[speedster786]

Six years ago, four carefree guys with zero responsibilities and unlimited enthusiasm decided to go on a road trip. No wives, no babies, just us, our backpacks, a half-dead speaker, and an old Google Maps route that tested our patience more than the traffic ever did.

We weren’t just on a trip — we were on a mission to make memories... and maybe find a dhaba with the cleanest washroom (spoiler alert: we failed).

It was one of those classic “What if we just went?” kind of evenings. The plan was made over coffee that tasted like ambition — strong and slightly bitter. No detailed itinerary, no hotel bookings, no PowerPoint decks. Just a bunch of friends, a mad road map, and four days of freedom ahead.

Packing took exactly 30 minutes. Nobody brought sunscreen. One guy brought three pairs of sunglasses for the drama. Someone else packed only t-shirts, forgot pants. Essentials? Overrated.

We rented a beast — the mighty XUV500 from Miles. She looked like she wanted an adventure too. The bags were tossed in, the music was cranked up, and with one last look at Bangalore’s traffic lights, we started rolling out by 10 PM sharp.

And just like that, the bachelor ride was on.

Our first destination was Dhanushkodi Beach — a place so serene, it made our chaotic group look like monks in denial.

We drove through the night, fueled by samosas, Red Bull, and 90s Hindi music.

📍 Stop 1: Rameshwaram — Where Land Meets Faith and Trains Fly on Water

After cruising through the night like highway pirates with a mission, we reached Rameshwaram by noon the next day — tired, slightly sunburnt, but high on excitement.

As we neared the famous Pamban Bridge, the excitement in the car reached a fever pitch. “Bro, the train, the train!” someone yelled, already half out the window with a camera app loading at 2G speed.

And just like that, as if on cue from the Universe’s own director, the iconic train began its journey across the legendary bridge, gliding slowly over the turquoise waters like something straight out of a movie scene.

We pulled over, hopped out with the grace of clumsy flamingos, and stood there — spellbound.

That moment — the first glimpse of the train crossing the endless sea below — was magic. The kind that gets seared into memory without needing a filter.

That was the first shot. A perfect memory.


Three idiots on the Pamban Bridge, living the moment while the fourth captures the madness!


We headed to Dhanushkodi Beach to soak in the sun and play in the stunning blue waters. Just a few miles away, Sri Lanka peeked from across the sea — some of us even caught Sri Lankan mobile signals!

The beach was absolutely breathtaking — endless blue waters stretching to the horizon, making it feel like we were standing at the edge of the world.




Here stands the iconic old Pamban Bridge — a marvel of engineering — with colorful fishing boats gently swaying in the calm sea, like they're taking a peaceful nap under the coastal sun.




After getting thoroughly drenched and sun-kissed at the beach, we were drained but grinning. With sandy clothes and salty hair, we hit the road again — this time toward Kanyakumari, chasing the southern tip of the country for our next adventure.

📍 Kanyakumari: Chasing the Sunrise

We reached Kanyakumari late in the night and wrapped up the day with tired feet and happy hearts. But sleep took a backseat for me — the anticipation of catching the first light had me wide awake. As someone who loves photography, the idea of framing the sunrise over the confluence of three seas was thrilling.

Here’s a serene capture of the Vivekananda Rock Memorial taken just before the sun peeked over the horizon — calm waters, soft light, and a moment of stillness before the day begins.



And when the moment arrived, it didn’t disappoint — here are a few sunrise shots we managed to capture.


One of my Favourite sunrise shots.


As soon as the sunrise hit, the real show began—everyone posing like it was a runway event! Who knew nature's beauty would bring out the inner models?




The next tide took me off from the stone.


As the ferry sets sail, it carries us toward the iconic Vivekananda Rock Memorial—where history, serenity, and stunning views await.


Perspective.


After having fun in Kanyakumari, we hit the road to Kodaikanal. Now, in every gang, there’s always that one friend who never gets tired — the one who keeps driving day and night, while the rest of us fall asleep as soon as the journey begins.

Enter Mr. Kareem — the man with a walking GPS in his head. He remembers every detail of every trip, no map or navigation needed. His brain is his personal GPS, and he drives with the confidence of someone who’s been on the road a thousand times. He’s also a Team BHP aspirant, and we’re all eagerly waiting for the day he becomes a BHPian!

We reached Kodaikanal by night and checked into Woody’s Hotel. The place was fantastic — cozy yet offering that perfect touch of luxury after a long journey. I snapped a quick picture as we entered the hotel,


We called it a day after reaching the hotel, tired but excited for what was to come. The next morning, we were up early, fueled by the excitement of the day ahead. After a quick breakfast, we set out to explore Kodaikanal. The weather was perfect, and the scenic views around every corner made us feel like we had stepped into a postcard.


Amid the mist and cool breeze, I got the chance to ride a horse.
I couldn’t wait to hop back on for another round!


We did less roaming and more resting in Kodaikanal, and it was exactly the kind of peaceful escape we needed.

After soaking in the tranquility of Kodaikanal, we headed to Ooty for our next adventure.

