Road Trips in South Asia
South Asia rewards the adventurous road-tripper with some of the most spectacular and demanding driving on the planet, from vertiginous Himalayan passes to hill-country tea estates. These are not relaxed motorway cruises; the region’s great routes are about the journey itself, threading through landscapes and cultures that shift dramatically with every hairpin bend.
The crown jewels lie in the high mountains, where seasonal roads climb over some of the highest motorable passes in the world, open only in the brief summer months. Elsewhere, gentler routes wind through Sri Lanka’s central highlands and Rajasthan’s desert. A capable vehicle, careful acclimatisation and flexibility with weather and road conditions are essential.
Great driving routes#
Leh-Manali Highway, India One of the world’s most dramatic mountain roads, climbing over several passes above 5,000 metres as it links Himachal with Ladakh. Open only in summer, it crosses high-altitude desert, glacial streams and moonscape terrain, and is a bucket-list drive for adventurers.
Manali-Spiti Circuit, India A rugged loop through the remote, high-altitude Spiti Valley, passing ancient Buddhist monasteries, stark canyons and precarious cliffside roads. Its otherworldly Trans-Himalayan scenery and challenging conditions make it a favourite of intrepid road-trippers and motorcyclists.
Karakoram Highway, Pakistan Often called the eighth wonder of the world, this engineering marvel climbs from the Pakistani plains over the 4,700-metre Khunjerab Pass into China. It snakes past the Karakoram’s giant peaks and the Hunza Valley, offering staggering mountain scenery the whole way.
Sri Lanka Hill Country, Sri Lanka A winding drive through the island’s central highlands links colonial hill stations, emerald tea plantations, waterfalls and misty mountain towns. Cooler air, sweeping views and gently curving roads make it one of the region’s most scenic and relaxed touring routes.
Mumbai to Goa Coast, India A classic seaside drive down the Konkan coast linking beaches, forts, fishing villages and palm-fringed backwaters. The winding coastal highway offers sea views, spicy roadside food and a laid-back tropical rhythm. It is India’s quintessential beach-bound road trip toward Goa’s famous shores.
Guwahati to Tawang, India A spectacular ascent from the Assam plains into the high mountains of Arunachal Pradesh, climbing to the Buddhist monastery town of Tawang. The route crosses the dramatic Sela Pass amid alpine lakes, waterfalls and remote tribal villages. Its scenery and cultural depth make it a northeastern epic.
Srinagar to Leh, India A breathtaking mountain highway linking the lush Kashmir Valley with the high desert of Ladakh over several soaring passes. The drive traverses green meadows, arid moonscapes and ancient monasteries in a single unforgettable journey. Acclimatisation stops and dramatic altitude changes define this legendary route.
Golden Triangle, India The country’s most popular touring circuit connects Delhi, Agra and Jaipur, packing in the Taj Mahal, Mughal forts and Rajasthani palaces. Well-served roads make it an accessible introduction to India’s heritage. The trio of iconic cities offers a rich, colour-saturated cultural road trip.
Bhutan Lateral Road, Bhutan The kingdom’s main east-west highway winds across the Himalaya, crossing high passes and dzongs between Paro, Thimphu and remote valleys. Prayer flags, monasteries and pristine forests line the serpentine route. Its slow pace and stunning scenery embody Bhutan’s unhurried, spiritual character.
Kathmandu to Pokhara, Nepal The classic Nepali road trip descends from the capital through terraced hills and river valleys to the lakeside town of Pokhara. Grandstand Annapurna views, rafting rivers and roadside villages line the way. It links Nepal’s two main hubs and gateways to the mountains.
Coastal Kerala, India A serene drive along Kerala’s palm-lined coast and backwaters, linking beaches, spice towns and historic Kochi. Coconut groves, houseboats and seafood shacks set a tranquil tropical mood. The gentle terrain and lush greenery make it one of India’s most relaxing touring routes.
Deosai Plains, Pakistan A high-altitude drive across one of the world’s loftiest plateaus, a vast alpine wilderness between Skardu and Astore. Open only in summer, the route crosses flower-strewn tundra roamed by brown bears at over 4,000 metres. Its immense, empty grandeur makes it an unforgettable mountain crossing.