From the Plains to the Mountains: A Scenic Drive from Delhi to Manali

Delhi to Manali

Manali is one of the most beautiful hill stations in India and driving from Delhi to Manali is a thrilling experience in itself.  The Delhi to Manali trip is one of the most exciting, enjoyable and popular road trips in India as the journey takes you through scenic routes, diverse landscapes, cities and towns of Haryana, Punjab and Himachal Pradesh making it an unforgettable experience.  I have been to Manali dozens of times mostly by HRTC (Himachal Roadways Transport Corporation) buses and even by air.  However I drove from Delhi to Manali for the first time in August 2021 and faced problems due to bad road conditions in Himachal Pradesh.  In Jan 2023 I again drove from Delhi (Greater Noida) to Manali and this time the drive was smooth.  My advise to people are never be in a rush and to take some precautions and do preparations for the long trip. These are some important things that I follow.

How to Prepare for the Trip in my Car

Pre-Trip Check-Up.  Mine is a new TATA Nexon car bought in 2021 and there was no issue with it. Besides I had got my car serviced few weeks before the trip. If your car is old, it advisable to get your car inspected by a mechanic before your trip to ensure that it is in good working condition and to identify any potential problems that may arise during the road trip.

Check Car’s Oil Levels.  It is important to ensure that car’s fluid levels like brake oil, coolant, and windshield wiper water are at the correct levels before your trip.

Maintain Tire Pressure.  One day before the trip I went to the nearest petrol pump and got my fuel tank filled to 3/4^th of the capacity.  Also ensured that the care tires are properly inflated as this can improve car’s fuel efficiency and reduce the risk of a flat tire.

Packing.  Before the trip I ensured that the essentials like spare tire, jack and tool kit are in place.  Did all the packing one day in advance.

Planning the Route.  Thanks to the google navigator planning the route is quite easy.  On the navigator itself you can find out the exact route to be taken, time and the distance as well as traffic situation etc.

Driving Speed.  Avoid aggressive driving and excessive speeding, as this can put unnecessary strain on your car and increase the risk of an accident.

Take Breaks.  Over the years the road conditions all over India has drastically improved but so has the number of vehicles plying on these roads.  Taking regular breaks for tea, snacks will help you avoid fatigue and reduce the risk of an accident. Especially for the person driving it is important as it allows much needed stretching of legs and gives rest to the eyes.

Delhi to Manali Distance

Delhi to Manali distance is about 550 kms and takes about 12 to 14 hours.  The route that I took was Greater Noida to Sonipat via Delhi Meerut Expressway and then climbing on to Eastern Peripheral Expressway (EPE), thence on to Sonipat, Panipat, Ambala, Chandigarh, Roopnagar, Kiratpur Sahib, Swarghat, Bilaspur, Mandi, Kullu and finally reaching Manali. For my own ease I have divided  the journey into four parts vis Greater Noida to Murthal where we halted for breakfast; Murthal to Swarghat halting there for lunch; Swarghat to Sundernagar where we halted for tea and refreshments; finally Sundernagar to Manali.  We also halted at one of two other places which we found interesting and worth taking few snaps.

In the first leg of the journey, I started from Greater Noida passing through Gaur Chowk in Greater Noida West and then going straight until hitting the Delhi Meerut Expressway.  The first toll gates comes as soon as you take left turn and hit the Eastern Peripheral Expressway.

Eastern Peripheral Expressway

The Eastern Peripheral Expressway (EPE) is a 135-kilometer, six-lane expressway built to provide an alternative to traffic from the National Capital Region (NCR) that does not need to enter Delhi, thereby reducing the congestion in the city and improving air quality. The maximum speed for four wheeler here is 120 km per hour. The road is however bumpy at few places so you have to be careful.  What makes driving a pleasure on this road is thin traffic.

The Eastern Peripheral Expressway was inaugurated on 27th May 2018 by the then Prime Minister of India, Shri Narendra Modi and is considered India’s first smart and green expressway, equipped with features like solar power generation, rainwater harvesting, and central verge green belts.  During night, the expressway is well-lit and equipped with modern safety features, including CCTV cameras and a central control room for monitoring and management of the traffic on this road.

