[mercedised]

@lehjoom:

Nice trip, loved the simple and small log. No need for adding compliments for me, we are here to help each other and I will be happy to accommodate and help you out anyday.

I am feeling sorry for the fact that I was unable to invite you to my home due to some very busy schedules. Once again please forgive.

[rkg]

Originally Posted by lejhoom

Thank you naren_gs1, mercedised, and hvkumar

Omkareshwar-Hyderabad was breeze. I just followded naren-gs 1. Excellent roads all the way through. The only catch: one has to keep looking out for turns, for the route goes alternately from NH to SH to by-pass. Only on the Hingoli sector I encountered some broken road. I believe even that sector will be fine within a few days because I spotted construction material dumped on the wayside indicating repair work.


I took the Nanded-Bodhan-Nizamabad route. One good thing that I noticed is the a lot of stretches of road have been handed over to private parties for upkeep and it shows. You can drive confidently on well maintained roads. The only downside is doling out toll every so frequently. It varies from Rs 17 (most times) to Rs 85 (on the Hyderabd-Nagpur section).


I spotted a brand new hotel in Washim, right on the road. It advertised A/c rooms. I do not remember the name though. Next to it is a well-constructed hospital, quite unusual for such a place.


20 Km before Nanded while coming from Aundha the road sign tells turn right to Hyderabad on NH 222. Do not take that. It goes to Nirmal. To get to Nanded-Nizamabad road, go straight and there is a bypass at Nanded. Again, be warned: there is a strategic left from the crossroad on the bypass soon after Nanded. The thumb-rule: when in doubt, ask.


I didn't find any good hotels or even decent dhabas en route. What I did was to buy bread and ready-to-eat dishes sold by MTR and ASHIRWAD before commencing the journey. Also carried some fruits like apple and juices.


I would agree with naren_gs1 for the route to be taken for Hyderabad-Indore.

How much time it took from Omkareswar to hyderabad?

[lejhoom]

Originally Posted by rkg

How much time it took from Omkareswar to hyderabad?

Started at 10.30 in the morning. Was home by 1 am. The usual breaks en route. Carried ready-to-eat MTR and Ashirward stuff. Never entered any hotel on the way. There were unscheduled stops for withdrawing cash from ATM at Balapur, traffic police flagging down, refueling at Washim, and stopping & asking for correct route. In fact, getting the right turn at intersections was the most frustrating. Even though signage was adequate, I did commit blunder at a couple of places. Then onwards it was always asking one person and re-confirming once more. As mentioned, the route takes from an NH to SH to some obscure small town roads to by-passes. Since I was the driver and the navigator, there were occasions I had to slow down to read the board.

[rkg]

Thanks for the response. You have taken 14.5 hours total. that is fine for a distance of around 750 km. i.e; 52kmph. that is good

[naren_gs1]

Originally Posted by naren_gs1

Good to know that you completed your trip successfully, and that I could assist in planning.

Regards

During my Diwali vacation - I also did Malkapur-Akola-Nanded stretch last week. I must say MH 2 laned roads are not as smooth as they were a couple of years back! But this should still remain a preferred option for Hyd-Indore!

[bblost]

Requesting road conditions on the :
Hyderabad -> Nizamabad -> Nanded -> Washim -> Burhanpur -> Indore route.

Or any other alternate connection for Hyderabad -> Indore.

I am however not looking for the Nagpur connection.

This section is part of road trip to Delhi. If I have to go to Nagpur, I might as well skip Indore and go on to Jabalpur.

Trying to keep the planning simple so don't want an overlap between Nagpur and Indore.

[hvkumar]

Originally Posted by bblost

Requesting road conditions on the :
Hyderabad -> Nizamabad -> Nanded -> Washim -> Burhanpur -> Indore route.

Or any other alternate connection for Hyderabad -> Indore.

Last time a friend of mine went on this exact route, it was good, except for some bad roads around Khamgaon.

Alternative route from Hyderabad to Indore?
Try this excellent route of Hyderabad-NH9-Zahirabad-Homnabad-Umarga-Osmanabad-Beed-Aurangabad-Dhule-Indore.

You will encounter some bad roads around Homnabad and some rough sections between Umarga & Osmanabad, but rest of the route was apparently good a month or so ago.

[ASHISHPALLOD]

Originally Posted by hvkumar

some rough sections between Umarga & Osmanabad, but rest of the route was apparently good a month or so ago.

Last month, i was on this route.
Its omerga-nh9-naldurg..........good road, absolutely no problem.
Naldurg-toll road-tuljapur.......... though broad road, rough surface may cause less speed but you can easily go at 60-80.
tuljapur-osmanabad......its NH, absolutely no problem.

[gauravdgr8]

Reviving this thread to seek information on the stretch between Indore - Nagpur.

