[NPV]

Originally Posted by gopikb

there is a toll booth in NH4. In the toll booth you have to tell them you are going to exit at Karwar route. The ticket cost is Rs.25. If you dont tell them you are going to exit at Karwar route, they will give you the standard Rs.45 ticket. Just after you cross toll booth, there is a left turn with signboard indicating clearly that it is the route to Karwar. Take the left and continue your journey.

I remember there was another toll counter at the left turn towards Ankola/Karwar as well but don't remember if I paid a toll there or just showed them the Rs.25 receipt
This road is 2 lane but very scenic and in good condition as well.

[gopikb]

Originally Posted by NPV

I remember there was another toll counter at the left turn towards Ankola/Karwar as well but don't remember if I paid a toll there or just showed them the Rs.25 receipt
This road is 2 lane but very scenic and in good condition as well.

Hi NPV, Yes, you just show them the Rs.25 receipt and continue. There is no need to pay toll in that toll booth

[Safety is Param]

Finally, have decided to take the Chorla route.

Am already coming back through Karwar, so dont want to take the same route twice.

There were no significant inputs from the Hotel end as well that could have influenced my decision.
Since my landing point is Anjuna, I dont want to traverse Goa n reach Anjuna.

Will return through Karwar as my return journey starts from South Goa.

So, Belgaum - Jamboti - Chorla it is then.

Thank you all for your invaluable inputs.

[luvurride]

Just came through the Alnavar route yesterday from my origin at Cavelossim. About 15km from the KA checkpost to Ramnagar was por hole ridden. Nothing serious but then you cannot do speeds and have to be cautious. This and the roadworks happening at the railway crossings near Dharwad, the roads are fantastic.

[Safety is Param]

Originally Posted by Safety is Param

Finally, have decided to take the Chorla route.

Am already coming back through Karwar, so dont want to take the same route twice.

There were no significant inputs from the Hotel end as well that could have influenced my decision.
Since my landing point is Anjuna, I dont want to traverse Goa n reach Anjuna.

Will return through Karwar as my return journey starts from South Goa.

So, Belgaum - Jamboti - Chorla it is then.

Thank you all for your invaluable inputs.

Reached Sankam Residency 10 mins ago.

Road was ok throughout except 25 kms before Belgaum. There are 3 diversions on this 25km stretch.

Its 123kms grom here to my hotel in North Goa. Expecting to resume at 2.30pm.

Thanks!

[CorsaLove]

Just came back from Goa this morning at 3.30 AM. Stayed at Candolim, North Goa.

While going, took Bangalore > Hubli bypass > Karwar > Madgao > Candolim Route. Could do it in 11 Hours including one stop for breakfast at Haveri Kamat.

While coming back took Panjim > Ponda >Molem> Alnavar > Hubli Bypass > Bangalore and could do it in 12.5 Hours. With Dinner break at somewhere near Davangere or Chitradurga.

Return trip took longer due to Bad roads for 15-20 kms and Heavy rains.

Vehicle: New Xylo with 5 Adults and 3 Kids.
Total distance in this trip: 1480 kms.
Average km/L: 10.2
AC: 98%

My suggestion:
Karwar route is best for South Goa, Small cars and low GC sedans.

Ponda, Anmod, Hubli route is best for North Goa, SUV's and High GC cars due to the 15-20 kms bad roads. (Please note the ghat sections is longer on this)

I felt both the routes take similar time but your less tired on the karwar - Goa road because of awesome and wide roads and clear signboards.

Ping me if you need more any information.

[ajitkommini]

I just returned from a 5 day trip to Goa (Cavelossim). This was the first time we took the Bangalore-Hubli-Karwar route via NH63 and I must say I was impressed by the road quality. First time that we've made the trip and NOT encountered bad roads.

[Safety is Param]

Starting from Holiday Inn, Cavelossim tomorrow at 11 am. Will be taking a night halt at shimoga and will complete the journey to Bangalore on Sunday.

Visiting Jog Falls tomorrow enroute to Shimoga. Will be taking NH-17 till Honavar and then NH-206 from there till Jog Falls and onwards to Shimoga.

[NPV]

Originally Posted by Safety is Param

Visiting Jog Falls tomorrow enroute to Shimoga. Will be taking NH-17 till Honavar and then NH-206 from there till Jog Falls and onwards to Shimoga.

On the way from Jog to Shimoga you can also visit the Tyavarekoppa Lion & Tiger Safari which is on the highway itself (right side when driving from Jog to Shimoga) and is just about 10Km before Shimoga.

[redballons]

We did the Goa trip between Oct 5th to 10th, stayed at Agonda. Really nice laid back place far from the madness up north.

Sharing some pictures, hope you like them

[CorsaLove]

Originally Posted by redballons

We did the Goa trip between Oct 5th to 10th, stayed at Agonda. Really nice laid back place far from the madness up north.

Sharing some pictures, hope you like them

Redballons. Is that whitesands resort?

If yes, Can you give us some feedback on them?

[redballons]

Originally Posted by CorsaLove

Redballons. Is that whitesands resort?

If yes, Can you give us some feedback on them?

Hi,

Its not Whitesands resort, it was H20 where we stayed. Whitesands huts was still being built up, attaching a pic of it.

H20 accommodation was good, but the food service was terribly slow ( and also slightly expensive ). The view from the hut was fantastic, open the doors and you can see the sea lapping up against the shore. We got such a good deal at H20, was a no brainer to deny it, plus the fact that the only other beach huts available was Tina Beach huts ( 2 min walk from H20 ), but beach front huts were not available there ( also we didn't like the beach huts as much as H20 ).

Have heard that Dunhill and Whitesand beach huts are ace as well.

if you are heading to Agonda and would like to stay at H20, give us a shout, can hook you up with the owner.

[HarryB]

Hi Guys,

Just back from a wonderful trip to Goa. The route I took was Bangalore - Belgaum - Jamboti - Chorla - Mapusa - Baga. Road Till Belgaum is in Pristine condition and fun to drive.Chorla Ghat road is also in good shape barring some pot holes in the last leg of journey as soon as you enter Goa for some odd 20 kms.

Cheers,

HarryB


Enjoy the photos

[mpksuhas]

Originally Posted by HarryB

The route I took was Bangalore - Belgaum - Jamboti - Chorla - Mapusa - Baga.

How long did it take via this route, also how was the traffic condition.
Thanks

[Safety is Param]

Originally Posted by mpksuhas

How long did it take via this route, also how was the traffic condition.
Thanks

I will try and answer your question since Harry and I did this trip on the same day

First of all, if you are taking this route, your destination has to be North Goa. If you are heading South Goa, you should definitely take the Hubli-Karwar route.

With a 15-20 min break at Ranebennur Kamat, followed by a 1 hr break at Sankam Residency, Belgaum (that's the time it took when my wife and I stopped there for lunch. Their service is a bit slow, but the food is worth the wait), you should reach your destination in North Goa in 12/12.5 hrs.

There will be medium to heavy traffic (during weekends) till Tumkur, light to medium between Tumkur and Hubli, medium again on the Hubli bypass (since it's a 2-lane road), medium again between Hubli and Belgaum. Post Belgaum you will encounter only 2 lane roads, probably till your reach Panaji.

Please be extra careful on the Chorla route as it has some really blind and long curves. I drove on this route with my fog lights swictched ON as it was little dark.

I am currently in the process of writing my travelogue, and am planning to complete it by this weekend, which should have more details in it.

Below is what you can expect on the route after Belgaum. Please see the last pic carefully. That path may not be repaired yet. It is just a 100-200 m patch though.