If you’re late to hear the news, good morning to you too! Yes, you can now take your two or four wheeler and drive straight from Delhi to Thailand. Five thousand kms crossing multiple borders of India, Myanmar, and Thailand, thanks to an insane project by the Indian Government, this road trip via the Delhi –-> Naypyidaw –-> Bangkok Highway is now a possibility. Assuming that a three-week road trip isn’t very routine to your vacation and holiday itineraries, here’s a list of the stops you should make on the trip to make the best of this journey that traverses not only scenic landscapes but also diverse cultures and people. By Shubhanjana Das
1. Kaziranga National Park, Assam
If you don’t stop somewhere in Bihar or Bengal before entering Assam, we suggest this be your first stop. The biodiversity of Kaziranga is known to all but it is only after a physical encounter that you’ll know why it is one of the most coveted national parks in the country. Besides being home to the one-horned rhino, Kaziranga’s natural abundance knows no boundaries. Take a safari and try your luck with the residents of this wild habitat.
2. Kohima, Nagaland
One of the most underrated tourist destinations in India, Kohima is not your ordinary trip to the hills. After you have taken your permit for Nagaland, you can visit the village of Khonoma, the home of the Angama Nagas, and the War Cemetery where the martyrs from the fight with the Japanese World War II now lay in peace. Nagaland knows a thing or two about cooking pork in ways you might have never tried before, so make sure you reward yourself for the taxied drive ahead with some delicious Naga delicacies. P.S. There’s no Naga souvenir as apt as the bhoot jholokia pickle, the world’s hottest chili.
3. Mandalay, Myanmar
On the Irrawaddy River in the northern part of Myanmar lies the country’s former royal capital of Mandalay. It’s pagodas are worth making a two-day stop on your way to Thailand. The 1200-metre long wooden U-Bien, the oldest and longest of its kind in the world, the incomplete temple of Mingun Pahtodawgyi, the Hsinbyume Pagoda, Mandalay Hill, and the Mahamuni Temple are all worth checking out.
4. Bagan, Myanmar
Just a few kilometres ahead of Mandalay is the ancient city of Bagan in southwest Myanmar. The Bagan Archaeological Area with over 2,000 Buddhist monuments standing alongside the thick forest cover is a sight that you may have seen in pictures before. Ananda Temple, Shweizigon Pagoda, and Shwesandaw Temple are windows to peak into the Myanmese culture.
5. Bangkok, Thailand
On reaching your ultimate destination, do yourself a favour and treat yourself to the surprises, treats, and adventures that Bangkok has in store. The ornate temples are in contrast to but also in balance with the vibrant street and night life of Bangkok and make for the perfect day’s itinerary from The Grand Palace or the Temple of the Emerald Buddha to the Chatuchak Market or the Siam Paragon. In between, make sure you don’t miss the Sky Train or the delicious street food that Bangkok is known for all around the world.
Related: Two Girls, One Caravan And An Epic Road Trip Across Sikkim!
