The Hindi heartland of India has lovely surprises for discerning travellers. From iconic heritage monuments like the Taj Mahal to restorative wildlife havens like Dudhwa National Park and spiritual destinations such as Ayodhya, there’s something for everyone. Here, we feature some of the best road trips from Lucknow that make for great weekend getaways. By Karan Kaushik
10 Road trips from Lucknow
Nawabganj Bird Sanctuary (44km)
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One of the easiest road trips from Lucknow, Nawabganj Bird Sanctuary, also known as Shahid Chandra Shekhar Azad Bird Sanctuary, is a lesser-explored natural haven in Uttar Pradesh. Home to 25,000 waterbirds and 220 resident and migratory species, the bird sanctuary is a Ramsar site. The sanctuary also inhabits some endangered species like the Egyptian vulture, Pallas’s fish eagle, lesser adjutant, and Woolly-necked stork. There are well-maintained cycling and walking treks in the sanctuary, along with a watchtower offering stunning views.
Ayodhya (135km)
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Located on the banks of the Saryu river, Ayodhya is endowed with a syncretic culture. Pilgrims and devotees of Lord Rama arrive here in droves to seek solace. The iconic city draws spiritual seekers with its picturesque ghats, ancient temples, and majestic aartis. When here, spend your mornings at the Riverside Heritage Zone and evenings at the Ramkot Heritage Zone. Prominent attractions in Ayodhya include Hanuman Garhi, Kanak Bhawan, Dashratha Mahal, Sugriva Quila, Nageshwarnath Temple, Saryu Ghat, and Mani Parbat, to name a few.
Shravasti (157km)
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A popular Buddhist destination, Shravasti is where Lord Buddha spent most of his post-enlightenment life. It used to serve as the capital of the Kosala Kingdom in ancient India. Explore the ruins of a fabled Buddhist monastery at Jetavana, visit the Angulimala Stupa, and walk through the pages of ancient history at the Sahet Mahet archaeological site. Another popular attraction is the Ananda Bodhi Tree, which was planted by one of the disciples of Lord Buddha.
Prayagraj (201km)
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Most Indians identify Prayagraj as a religious town that is home to the Sangam and hosts the iconic Kumbh Mela. Not many know that the popular town is also blessed with a colonial heritage that speaks volumes about its glorious past. For instance, the All Saints Cathedral is one of the most beautiful and grand British-era cathedrals in India. A typical Prayagraj itinerary includes Jawaharlal Nehru’s ancestral house Anand Bhavan, Chandrashekhar Azad Park, where the revolutionary breathed his last, and the historical Khusro Bagh, among others. Catch stunning sunsets on a boat ride at the Triveni Sangam and visit the Lete Hanuman Temple to end your day.
Dudhwa National Park (215km)
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If a wildlife outing is what you seek, look no further than Dudhwa. Spread over 811 sqkm, the Dudhwa National Park comes under the Terai belt in Uttar Pradesh, which houses the most endangered ecosystems in the world. You can find 450 bird species, including Hornbill, Red Jungle Fowl, Peafowl, Bengal Florican, Fishing Eagle, and Bengal Florican, in the region other than endangered animal species such as tigers, rhinoceros, deers, and elephants. The diverse flora includes sal, jamun, shisham trees along with large grasslands and wetlands, and the landscape of the national park situated on the Indo-Nepal border looks more appealing with flowing streams, creeks, and lakes.
Chitrakoot (229km)
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Ayodhya is where Lord Rama was born, but it was in Chitrakoot where he spent a significant part of his exile with Goddess Seeta and Lakshmana. Sequestered amidst dense forests of the verdant northern Vindhya mountain range, Chitrakoot makes for a nice offbeat getaway. Prime tourist spots in Chitrakoot are Ram Ghat on the banks of river Mandakini, Hanuman Dhara, Ganesh Bagh, Bharat Milap Temple, Janki Kund, and Sphatik Shila. You may also plan a short detour to Gupt Godavari, 18km from Chitrakoot.
Pilibhit Tiger Reserve (252km)
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Another prominent wildlife destination in Uttar Pradesh, Pilibhit Tiger Reserve was declared as a tiger reserve in 2014. The tiger reserve forms part of the Terai Arch Landscape in the upper Gangetic Plain Biogeographic Province. The topography of Pilibhit features dense saal forests, tall grasslands, and swamps. Nestled on the foothills of the Himalayas along the India-Nepal border, Pilibhit is home to 13 species of mammals, 9 species of birds, and 11 species of reptiles and amphibians. The reserve also inhabits a few critically endangered species like the Bengal florican.
National Chambal Wildlife Sanctuary (265km)
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National Chambal Wildlife Sanctuary, also called the National Chambal Gharial Wildlife Sanctuary, is famous as the home of the critically endangered gharial or small crocodiles. There are red-crowned roof turtles and the endangered Ganger river dolphin too. Sprawled over the Agra and Etawah districts, the sanctuary inhabits as many as 290 bird species. The best way to make the most of your trip is to take a boat ride and witness crocodiles sunning themselves on the sparkling sand stretch by the river.
Khajuraho (306km)
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Khajuraho has more to it than what it is famous for — its sensual carvings. For example, did you know that the Chandela dynasty, the masterminds behind this UNESCO World Heritage Site, were believers in the Tantric school of thought, which gives foundation to the rather progressive belief that men and women are equal and none can do without the other? Besides, the Khajuraho temple complex is an amalgam of Hinduism and Jainism. It is also one of the most brilliant examples of Indian craftsmanship when it comes to architecture. The initial 85 temples now stand at 22, the rest having given in to invasions and natural disasters.
Agra-Fatehpur Sikri (333km)
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Travel back in time as you make your way through the grand corridors of the forts in Agra and Fatehpur Sikri. This two-day road trip from Lucknow makes for a nice getaway for history buffs, admirers of ancient aesthetics, and people who love being behind the camera as well as in front of it. If you haven’t seen the Taj Mahal yet, put it on your itinerary and make the best of your tryst with Uttar Pradesh’s glorious past.
Related: 15 Aesthetic Cafes In Lucknow That Must Grace Your Instagram Feed
Karan Kaushik
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