Start the new year with these unforgettable road trips in the Eastern Ghats

If you are wondering how to start your new year, here’s an idea – explore Eastern Ghats’ incredible destinations. The best way to do that is to go on a road trip. The Eastern Ghats mountain range offers a diverse landscape, including hills, valleys, forests, and picturesque landscapes.

Check out these road trip routes and destinations in the Eastern Ghats:

This lush and quaint hill station in Andhra Pradesh is famous for its cold and pleasant climate. A drive around this village will bring you to dense forests. The surrounding landscapes offer photographers plenty of photo-ops. Some even call this quaint village as the Kashmir of Andhra.

For this stretch, you will have to start your journey from Visakhapatnam and head towards Araku Valley. The drive to Araku is one of the most picturesque ones in the region. Araku Valley is surrounded by lush greenery, and everywhere you look, you will find incredibly breathtaking views.

For this, you will have to begin your road trip from Salem or Namakkal. As you head towards Kolli Hills, you will come across 70 hairpin bends on the way. For some this is an exciting driving experience. You can also add Agaya Gangai Waterfalls and the Arapaleeswarar Temple on your itinerary.

The road trip starts from Salem, and the road to Yercaud is an incredibly beautiful one. Yercaud is a hill station in the Shevaroy Hills. When in Yercaud, you can explore Yercaud Lake, Pagoda Point, and Killiyur Falls.

Start your journey from Coimbatore and head towards the Anaimalai Hills to explore the Indira Gandhi Wildlife Sanctuary and National Park. You can also visit the picturesque hill station of Valparai. The drive to Valparai comes with a number of hairpin bends, and stunning views.

Start your road trip from Madurai and head towards Kodaikanal. On the way, you will come across the scenic Western Ghats. When in Kodaikanal, explore attractions like Kodai Lake, Coaker's Walk, and Bryant Park.

Daringbadi is also sometimes called the Kashmir of Odisha. This hill station is surrounded by coffee gardens and pine forests, and it is one of the most scenic drives in India. The road trip to Daringbadi from Bhubaneswar or Berhampur offers picturesque landscapes that are every photographer’s delight.

The road trip to Simlipal will take you through the lush forest regions of the Dooars. Simlipal National Park is known for its biodiversity, and one must check out the waterfalls, dense forests, and wildlife in the national park.