1. Road conditions between Indore - Nagpur via Betul
2. Road conditions between Bhopal - Nagpur via Hoshangabad

Has the road condition improved between Indore - Betul?
Has the road condition improved between Bhopal - Hoshangabad

Wife has expressed desire to meet some relatives in Hoshangabad on our return from Rajasthan.

So instead of coming directly from Indore, thinking of coming via the above route, only if it is worth driving. Do not want the car to end up in rattles post the drive.

Any information will be much appreciated.

[vartakavi]

I am planning to do a temple trip as follows in January with my wife and some elderly relatives.

Hyderabad-Aurangabad-Ellora (Grishneshwar)-Omkareshwar-Maheshwar-Ujjain-Hyderabad.

Grateful for suggestions on the best route and good places to break the journey.

I am looking for a route that will minimize bad roads even if it means doing more distance. I drive my Innova alone. We have plenty of time to take stops and sightsee enroute. I would prefer not driving more than 6 hours a day.

ps: I have bad memories of horrible roads in MP when I drove to Rajasthan from Hyderabad - not sure whether things have changed much. Not sure whether I should drive all the way from Hyderabad or simply take a train to Indore and hire a cab!

[prabingade]

Originally Posted by vartakavi

I am planning to do a temple trip as follows in January with my wife and some elderly relatives.

Hyderabad-Aurangabad-Ellora (Grishneshwar)-Omkareshwar-Maheshwar-Ujjain-Hyderabad.

Grateful for suggestions on the best route and good places to break the journey.

I am looking for a route that will minimize bad roads even if it means doing more distance. I drive my Innova alone. We have plenty of time to take stops and sightsee enroute. I would prefer not driving more than 6 hours a day.

ps: I have bad memories of horrible roads in MP when I drove to Rajasthan from Hyderabad - not sure whether things have changed much. Not sure whether I should drive all the way from Hyderabad or simply take a train to Indore and hire a cab!

I too am planning to go to Rajasthan in Dec end and pinged Gaurav. Gaurav took the Indore-Dhule-Aurangabad-Tuljapur-Hyderabad road during return from Rajasthan and highly recommends this route. You may want to PM Gaurav on this as well. In fact, while going, he went to Omkareswar(via Nagpur-Amaravathi) and Ujjain and hence can give you all the suggestions regarding those places as well.

I too am eager to know the acc for overnight halts at Tuljapur or anywhere between Tuljapur and Aurangabad as I am planning to start form Gachibowli at 3:00pm. Any suggestions on this most welcome.

[hvkumar]

Originally Posted by vartakavi

I am planning to do a temple trip as follows in January with my wife and some elderly relatives.

Hyderabad-Aurangabad-Ellora (Grishneshwar)-Omkareshwar-Maheshwar-Ujjain-Hyderabad.

Grateful for suggestions on the best route and good places to break the journey.

Hyderabad-<Bombay Road, NH9>-Zahirabad-Homnabad-Umarga-Osmanabad-Beed-Aurangabad

Aurangabad-Ellora/Grishneshwar-Aurangabad

Aurangabad-Ajanta-Sillod-Edalabad-Burhanpur-Khandwa-Omkareshwar-Maheshwar-Dhamnod-Indore-Ujjain

Ujjain-Indore-Dhamnod-Sendhwa-Dhule-Chalisgaon-Aurangabad-<same route as onward OR else>-Jalna-Nanded-Nizamabad-Medchal-Hyderabad.

You can ideally do Hyderabad-Aurangabad in a day, no need to stop in between. You can also alternatively go via Umarga-Naldurg-Tuljapur-Barshi-Beed too, if you want to also visit the Bhavani Temple.

You can ideally stay at either Omkareshwar or Indore/Ujjain, depending on how much time you wish to spend at Omkareshwar.

n return, you can also drive non-stop from Ujjain to Hyderavbad (but very long day) or else stay back at either Aurangabad or Nanded.

I am looking for a route that will minimize bad roads even if it means doing more distance. I drive my Innova alone. We have plenty of time to take stops and sightsee enroute. I would prefer not driving more than 6 hours a day.

Roads are good for most part. You will need to drive more than 6 hours in the route profile suggested above.
You have decent hotels for stopovers at Tuljapur, Beed, Aurangabad, Omkareshwar, Indore, Ujjain, Dhule, Nanded.

ps: I have bad memories of horrible roads in MP when I drove to Rajasthan from Hyderabad - not sure whether things have changed much. Not sure whether I should drive all the way from Hyderabad or simply take a train to Indore and hire a cab!

The roads you will now drive in MP (on this route plan) are now outstanding, some of the best laid in India. You will face some rough roads in MH though, but for very limited stretches.

Originally Posted by prabingade

I too am eager to know the acc for overnight halts at Tuljapur or anywhere between Tuljapur and Aurangabad as I am planning to start form Gachibowli at 3:00pm. Any suggestions on this most welcome.

Beed is the only town where you have some hotel between Tuljapur & Auranagabad.

[prabingade]

Originally Posted by hvkumar

Beed is the only town where you have some hotel between Tuljapur & Auranagabad.

