[ampere]

Originally Posted by Michael_Pinto

Hi, I am planning to drive from Navsari Gujarat to Udupi during third week of August. I will be using NH4 till Dharwad, then NH63 till Ankola and NH17 from ankola to Udupi. I want to know the road condition of the notorious NH17. Is is drivable in a Grand i10?

Definitely possible. Its only a small stretch that would be add. Otherwise its quite decent and Grandi10 should be easily able to take it.

[livetodrive]

Hi,

Planning to do this trip on coming long weekend from Pune:

1. Day 1: Pune to Karwar
2. Day 2: Visit Jog falls and Murudeswar
3. Day 3: Visit Gokarna and Devbagh beach
4. Day 4: Back to Pune via Dudh Sagar Falls

Two questions:
a. To reach Karwar on Day 1, which route is advisable? Via Belgaum or Hubli? Map is suggesting Belgaum which I have not driven and not aware how it is. But the Hubli road seems longer while driving from Pune.

b. For this kind of trip plan which place is best to stay? I noticed Karwar has many hotels so thought to stay there. Any suggestions are welcome.

Thanks.

[drhoneycake]

Originally Posted by livetodrive

Two questions:
a. To reach Karwar on Day 1, which route is advisable? Via Belgaum or Hubli? Map is suggesting Belgaum which I have not driven and not aware how it is. But the Hubli road seems longer while driving from Pune.
b. For this kind of trip plan which place is best to stay? I noticed Karwar has many hotels so thought to stay there. Any suggestions are welcome.

Hi.

The best route from Pune to Karwar would be to drive upto Belgaum on NH4.
Then take Belgaum>Londa>Khanapur>Ganeshgudi>Joida>Anshi>Karw ar.

I did the reverse in May and it was a brilliant drive. Took 9hrs with 2 breaks.

The latter part is a very scenic drive. Road is the usual state highway - nice wavy roads, traffic free, toll free, plenty of photography opportunities. And now this road is pot hole free too. Tarmac has been relaid. You can do good speeds here.

With Karwar / Gokarna as the centre Murudeshwar and Jog falls will be a day trip.

Gokarna does have resorts, not much hotels. Resorts are super expensive. Why not try putting up at Karwar, Since you want to visit Devbagh beach as well, you could try for accomodation at Devbagh Beach Resort. A place we tried recently was Tarang Resort also near Sadashivgad. Both excellent.

Make sure you leave for Jog Falls early on day 2, so you can make it to Murudeshwar by evening. It is spectacular at night when it's lit up.

Day 3 spend leisurely at Gokarna at one of the shacks. Please do visit Kudle Beach, Paradise and Half moon beach. Om beach is super crowded.

Have a safe drive.

Regards,
Aniketh

[Landkruzer]

Originally Posted by livetodrive

b. For this kind of trip plan which place is best to stay? I noticed Karwar has many hotels so thought to stay there. Any suggestions are welcome.

Since you are going to karwar only for night stay, I would suggest you to consider Sirsi for the night option. Sirsi has got some decent basic accommodation. It will be a short drive to reach Jog falls the next day. You can stay at Naveen beach resort at Murudeshwar for the 2nd day.

You need walk/trek for 6 to 8 kms to reach Dudhsagar falls. And there are some restrictions imposed by railways to walk along the railway track. So I am not sure whether you will be able to cover it on the way back to pune from karwar. Please check the relevant thread on this for more details.

[livetodrive]

Originally Posted by drhoneycake

Hi.
The best route from Pune to Karwar would be to drive upto Belgaum on NH4.
Then take Belgaum>Londa>Khanapur>Ganeshgudi>Joida>Anshi>Karw ar.

Thanks a lot Aniketh for your valuable suggestions. I checked the map and your route definitely saves 100 KM compared to the Hubli route to reach Karwar. I will try this one for sure.

I would like to stay at Devbagh beach resort. Heard that it is a white sand beach. Need to check the availability in such a short notice.

I have been to Gokarna (from Bangalore) and love the place...during this off season, all shacks are closed, thats what I experienced few years back. Only the hotel at Kudle remains open but almost empty. I think the best time to enjoy is year end but anyways the beaches are always beautiful.

Originally Posted by Landkruzer

Since you are going to karwar only for night stay, I would suggest you to consider Sirsi for the night option. Sirsi has got some decent basic accommodation. It will be a short drive to reach Jog falls the next day. You can stay at Naveen beach resort at Murudeshwar for the 2nd day.

You need walk/trek for 6 to 8 kms to reach Dudhsagar falls. And there are some restrictions imposed by railways to walk along the railway track. So I am not sure whether you will be able to cover it on the way back to pune from karwar. Please check the relevant thread on this for more details.