Our journey in Ooty took us to the heights of Doddabetta Peak, where we stood on top of the world, feeling on top of our game. The views were nothing short of cinematic. We then ventured through the lush tea plantations, surrounded by endless rows of green






We also made our way to the famous shooting spot in Ooty, where countless films had been shot. It was surreal standing there, imagining all the iconic scenes that had unfolded in that very spot. As if that wasn’t enough, the air was suddenly pierced by a series of gunshots — the police were practicing drills nearby.


We then headed to the serene Pykara Lake, known for its peaceful vibes and famous boating experiences. The calm waters and the surrounding greenery made it feel like we had stepped into a tranquil escape, with the only ripple in the water coming from the boats gliding through the lake.



The locals shared an intriguing piece of information — wild animals from the surrounding forest often visit the lake to drink water. Imagine the thrill of seeing a tiger or elephant stroll by, just a few feet away, as you peacefully drift on a boat! It was nature’s wild charm at its finest.



After an unforgettable boat ride, we reluctantly headed back to Bangalore, bringing our trip to an end. But not before taking the scenic Bandipur route. As we drove through the forest, the adventure continued — wild sightings everywhere!
We were greeted by elephants grazing in the distance, impalas gracefully bounding across the road, and deer quietly roaming in their natural habitat.



Encountered this Langur.


We returned to Bangalore with muddy shoes, heavier hearts, and 2,000 photos we never fully organized.

Six years later, we still talk about that trip in every group chat.

We're married now. Some of us have kids, others have kombucha subscriptions. But whenever we hear “Pal” by KK or see an XUV500, something stirs.

That trip wasn’t just a getaway — it was a goodbye wave to our bachelorhood.

We don’t know when we’ll hit the road again. But when we do, you bet it’ll be dramatic, unscripted, and unforgettable.

[freelancer6202]

I have a very similar college story. Thank you for reminding me of those memories.

[Metalbeast]

I did a similar road trip from Ghaziabad with 3 other friends. One flew from Kuala Lumpur, one from Mumbai and 2 of us were locals from Ghaziabad.

This was in July 2016, four months before I was getting married. The unplanned trip took us to Sach Paas via Banikhet and we headed further till Killar and then to Kishtwar crossing one of the most dangerous road in India (Killar - Kishtwar road with cliffhangers) and then finally we came back from Kishtwar to Ghaziabad via Ludhiana. We drove straight around 19 hours from Kishtwar to Ghaziabad as next day Kashmir was supposed to be in curfew.

All in my 15 days old Honda Jazz covered this trip in 4 days, munching around 2000 kms. The route from Bairagarh to Few kms before Kishtwar has non existent tarmac. The drive was entirely on boulders.

Thank you for sharing. Me and my Mumbai friend still cherish this trip. The other two friends are in our memories now as God stole them from us.

[Utopian]

This is such a nice, care-free travelogue. I was travelling from work way back in 2016 from Tirunelveli to Trivandrum to catch a flight onward to Mumbai. I coaxed my driver to take a stop in Kanyakumari and that was one of finest decisions I took. The sunrise is such a unique feel with the Vivekanand status towering. Thanks for refreshing that amazing memory.

[punchthebully]

This is what is a perfect bachelor party for guys who are more interested to drive/ride.

How are the roads between Bangalore to Dhanushkodi, was it via Krishnagiri - Trichy or Krishnagiri-Madurai?

[GolakaGo]

Your travelogue exhibits the memories of all the unplanned trips and times that we've had with friends. Thank you for not only taking us down your memory lane but through ours as well. I really loved the write-up, especially the humor! It sounds like it was an amazing trip! We often say the destination is just an excuse; it’s really all about the journey and the experiences along the way.

[speedster786]

Originally Posted by Metalbeast

I did a similar road trip from Ghaziabad with 3 other friends. One flew from Kuala Lumpur, one from Mumbai and 2 of us were locals from Ghaziabad.
This was in July 2016, four months before I was getting married.

That's such a heartfelt memory. It sounds like an incredible journey filled with adventure, friendship, and emotions. Thank you for sharing such a special part of your life — some trips truly stay with us forever.

Originally Posted by Utopian

This is such a nice, care-free travelogue. I was travelling from work way back in 2016 from Tirunelveli to Trivandrum to catch a flight onward to Mumbai. I coaxed my driver to take a stop in Kanyakumari and that was one of finest decisions I took. The sunrise is such a unique feel with the Vivekanand status towering. Thanks for refreshing that amazing memory.

Stopping at Kanyakumari must have been truly special — the sunrise there is unforgettable. Glad my post could bring back such a wonderful memory!

Originally Posted by punchthebully

How are the roads between Bangalore to Dhanushkodi, was it via Krishnagiri - Trichy or Krishnagiri-Madurai?

Yes, we took the Krishnagiri–Madurai route. The road condition was very good throughout, smooth and easy for a long drive!

Originally Posted by GolakaGo

Thank you for not only taking us down your memory lane but through ours as well. I really loved the write-up, especially the humor!

I'm really glad the travelogue brought back some memories for you too. You said it perfectly — it’s always about the journey and the moments we create along the way!