There are a couple of routes to travel to Lucknow, but I decided to take a tour of the Mughal city, Agra, and explore it en route. The trip is around 554 km when we take the newly built Taj or Yamuna Express. After looking at the views of it in the movie Piku, I couldn’t resist my temptation to see it through my own eyes. 

Lucknow – The City of Nawabs 

I always wanted to travel to Lucknow after reading and watching about it while growing up. Besides some of the best Nawab Kothis, the city offers the best Mughlai cuisine as well. This Uttar Pradesh capital has a list of tourist spots and some of the best eateries to rejoice. –

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Route Map:

To reach Lucknow there are a few ways but the common route is via Agra. 

Delhi > Mathura > Agra > Kannauj > Lucknow 

Taj/Yamuna Expressway and then Agra Lucknow Expressway 

Distance: 533 km

Essentials Needed 

The journey from the national capital to the Uttar Pradesh capital is around 7 hours 30 minutes. In this day’s long journey, one must be prepared with all the necessary documents and essentials. These are mostly the vehicle documents and enough cash. Most importantly, ensure that the car has Fast Tag, as per the new Motor Vehicle Act. 

I decided to hire a self-driving car from Delhi as it ensured that the car is in good condition and has the necessary documents needed for the travel. If you’re travelling in your car, along with all the essentials make sure your tyre is proper. It’s always important to get the car thoroughly checked before making a long journey, like this. 

Delhi to Agra  Road Trip

Delhi and Agra are not that far, thanks to Yamuna Expressway. It is just 212 km away that gave me the courage to take a halt here and check out the city before moving towards Lucknow. I started early from Delhi, at around 7 AM so that I can be at Agra by around 10 AM, the time by which restaurants will start operating and I can eat amazing breakfast. 

Though there were a couple of restaurants on the highway, I thought of entering the city and get mesmerized by the Taj Mahal. After all, if you’ve not seen Taj Mahal, the token of eternal love when you’re in Agra, it a shame.

Taj Mahal – A Token Of Love

I decided to go someplace close to the monument so that I don’t have to spend much time travelling from one place to another in the city. I zeroed on Yes Restaurant, which is located at the Western Gate of Taj Mahal. The food served is decent and economical. Besides, it’s hygienic 

After having a good breakfast, without wasting a moment, I visited the Taj Mahal. There are e-rickshaws to take you to the ticket counter from the main gate and they’re quite reasonable.  The rickshaw pullers will take you to the small indigenous shopping centre within the premisses. They have handicrafts form the region and is set up by the government to promote local art. 

From the ticket counter to the monument, there is quite a good walk. However, you can stop at various places to admire the beauty of the Taj Mahal. I was there when the sun was already moving up in the middle of the sky, but I couldn’t control my imagination how it would look during the wee hours of the day when there is mist in the air and the sun is just rising. That would be the picturesque moment one mustn’t miss. 

After spending some time there and refreshing my soul by the sheer beauty of the surrounding, I decided to move ahead in my journey. 

Raja Sumer Singh’s Fort – Etawah 

After driving on the Yamuna Expressway, it was time for me to drive on Agra-Lucknow Expressway. On the way, I decided to take a detour to another historical monument, Raja Sumer Singh’s Forst at Etawah. It is around 124 km from Agra and towards the south of the city. 

This fort has a rich history. It is also known as Barah Dwaar Kila, the fort with 12 doors. However, people have always failed to locate the 12th door. The original fort got damaged due to the natural wear and tear. The government re-built a fresh fort, which stands atop on the original structure. This is now been maintained by the government. 

The fort is next to the River Yamuna. Built on the hill close to the river, the legends say that the fort was known to have various tunnels or secret passages. Indeed, there is no comparison to its original structure, this fort still depicts the lavish lifestyle people had during that era. 

Kannauj – A City With Historical Importance

Kannauj, which was once the prominent city of northern India, is around 110 km from Etawah. It is established on the banks of Ganges. The city is rich in archaeological findings and they are all displayed at Government Archaeological Museum in the city. The department found various ancient artefacts, such as coins, pottery, sculptures, and terra cotta. These were, until recently, at the common man’s house and now are displayed at the museum. 

Upon studying them it was found that these belong to the different historical periods, right from the Maurya Empire of 325 BC to the Gupta Empire, which as between 319-600 AD. Besides these, some pre-historic bone were also found in the area. 

The list of must-visit was big, but I decided to pay a visit to the 500-year-old Siddheswar Temple on the banks of Ganges. This temple is known for its construction and faith. During the full-moon night in October (Sharad Purnima) a large number of devotees come to pray. During my visit, the rather quiet bank of Ganges turns into a bustling Mela ground during Sharad Purnima. 

