Team-BHP - Hyderabad - Goa : Route Queries

Quote:

Originally Posted by dpkbehera (Post 4061724)

I think u have mentioned that your second trip to GOA is just around the corner !!! This indicates that you did enjoy your drive to Goa. It would be nice if you could elaborate on the Belgaum Amboli Goa section like how is this route especially the Ghat section, how much distance is the Ghat section, the drive quality etc.

I was supposed to ride my motorcycle to Goa for a Motorcycle meet. But, it got cancelled due to various reasons. Now I'm thankful it got cancelled considering the torrential rains everywhere

Belgaum to Amboli ghats is the most pleasure route for any goa traveller from Hyderabad. You will not remember anything except this section

Amboli ghat section starts just a few kms outside of Belgaum and it will take you roughly 70kms of ghat sections to reach the Amboli Falls which in these rains is breathtaking and when you near the falls there is dense fog which heigthens your overall experience

Dont forget to stop there and enjoy Vada Pav and Pakoras:D

Amboli to Sawantwadi is another 50kms and then on to North Goa which is another 50kms

Road surface is pretty good and its simply beautiful as you will be driving through dense foilage most of the part. There is usually no traffic except for a few cars passing you and you can keep a steady 100kmph-110kmph on some of the straights

While return we came via. Chorla ghat but, I did not enjoy this drive as much. I find the Amboli stretch superior in terms of an enjoyable drive

Not sure if i posted the Amboli ghat section videos taken during our drive in August 2016

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jeSD-PJrgy4

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IQTFXG982T4

While returning from Goa it was August 15th, so we decided to stop on the Chorla Ghat section and sing the national anthem:)

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CKl4uHc25KA

I am travelling to Goa from 6th October to 11th October. Accommodations are booked and we are four adults and 2 kids travelling in Hyundai Xcent.
Based on suggestions from Mobike008 and hyd_traveller, below is the route i zero'd :

Onwards:
Hyd-Chevella-Manneguda-Parigi-Kodangal-Sedam-Gulbarga-Bijapur-Bagalkot-Belgaum-Amboli ghat-North Goa.

Return:
North Goa-Sanquelim-Chorla-Belgaum-Bagalkot-Bijapur-Gulbarga-Sedam-Parigi-Chevella-Hyd

We will be starting at around 1 or 2 AM. Can anyone shed some light on how safe this route is for travelling at night. Also will Xcent be able to handle Amboli ghat with full load. She already covered the famous 36 hairpin OOTY route but that was with 2 adults and 2 kids.

Quote:

Originally Posted by HighwayHopper (Post 4062868)

We will be starting at around 1 or 2 AM. Can anyone shed some light on how safe this route is for travelling at night. Also will Xcent be able to handle Amboli ghat with full load. She already covered the famous 36 hairpin OOTY route but that was with 2 adults and 2 kids.

As regards your query on the Xcent handling Amboli ghat, I see no issues. The number of hairpin bends are few and the gradient is not as steep as the 36 hairpin Ooty route. I leave it to others to comment on the safety part of leaving at 2 AM.

Quote:

Originally Posted by HighwayHopper (Post 4062868)

Amboli should be easily doable with the mentioned load. Just keep an eye out for few unmarked speed breakers along the route which would be a bit difficult to spot at night. The route as such is as safe/unsafe as any other route traversing at that time. The key is to hit the ghats when there is sufficient light, which would be possible with your schedule. If you start at 2a.m., you should be hitting the ghats around 3-4p.m. I usually start at night and reach Belgaum for breakfast and Goa in time for 12-1p.m. check-in

@HighwayHopper and @dpkbehera even I am planning for a Goa trip Hyd - Goa on Oct 08 and back Goa - Hyd on Oct 12. What would be the ideal timing that I need to start from Hyd so that I can reach Goa on time and cross the Ghats before dark plus have the Amboli ghat view + Vada Pav treat (as per Avi's suggestion) in day light conditions?

