Some people go on vacations to relax.
They read books.
They lie by the pool.
They come back refreshed.
We don’t.
With my husband, vacations are less “rest” and more “character development.”
There is no sukoon, no novels, and definitely no lying around. It’s either a physically exhausting road trip or nothing at all. So naturally, when he suggested another driving adventure, I agreed—because marriage.
And that’s how we landed on this ambitious, slightly insane plan:
Mumbai – Banaras – Jharkhand – Nepal – Siliguri – Sikkim – Mumbai
Faith, thrill, chaos, altitude, and roads long enough to rethink all life choices.
The Expressway That Tests Your Wakefulness
The journey began on the Samruddhi Mahamarg—a road so smooth and straight it feels endless. Kilometres vanished effortlessly. The drive was fast, scenic, and… dangerously monotonous.
This is not a road to drive silently.
This is a road where if no one talks, someone will fall asleep.
Great infrastructure, 10/10. Mental stimulation, zero.
Banaras: Where Your Senses Are Attacked (In a Spiritual Way)
Banaras doesn’t welcome you.
It hits you.
Noise. People. Bikes everywhere. Lanes so narrow you wonder how physics still works. Two-wheelers appear from directions you didn’t know existed. Cows walk with entitlement. Time stands still.
And yet…
Shor bhi hai, sukoon bhi hai.
We visited Kashi Vishwanath and Kaal Bhairav, where chaos and faith coexist beautifully. By evening, the Ganga Aarti at Assi Ghat melted everything away—calm, divine, unforgettable.
Food? Mandatory indulgence. Kachori aloo is non-negotiable. Yes, we also ate pizza and calzone because Banaras believes in spiritual balance.
Jharkhand & Baba Baidyanath: Faith With Crowd Control Issues
Next stop: Baba Baidyanath Dham.
Like most religious places—crowded, noisy, overwhelming—but somehow, we got lucky with a quick and peaceful darshan. Small mercies on long road trips are deeply appreciated.
The 14-Hour Drive to Nepal (Also Known as Endurance Training)
The drive to Nepal was… long.
Fourteen hours. Non-stop.
Some roads were damaged due to earlier natural disturbances, which added extra adventure and time. But overall, roads were surprisingly good.
I also discovered something important: I do get motion sickness.
Took a tablet. Survived.
Dinner in Nepal was ramen (regret), followed by Subway (redemption).
One strong travel rule emerged:
In winter, do NOT eat anything raw. Especially salads. Ever.
Nepal: Calm, Culture & Comfort Food
Early morning visit to Pashupatinath Temple—peaceful, beautiful, and blessedly non-chaotic. A rare combination.
If you want pure rudraksh, this is the place. Shops everywhere.
We also explored Bhaktapur Durbar Square, a UNESCO World Heritage Site that makes you slow down and admire craftsmanship from another era.
Evenings were relaxed. Dinner at Dechenling was a highlight—hot thupka, traditional food, clean plates, happy stomachs.
Shopping? Excellent. Yoga pants, T-shirts, jewellery—affordable and dangerous for self-control.
These three days in Nepal felt like a rest stop before the mountains decided to test us.
Gangtok: Pretty City, Relentless Cardio
From Nepal to Siliguri, and then onward to Gangtok.
We stayed near MG Road and Lal Bazaar, which is basically everything you’ll ever need in one place—shopping, cafés, pharmacies, teas, gifts, and constant temptation.
Gangtok is stunning.
Gangtok is also vertical.
There are stairs. Then more stairs. Then inclined roads pretending not to be stairs.
Wear good shoes.
Prepare your lungs.
Also prepare to realise that yoga and morning walks have lied to you.
Nathula Pass: Cold, Crowded & Questionable Decisions
Private cars aren’t allowed, so we took a shared vehicle to Nathula Pass.
They fitted 10 people into an 8-seater, because numbers are just a suggestion in the mountains.
Our companions included:
A newly married couple
Two men from Bihar
Three friends from Odisha who were extremely cheerful and extremely drunk
We adjusted. Somehow.
Nathula Pass, on the Indo-China border, is historically important and physically brutal. Freezing wind. Endless stairs. Cold multiplied by several “very”s.
People carried oxygen cylinders. Others sniffed camphor.
Our drunk friends? Completely fine.
Not medical advice—just an observation.
The views were breathtaking. A frozen lake (sadly not frozen when we went). Worth it, but also painful.
Lachung & Zero Point: Beautiful, Brutal, One-Time Only
Next stop: Lachung.
Temperatures dropped below zero. The scenery rose to ridiculous levels of beauty. Kanchanganga views made everything else feel insignificant.
We passed waterfalls, including Amitabh Bachchan Falls—named for its towering height, not an unfortunate celebrity incident. Bonus: live band playing Amitabh songs in freezing mountains. Surreal.
Zero Point sits at around 15,300 feet. Snow everywhere. Mountains everywhere.
Oxygen nowhere.
Would I go again?
Absolutely not.
I did every pranayama I knew. My body felt confused. My mind questioned my marriage.
But yes—it was one of the most beautiful places I’ve ever seen.
We stayed at Etho Metho in Lachung, which was warm, comfortable, and exactly what we needed.
Back to Gangtok & The Slow Goodbye
After two days, we drove back to Gangtok and finally slowed down. MG Road again, café hopping, and a lovely dinner at The Coffee Shop.
The next morning, it was time to begin the very long drive back home.
Fog, Focus & Finally Mumbai
The return journey was smooth until UP–MP, where dense fog appeared like a final challenge.
You can’t stop on a highway. You drive slow, stick to your lane, lights on, fully alert.
And after days of roads, faith, cold, chaos, and mountains—we finally reached Mumbai.
Alive. Grateful. Slightly sore.
Road Trip Learnings (Earned the Hard Way)
Cold weather = clothes never dry. Pack extra.
Carry a steam iron
Always keep extra medicines (Lachung has no easy medical access)
Fruits and snacks in the car = lifesavers
Indian highways are improving rapidly—road trips are easier than ever
Now we just need clean washrooms and hygienic food stops everywhere
This trip didn’t relax us.
It didn’t pamper us.
But it healed us in its own chaotic way.
Until the next “this or nothing” adventure 🚗🏔️