Apart from the historical connection and amazing temples or historical monuments, Kannauj is also known for its perfumes. Before I make a move to Lucknow, I decided to buy some of the perfumes from here to remind me of my lovely trip to this ancient town. 

Kannauj to Lucknow – The Final Destination 

Kannauj was my last halt on my way to Delhi to Lucknow. From Kannauj, Lucknow is around 123 km from the Agra-Lucknow expressway. As I moved towards my final destination to Lucknow, I looked back at the halts I took and their historical significance. Be it Agra were I had a lovely trip to Agra and appreciated the token of love. Or, be it a walk at the Raja Sumer Singh’s Fort that’s full of mysteries. Or be a visit to 500-years-old Siddheshwar Temple on the banks of river Ganges. 

These small detours and halts did make this journey memorable. As far as Lucknow is concerned, it has got a rich history that can’t be explained in just words. As I went to all the historical monuments, like Rumi ka Darwaza, Chota Imambara, The Residency, Dilkusha Kothi, Safed Baradari, and others. 

Rumi Darwaza

If you’re also planning a road trip from Delhi to Lucknow via Agra, do keep in mind that these three halts, Agra, Etawah and Kannauj, are lovely places. You can either take a couple of days halt to roam around or can just take a small detour to enjoy the beauty of the city. Have a lovely trip! 

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The post A Road Trip Worth Remembering: Delhi – Lucknow Via Agra -+- appeared first on Roadtales.

20th Oct 2019

On my previous ride “Long Way Round”, I finished my packing completely only two hours before the ride. I had an hour of sleep after that and rode for the first hour with eyes half-open. I ended up taking a nap in a dhaba after a mere 60 kilometres. 

This time, my packing and preparations were complete well in advance. By that, I mean 5 hours before my departure! Well, I wasn’t getting on a motorcycle straight away so I put that time to the best of use, by spending it with those I wouldn’t see for the next 120+ days, my family. The sadder part of going away from home for such a long time was leaving my babies behind, Snoofy is a 13-year-old Indie and Duke, a 6-year-old Lab.

The clock hit 3 a.m and my closest friends, my biker boys, Battalion Bikers came home to escort me to the airport. I bid farewell to Snoofy and Duke and got in the car with my brother Chandu and friends Mohit and Jeet. My parents along with my sister Sangeetha and brother-in-law Kiran followed us in his sedan. I stay in the north of Bangalore right next to the airport road and that 40-kilometre highway drive at night is one of my most favourite. With my hand outside the passenger window surfing the wind, my eyes wandered far beyond the dark horizon. This ride is one of my life’s biggest dreams. The beginning of a new phase in my life and I looked up at the sky and thanked the stars for making it come true.

I bid goodbye to my family and friends, my loved ones and walked into Kempegowda International Airport. I boarded my flight to Delhi on which I passed out for the length of the journey and was then transferred to the flight to Leh city which was a short one – hour flight. After taking off, as I looked through the windowpane, I could see the mighty Himalayas, waiting for me. This sight got my heartbeat racing. The flight touched down at Kushok Bakula Rimpochee Airport at 11 a.m. It was 7°C with the sun shining bright and I boarded a taxi to Shanti Guesthouse where I would be staying for the next 3 nights.

After a four hour nap, I wandered along, the almost empty Shanti Stupa road singing “Yuhi chala chal rahi”. and “Yuhi chalke” and I ended up reaching Leh market. Since this was my first time in high altitudes (the city is at an altitude of 11,562 ft), I struggled to walk those few kilometres to the market. I found a neat little Cafe named Rabsal Cafe and sipped on a Cappuccino to warm myself up as I waited to meet an old friend Rajendra in the market, whom I dearly addressed as Sir. I met Rajendra sir two years ago on Long Way Round in Delhi and we stayed in touch ever since. That is what travelling does to two people right? Binds them together for a lifetime over a single meet. This time, I was honoured to meet along with him, his wife Harminder Kaur Ji. After three hours of ‘Travel talks,’ I retired to my hotel and bed with my heart still racing due to the excitement.

Day 2 – Exploring Leh City 

The October temperature in Leh City during daytime hovers around 7°C – 10°C and at night it drops to a few degrees below zero. Having good warm gear is pivotal to getting a good night’s sleep and waking up fresh the next day. I had on, both my thermal fleece liner and jacket along with thermal pants. And jumped into my sleeping bag which ensured I woke up fresh to admire the mountains through the window in front of my bed.