Thanks HVK Sir. I will be travelling with wife and 2 sons (6yr old and 2 yr old). Any decent hotel suggestions for overnight stay at Tuljapur and Beed will be great. I will drive down to Tuljapur and can take a call if I want to park overnight or proceed till Beed.

[vartakavi]

Thanks a ton Mr.HVK. I was worried about the roads in MP, and your reply has helped me to make up my mind to drive instead of taking the train.

I will be thankful if you could clarify on the following points:

1. The route suggested is Ajanta - Sillod - Edalabad....

I looked up the map and found Sillod to the south of Ajanta, back towards Aurangabad. Do I need to backtrack to Sillod?

I can see three alternative routes from Ajanta to Edalabad - would you recommend any one of these routes?

(a) Head North from Ajanta to Jalgaon, go East on NH6 to Edalabad.
(b) Head North from Ajanta, but take a right at Paldhi and reach Edalabad via Jamner and Bodvad.
(c) Go East from Ajanta to Buldana via Dhayda, and then head North to Edalabad.

2. There is a direct road (seems to be a single or two lane road) from Omkareshwar to Maheshwar, without touching Indore, via Piplia and Mandaleshwar. Any idea whether this road is OK?

3. I can see three alternatives for our return leg.

(a) Ujjain - Indore - Dhule - Aurangabad - Beed - Osmanabad - Umarga - Zahirabad - Hyderabad (looks slightly longer, but probably faster because its NH all the way).

(b) Ujjain - Indore - Dhule - Aurangabad - Jalna - Aundah - Nanded - Nirmal - Hyderabad

(c) Ujjain - Indore - Khandwa - Burhanpur - Edalabad - Malkapur - Buldana - Jalna - Aundah - Nanded - Nirmal - Hyderabad

Routes (b) and (c) look tempting because we can visit Lonar near Jalna and also the temple at Aundah. Route (c) looks to be the shortest on the map, but Route (b) has longer stretches on NHs.
Any idea how these two routes compare?

[hvkumar]

Originally Posted by vartakavi

1. The route suggested is Ajanta - Sillod - Edalabad....

I looked up the map and found Sillod to the south of Ajanta, back towards Aurangabad. Do I need to backtrack to Sillod?

Oops! That is my mistake, it should read as Aurangabad-Sillod-Ajanta.....

I can see three alternative routes from Ajanta to Edalabad - would you recommend any one of these routes?

(a) Head North from Ajanta to Jalgaon, go East on NH6 to Edalabad.
(b) Head North from Ajanta, but take a right at Paldhi and reach Edalabad via Jamner and Bodvad.
(c) Go East from Ajanta to Buldana via Dhayda, and then head North to Edalabad.

The second route is the direct one, does not touch either Jalgaon or Buldana, but directly intersects NH6 near Bhusaval at Edalabad & goes to Burhanpur.

2. There is a direct road (seems to be a single or two lane road) from Omkareshwar to Maheshwar, without touching Indore, via Piplia and Mandaleshwar. Any idea whether this road is OK?

You do not have to go via Indore to go from OMkareshwar to Maheshwar, it is a lovely road direct between the 2 places. To summarise the route:
Khandwa-Omkareshwar-Barwah-Maheshwar-Dhamnod-Manpur-Mhow-Indore-Ujjain.

3. I can see three alternatives for our return leg.

(a) Ujjain - Indore - Dhule - Aurangabad - Beed - Osmanabad - Umarga - Zahirabad - Hyderabad (looks slightly longer, but probably faster because its NH all the way).

(b) Ujjain - Indore - Dhule - Aurangabad - Jalna - Aundah - Nanded - Nirmal - Hyderabad

(c) Ujjain - Indore - Khandwa - Burhanpur - Edalabad - Malkapur - Buldana - Jalna - Aundah - Nanded - Nirmal - Hyderabad

Routes (b) and (c) look tempting because we can visit Lonar near Jalna and also the temple at Aundah. Route (c) looks to be the shortest on the map, but Route (b) has longer stretches on NHs.
Any idea how these two routes compare?

If you are interested in temples, then you can not only cover Aundha Nagnath but also Parli Vaijanath. And maybe even Tuljapur Bhavani.

So if you want to cover all of them, the route to be taken is as follows:
Ujjain - Indore - Khandwa - Burhanpur - Edalabad - Malkapur - Khamgaon - Washim - Hingoli - Aundha Nagnath - Nanded - Gangakhed - Parli Vaijnath - Ambajogai - Osmanabad - Hyderabad.
Roads are good most of the time with some random bad sections near Hingoli.
If you want to cover Tuljapur also, then you can go from Ambajogai to Barshi & Tuljapur, returning to Hyderabad via Naldurg & Umarga.

If you want to cover LOnar, then best is to come via Aurangabad, Jalna, Sultanpur to Lonar & then proceed via Mehkar & Washim.