[Figopian]

Originally Posted by suniladhiya

Hi Gomzy,

Since he is starting from Pune, perhaps the better option to tank up would be Konduskar's at Kolhapur, as the petrol would be cheaper than in Belgaum

I doubt if konduskar sells petrol, they were only into diesel, not sure if that has changed recently. Of corse there are other bunks around Gould shirgaon MIDC which could be good options.

[suniladhiya]

Originally Posted by Figopian

I doubt if konduskar sells petrol, they were only into diesel, not sure if that has changed recently. Of corse there are other bunks around Gould shirgaon MIDC which could be good options.

Konduskar definitely sells petrol, I have filled myself twice in the last one year. Its also strongly recommended on this forum by HVK and others

[pamishra]

Originally Posted by suniladhiya

Hi Gomzy,

Since he is starting from Pune, perhaps the better option to tank up would be Konduskar's at Kolhapur, as the petrol would be cheaper than in Belgaum

Originally Posted by Figopian

I doubt if konduskar sells petrol, they were only into diesel, not sure if that has changed recently. Of corse there are other bunks around Gould shirgaon MIDC which could be good options.

Thanks guys but the problem with filling in Kolhapur is that i might need to refill once again before reaching Mysore as my tank range is around 600kms. And finding a good pump on Hiriyur-Mysore interior roads might be tough. Tanking up in Belgaum will take my safely into Mysore without a refill.

[Figopian]

Originally Posted by pamishra

Thanks guys but the problem with filling in Kolhapur is that i might need to refill once again before reaching Mysore as my tank range is around 600kms. And finding a good pump on Hiriyur-Mysore interior roads might be tough. Tanking up in Belgaum will take my safely into Mysore without a refill.

Belgaum is too early, to be on the safer side, I would ideally find a bunk near Chitradurg or Hiriyur. If not, at least near Hubli you should find something good!

[Gomzy]

There is a Bharat Petroleum pump at Chitradurga. A refill there would certainly take you safely to mysore.

PS: Do not miss the service lane entrance as it is difficult to get back to the service lane once you have missed it.

[Figopian]

I plan to start at around 6:00 AM from kolhapur so hoping to be near davanegere by noon. Are there any good restaurants near davanegere or near chitrdurga ? I would prefer a restaurant on NH4 itself to avoid any detour, unless there is no other option. Since I will be taking interior roads after Hiriyur, I think it's better to get food while on NH4.

Edit: Just condone post by ranjitp about a kamat restaurant at ranebennur which should be good for me, thanks!

[ampere]

Originally Posted by Figopian

Edit: Just condone post by ranjitp about a kamat restaurant at ranebennur which should be good for me, thanks!

Please note Kamat at Ranebennur would on other side of the highway when you are driving towards Bangalore in the NH4.
So you need to take a U and come back.

[pamishra]

Hi,

I am back from my drive Pune-Mysore-Ooty-Bangalore-Tirupati-Pune. And here are the details:
Car - 2009 Hyundai Getz 1.3 GLX(ABS)
Travellers - Me and my wife

Day 1:
Pune-Mysore: Left morning 4.30am from Pune. Reached Sai International just before Kolhapur at 7.30am. 30min halt for breakfast. Reached Kamat Upachar restaurant at Ranebennur by 12.15pm. Again 30min break for lunch. Arrived at Hiriyur diversion at 2.45pm. Beware that the right turn is under the flyover. By mistake I climbed the flyover and had to take a U-turn. Reached hotel in heart of Mysore city at 6.30pm.
Total Distance - 875kms
Time taken with halts - 14 hrs
Road condition is very good. I strongly recommend this route.
Refilled at HP petrol pump just a few miles after Belgaum.

Day 2:
Sightseeing in Mysore which included Ranganathittu Bird Sanctuary, Tipu's Palace and Tomb, Philomena's Church, Chamundi Temple on the Hill, Mysore Zoo, Mysore Palace and Brindavan garden.


Day 3:
Left Mysore at 7.30am for Ooty. Had earlier planned for a safari at Bandipur but later dropped the idea. We took the Masinagudi road. Its a very narrow road from Theppakadu to Ooty via Masinagudi. 2 cars (from opp direction) is also difficult to pass at times, one has to leave the road to make way. However its scenic and shorter in distance. It was fun doing the 36 hairpin bends. On the way spotted deers and monkeys. Reached Ooty by 11am. Had lunch at resort and then site seeing: Boat ride in Ooty lake, Botanical garden, Doddabatta peak, Tea Museum, Shooting point. It was very cold, foggy and raining. A good experience overall.