I began my walk back to the market gleaming with joy like a little kid. For, I was on my way to pick up my ride for the next nine days in Ladakh! The market, unlike the previous evening, was full of colour and life. I enjoyed a cup of tea in the German Cafe before meeting Arnab who had arranged the Royal Enfield for me. It was a matte black Classic 500. I took it for a short spin and satisfied, I paid my advance for the rental. I was warned though, that due to the cold climate the battery had become weak and that I’d have to kick start the bike every morning. As a person who’s owned only a KTM all my life, riding a RE was going to be an interesting experience. 

I thumped my way from the market to the Shanti Stupa that lay on top of a hill in Chanspa. It was built in 1991 by a Japanese monk Gyomyo Nakamura. It overlooks the entire city of which it provides a mesmerizing panoramic view along with that of the mountains beyond and all around. 

Day 3  – Getting my Ride and Travelling to Lamayuru

I woke up with the same freshness to look at the same beautiful mountains with more awe, only to find an interesting addition in the scenery – the Royal Enfield. I’m a sucker for anything black and her look stole my heart. I decided to name her Ebony. The plan for the day was to ride to Lamayuru which was 115 kilometres away. A journey which I began by learning how to kick start a cold motorcycle! Honestly, with the altitude, I struggled for a good 15 minutes before the owner of the hotel decided to end the struggle by lending a hand.

Among the many things about Ladakh that get people drooling, the one that I drooled over was the arrow-straight section of the Leh – Kargil road. It’s not about blasting the bike at full power but the joy of having a view that spanned for miles! And the beauty wouldn’t end there. Each turn brought with it a new wonder. I couldn’t resist stopping every few kilometres to take my camera out and I couldn’t resist going off the road and getting on bridges to click pictures. And with my never-ending photo breaks, the 2.5-hour journey went on for 4.5 hours.

Just before I reached Lamayuru, I saw the strangest landscape. It seemed like the set of a Hollywood sci-fi film and was aptly named Moonland. It had several shades of brown where Khaki was the most prominent. The shape although, is a lot harder to describe which would be better left at the hands of the pictures to do. From there, Lamayuru was a stone’s throw away. There was only one hotel open in the town, the one right next to the monastery. I explored my options and chose the corner room on the first floor which gave a beautiful view of the valley below. 

The Gompa (Monastery) at Lamayuru was built in the 11th century and is one of the oldest monasteries in Ladakh. When I saw it for the first time, I had no problem believing that. It looks the part with the paint faded in most places or even chipped off, bricks have fallen off in places and some crumbled structures. At first sight, I thought it was abandoned until I saw a monk walk in. I took a stroll around the monastery and with shivering hands (it was really cold that day) I followed the path the monk had taken. He was performing the last prayer of the day in the prayer room and with the permission of another monk, perhaps his disciple, I walked in and had a seat on the warm wooden floor of the cold dark room. I believe the prayer was in Tibetan as it is a Tibetan monastery, and although I could not understand a single word, it’s power was felt. I sat there for an entire hour with absolute silence lost in the prayer.

After a while, a devotee walked in carrying a traditional painted glass flask with hot tea and some biscuits. The monk took a break from the prayer and sipping on his tea asked me if I wanted some. My answer was an obvious yes. I had my tea quietly as the monk got back to his prayer. I waited for half an hour more till the prayer was complete and asked the monk if I could take his picture. He told me his name was Konchok Sundous and I figured he was the head priest (Abbott) of the Gompa. After the prayer, he was courteous enough to give me a small tour of the monastery. And as the sun went down he walked back to his house and I stayed back (shivering to the winds) to gaze at the beautiful orange – black clouds spawning at the end of the horizon laughing at my earlier assumption that the temple was abandoned. 

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The post Overlanding in the Himalayas #3: The Journey Begins-Arriving in Leh City (Day 1-Day 3) appeared first on Roadtales.

One misconception about road trips is that they are quite expensive, especially long road trips. However, it isn’t necessarily true. With proper planning and smart hacks, you can enjoy a road trip that doesn’t break your bank. Frugal road-trips are possible and, in fact, they are here to stay. Let’s look at some money-saving tips for a fun and memorable road trip.

10 Money-Saving Tips to Make Your Road Trip Even Better

1. Plan Ahead and Set a Budget

The very first thing you need to do is plan the route of your road trip in advance. This will ensure you don’t drive around aimlessly or backtrack a wrong route, both of which will be costly in the long run.

Determine the distance of the trip, the time it might take and where the stops would be.

Next, set a budget for the road trip and stick to it. It will prevent you from overspending and help you stay on track. Be aware of the expected costs and think of ways you can cut them down. If you project your expenses beforehand of how much money you will spend on each leg of the trip, you will be more confident about managing the expenses.

2. Carry Snacks from Home

 One expense that quickly adds up without you realising is buying snacks for the road. It is normal to want to munch on something on a road trip, but don’t buy something at every stop. It is better to pack snacks from home that will keep you full on the road.