And coming to Route, I guess from the above suggestions and what HighwayHopper has jotted down appears to be the best route (hoping the roads now would not have gone too bad due to ongoing rains). I am planning to visit both North & South Goa beaches, so would appreciate route suggestions accordingly. And BTW, I am traveling with friends (no ladies/kids included) so safety/timing issues need not be a big concern and yeah but car safety is bit of a concern ...as you all know we all driving enthusiasts love our cars more :-)

Add one more to the October traveler to Goa list. Hotels booked from 9th to 13th Oct. Traveling with 4 adults and a kid in Ritz Zxi. I see no issues with regards to car load but if any bhpian has input it'd be most welcome. I'm planning to start at 2 or 3 am on 9th and reach Goa by evening 6 or 7 (expecting breaks because of kid and ladies) I think everyone here is comfortable with the route suggested before, chalked it myself on GMap here - https://goo.gl/maps/aotN9nGi6UJ2

Waiting eagerly for route condition update from Sept travelers especially those that covered after torrential rains.

:OT

Btw, worst rains in Hyd I have seen in 7 years, be safe. Also my first post in TBhp, feeling kind of selfish asking for suggestions without contributing anything to the community. But every bhpian rocks anyways.

I am not sure whether doing the entire stretch at one go and that too starting at odd hours is a right thing to do. I feel if you are travelling with kids and /or you are the only driver, it would always be better to take a break at Belgaum. This will ensure that you and your family hit GOA with a refreshed mind and body.

What i am concerned is the quality of roads on this route. If the roads have deteriorated, then the drive would be a nightmare.

As far as the route is concerned, it has been reinforced many times on this thread.

Onwards:
Hyd-Chevella-Manneguda-Parigi-Kodangal-Sedam-Gulbarga-Bijapur-Bagalkot-Belgaum-Amboli ghat-North Goa.

Return:
North Goa-Sanquelim-Chorla-Belgaum-Bagalkot-Bijapur-Gulbarga-Sedam-Parigi-Chevella-Hyd

Quote:

Originally Posted by vnabhi (Post 4062992)

Thank you vnabhi. Will be careful driving in this ghat section.

Quote:

Originally Posted by jayded (Post 4063002)

Yes Jayded. Travelling at nights has its own advantages and disadvantages. All my previous drives started at around 2 AM and this drive is no different. If possible i will try to start bit early so i hit the ghats when there is sufficient sunlight.

Quote:

Originally Posted by idpsharma (Post 4063271)

Hopefully i will meet you again in Goa. Since you are travelling with friends you can start at your comfort. The key here is to spend quality time driving in ghats enjoying the weather and views during sunlight. I will provide an update on current road conditions very soon (yet to hear from my team mate).

Quote:

Originally Posted by dpkbehera (Post 4063370)

Thank you @dpkbehera, I'm not the only driver and this was my initial plan too. Given the uncertain road condition and wastage of one day at Goa, I'm now inclined towards this plan only. Because my brother is Reaching Hyd @ 9am, I'm planning to start from Hyd at 1130 or 12 on 8 Oct, arrive at Belgaum by 2300 hrs, have early breakfast and hit the ghats by 8 or 9. This will give sufficient time for waterfall sightseeing and vadapav. :)

Quote:

Originally Posted by HighwayHopper (Post 4065909)

Update: My team mate is from Gulbarga and according to him the road condition between Hyderabad and Gulbarga had not changed and is good. He knows someone who drives cab between Gulbarga and Belgaum and he says that the route is good as before. Hope that the road condition till Amboli ghat from Hyderabad is as good as i heard.

Thanks @HighwayHopper, this is good news. clap: Couple of bhpians are traveling on this route in first week of Oct (myself included), we should have a good idea in coming days. Just one question, the route to Gulbarga that your teamamate travels through, is it via Sedam or Zaheerabad?