Sonipat

After driving for an hour or so it is time to exit the EPE and turn left towards Sonipat. You will already be notified to turn left on the google navigator and also the signboards on the expressway, so that you do not miss the exit.   Sonipat is an ancient city that has been a part of many historical events.  It has a rich cultural heritage and today is an industrial town as well as an educational hub.  The distance from Greater Noida to Sonipat is 110 kms and takes about 2 hours drive time.  Sonipat city is  known for its beautiful temples, lush green parks and various attractions that attract both tourists and locals alike. Some attractions are as follows :-

Jurassic Park Sonipat

Jurassic Park Sonipat is one of the most popular attractions in the city. This unique park showcases life-size models of various dinosaurs that lived millions of years ago.  It is an educational and fun experience for families.

Chokhi Dhani Sonipat

Another popular attraction is Chokhi Dhani Sonipat which is a traditional Rajasthani village-themed resort. Here you can enjoy traditional culture, hospitality, and entertainment, making it a perfect destination for families and tourists looking for a unique experience.

Sonipat Bus Stand

Sonipat Bus stand or the Sonipat Bus Terminus is located along State Highway No. 20, before Mama Bhanja Chowk. From here there are re regular bus services to neighbouring cities and towns. The Haryana Roadways enquiry number is dial : 0130-2201101, in case you need any assistance.

Sonipat Junction

Sonipat Junction is a major railway station that connects the city to other parts of India, especially Ambala, Chandigarh or  Delhi.  The station is located at a distance of 600 meters from the Sonipat Bus Stand on state highway No. 20, near ICICI Bank. Some of the important trains that pass through Sonipat Junction are Delhi-Chandigarh Shatabadi, Amritsar Express, Malwa Express, Jhelum Express and Himalayan Queen etc.

Murthal

The next important place from Sonipat is Murthal, which is just 15 kms and takes just 15 mins. Murthal is famous for its delicious Punjabi cuisine especially Paranthas with a dollop of white butter on top.  There are scores of dhabas (roadside restaurants) to sample the delicious food.  Some famous dhabas are Haveli, Sukhdev, Dharam Garam and newly opened Khali Dhabha.  Sukhdev Dhabha was a bit crowded but still we stopped there for half an hour to get refreshed and then have breakfast consisting of Paranthas, curd and Lassi.

Panipat

After some rest and filling our bellies we started on our journey.  The next important town on the way is Panipat which is 44 km from Murthal and takes about 50 mins drive.  Panipat is a city famous for its rich historical significance famous for its three battles fought during the 16th and 18th centuries. The city is also renowned for its traditional handloom carpets and textiles.

Panipat War

• Three major battles were fought in Panipat that significantly changed the history of India. These battles are known as the First Battle of Panipat, the Second Battle of Panipat, and the Third Battle of Panipat.
• The First Battle of Panipat was fought in 1526 between the Delhi Sultanate of Sultan Ibrahim Lodi and the invading army of Babur.  Ibrahim Lodhi was killed in this battle and Babur emerged victorious in this battle.  He established the Mughal Empire in India.
• The Second Battle of Panipat was fought in 1556 between the forces of the Mughal emperor Akbar and the Hindu king Samrat Hemchandra Vikramaditya popularly known as Hemu.  Hemu was defeated and killed in the battle and Akbar emerged victorious.  
• The Third Battle of Panipat was fought in 1761 between the Marathas and the Durranis Empire. The Maratha Empire was defeated by the Afghan invaders. The battle had far-reaching consequences leading eventually to the  establishment of British rule in India.

Kurukshetra

In no time we crossed Panipat and drove towards Kurukshetra bypassing the main town.  Panipat to Kurukshetra is 72 km distance and takes about our hour.  Kurukshetra city has great historical and religious significance. It is said to be the site where the legendary battle of Kurukshetra was fought between the forces of Pamdavas and Kauravas, as mentioned in the Hindu epic, the Mahabharata.

Karnal

Kurukshetra to Karnal is 35 km and takes about 35 mins to cover the distance.  So far the drive has been smooth as we continue driving on National Highway 44.  Next we reached Karnal, the city known for its beautiful lakes and rich cultural heritage. Karnal is famous for many interesting historical monuments like Kos Minar, Kalander Shah’s Tomb, Karan Tal and Babar Masjid.

Ambala Haryana

Karnal to Ambala distance is about 82 km and takes about 1 hour 15 mins or so.  This stretch of the road is a bit boring but the road condition is excellent making the drive smooth and easy.  Soon we were in Ambala but instead of going through the main city, the highway bypasses the main city.  Ambala is famous for its sweets and street food. Ambala is also shopping hub with  large number of shopping malls and street markets.