Landkruzer,

You are right, it seems I have to rule out Dudh Sagar falls from my travel plan

http://www.bangaloremirror.com/banga...w/48137259.cms

Combining yours and Aniketh's suggestions, I would plan to stay at Sirsi so that Jog falls and Murudeswar comes closer. Next day let me see if I can find a place at Devbagh resort to enjoy Devbagh and Gokarna.

[Ketan T]

Originally Posted by livetodrive

b. For this kind of trip plan which place is best to stay? I noticed Karwar has many hotels so thought to stay there. Any suggestions are welcome.

Thanks.

I am planning a similar trip from Pune in November. I have decided to stay at Palolem, South Goa and then move on to Karwar and Murudeshwar next day. Palolem has beautiful beach. You can think of that option too. Karwar is about an hours drive from Palolem.

[drhoneycake]

Originally Posted by livetodrive

Landkruzer,

You are right, it seems I have to rule out Dudh Sagar falls from my travel plan

http://www.bangaloremirror.com/banga...w/48137259.cms

Combining yours and Aniketh's suggestions, I would plan to stay at Sirsi so that Jog falls and Murudeswar comes closer. Next day let me see if I can find a place at Devbagh resort to enjoy Devbagh and Gokarna.

Sirsi would be a good place to stay too. Please note that since its a long weekend, make sure you make prior reservation at Sirsi since there are only 3 hotels (1 more in renovation) -

1) Panchavati (on Yellapur Road)
2) Shivani (Hubli Road)
3) Madhuvana (College Road)

Plenty of homestays too, so look up on that as well incase you dont get rooms at the above hotels. All of the hotels are good and clean. BTW I'm from Sirsi So have driven plenty around this entire district and regions.

Since you are planning to put up at Sirsi, your route will change to the following
Pune>Hubli (NH4)
Hubli>Yellapur (NH63) - Excellent two lane wide roads, although heavy traffic
Yellapur>Sirsi (SH93) - Excellent winding roads, great scenery

From Yellapur, after you travel about 30 kms towards Sirsi, look for a village called 'Bairumbe' and ask for directions to Sahasralinga. Nice place for a visit. Its about 2 kms off the highway.

For directions to Jog Falls and Murudeshwar :-

Jog Falls:- (1h with some swift driving)
Sirsi>Kansur(my native)>Siddapur (SH93) - excellent roads, watch out for blind hairpins near Tyagli and for idiotic NWKRTC buses who dont seem to know the existence of a brake pedal.

Siddapur>Halgeri>Kodkani>Jog Falls (SH50) - Ask for directions in Siddapur Town. Plenty of sign boards too.

Murudeshwar:- (2h since you need to descend the ghats)
Two routes here.

1) Jog Falls>Kodkani>Gersoppa>Honnavar (NH206) >Manki>Murudeshwar(NH17)
Between Honnavar and Manki, there is a place called Apsarkonda waterfalls. Try to visit that if you're not short on time. Standard route, heavy curvings on the ghats, Honnavar to Murudeshwar standard NH17 (Two lane fast roads with heavy traffic, 4 laning in progress.

2) Jog Falls>Kargal>Muppane>Kitre>Bhatkal(SH50) - Terrible pot holed narrow roads, even severe ghats, hardly any traffic, thick forests.
Bhatkal>Shirali>Murudeshwar (NH17)

Would suggest you take Route 1 anyday. Route 2 would take you about 30 mins longer.

Return to Pune would be via Karwar-Belgaum/Ankola-Hubli as suggested in earlier post.

Have a great drive and a safe trip. Please do post a travelogue.

Regards,
Aniketh

Originally Posted by Ketan T

I am planning a similar trip from Pune in November. I have decided to stay at Palolem, South Goa and then move on to Karwar and Murudeshwar next day. Palolem has beautiful beach. You can think of that option too. Karwar is about an hours drive from Palolem.

Hi Ketan, just a small suggestion. If you are planning to spend most of your vacation time in Karnataka, I suggest you avoid Goa for the simple reason that you have to pay Rs.250/- just to enter the state which IMHO is a rip-off for spending a day at a beach. Karnataka has equally good/better beaches and resorts too. The entire coast of Karnataka has some of the most beautiful beaches in our country.

Also, you never need a reason to goto Goa anyways, so you can always devote a complete trip to Goa.

You can use the above routes as suggested to drive right into Karnataka without even touching Goa.

Regards,
Aniketh

[Ketan T]

Originally Posted by drhoneycake

Hi Ketan, just a small suggestion. If you are planning to spend most of your vacation time in Karnataka, I suggest you avoid Goa for the simple reason that you have to pay Rs.250/- just to enter the state which IMHO is a rip-off for spending a day at a beach. Karnataka has equally good/better beaches and resorts too. The entire coast of Karnataka has some of the most beautiful beaches in our country.

Also, you never need a reason to goto Goa anyways, so you can always devote a complete trip to Goa.

