KAZIRANGA ASSAM
The best part about driving to Kaziranga is that you don’t
have to spend days seeking out its primary occupant—
the rhinoceros. The gigantic animal can be easily spotted
ambling about nonchalantly from the peripheral roads,
as can herds of elephants. For the nights, lay your hat
at one of the colonial-era estate-turned-guesthouses
in the vicinity of the park.NASHIKMAHARASHTRA
India’s very own Napa Valley comes alive during
the monsoon.Take the gorgeous route to
Trimbakeshwar, which has one of the best blacktops
in the country. Sparse traffic, sweeping curves, and
a horizon dominated by low hills make it excellent
driving on countryside roads. Top it off with a wine
and cheese tasting at the Sula Vineyards where
you can check into a luxury tent for the night.VAGAMONKERALA
Give the legions of honeymooners in the
backwaters a slip and drive to the hills of
Wayanad instead. Lush as only Kerala can be,
the country roads around these parts wind
through coffee estates and little hamlets where
you’ll find the most succulent food in the state.RANTHAMBOREMADHYA PRADESH
A perfect winter driving destination if you fancy
a bit of tiger spotting, Ranthambore isn’t your
usual couples’ retreat. But the drive, that is almost
entirely on smaller state highways, is quite lovely.
You have to be lucky to spot a big cat at this
national park, although your chances of a close
encounter go up dramatically if you can talk
a forest ranger into showing you about.GOA
Take the longer route from Mumbai that
meanders along the coast, passing through
unspoilt villages where you’ll find some of the
yummiest Malvani cuisine. Stop at Sindhudurg for
the night, before heading to your favourite haunts
in India’s most popular honeymoon destination.TATA XENON You could throw in
virtually half a month’s luggage in the
flatbed at the back, and go literally
anywhere, road or not. The Xenon is
a bit long for the city but ideal for
a place like Kaziranga.S CROSS Built like a tank, Nexa’s premium offering
inspires a sense of safety like no other. It hunkers down on
slippery rain-soaked roads and the powerful turbo diesel
make high-speed cruising a breeze.TOYOTA FORTUNER The new
Fortuner looks sophisticated and is
not squeamish about getting its
hands dirty. You probably won’t even
have to engage four-wheel drive to
handle slushy conditions.BMW X3 You can drive anything to
Ranthambore but the new BMW X3, with its
tall stance, chunky tyres, and big sunroof
suits the purpose better than most.
RENAULT KWID You can drive from Vasco all the way to
Arambol in a Kwid and the gas needle won’t budge. This frugal
car is as close as you can get to a Scooty on four wheels.
TRAVEL + LEISURE WEDDINGS & HONEYMOONS