Team-BHP - Mumbai - Pune - Kolhapur

[quote=suniladhiya;2613722]I am a regular on the Pune-Goa sector and you can see my earlier posts in this thread, reporting road conditions during my last trip in the first week of December. One thing you need to understand that after Kolhapur/Belgaum, there is no such thing called "get to Goa quick and fast on good roads" - such an entity simply does not exist at least in the winter months. In summer, the roads are much better because the authorities have had enough time to patch them up. The only good road is to go right upto Hubli on NH4 and then turn to Goa on NH63, which adds about 200 kms to your distance.

Out of the other (shorter) routes, you can see that everyone has recommended Kolhapur-Sankeshwar (on NH4) - turn off to right - Gadhinglaj-Ajra-Amboli-Danoli-Banda-Goa, frankly this is the best you can expect at present.

Hi

In case I do take the shorter route - turning off from Sankeshwar what is the travel time from Kolhapur to Goa

Also in case I do decide to go via Hubli - what would be the travel time from Kolhapur to Goa

Also in case I need to stop overnight between Pune and Kolhapur - what is a good budget option - I would be traveling with wife and kids

Thanks

Quote:

Originally Posted by DRIVEPASSION (Post 2613730)

1]In case I do take the shorter route - turning off from Sankeshwar what is the travel time from Kolhapur to Goa
2]Also in case I do decide to go via Hubli - what would be the travel time from Kolhapur to Goa
3]Also in case I need to stop overnight between Pune and Kolhapur - what is a good budget option - I would be traveling with wife and kids

whohaha!!!

Bhai drivepassion, by now, you should get PhD on Goa route.:D

1] Time from kolhapur to goa via sankeshwar-amboli?
hummm, depends upon your driving skill, may take min 4 hours to max 24 hours if stopped at amboli.

2] kolhapur to goa via hubli may take min 8 hours to max 24 hours if you stopped at belgaum.

3] budget option to stay between pune to kolhapur?
hummm,
tricky question,
1000 bucks room at pune is low budget room,
1000 bucks room at kolhapur is medium budget room,
1000 bucks room at karad is high budget room.
its your choice.:D

Just kidding!!!!

I am sure, many here are wondering why you are insisting on to try hubli route?
just for driving pleasure of those extra kilometer?

Bhai drivepassion,
you will be with your family and kid,
take the advise from bhpians here, please don't make any experiments while driving in unknown area.

No offense please.

Quote:

Originally Posted by ASHISHPALLOD (Post 2613742)

Ashish

Thanks for the satire - although hardly on the cards:)

I have solo drives to my credit on the upwards of fourteen hours having used TTK maps - having done the like of Calcutta to Chandigarh using NH 2 and NH 1:OT So please excuse. That drive had only one stop at sasaram when the chassis cracked dude!

My drive from Delhi to Yol Camp and Mc Leod Ganj was just another of those experiences which I thoroughly enjoyed.

It was fascinating to have a resource like team BHP which actually had updates and real time experiences to draw on - which I am sure you too would have tapped from time to time.

When bridges have been washed out in MP and have crossed through in a Willis in the wake of a truck - has taught me plenty!

All said and done I am sure and say three cheers - Team BHP rocks and do you for all said and done I have had my share of inputs from senior members like you and no offense taken!

Cheers

Quote:

Originally Posted by DRIVEPASSION (Post 2613755)

I have solo drives to my credit on the upwards of fourteen hours having used TTK maps - having done the like of Calcutta to Chandigarh using NH 2 and NH 1:OT So please excuse. That drive had only one stop at sasaram when the chassis cracked dude!
My drive from Delhi to Yol Camp and Mc Leod Ganj was just another of those experiences which I thoroughly enjoyed.
When bridges have been washed out in MP and have crossed through in a Willis in the wake of a truck - has taught me plenty!
Cheers

wow!!

Man, you are serious driving machine!!

we would like to read those drive experience through your travelogues.
please put it in words and post it here.

Quote:

Originally Posted by ASHISHPALLOD (Post 2613759)

wow!!

Man, you are serious driving machine!!

we would like to read those drive experience through your travelogues.
please put it in words and post it here.

Ashish

I also aim to continue learning from the likes of you :OT I am aware through the threads that you are a whiz with GPS and the likes and like it or not you are going to give me tutorials man maybe once I am through with this trip!

A few years before we knew about CNG I used twin LPG cylinders at 45 degrees incline and when one frosted we used hot kettles of water from stopover Dhabas to defrost while we switched regulators to continue with the drive - The car returned an average of 202 Kms to a cylinder on the maiden run.

A night run from Jamshedpur to Puri in cyclonic rains when your lights blink out and the final Bhubhaneswar - Puri run is done on directs using Fog lights is an interesting plan B when you do a night run Ashish:)

Cheers!

@ Drivepassion:

A realistic time estimate for Kolhapur-Sankeshwar-Goa would be 5 hours
Similar for Kolhapur-Belgaum-Hubli-Goa would be 8-9 hours.

My regular halt at Kolhapur is Hotel Pearl, where the Deluxe Non-A/c double room is 2400+taxes with free buffet breakfast thrown in. Hotel Opal is also recommended by several bhpians. Hotel Panchshil is just opposite Hotel Pearl.

If you want a halt at Satara, you could try Hotel Mahendra Executive, bang on the NH4, just before the Satara flyover.

Hope this helps

Quote:

Originally Posted by suniladhiya (Post 2613898)

Hi :thumbs up

Thanks - I think that is pretty precise - was really looking for a comparision in the two routes in terms of travel time.

Just one more -

How is Amboli for a night stay - should I want to push through without a stay on NH4:)

Quote:

Originally Posted by DRIVEPASSION (Post 2614093)

Amboli is great for a night stay - Hotel JRD International and Hotel Kamath are adjacent to each other. You could have a fabulous view of the sunset from the "Sunset Point" if you reach in time. And Goa is just 80kms away the next morning.

Have a good trip and enjoy the drive !

Quote:

Originally Posted by suniladhiya (Post 2614184)

Ashish, yes it is Vithal Kamat alright. As regards JRD, I stayed there quite a few years ago and the cottage rooms were quite decent. Maybe things have deteriorated in recent times.

I believe there is also an MTDC on the same road leading to the ghat, or it that now taken over by Vithal Kamat ?

ya, JRD deteriorated.

Near ghat, its viththal kamat restaurant,
MTDC's Green Valley resort is managed by Viththal kamat group.

Quote:

Originally Posted by suniladhiya (Post 2614112)

Sunil

Thanks will then just give Kamat a try

cheeers!

:thumbs up

For all those who enter in Kolhapur and want to proceed towards Radhanagari -> Phonda ghat, here is how you can avoid getting into the Kolhapur city....
A new conrete road construction is now complete and you can cross KOlhapur within 15-20 mins using this road. See images in the order.

Taken from google maps, one should be able to refer this images and go into more details on google.

Quote:

Originally Posted by suniladhiya (Post 2613722)

One thing you need to understand that after Kolhapur/Belgaum, there is no such thing called "get to Goa quick and fast on good roads" - such an entity simply does not exist at least in the winter months.

Very well said. In fact, that is true for most parts of the country.
The choice is generally between average road and bad road.
So, if we filter out the bad ones, then we are hardly let with choices.

I think Sankeshwar -> Ajra - Amboli is overall an average road and my preferred route.