Day 4:
Left Ooty at 6.30am for Bangalore. Took the Gudalur road instead of Masinagudi this time. Road is definitely better and broader, however its much longer. Near Bandipur spotted elephants and deers. Reached Bangalore at 1pm. Visited Lalbaug, Tipu's palace and spend the evening on MG road.

Day 5:
Left Bangalore at 7.30am and reached Tirupati at 1pm. Road is good, however the Chitoor bypass is very rough at patches. Managed to get Sheegrah darshan (Rs300/-) on the same day, took 3 hrs in the line. Tired and exhausted reached hotel at 9pm.

Day 6:
After a good nights sleep, started for Pune at 7.30am via Bangalore ring road. Reached Pune in 17 hrs covering 1065 kms, which included 2 hrs on breaks. Wifey took the wheels for a couple of hours and i got a much needed break in between.

Total distance covered in 6 days: 2850kms

Day 7: Full day sleep

Overall a fun and memorable trip!!

If you need any specific details, please ask.

[Figopian]

Thanks, pamishra.
This note helps me a lot! I am hoping to cover kolhapur Mysore under 12 hours now.

[fiesta]

Pamishra, thanks for your well written write-up. It will surely help me plan my trip, Pune - Mysore - Ooty - Kodaikanal (in consideration) - Ranni (Kerala) - Bangalore - Pune. I am planning to do it towards last week of December for 2 weeks.

[ampere]

Originally Posted by fiesta

Pamishra, thanks for your well written write-up. It will surely help me plan my trip, Pune - Mysore - Ooty - Kodaikanal (in consideration) - Ranni (Kerala) - Bangalore - Pune. I am planning to do it towards last week of December for 2 weeks.

If you do Ooty, I would say dont go to Kodai. Maybe you can spend more days at Ooty itself. Or on the way to Ranni, try Thekkady. That may be a better option.

[fiesta]

Hi Ampere, Kodai trip postponed for summer.. (Pune - Trupati - Kodai - Vaalparai (?) - ? - Pune)

This winter vacation plan finalized: Pune - Mysore - Ooty - Munnar (via, had been there on last trip) - Kottayam - Ranni - Blr - Pune.

I need suggestions on Ooty to Ranni. The 3 options below are listed as per priority order considering road and traffic conditions.

Option 1: Ooty - Pollachi - Munnar - Muvattupuza - Kottayam - Ranni
Option 2: Ooty - Pollachi - Chalakudy (via Vaalparai) - Kottayam - Ranni
Option 3: Ooty - Coimbatore - Palakkad - Thrissur - Kottayam - Ranni

All suggestions are welcome.

[ranjitp1]

Originally Posted by fiesta

Option 1: Ooty - Pollachi - Munnar - Muvattupuza - Kottayam - Ranni
Option 2: Ooty - Pollachi - Chalakudy (via Vaalparai) - Kottayam - Ranni
Option 3: Ooty - Coimbatore - Palakkad - Thrissur - Kottayam - Ranni

All suggestions are welcome.

Option 3 should be ruled out.As it would be a very time consuming affair driving through Kerala traffic coupled with bad roads having to take detours to avoid the bad sections-all in all not worth it when you have other options.

My reccomendation would be option 1:Ooty-Mettupalayam-Annur-Avinashi-Palladam-Udumulpet-Chinnar-Marayoor-Munnar-Kothamangalam-Muvattupuzha-MC Road-Kottayam-Thiruvalla-Kozhencherry-Ranni.You should be able to do this in about 10-11hours with breaks.

[fiesta]

ranjitp1,

Thanks. I am actively considering your suggestion. Overall road conditions in TN should be very good.. however, any idea about Mettupalayam - Palladam - Udumulpet road?

[ranjitp1]

Originally Posted by fiesta

ranjitp1,

Thanks. I am actively considering your suggestion. Overall road conditions in TN should be very good.. however, any idea about Mettupalayam - Palladam - Udumulpet road?

No problems on that route.There only a small bad patch between Chinnar CP and Udumulpet for about 10kms (not sure if that has been patched up now),other than that the entire route is ok.Do not go via Tiruppur,as you might get lost with roads or get caught in bad traffic jams.To Mettupalayam,you could also opt for the Kotagiri route from Ooty which is also in very good shape.If you have driven the Coonoor route before,then might be a good idea to check out the Kotagiri route to M'palayam.Time taken via both the routes are more or less the same.