Where to Stop for Refreshment When Driving to Punjab and Himachal Pradesh

Hi folks, welcome to my series on Solan, Himachal Pradesh. This town in the foothills is a fantastic base to explore different hill stations in Himachal Pradesh. My family has a home in Solan, and I’ve visited it many times. This series will be a definitive guide to this area. Today, I’ll list the various places you can stop at for refreshment, a good stretch and toilet breaks, if driving to Himachal.

If interested, you can read my travel series on London, Cambridge, Landour (Mussoorie), Amritsar, Mumbai and Nashik too.

HOW TO REACH HIMACHAL PRADESH:

Most Indian cities offer direct flights to Chandigarh. From Chandigarh, taxis can be booked to your destination.

Delhi and Mumbai offer direct flights to Simla but these are often cancelled due to unpredictable weather conditions.

Trains are available from major Indian cities to Kalka railway station, which is a 2.5 hour drive from Simla, the capital of Himachal Pradesh.

There are many Volvo and low cost buses available for overnight journeys.

If you live in Delhi, driving to the hills is an absolute pleasure. I recommend leaving early in the morning (5 am from Delhi, 4 am from the hills), to avoid all traffic and enjoy a smooth drive.

BEST PLACES TO STOP FOR A BREAK:

MURTHAL:

AMRIK SUKHDEV:

What started as a roadside dhaba, is now an enormous restaurant and hotel. Frequented by truck drivers that plied the Delhi- Himachal route, this dhaba is best known for its delectable and filling parathas.

The Sukhdev dhaba has spawned many other dhabas in the Murthal area but this one is my family’s firm favourite.

The toilets are hygienic and one can stop overnight at their Hotel Home-Inn.

HAVELI:

Another tried and tested option is the Haveli Resort at Murthal. This is located on the other side of the road, ideal for your return journey to Delhi. The original Haveli resort, constructed like a Punjabi village home, is in Jalandhar Punjab. Its popularity led to many branches and many fakes. The ‘Haveli’ in Kurukshetra isn’t part of the original chain and should be avoided!

Picture courtesy: http://www.tripadvisor.in

SONIPAT:

CHOKHI DHANI:

This resort is inspired by a Rajasthani home and is a great place to stop for a meal, or overnight with family.

Picture courtesy: http://www.beingtraveler.com

KARNAL:

SAVOY GREENS:

Karnal is a hotspot for tourists. The Savoy Greens Food Court and Motel is a nice place if your family likes a variety of options. You can choose from Subway, KFC, McDonald’s, Sagar Ratna and more. Shopping outlets, a children’s play area, free parking and clean toilets are other attractions.

Picture courtesy: http://www.savoygreens.com

HARYANA TOURISM KARNA LAKE COMPLEX:

This resort is included in my list for nostalgic reasons. Growing up, we always stopped here for a meal. The resort has a wonderful location beside Karna Lake, though its standard of service has gone down over the years.

Picture courtesy: http://www.haryanatourism.gov.in

ZHILMIL DHABA:

If the urge for parathas hits you closer to Karnal, this is the place to visit!

Picture courtesy: http://www.yatra.com

CHANDIGARH:

NAMASTE CHANDIGARH:

This food court located on the outskirts (Dera Bassi) of the joint capital of Punjab and Haryana, is the best midway stop. You can choose from Nik Bakers, Haldiram’s, Subway, Keventer’s and other popular eateries.

Picture courtesy: http://www.shoutlo.com

PARWANOO:

TIMBER TRAIL:

This resort is conveniently located where the hills begin. Enjoy the fantastic view over a cup of tea. If you have time, take a cable car ride over the hillside.

Picture courtesy: http://www.timbertrail.in

DHARAMPUR:

GIANI DA DHABA:

This dhaba is an icon from my growing years. The Dal Makhani and Naan’s served here were delicious. Though currently undergoing renovation, the dhaba should be up and running soon.

Picture courtesy: http://www.tripadvisor.in

COLONEL’S SHAAN-E-ANGAAR:

This lesser known eatery is most popular for its butter chicken!

Picture courtesy: http://www.tripadvisor.in

KANDAGHAT:

DEVENTURE HOTEL:

As you go further up the mountains, it becomes tougher to find good places to stop at. Deventure Hotel in Kandaghat is the first five-star hotel in this area, and is a lovely place to take a break.

Book rooms for Deventure Hotel on Booking.com by clicking here.

Picture courtesy: http://www.cleartrip.com

This wraps up my post on places to stop on the way to Himachal Pradesh. Do leave your favorite places to stop at in the comments section.

Next up in this series will be places to eat, sights to see and things to shop in Solan, Himachal Pradesh. Follow my blog for regular updates!

*Unless specified, all pictures are clicked on my phone. Copyright belongs to nooranandchawla.

**This is not a sponsored post.