Not each highway journey is about chasing thrill. Some are about discovering a pause — an opportunity to disconnect from the tempo of metropolis life and settle right into a slower rhythm. This was one such drive.
A getaway that begins with the journey
We left Delhi round midnight, making the most of clear roads and cooler temperatures. The vacation spot — Marchula — lies roughly 270 kilometres away, tucked deep into the lesser-explored edges of the Jim Corbett area. Unlike well-liked hill stations that crowd up rapidly over weekends, Marchula gives one thing totally different. It is quiet, much less industrial, and extra rooted in its pure panorama.
Our route took us previous Moradabad and Kashipur earlier than we started climbing onto the hills. The BMW X7 xDrive40d dealt with the change in terrain with none drama. Under the hood, its 3.0-litre inline-six diesel engine delivers 340 hp and 700 Nm of torque. But the energy supply is easy and refined — it by no means feels aggressive. Cruising on the freeway was fast and simple, however what actually stood out was how composed the X7 felt as soon as the highway narrowed and the floor started to break up.
Thanks to the adaptive air suspension and BMW’s xDrive all-wheel-drive system, even the uneven mountain stretches felt manageable. The cabin remained quiet all through, isolating us from highway imperfections and conserving fatigue at bay — one thing you admire much more on a protracted, in a single day journey.
Arriving in Marchula
By morning, we have been deep in the forested hills of Uttarakhand. A brief river crossing simply earlier than Marchula gave us a closing reminder of the X7’s off-road credibility. Raised suspension, hill descent management, and ample torque helped us via the shallow water crossing with out fuss. It is a reminder that regardless of its luxurious leanings, the X7 is greater than succesful when the terrain modifications.
Marchula Estate
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Special Arrangement
Marchula itself isn’t a spot you bump into — you come right here intentionally. Set on the banks of the Ramganga River, it’s a peaceable village surrounded by dense jungle, with very restricted improvement. There aren’t any buying streets, no cafés, and no crowds. What you get as a substitute is uninterrupted greenery, recent air, and an actual sense of stillness.
A keep that matches the temper
Our base for the weekend was Marchula Estate, a six-key sustainable retreat that blends seamlessly into the forest. Run by Mansi and Mustafa, the property gives a low-impact, considerate method to hospitality. It isn’t about bells and whistles, however about residing flippantly and creating an area the place Nature leads the expertise.
There are three stand-alone cottages on the hillside — Amaltas, Gulmohar and Deodar — alongside with three rooms in the principal home. Each has a novel aesthetic, constructed utilizing upcycled wooden, pure stone, and native supplies. Solar energy runs the necessities, and the water is filtered and served in reusable glass bottles. The property grows its personal herbs, composts waste, and encourages friends to undertake a slower tempo.
Marchula Estate
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Special Arrangement
Conversations with Mansi and Mustafa revealed that this was not only a enterprise concept. It was a life selection. Tired of the metropolis, they determined to construct one thing extra significant — not only for themselves, however for his or her friends and the surroundings they inhabit.
A totally different type of weekend
There isn’t a lot to do at Marchula — and that’s precisely the level. Mornings begin with mist rising off the river and the occasional name of a barking deer. Afternoons are for lengthy walks alongside the Ramganga, or sitting with a e book whereas the daylight filters via the thick cover. Mobile sign is patchy, and you’ll not discover Wi-Fi.
In a setting like this, the BMW X7 stood out for its versatility. Large and splendid, sure, but additionally quietly succesful. It didn’t look misplaced even on this wild setting. When we did use it to discover close by villages or take a brief drive up into the forest roads, it dealt with all the pieces with ease — from unfastened gravel to tight turns.
Heading residence
As we packed up on Sunday afternoon, there was a way of calm that had changed the noise we had carried from the metropolis. The X7 was loaded with baggage and a weekend’s price of stillness, and the drive again felt shorter someway — smoother and quieter, each on the highway and in our heads.
The BMW X7
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Special Arrangement
The X7 remained spectacular all through. It delivered what you anticipate from a flagship luxurious SUV — energy, consolation and superior tech — however what actually stood out was how nicely it tailored to each a part of the journey. Whether it was the expressway, mountain climbs, or river crossings, the SUV didn’t miss a beat.
Final ideas
If you’re searching for a weekend getaway that’s offbeat, peaceable and rooted in nature, Marchula ought to be in your radar. It is way sufficient to really feel like an escape, but reachable inside a half-day’s drive from Delhi. And if you’re fortunate sufficient to do it in one thing like the BMW X7, the journey itself turns into a part of the reward.
Together, Marchula Estate and the X7 delivered a uncommon mixture — consolation and connection. Not simply to a spot, however to the concept of slowing down. Something most of us might use a bit of extra of.
Motorscribes, in affiliation with The Hindu, brings you the newest in automobiles and bikes. Follow them on Instagram on @motorscribes.
Published – June 06, 2025 04:03 pm IST
