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About
Hi, I'm Sakshi. I travel from the front seat.
Literally. I like driving my way through places — figuring out what's worth it, what's not, and especially the road less taken. No overplanning, no chasing checklists. Just real experiences, small insights, and a lot of chai breaks.
If you've been waiting for the "perfect time" to travel — this is your sign. Let's just go.
Seatbelt & Stories isn't about perfect itineraries. It's about how trips actually feel when you're in them. From routes and stays to what's worth your time (and what isn't) — real, on-ground insights so you can travel with more confidence and a lot less overthinking.
What This Blog Is About
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From the Driver's Seat
Every place I write about, I've driven to, figured out, and lived in — not just visited. That changes everything about how you see it.
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Real, Not Perfect
The roads that aren't smooth. The spots that are overhyped. What's worth it and what isn't — no sugarcoating.
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Chai Breaks Included
The best moments on any trip are the unplanned ones. A roadside stall, a wrong turn that led somewhere better. That's the stuff worth writing about.
Destinations
Every place has a story. Here are mine.
From the driver's seat — honest, experience-first guides across India.
Himachal Pradesh
Himachal Pradesh · Self Drive
Narkanda — Quiet, Simple, Worth It
A Drive Up, A Switch Off, A Proper Reset
March 2025Delhi → Narkanda~5 min read
North India
Jammu & Kashmir · Self Drive
Kashmir, But From the Driver's Seat
Srinagar, Pahalgam, Gulmarg & Sonmarg
June 2023Delhi → Srinagar loop~10 min read
Northeast India
Meghalaya · Monsoon
Meghalaya, Rains & Road
Chasing Waterfalls, One Downpour at a Time
June 20246 days~10 min read
Coming Soon
More roads. More stories.
Reach Me
Let's talk travel
Got a question about a route? Want to share your own experience? Or just want to say hi — I'd love to hear from you.
Narkanda is one of those places you drive to when you just want to get away — without overthinking it. No long itineraries. No checklists. Just a solid drive and a quiet destination at the end of it.
Narkanda · pine forests, golden light, and no agenda
On the Way
The drive itself is part of the trip. We stopped at Dorje Drak Monastery on the way — one of those unplanned pauses that ends up being a highlight. Worth a stop if you pass through.
Dorje Drak Monastery · on the way to Narkanda — stop if you can
The Route
→Delhi → Narkanda · ~10 hours with 2 breaks
Easy to plan, slightly long — but very doable. Start early and it's a breeze.
5 Things to Know Before You Go
1. It's a long drive — but worth it. Start early. That makes all the difference.
2. Roads are mostly good, but don't expect highways throughout. The last stretch gets narrower and more mountain-like.
3. This is not a "do a lot" destination. You come here to slow down.
4. Weather changes quickly. Carry layers — even in summers.
5. Stay matters more than activities. Pick a place with a view.
Narkanda
Quiet, Simple, Underrated
Narkanda is not flashy. Pine forests, open views, minimal crowd. That's exactly why it works.
"Narkanda is not a trip. It's a break."
Narkanda · this is what you stay for
Must Do
Hatu Peak — short drive + incredible views
Hatu Peak · wasn't expecting snow — but here we are ❄️
Walk through the pine forests
Sit somewhere with a view and do nothing
Don't overplan this place. That's the whole point.
Eat
Eat at your hotel or local dhabas
Simple food, nothing fancy
Food is not the highlight here — and that's completely fine.
Most Kashmir blogs look perfect on paper. Mine won't. Because I didn't just visit Kashmir — I drove it, lived it, got stuck in traffic (and sheep jams), and figured it out on the go. And trust me — that changes everything.
This isn't a "top 10 things to do" guide. This is what Kashmir feels like when you're in it.
On the Way
The drive itself is part of the trip. We stopped at Dorje Drak Monastery on the way — one of those unplanned pauses that ends up being a highlight. Worth a stop if you pass through.
Dorje Drak Monastery · on the way to Narkanda — stop if you can
Pahalgam: dense pine forests & rivers. Gulmarg: open meadows, tall conifers, bigger mountain views. Srinagar: chinar trees, Dal Lake, city life mixed in.
