These 5 Pit Stops On The Kasol Highway That Will Defo Make Your Road Trip Extra Awesome!

Kasol has been deemed a popular road trip destination for budget-friendly travellers of North India. The unblemished aura of these snow-capped hills welcomes hordes of travellers, backpackers and adventure junkies from the metropolis of Delhi NCR. We decided to make your trip a bit more special and worthwhile; with these amazing stoppage points on the way to Kasol that’ll add an extra dose of joy to your journey!

1. Murthal 

Picture Credits: Didar Singh Gill

Owing to the everlasting desire to ‘gedi’ on the highway, Murthal has become nothing less than a distant hangout spot for all Delhi NCR residents. Murthal will most definitely fall on your road-trip route to any place in Himachal Pradesh. The one element that carries the hype of this place is the multitude of restaurants and Dhabas that line up alongside the Grand Trunk Road for up to 5 km! Murthal offers you a wide array of grub to hog on, along with numerous shopping outlets that house all essentials AND even a great deal of non-essential goodies for you to use on your road trip! So if you’re under-packed, have forgotten replaceable essentials or can’t resist the thought of butter-infused Parathas then Murthal is perfect for you!!

2. Ambala

Picture Credits: ambalahaveli

If the unending barrenness of National Highway 1 makes you miss civilization, then Ambala is undoubtedly a good pitstop for you. The most accessible and popular destination you could visit is the Jiggi City Centre, where you can find locals crowding the myriad clothing showrooms and eateries. You can enter the city and visit religious landmarks like Panjokhra Sahib Gurudwara and the famous Holy Redeemer Church in Ambala Cantt. You can also look around and find malls like the Galaxy World Mall to get your dose of civilization. P.S. Good ol’ fast-food joints like McDonald’s & Domino’s can also be found if the Dhaba doesn’t suit you well.

3. Chandigarh

Picture Credits: Narender Singh

Merely 50 minutes away from Ambala lies India’s “City Beautiful”, Chandigarh. If your desire to experience civilization persists, then Chandigarh could also be the perfect option for you. The city is quite often considered the gold standard of urban planning. Famous for its well-planned roads, systematically designed sectors, abundant greens and an overall welcoming atmosphere, Chandigarh is the perfect spot for you to turn in for the night. You can spend the night at a relatively good property and also visit some of the famous tourist spots like the Lakeside, the Open Hand Monument, Rock Gardens and more before you hit the road again. 

4. Sundernagar

Picture Credits: arun bakshi

As you exit Punjab and cross the Himachal Pradesh border, the alluring district of Mandi will come on your route and you’ll find yourself among the awe-inspiring hills in no time! The beautiful town of Sundernagar, which is a part of the Mandi district is possibly the most serene and peaceful pitstop on a journey to Kasol. You can rest at one of the myriad restaurants lined up adjacent to the popular Sundernagar Lake, or even visit some of the attractions the town is known for. The most popular ones of these are Sukhdev Vatika, Haateswari Temple and Murari Mata temple, which according to popular folklore, was built by the Pandavas. Sundernagar lives up to its name and provides an immensely pleasing atmosphere for you to rest in, so you should check it out for sure!

5. Bhuntar 

Picture Credits: Siddhant Mohanty

Bhuntar is generally the last quiet landmark destination you’ll come across on your way to the bustling tourist spots of Manali and Kasol. Bhuntar offers an abundance of picturesque views and a great deal of serenity, making it a necessity for exhausted travellers. Oodles of greenery, an amazing view of the lower city and the tiny little airport gives you an unparalleled old-world charm. 20 minutes north of Bhuntar lies the famous town of Kullu where you can participate in water-rafting to give your vacation an early kick of adrenaline!

The next time you plan a road trip to Kasol with your squad, the aforementioned places are some unmissable pitstops you can make to make your vacation all the more special and memorable!