Luxury meets the wild: A weekend escape with the BMW X7 to Marchula Estate

The Hindu

06-06-2025

Not every road trip is about chasing thrill. Some are about finding a pause — a chance to disconnect from the pace of city life and settle into a slower rhythm. This was one such drive.
A getaway that starts with the journey
We left Delhi around midnight, making the most of clear roads and cooler temperatures. The destination — Marchula — lies roughly 270 kilometres away, tucked deep into the lesser-explored edges of the Jim Corbett region. Unlike popular hill stations that crowd up quickly over weekends, Marchula offers something different. It is quiet, less commercial, and more rooted in its natural landscape.
Our route took us past Moradabad and Kashipur before we began climbing onto the hills. The BMW X7 xDrive40d handled the change in terrain without any drama. Under the hood, its 3.0-litre inline-six diesel engine delivers 340 hp and 700 Nm of torque. But the power delivery is smooth and refined — it never feels aggressive. Cruising on the highway was quick and easy, but what really stood out was how composed the X7 felt once the road narrowed and the surface began 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 throughout, isolating us from road imperfections and keeping fatigue at bay — something you appreciate even more on a long, overnight journey.
Arriving in Marchula
By morning, we were deep in the forested hills of Uttarakhand. A short river crossing just before Marchula gave us a final reminder of the X7's off-road credibility. Raised suspension, hill descent control, and ample torque helped us through the shallow water crossing without fuss. It is a reminder that despite its luxury leanings, the X7 is more than capable when the terrain changes.
Marchula itself is not a place you stumble upon — you come here deliberately. Set on the banks of the Ramganga River, it is a peaceful village surrounded by dense jungle, with very limited development. There are no shopping streets, no cafés, and no crowds. What you get instead is uninterrupted greenery, fresh air, and a real sense of stillness.
A stay that matches the mood
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 estate offers a low-impact, thoughtful approach to hospitality. It is not about bells and whistles, but about living lightly and creating a space where Nature leads the experience.
There are three stand-alone cottages on the hillside — Amaltas, Gulmohar and Deodar — along with three rooms in the main house. Each has a unique aesthetic, built using upcycled wood, natural stone, and local materials. Solar power runs the essentials, and the water is filtered and served in reusable glass bottles. The estate grows its own herbs, composts waste, and encourages guests to adopt a slower pace.
Conversations with Mansi and Mustafa revealed that this was not just a business idea. It was a life choice. Tired of the city, they decided to build something more meaningful — not just for themselves, but for their guests and the environment they inhabit.
A different kind of weekend
There is not much to do at Marchula — and that is exactly the point. Mornings start with mist rising off the river and the occasional call of a barking deer. Afternoons are for long walks along the Ramganga, or sitting with a book while the sunlight filters through the thick canopy. Mobile signal is patchy, and you will not find Wi-Fi.
In a setting like this, the BMW X7 stood out for its versatility. Large and luxurious, yes, but also quietly capable. It did not look out of place even in this wild setting. When we did use it to explore nearby villages or take a short drive up into the forest roads, it handled everything with ease — from loose gravel to tight turns.
Heading home
As we packed up on Sunday afternoon, there was a sense of calm that had replaced the noise we had carried from the city. The X7 was loaded with bags and a weekend's worth of stillness, and the drive back felt shorter somehow — smoother and quieter, both on the road and in our heads.
The X7 remained impressive throughout. It delivered what you expect from a flagship luxury SUV — power, comfort and advanced tech — but what really stood out was how well it adapted to every part of the journey. Whether it was the expressway, mountain climbs, or river crossings, the SUV did not miss a beat.
Final thoughts
If you are looking for a weekend getaway that is offbeat, peaceful and rooted in nature, Marchula should be on your radar. It is far enough to feel like an escape, yet reachable within a half-day's drive from Delhi. And if you are lucky enough to do it in something like the BMW X7, the journey itself becomes part of the reward.
Together, Marchula Estate and the X7 delivered a rare combination — comfort and connection. Not just to a place, but to the idea of slowing down. Something most of us could use a little more of.
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