For true travellers, bus trips hold an exceptional charm. After all, the sense of adventure that a bus journey provides is unmatched! While COVID-19 has affected our travel plans, with a few safety measures in place, buses can prove to be a safe, comfortable, quick and reliable mode of transport! With the convenient option to make your bus booking online, it is surely a comfortable and pleasant way of travelling.
So step out of your home and plan and adventure, and let us tell you about 6 amazing destinations that are a great mix of thrill and beauty:
1. Manali
Mention Manali, and it reminds travellers of snow-covered mountains, majestic deodar trees, and stately apple orchards. Manali continues to be an immensely popular destination, thanks to a wide range of activities like skiing, mountain biking, trekking, paragliding etc. If you are looking for a laid-back holiday, give the touristy places a rest and head to Old Manali’s chic cafes.
The best way to experience Manali is in a bus from Shimla. This bus journey is sure to show you the unconventional sides of both the cities with the River Beas following you all along the route. The clear sky and the winding hilly roads will calm your senses like nothing else. Start early in the morning and watch the majestic Himalayas shimmer!
2. Munnar
Munnar is a traveller’s favourite and for all the good reasons: the pleasant weather, the lush spice and tea plantations and the fact that it makes for the perfect weekend trip. We recommend going to this hilly heaven via bus from Chennai. The gradual transformation of the landscape from beaches to mountains is absolutely enchanting. We warn you, you’ll be stopping for pictures everywhere!
There are multiple buses operating on this route with boarding points all over Chennai. If you are looking to make an online bus booking, make sure to check out the great deals on ixigo!
3. Udaipur
Udaipur is an easy choice as a winter destination. Travellers can visit places such as the City Palace, Lake Pichola, Jagmandir among others to get a sense of the culture and heritage of this royal city. Udaipur is easily accessible by bus from all major North Indian cities but for a memorable ride, opt for the one from Jaipur.
4. Goa
Does anyone even need a reason to visit India’s party capital? Whether you like to party, or are looking for a quiet time on the seashore, Goa will not disappoint you! From flea markets to the hippest beach shacks to clubs and cabanas, Goa is a traveller’s paradise, and the delicious Goan food is just the perfect cherry on top.
Despite having a relatively longer travel time, the Bangalore to Goa road trip is quite popular, and for all the right reasons. This is because on this bus journey, you get to watch the cityscape blend seamlessly into lush greenery, countless waterfalls and ultimately…sand! This route provides travellers with many opportunities to enjoy the beauty of the Western Ghats in different hues. It is definitely one of those routes where the journey is just as breathtaking as the destination!
5. Pune
Once the jewel of the Maratha Empire, the city of Pune is today the centre of business, IT, automobile and research. Pune boasts of a high standard of living to its residents, with swanky malls, a plethora of high-end restaurants and every other amenity an urban Indian can think of. At the same time, it is also a shining beacon of the culture and heritage of the great Marathas.
Travellers must take the short, weekend-friendly bus trip from Mumbai to Pune. It is one of the most scenic drives in all of Maharashtra! The Mumbai-Pune expressway promises a smooth ride, and the journey is about 3 hours. The lush Western Ghats, long tunnels and the winding hills are enough to captivate anyone!
6. Coimbatore
Situated on the banks of the Noyyalriver, Coimbatore has everything a traveller can possibly need for a perfect vacation. The city has gorgeous weather and great trekking trails like Dhoni hills and the Thalaiyar falls trek, that just mesmerizes thrill seekers!
Coimbatore is also home to numerous temples and most of them are historically significant. The city also has a massive 112 ft statue of Lord Shiva which holds the record for the largest bust sculpture in the world! The city is also fondly known as the ‘Manchester of South India’.
Take a bus to Coimbatore from Chennai, and you will come across wide roads, plantations and even rivers on your journey, all of them making your ride a memorable one.
Note: Before you plan your trip, make sure to check the latest quarantine and e-pass requirements of all these destinations. Also, make sure to wear a mask at all times and use a hand sanitizer frequently. Don’t forget to practice social distancing on your trip!
So what are you waiting for? Go ahead, get up, pack those bags and take a bus to these amazing destinations today!