5 Things That Actually Matter
1. Wake up early — or honestly, don't bother. Kashmir mornings are magic. Sleep in, and you're signing up for crowds.
2. Pahalgam > Gulmarg (yes, I mean it). Gulmarg is a moment. Pahalgam is the experience.
3. Don't stay in Pahalgam market, especially if you're driving. Go 10–20 minutes out — quieter, more scenic.
4. Not everything needs to be paid for. Pause, ask, and decide: is this actually worth it?
5. Gulmarg without Bota Pathri = half the story. Most people skip it. Don't.
Srinagar
Srinagar — Start Here, Don't Get Stuck Here
Srinagar is beautiful… but also chaotic. Do this and move on.
"Some of your best memories will be standing by the road, sipping hot chai, doing absolutely nothing."
1 night houseboat — must on first trip (Sukoon, Naaz Kashmir, Nigeen Lake)
Then shift to a hotel or BnB
Dal Lake, Srinagar · floating gardens & shikara mornings
Pahalgam
Pahalgam — Don't Visit It. Live It.
This is where the trip slows down — and gets better. Don't go to Pahalgam to "see things." Go there to do… nothing. Sit by the river. Drink kahwa. Just be.
Must Do
Betaab Valley (7–10 km)
Aru Valley (12–15 km)
Baisaran Hills (7–10 km) — if time permits
Local taxis if not driving — ₹3K–5K/day.
Eat
Chai by the river, Maggi during drive breaks
Food here is part of the pause, not the highlight.
Sleep
Riverside Cottage, Walnut Tree, Birdsong Stays, Mir Lodge, Chinar Resorts
Stay outside the main market. Wake up to mountains, not traffic.
Sit by the river. Take slow walks. Go for long drives. Get stuck in sheep jams. And then do nothing again.
Pahalgam · lazy afternoons, sheep jams & the kind of nothing you actually need
Gulmarg
Gulmarg — Worth It, If You Do It Right
I'll be honest — I found Gulmarg a little overhyped. But it redeems itself if you do two things right: the Gondola and Bota Pathri.
"About 30–40 minutes from Gulmarg, near the LOC, requires a permit. That's exactly why it feels open, calm, and completely different."
Must Do
Gulmarg Gondola — only if the weather is clear
Bota Pathri — don't skip this
Skip horse rides. Tried it. Regret it. My back agrees.
Permit Tip
Free from the police station (go by ~10 AM)
Don't pay ₹2–3K to agents. You can take your own car.
Eat
World's Highest Revolving Restaurant — splurge for the views
Or: bakery stops + roadside kahwa + Maggi
Sleep
The Khyber Himalayan Resort & Spa — if going all out
₹5–7K is more than enough otherwise
You're here for what's outside, not the room.
Gulmarg · Bota Pathri meadows, pine forests & the car that made it all happen
Sonmarg
Sonmarg — Quick, Raw, Worth It
It's not a place you "stay" in — you go, take it in, and head back. Sonmarg is more about the drive than the destination. And that's not a bad thing.
Travel Notes
Start early — traffic and construction build up later in the day
Check road conditions — it connects towards Leh, so work is ongoing
A day trip from Srinagar works perfectly
Self Drive Contacts — Srinagar
Rentals: 9541158506 · 6006113664 · 9797929486
Mechanic — Imtiyaz: 9858703050 · Arif: 7006175268
Sonmarg · glacial rivers, snow-capped peaks & the drive that makes it worth it
Kashmir isn't a place you photograph. It's a place you feel — from the driver's seat, one early morning at a time.
Most people avoid Meghalaya in the monsoon. I went because of it.
I wanted to see the waterfalls in their full form — not as viewpoints, but as something you actually feel. And for that, you need rain. A lot of it.
Yes, I planned it. Even had a foolproof itinerary. But the trip really begins once you're in it.
On the Way
The drive itself is part of the trip. We stopped at Dorje Drak Monastery on the way — one of those unplanned pauses that ends up being a highlight. Worth a stop if you pass through.
