A Monsoon of Discoveries

Lush greenery, incessant rain, cloud-kissed valleys, serene twisty mountain roads, and Honda cars at our disposal: the perfect recipe for a scenic adventure

- Gaurav Davare

IT’S THE PEAK OF THE MONSOON SEASON IN India when the searing summer temperatures have simmered down and you get nature at its absolute best with lush greenery. It also forms a perfect backdrop for one to go on a road trip and that’s exactly what we did with the 13th edition of “Honda Drive to Discover”.

The main theme of this event is to have a convoy of journalists with Honda cars at their disposal exploring the many gems of India, not needing to stick to a particular convoy, allowing for more personalized discoveries. This time, the theme was “Monsoon Trails” and, as the name suggests, it was a monsoon road trip during which we discovered the best gems that South India has to offer over a four-day period, travelling from Kerala to Tamil Nadu.

Starting our journey from Kochi, our steed for the day was the Honda Elevate Signature Black Edition, specced with a seven-step CVT automatic, paired to the 121-hp 1.5-litre naturally aspirated i-VTEC petrol engine. I always appreciated the Elevate’s road trip credentials with its easy-to-use and comfortable driving experience and our journey to Athirappilly showcased that again. Sure, the opening day’s journey was a short one, but it was interesting to witness the quick transition from city streets to scenic forests and majestic waterfalls. There was even a bit of wildlife spotted in the form of elephants along the way. A nice little appetiser to kick things off.