[carboy]

I am planning to drive from Pune to Kolhapur. Can anyone give me the
route from Aundh Pune?

I am mainly planning to visit the Mahalaxmi temple there - does anyone
know of good hotels to stay in Kolhapur.

Also what are good places to stop on the way for tea/snacks?

[moralfibre]

From Aundh, move towards NH-4 (Bangalore bypass). The road to Kolhapur is a 4 lane divided highway for 225 kms. You will go via Satara - Karad to Kolhapur.

[hvkumar]

Take the Pune Bypass at Khelgaon and proceed on that - NH 4. Use the Katraj bypass road (after the Kothrud turn off).

The road is dual carriageway all the way to Kolhapur.

Good place to take a break is Hotel Mahendra on Satara bypass - you will see it to yor left after you climb down the first flyover - 125 kms from Khelgaon, or half-way point.

It is 250kms from the Khelgaon gate into Kolhapur town. There is one ghat in between - the Khambatki Ghat - which is approximately 75 kms after Khelgaon.

the route takes you on teh bangalore road via Shirwal, Satara and Karad.

Facilities are god throughout. There are Reliance petrol pumps (with good toilets) - after Katraj Ghat, Karad and befire Kolhapur.

Road condition is excellent, but traffic will be high during day time - and watch out for wrong-side traffic.

Lots of hotels in Kolhapur to suit every budget - try Hotel Pearl which ison teh way into town, and around 5 minutes drive from the temple - tariff is Rs 2000 plus though.

[Ram]

@carboy: Do take plenty of pictures on the way to share with the rest of us.
May we look forward to an interesting travelogue from you?

[dinar]

there are alot of good places to stay in kolhapure, while entering it from the highway, you'll know where as it's a big junction from the highway... after the tata service station on you left side. there is direct, rout from the junction to the heart of kolhapure, on both sides there are numerous hotels.....can stay in any one of those, don't remeber the names, but most of them are good.if you are going there for the first time than I would suggest, keep your car at the hotel and take a rickshaw as parking at AMBABAI temple is a headache, and the rout is easy if you have some who knows kolhapure with you, which i feel you do not have. and telling you the rout on the forum and when you actually see there, you'll get confused.

[carboy]

Originally Posted by moralfibre

From Aundh, move towards NH-4 (Bangalore bypass). The road to Kolhapur is a 4 lane divided highway for 225 kms. You will go via Satara - Karad to Kolhapur.

Originally Posted by hvkumar

Take the Pune Bypass at Khelgaon and proceed on that - NH 4. Use the Katraj bypass road (after the Kothrud turn off).

Are you both pointing to the same route or different routes. I am not
so familiar with Pune, so please explain? I have no idea where is Khelgaon.

Some one told me I should go towards the expressway just like I
do for going to Bombay & then turn left instead of right on the highway
- i.e. going towards NDA/Singhgad. Are you referring to the same route?

Originally Posted by hvkumar

Road condition is excellent, but traffic will be high during day time - and watch out for wrong-side traffic.

Wrong side traffic on the divided highway????
Also will the traffic be high in the afternoon - I am planning to leave
Pune by 12 or 1. What time should I expect to reach Kolhapur?

[hvkumar]

Originally Posted by carboy

Are you both pointing to the same route or different routes. I am not
so familiar with Pune, so please explain? I have no idea where is Khelgaon.

Some one told me I should go towards the expressway just like I
do for going to Bombay & then turn left instead of right on the highway
- i.e. going towards NDA/Singhgad. Are you referring to the same route?




Wrong side traffic on the divided highway????
Also will the traffic be high in the afternoon - I am planning to leave
Pune by 12 or 1. What time should I expect to reach Kolhapur?

Same route, take the route you would take to reach Expressway, except that you turn left - the Hinjewadi flyover juncton. Khelgaon is the National Games sports complex.

Yes, you can also turn left off the NDA road.

Traffic is mild in afternoon. Assume that you will take around 5 hours depending on your speed.

[zakaaaaasss]

Originally Posted by carboy

Are you both pointing to the same route or different routes. I am not
so familiar with Pune, so please explain? I have no idea where is Khelgaon.

Some one told me I should go towards the expressway just like I
do for going to Bombay & then turn left instead of right on the highway
- i.e. going towards NDA/Singhgad. Are you referring to the same route?

From Aundh, take the baner road..go untill Hotel Sadanand and take a left there....you are on Katraj-Dehu Bypass...

after around 18-20 KMS you would come across a big flyover...take that flyover....there are enuf roadsigns marked way towards SATARA....you are on NH4 now...

SATARA is 110 kms from Pune...you'll come acrross 3 toll booths, 1 ghat (khambatki)...takes arnd 1hr 45 min for sedate driving

After Satara, Karad is 65 kms, takes 55 min from satara

After Karad, Kolhapur is ~70 kms, takes arnd 1 hr

Originally Posted by carboy

Wrong side traffic on the divided highway????
Also will the traffic be high in the afternoon - I am planning to leave
Pune by 12 or 1. What time should I expect to reach Kolhapur?

do not think more abt traffic and spoil your journey....i've been drving on this route for past 25 years and 'm sure u'll enjoy too...

happy journey and post pics.....wear seat belts

[carboy]

Is Kolhapur, Satara etc a rainy place like Bombay, Pune?

[moralfibre]

Originally Posted by carboy

Is Kolhapur, Satara etc a rainy place like Bombay, Pune?

With the current state of weather, it is going to be rainy all the way to Kolhapur so be prepared to face it. Afternoon times are not really the best times to do this drive.

[rahul_intlad]

At present the place is flooded so this weekend may not be the best time to visit kolhapur unless urgent.