Spontaneous Self Drive Roadtrip to Mussoorie with self drive rental cars in Dehradun

By - Aditya Uniyal

Spontaneous moments in life are pleasant in their own way, while other moments may be exciting and planned a bit more deeply. I, Aditya Uniyal, a resident of Dehradun, encountered a little of both when my six collegemates from Gurugram and Delhi decided to pay me a visit over a long weekend. We had been waiting to meet and now that we were finally together after months, we wanted to make the best of it. Thus, I opted for a self drive rental cars in dehradun so I could take them on a memorable 3 day trip.

Reason and Rationale for Renting a Car when One Already Owns it

Before proceeding, let us answer the question that is likely on your mind. Why rent a car when you already have one? The answer is straightforward. I possess a Maruti Celerio, which I adore, but comes with certain restrictions. For one, it's an aging, vertical small hatchback; it's a little old if I may say. Either way, it accommodates four passengers and after a few friends tagged along, I decided it was best for my riding companions to switch to a bigger vehicle. The friends in question were Simran Gupta, Ankush Mishira, Shrini Verma, Kush Goyal, Khushi Gautam, and Shivam Purohit. Me and my friends need a decently sized vehicle. On another note, the thought about my celerio huffing and puffing while trying to propel itself to Mussoorie with the weight of seven adults alongside baggage made me anxious. Therefore, I searched self drive car rental in Dehradun and came across Rapidx Car Rental.

They had a slick new Scorpio N for us to choose from and it looked like the perfect fit for our excursion. My ideal choice for a ride would be something that is brand new, powerful, spacious and something that would enable a fun roadtrip.

The booking process was effortless, the documentation was minimal, and on the day of arrival, by noon, I wasn't a step away from my dream ride, I had the keys to my vehicle.

Day 1: Pick-Up and Maggie Point Memories

My friends came to ISBT Dehradun at around 2 PM in a Volvo. The second I picked them up in the Scorpio N, the vibes were lit. It was clear that looking forward to meeting each other after months was reflected in their laughter, hugs, and continuous flow of words. Simran, as always, had her iconic snack filled backpack. Ankush was busy cracking jokes while Shivam started recording the entire thing for Instagram.

After they freshened up at my place, in the evening, we made plans to go eat at Maggie Point on Mussoorie Road. The winding drive was smooth due to the powerful engine of the Scorpio N. We played our old college playlists, and at one point, Khushi even got up and started dancing in the moving car during a traffic jam, classic Khushi.

The cold breeze and the misty views mixed with a round of hot Maggie, bun makkhan,  French fries, and chilled colas softened the hit we took at Maggie Point. There was a mini food fight when Shruti unintentionally spilled ketchup on Kush's jeans. Shivam tried to scare everyone by hiding behind a bush but jumped out, only to trip and eat it. We laughed till our stomachs hurt.

We spent the last few hours talking about college pranks, gags gone wrong in group projects, and the strange hostel policies they had. By the time we returned, it felt like we hadn’t left campus.

Second day: Embracing Mussoorie

The following day, I and my friends got out of the taxi before dawn to set off for Mussoorie. Along the way we chatted, listened to music, and munched on snacks. Our first stop was George Everest and the view sure was a treat. Khushi and Shruti were able to recapture the Bollywood poses while Ankush decided to play a travel vlogger. 

Afterwards we went to Company Garden. Shivam and I tried paddle boating but couldn’t get the hang of it. Simran and Kush went crazing taking selfies while the rest of us sampled the local chaat. 

We had lunch at a cafe on the hillside that had a lovely terrace. We all ordered different items, serving everything to each other in what felt like a small buffet. Following lunch, we made our way to Mall Road for some tourist shopping. I purchased a guitar shaped wooden keychain that for some reason found its way into Khushi's bag. Even now we fight over who's keychain it really is.

By evening, we had checked into a rather cozy little hotel in Mussoorie. After freshening up, we played dumb charades in the hotel room. While acting out “The Conjuring”, Ankush ended up looking like a chicken with a leg cramp. That night, we had a soft music mini party with fairy lights, old school dancing, and it felt rather surreal subdued magic. 

Kempty Waterfalls & Goodbye Feels

For the last day of trip, our starting point was scenic Kempty falls. We all, despite the chill air, stepped into the water. The highlight was Simran screaming like a banshee and Kush trying to wiggle Ankush into the cold. The main drops might have been overcrowded with swimmers, but we did find a cozy corner to sit back, dip our feet in water and ponder over how spectacular the trip was turning out plain enchanting. 

Around noon, we left Mussoorie, arriving in Dehradun around 4 pm. This was after a brief roadside dhaba lunch. We capped off the trip spending the last couple of hours in the car driving around town playing antakshari.

Dropping them off at ISBT for their return Volvo was nice but a bit emotional. Hugs were a bit more enthusiastic, promises to meet soon were more enthusiastic, and instead of starting to plan for our next rendezvous, everyone had a particular location in mind. 

Rapidx Car Rental: The Silent Hero

I must mention that the Scorpio N from Rapidx Car Rental was without a doubt the unsung hero of our trip. The vehicle’s condition was impeccable, and it was remarkably comfortable and dependable. The booking and return process was easy and their customer service prompt and supportive. Everything worked perfectly, making our journey easier and more memorable the whole way through. This self drive car rental in Dehradun is great.  

Final Remarks

This reunion is special, but the added bonus is exploring with high end self drive booking systems as you have a car you can rely on. 

Friends aside, Dehradun aside, the experience as a whole makes life a lot easier.

As a local or visitor planning a trip around Uttarakhand, going for a self drive rental cars in dehradun should definitely be on your to do list. You can get so much done in such little time, only if you come prepared like us.

I look forward to our next meeting, 

Aditya Uniyal