India has much beauty across different landscapes spread in different states. These places include deserts, mountains, beaches, and ghats, among other picturesque locations. Every person wishes to explore these places and enjoy themselves. But one may ponder: what is the best way to discover these places properly and in-depth?
The answer is simple: a road trip—a handful of your closest friends, one car, and countless memories. When you visit a place by road, you tend to connect with that place more deeply. You encounter several people, different terrains, and different situations, enriching the experience. Many people tend to take road trips across the length and breadth of the country to explore and witness the real beauty of our country. Gathering your friends or family and leaving for these beautiful destinations helps create lifetime memories.
But before you leave for these exciting road trips, there are certain things you should keep in mind. Because who would like their trips to be spoiled, right?
The following things should be ensured while going on a road trip:
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Research about the route
Once you decide upon a location, make sure that you research the route thoroughly. This will help you avoid any unwanted situations. There may be more than one route leading to a destination, so make sure that you check which one will be the most suitable for you. You may decide this based on your place of residence, the type of vehicle you are using, weather conditions, etc.
Deciding the route should be your primary concern while leaving for a road trip. If you do not decide, the route may unpleasantly surprise you. If you are not familiar with road situations, try to avoid them during the night. Moreover, a little extra caution may be desirable if you have a female companion.
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Research about the destination
Some people may argue that going to a destination without any research is an adventure. However, that may not be true in all cases. One should always do all their research about the destination beforehand. This will help you decide the time for arrival, what type of clothes to carry, and what other essentials to carry, among other things.
Many destinations require certain types of permissions if they are located in protected areas. For ex. Some locations in the Northeast require Inner Line Permits (ILP) to enter, and these permits are only granted in advance and from designated authorities. Therefore, always check your destination thoroughly and see the requirements. This will ensure a smooth trip for you.
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Know your Vehicle
If you choose to take your vehicle, always ensure it is in proper condition. The vehicle’s tyres should be pristine. If tires are worn out, it will create a dangerous situation on any highway or any other terrain. Moreover, if you are going to a specific terrain, for instance, mountains or deserts, make sure that your car is capable of venturing on those terrains.
Always ensure that the spare tyre is in proper condition in case the current tires suffer puncture. In addition, always check the car fluids, such as engine oil, brake oil, engine coolant, and washer fluid, among other necessary categories, to ensure that your car is working properly. Lastly, the car’s wipers should not be worn out because they are an essential accessory for your car.
Lastly, your car’s lights should be functional. The headlights, tail lights, and fog lights (if applicable) should work properly. A good set of lights will be a boon for you if you are travelling at night or during heavy fog.
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Essentials to carry
While you are preparing to leave on a trip, always make sure that you have certain essentials with you at all times. These things will help you in times of need, as you may face an unprecedented situation during the trip.
- First Aid Kit: It should have bandages, wipes, ointments, cotton, and antibacterial liquid.
- Car Manual: Your vehicle may malfunction unexpectedly, and you may not be aware of all its mechanicals. So, always have your car’s manual with you to resolve the problem immediately.
- Phone Charger and Power Banks: Your phone device may not have power during the entire trip, or you may not be able to charge your phone in the vehicle due to some circumstances. So, always have charged power banks and phone chargers with you for any emergency.
- Cash: UPI or cards may not function in remote areas or areas with less network reception. So, always carry some amount of cash with you because it may help you in case any alternate payment method does not work
- Appropriate clothes: Depending on the location, carry the clothes accordingly. If you are going to a mountain area, have winter clothes handy. If you are going to a beach, then summer clothes should be preferred. Likewise, clothes should be carried for appropriate weather and location settings. For this, always do your destination research beforehand.
- Water Bottles: Always try to carry your own water bottles to every place you go. Moreover, have a sufficient number of water bottles with you in case drinking water is scarce at your destination. This will not happen regularly, but one should always be prepared.
- Food and Snacks: It may happen that you are not able to find your favourite food while travelling, or you may need help finding your preferred food choice. So, having your desired food and snacks with you is always recommended because this will save you from prolonged hunger.
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Follow Destination ethics
Every place has certain rules and ethics that travellers should follow. Some common ethics include not littering, maintaining cleanliness, not instigating any communal imbalance through any behaviour or gesture, etc. Apart from this, always ensure that you are not causing any trouble due to your behaviour and thereby intruding upon the sanctity of the place.
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Fun but not at the cost of others
This may come across as advice any old person gives, but this is the most important travelling tip. While travelling on the road, always follow all the safety rules to ensure that you and other people reach their homes safely. Always follow the speed limit, do not drive under the influence of any substance, never overtake from the wrong side and always respect the pedestrians on the road. The most important fact here is that you should not have fun while creating a dangerous situation for others on the road
Lastly, everyone loves going on road trips. But what makes a road trip even more fun is when we have nothing to worry about and everything happens very smoothly. Therefore, these tips are not rules or regulations that you have to abide by but rather certain guidelines that, if followed, will lead to an enjoyable and memorable experience. So keep these in mind, and happy travelling!