Dorje Drak Monastery · on the way to Narkanda — stop if you can
The Route
Day 1Guwahati → Cherrapunji (150 km, 4–5 hrs)
Day 3Sohra → Dawki (80 km, 3–4 hrs)
Day 4Dawki → Mawlynnong → Shillong (90 km, 4–5 hrs)
Day 6Shillong → Guwahati (100 km, 3–4 hrs)
Roads from Shillong to Sohra are narrow and winding. Towards Dawki, expect single-lane stretches.
5 Things That Actually Matter
1. It rains. And then it rains some more. Carry a raincoat — non-negotiable.
2. Don't rush this trip — it's not a checklist destination. Slow down and look around.
3. Carry enough cash. UPI is unreliable out here.
4. Dawki is a stop. Shnongpdeng is the stay. Don't mix this up.
5. If you want the real Meghalaya — go in the monsoon. That's when the waterfalls are alive.
Cherrapunji
Cherrapunji: Waterfalls, Clouds & Constant Movement
Cherrapunji feels like a GK answer coming to life — the Seven Sisters Falls you've heard about forever, right in front of you. But beyond that, this place is just… waterfalls everywhere, literally.
"The first time I saw a waterfall from the top — raw, powerful, and completely different from everything I expected."
Must Do
Nohkalikai Falls — massive, dramatic, easily one of the best
Seven Sisters Falls — even better in full flow
Wei Sawdong Falls — worth the extra effort
Dainthlen Falls — raw and powerful
Mawsmai Cave — quick, fun stop
Eat
Cafe Cherrapunjee & Inn — cozy, good food
Orange Roots — veg-friendly
Halari Restaurant — local meals
Best moments: chai + rain + random stop near a waterfall.
Sleep
Simple BnBs — look for the view, not the room
Smoky Falls Mae Fi Resort
Pause between waterfalls, look for little falls that aren't marked, and catch the right moments between clouds. That's Cherrapunji.
Dawki is a quick stop; Shnongpdeng is where you should stay. During the monsoon, Dawki's famous crystal-clear water turns muddy — the postcard-clear glassy view is a winter thing.
If you pick a slightly offbeat resort, don't expect network. We spent an entire evening watching old movies while it rained outside — no signal, no distractions. Honestly, that has its own charm.
Must Do
Umngot River
Dawki Suspension Bridge
India–Bangladesh Border Dawki
One night is more than enough.
Sleep
Betelnut Resort
Shatsngi Homestay
Avoid RiverRuns Campsite in monsoon.
Eat
Meals at your stay or local eateries. Shops close early — plan ahead.
"We crossed a river by boat, walked 2 km through highland grass, trekked down to a massive cascade. Completely unplanned. Easily one of the best treks of my life."
On our way back to the resort, we stopped at a small café. The guys at the next table were talking about a waterfall trek they had just done. We looked at each other and thought, why not now? That's what Meghalaya is. Unpredictable and constantly surprising.
Dawki · the waterfall we stumbled into — soaked, muddy, and absolutely worth it
Mawlynnong
Mawlynnong
The "cleanest village" — bamboo dustbins, well-kept paths. Feels a bit curated for tourists. Works well as a 1–2 hour stop. The drive in is stunning — 20–25 km through dense forest that suddenly feels like a safari.
Kongthong
Kongthong — One of Those Unplanned Stops
About 50 km from Sohra. People here don't call out names — they whistle. Each person has their own tune, echoing across the hills. One of those stops you didn't know you needed, but end up remembering the most.
Shillong
Shillong — A Pause Before You Leave
After days of waterfalls and quiet roads… you're suddenly back to traffic, cafés, and a bit of chaos. It's not a bad thing — it just feels different.
Must Do
Umiam Lake — views you don't expect near a city
Laitlum Canyons — do this on the way to Shillong
Elephant Falls — a quick stop
Upper Shillong Tea Garden — early morning only
Eat
Cafe Shillong
Dylan's Cafe — hot chocolate is a must
ML 05 Cafe — vibe & views
Trattoria — local Khasi food
Sleep
Homestead BnB, Wildrose Suite
Hotels at ₹2–5K. Easy parking matters if you're driving.
This still feels like just about 60% of Meghalaya — Jowai and the deeper Khasi Hills are still on the list.
Meghalaya isn't a place you just travel through — it's something you feel.
