you will do it as a holiday. So we prefer flying. But, if there is someplace in India that can be driven to on a holiday, you can bet your last shred of rubber on your tyre, we've done it.  Here are five of my personal favourites and keep in mind I'd do this plainly because these are amazing to drive to or through. Also most of these drives are a week long occasion spent on the road with enough days in between for R&R.

Shimla-Rekong Peo-Kaza

Beautiful roads that meander through the Sangla Valley highlight this driving route. It's a bit rustic in places but then driving through the lower reaches of the Himalayas is never about luxury but being one with nature. You drive around the fringes of the Great Himalayan National Park and the Pin Valley National Park. Though you can't drive into these national parks, several treks are organised from Kaza.

Recently we drove to Ladakh as part of OVERDRIVE's 15th anniversary celebration

The route is very twisty with lots of hairpin bends making it very interesting. Club that with some incredible landscapes and majestic mountains and you have an unforgettable drive.

You can team up with Karanbir Singh, an ex-OVERDRIVE staffer who has started his own hotel in Kaza (himalayanshepard.com) and is an adventure junkie of sorts. Rest assured you will get to experience the same adventurous spirit this magazine is famous for.

Weather wise this region will be cold and hostile. The section near Malling nala is especially treacherous so it would be wise to get some information before you set out on your journey. The passes could be snowed up but there is always a chance that you will get through since this route is largely open throughout the year.

Preferred Vehicle: Anything with 4WD. Carry snow chains just in case which can be fabricated in Shimla.

 2) Ahmedabad-Bachau-Radhanpur-Barmer-Jodhpur

Incredible for the starkness that desert life brings to a road trip. Long stretches of roads with scanty traffic offers amazing vistas of the Rann and the Thar desert. Leave Ahmedabad and camp at the Rann Riders desert camp on the fringe of the smaller Rann of Kutch. From there begin your expedition towards Bhuj passing through the greater Rann. Admire the vast openness of the land here and marvel at how water, a resource we so taken for granted, is such a precious commodity in these parts. The dryness in the air will stifle you, the utter lack of moisture makes existence very difficult in these parts.

The locals have a weathered appearance, and while the men twirl their long tapered whiskers the women preen in their bright and gay plumes.

Cross the border into Rajasthan and continue to be amazed by life in the desert. There aren't many options to bed down for the night so plan out your driving routes precisely. Our friends at Rann Riders can help you with those plans.

In this season, days are hot but nights can be cool so pack the right clothes.

A word of caution: Over the last couple of years, some of these sections have fallen prey to dacoits and thieves. We ourselves have been victims in one ghastly incident. Ideally plan your drive in a manner where you leave early in the day and reach your night halt destination well before sundown. Also avoid carrying cash, pay for your bookings online and carry credit cards.

Preferred Vehicle: Anything will do as long as it has a strong air-conditioner.

3) Tiger trail

This takes you through the geographical heartland of India, Madhya Pradesh. Drive north from Nagpur, which is at the centre of the country, towards the Satpura mountain range and the home of the Satpura National Park. You will need a 4WD vehicle to descend into the national park from Pachmarhi, a quaint hill station. The off-road bit is challenging so even though 4WD will work wonders you need a compact vehicle because of the tight windy sections with rocky outcroppings.

The Satpura National Park is famous for the Indian Bison. The drive from Nagpur to Pachmarhi isn't amazing, but it shows another part of India that is impoverished yet busy and crowded. From Pachmarhi, you move on to Pipariya and then turn east towards the Pench and Kanha national parks both known as tiger habitats. The Kanha Earth Lodge is a lovely retreat to use as base and head into the jungle on safari, though there are plenty of other options to suit your budget.

While the days are hot, the nights from November will cool down considerably. In the national parks, the air is clean and pure, so while you cannot drive diesels into the park, please make sure your petrol SUV is also PUC certified. Pench and Satpura will allow diesel and petrol 4WD vehicles inside the park provided your vehicle is no more than 5 years old and this largely applies to diesels.

Driving though MP also means you need to be extra cautious. Avoid going around in anything flashy, this trip is for you to blend in with nature. It's wise then to drive something a little more grounded. And always make sure you get back to your destination before sundown.

4) Bangalore–Munnar–Mudumulai–Coorg

This is a rather long drive and accounts for more than a week to absorb what is probably the finest driving route in South India. It's probably also one of the best road trips in all of India. From Bangalore, the party capital of India, drive down south to Munnar. Ideally leave before the day breaks to get into Munnar by early evening leaving you enough time to gaze upon the tea estates surrounded by the beautiful Western Ghats. In this season the air is crystal clear and this provides some fantastic sights. The road up to Munnar is probably one of the best in all of India and is a must on every traveler's bucket list.

From Munnar, you head north to the Mudumulai National Park, which is famed for elephants and even the Bengal Tiger. Don't be surprised if you get waylaid by a herd of elephants crossing the road in front of you. Keep calm and enjoy the tuskers as they trundle past.

Even further up north, you can drive up to either Kabini, which is on the periphery of the Nagarhole National Park, or head towards Wayanad before climbing further north to Coorg. Kabini is rich in wildlife because of the river that sustains life in the park, but the roads leading up to Kabini are very poor. Make sure you have a car with good ground clearance and a very comfortable ride.

As you get towards Coorg the roads improve dramatically. This is a well-developed part of Karnataka and by that I mean the roads are well maintained, properly marked and smooth. Makes driving into Coorg a real pleasure.

The states of Karnataka and Kerala are incredibly diverse and there are great options to stay and eat at. It's also relatively not as crowded as the north so you will find the drive enjoyable.

5) Mumbai–Goa

How could I forget my backyard. This is one of the busiest routes in all of India for commercial traffic and holiday goers. Now there are two options, you can either choose the quicker Golden Quadrilateral that leads out of Mumbai towards Pune and Bangalore before diverting off towards Sawantwadi and then Goa. Or you can choose the more scenic, slower and dangerous if you are inattentive, state highway. It's our very own route 66, not of course as well marketed and popular as the one in the US but nevertheless as much fun on any vehicle.

Our drive to Goa in the Duster and EcoSport was great fun. Only think to keep in mind, don't drink and drive

If you stick close to the coast on the inner roads there are several beaches you can visit and some of them are pristine, with clear waters and clean sand. This is also a historically rich region as this was in one time the bastion of the Maratha empire. Stunning sea forts can be found scattered all over the western coastline right up to Goa.

Goa is the veritable beach hoppers' paradise with something for everyone. Families, party goers, sun bathers, gamblers, whatever your trip, Goa is the place to satisfy it. The state of Goa is also a small state  but it has an immensely wonderful road network that in most places is in tip-top condition. The nicer roads are the ones that meander through the small villages, from time to time revealing glimpses of the stunning coastline.

So there you have it, five of the most epic road trips I have undertaken, and if you have more to share keep filling in your comments. You may have discovered some hidden gems yourself that we and everyone else will be keen to road trip to.

[Click here to read about planning for road trips]