Choose snacks and munchies that stay well in different weather conditions. These include crackers, trail mix, fruits, nuts or energy bars.

3. Avoid Bottled Beverages

Carry your own reusable water bottles that you can fill at different places. Bottled water is a major expense and it will add up quicker than you realise. Refill the bottle at restaurants or at your hotel before you leave.

Avoid bottled beverages like sodas too. If you buy one at every rest stop, it’ll burn a major hole in your pocket before you even realise it.

4. Book Affordable Accommodation

Look for affordable options like local accommodation and inns over expensive hotels. Book in advance as hotels generally list rooms for cheaper prices well ahead of time. Compare the hotel prices on different comparison sites and choose the best deal. You can even go to the hotel’s website directly as they may have some special discounts or deals.

Another option is to check if anyone you know stays in the places you are visiting. Crashing at your friends’ or relatives’ place will eliminate the accommodation expense altogether in that particular city.

You can also use websites like Airbnb and Couchsurfing. Airbnb offers affordable yet unique local accommodation options for a great value. Couchsurfing is a great platform where you can connect with travellers who are willing to let you crash for free on their couch.

5. Improve Fuel Efficiency

While road trips are a lot of fun, there may be times when you want to speed up to reach the destination faster. However, fight the urge to speed. Why? Because it will affect your fuel efficiency.

Studies have shown that fuel efficiency decreases as speed increases. That means fuel consumption would be more and you would have to fuel up more often. This would make your road trip pricey.  Drive at a steady speed throughout the trip and stick to speed limits.

Another thing that uses a lot of fuel is rapid acceleration and braking. Start the trip early in the morning as the roads would be empty and you wouldn’t have to accelerate and brake often due to traffic.

And finally, air conditioning also uses a significant amount of fuel. Wherever possible, turn off the air conditioning and roll down those windows. If you don’t need the AC, don’t use it.

6. Pack Light

Does the way you pack and load your car affect the car’s mileage? Well, it does. Extra weight will impact your car’s mileage at the rate of 2% per 45 kgs. That means the more weight you carry, the more money you will eventually spend on the fuel due to poor mileage.

Don’t overpack and load the car with excess bags. If you think you may not need something during the trip, leave it out.

7. Pack Wisely

Forgot your charger at home? Left the sunscreen and medicines right on the table? Well, then you will inevitably have to buy them on the road. Spending on something that you already have at home is an unnecessary expense that you can avoid.

Make sure you keep all the chargers, batteries and other tech gadgets that you need for the trip. Carry essentials like napkins, beach towels, sunscreens and medicines without fail so that you don’t have to buy them on the road.

8. Fill Up Your Tank When You Find Cheap Fuel

Did you come across a petrol pump that has cheaper fuel than normal? Well, in that case, fill up your tank. Different states and cities have different fuel prices, so do some research beforehand.

Find out where the fuel prices are cheaper and try to fill up your tank there rather than other petrol pumps on the way.

9. Avoid Toll Roads

Technology makes travel much easier and allows you to cut down costs in unexpected ways. For instance, you can use GPS apps like Google Maps to choose different routes for your destination. When you have that advantage, choose the roads that don’t have any tolls.

You might have to take a longer route in certain cases but it could turn out to be more scenic. You can avoid high toll charges and reach the destination with some extra money in your pocket.

10. Visit an Auto Shop

Before you start the road trip, take your car to an auto shop. Assess the condition of your car and make sure it is in proper working condition. If your car isn’t in good shape, it would ruin the entire road trip.

Ask the auto shop to do a complete tune-up of the vehicle. Get an oil change, check the tire pressure, change the windshield wipers, check the brake fluid, antifreeze and power steering fluid. Doing this will ensure you have minimal to no breakdown on your trip. Sudden breakdown or repairs will set you back financially.

However, be prepared for a breakdown. Carry a spare tire and jack in the truck that will help you change a punctured tire with ease. Keep an emergency repair kit in the car.

Lastly, keep all the necessary documents in the car. Forgetting even one document like your license or insurance will result in hefty fines. This is another expense that you can easily avoid. Make sure you have all the documents in place before you leave the door.

Plan the Best Ever Road Trip

It’s the small things that you may overlook that end up being expensive on road trips. Take out your pen and paper to list out expenses that you can cut down. Map the route and try to stick to it. If you are planning to go to offbeat destinations, make sure you book accommodation beforehand. You don’t want to get lost or find yourself stranded without accommodation after reaching there.

Proper planning and smart driving will help you save money. All you need to do now is gather your friends, start that road trip and make a ton of memories.

The post Top 10 Money-Saving Tips for a Memorable Road Trip appeared first on Roadtales.