A drive through the mountains

You know that feeling when life gets too noisy and you just need to escape? For me, nothing beats hitting the road alone, driving through small towns, and meeting new faces along the way. So when a four-day weekend popped up, I knew exactly what I needed - the mountains of Himachal Pradesh were calling!

Day 1: From Airport Floors to Mountain Roads

Picture this: me, sprawled out on the Delhi airport floor at 4 AM, swatting away mosquitoes while waiting for my rental car. Not exactly glamorous, but hey, that's part of the adventure, right?

My Scorpio SUV arrived early (thank goodness!) and I bolted out of Delhi before the morning traffic nightmare. The drive to Chandigarh was smooth sailing - four-lane highways with barely any traffic got me there in just over 3 hours.

That's when the real fun began. After Chandigarh, the roads to Kasauli narrowed into these winding mountain paths that had me grinning from ear to ear. Those twisty roads? Pure driving joy. My holiday had officially started!

I crashed at the Sanawar Nature Camp outside Kasauli - honestly, such a smart choice. It's about 6-7 km before the crowded town center, perched on a hillside with jaw-dropping mountain views. After a quick power nap (driving is exhausting!), I grabbed a steaming cup of tea and went for a nature walk in the cool evening air.

Later that night, I ventured into Kasauli's market - it's tiny but packed with woodcraft shops. TripAdvisor had raved about this place called Café Rudra, and wow, they weren't wrong! The café barely fits four tables, but somehow they squeezed in three local guys with guitars, strumming classic tunes while I sipped my drink.

By 9 PM, the entire town went dark. My drive back to camp was through pitch-black woods - slightly terrifying but exhilarating! Back at camp, I stumbled upon a bonfire surrounded by enthusiastic Sardarjis dancing to bhangra music. I couldn't help but laugh watching them - perfect end to Day 1!

Day 2: Sunrise, Whiskey, and Forest Huts

Woke up shivering after a cold night alone in my cabin, but the sunrise made it all worthwhile. There's something magical about morning in the mountains - birds chirping, cool breeze rustling through trees. This is nature showing off, and I was here for it.

Breakfast was this weird egg "Bhurji" that looked like someone had taken a perfectly good omelet and chopped it to bits. Strange, but actually delicious!

Next stop: Shimla. But first, I had to make a pilgrimage to the famous Solan Brewery - home of my beloved Old Monk Rum and my new favorite, Solan No.1 whiskey. (Don't worry, I just visited - no drinking and driving here!)

The original plan was to stop in Shimla, wander around Mall Road, and check out the fancy colonial Cecil Hotel. But OMG, the weekend crowds! After spending TWO HOURS just inching through town traffic, I bailed on that plan. Maybe next time.

The drive from Shimla to Mashobra, though? Absolute perfection. So many little roadside dhabas serving simple dal-chawal with local-style chicken. Heaven!

Finding "Mashobra Greens" campsite tested both my driving skills and nerves. Picture narrow dirt paths barely wide enough for my car, with gravel that sent my tires spinning. Some hairpin turns actually had my car rolling backward! The whole time I kept thinking, "How the heck am I getting back up tomorrow?"

But once I arrived? Pure tranquility. Just simple bamboo huts surrounded by wilderness - exactly what my soul needed. The owner even took me on a sunset trek through the woods. I slept like a baby that night.

Day 3: Forest Sunrises and Apple Blossoms

I planned to do absolutely nothing today. Just chill, soak in the mountain air, and clear my head. Well, that was the plan until the campsite owner offered a 6 AM forest drive in his 4×4 Thar to catch the sunrise. How could I say no?

We drove uphill through dense pine forests, stopping at a tiny temple nestled under an ancient tree. The whole experience felt surreal.

I spent the rest of the day obsessively photographing apple trees just starting to bloom. From far away, they look completely bare, but up close, you can see these tiny buds waiting to explode into white flowers. There's something poetic about that, don't you think?

Back at camp, I watched a group of school kids from Jaipur struggling through their morning exercises and rope climbing activities. I probably shouldn't have laughed since I didn't even attempt any of it myself. But come on, it was hilarious!

The day ended perfectly - just me, sitting by a crackling campfire, watching stars emerge in the mountain sky.

Day 4: Luxury Coffee and Forest Drives

My last day! With a 7 PM flight from Chandigarh, I still had time for a few more adventures.

After a surprisingly delicious vegetarian breakfast of Poha (so not my usual choice, but I loved it!), I headed to Kufri, a charming winter hamlet near Mashobra.

I couldn't resist a splurge at the Wildflower Hall, this spectacular Oberoi luxury hotel. My trip was definitely budget-focused, but sometimes you just need to treat yourself, right? Sipping premium coffee on their open patio overlooking the Shimla hills felt decadent and perfect.

Next was Chail Palace, another heritage hotel nestled in picture-perfect wilderness. The heritage lunch there? OMG. I tried 'Chhah Mutton' - tender lamb cooked in Himachali Lassi - and nearly died of happiness. Sooooo good!

With a full belly and happy heart, I drove through Chail forest - a magical 30 km stretch where I didn't see another soul. The silence was almost meditative, and I kept stopping just to soak it all in.

I made it to Chandigarh just in time for my flight, feeling refreshed and renewed after four incredible days of solo mountain driving.

Where to next? Not sure yet, but it'll be soon! The open road is already calling again...