You can use the above routes as suggested to drive right into Karnataka without even touching Goa.

Regards,
Aniketh

Thank you for the suggestion, Aniketh.

I know I can skip Goa, but I don't want to skip Goa!

[livetodrive]

Aniketh,

Thanks for planning the entire trip for me !! I will take a print out of your post and travel accordingly.

This trip has been in my mind for a long time..but something or other comes up whenever I want to execute it...hope everything goes good and I can share a good travelogue with you.

Thanks again.

Originally Posted by Ketan T

I am planning a similar trip from Pune in November. I have decided to stay at Palolem, South Goa and then move on to Karwar and Murudeshwar next day. Palolem has beautiful beach. You can think of that option too. Karwar is about an hours drive from Palolem.

Hi Ketan,

This year I did a combo trip, means I mixed Goa with Malvan/Sindhdurg. I wont say that the result was a hangover but what I feel is its better to concentrate on one beauty in one trip. I have been to Palolem a couple of times from Bangalore, and like you its one of my favorite beach. But this time, I am eager to see the white sand beach of Devbagh...which I have not seen before.

Thanks.

Mod Note: Please use Multi-Quote instead of posting back to back

[Ketan T]

Originally Posted by livetodrive

Hi Ketan,

This year I did a combo trip, means I mixed Goa with Malvan/Sindhdurg. I wont say that the result was a hangover but what I feel is its better to concentrate on one beauty in one trip. I have been to Palolem a couple of times from Bangalore, and like you its one of my favorite beach. But this time, I am eager to see the white sand beach of Devbagh...which I have not seen before.

Thanks.

I have heard a lot about the Devbagh beach. I am sure you will enjoy it.

If you can, please write a travelogue and post some pics after you return from your trip.

Thanks!

[livetodrive]

Hi All,

First of all my apologies for giving such a late trip update. Immediately after returning for the trip, I got an offer and need to move to Hyderabad in next 3 weeks. So, got a bit tied up.

Right now, I don't have much time to write a nice travelogue. So, will try to keep things short with some pics.

Originally planned trip was Pune -> Jog falls -> Murudeswar -> Gokarna and Devbagh beach resort -> Back to Pune. I also gave a long lecture to Ketan to concentrate only on one beauty but I failed to keep my own words. So modified trip was: Pune -> Jog falls -> Murudeswar -> Karwar (just to halt for a night and visit the war museum next day) -> Colva, Betelbatim beach and back to Pune. Must be my last trip to Goa from Pune..this year drove thrice !!

Road condition: Started from Lohegaon, Pune at 7:30 am, halted at Vittal Kamath (Khed -Shivapur) for breakfast and stopped at Kolapur for lunch at 1 PM after negotiating with several diversions and traffic on the highway. Roads are great till Hubli -Dharwad. Just after 10 KMs of paying the Hubli toll we took a left U-turn, crossed another toll showing the Dharwad toll slip, took a left and headed towards Yellapur. In the dusk, we could catch a glimpse of Sahashra Lingam which is worth a short 15 - 20 min visit. Stayed at Hotel Madhuvana at Sirsi for 1400/- bucks and found we did not need to book an A/C room since Sirsi was already chilled out due to rain.

Next day morning we went to visit the majestic Jog falls. Its 60KM drive from Sirsi and we reached there around 11 am. Took a guide for Rs. 200/- and he showed us the falls from different view points, told us the history of hydro power station and took us to the hanging bridge which I liked so much. Though we booked Stay @Mutthuga over phone, we switched our minds and decided to leave Jog falls and headed towards Murudeshwar through Honnavar.

As suggested by Aniketh, we visited Apsarkonda falls and took some nice snaps of kids jumping from the top.

Murudeswar was great, particularly the view of Lord Shiva from the 18th floor of Raja Gopura was breath taking. We drove back to Karwar and reached at 10PM. Stayed at Aditi comforts for Rs.1200/- which is a good service apartment.

Our 3rd day got messed up mainly because, we did not book Devbagh beach resort from Pune and when we asked @the resort office near to Karwar, they said they can arrange day trips to the beach for Rs. 1400/- per person including lunch which we thought to be a bit costly. Though I booked Kudle beach view resort over phone, I thought to skip that too and headed towards Colva !! Had a sumptuous lunch at Mickey's and finally stayed at the Coconut Groove in Betelbatim beach for almost a 50% deal @Rs. 2200/- for the night.
Enjoyed the long but lonely beach, the swimming pool and had a great dinner @ Martin's corner to overcome the things we missed through out the day.

All the stretches from Sirsi -> Jog falls -> Honnavar -> Murudeswar -> Karwar -> Goa are in good shape and pretty driveable. I am not sure whether it is better to drive back through Amboli ghat or Chorla ghat to join NH4. I would prefer Chorla ghat road, but this time drove through Amboli ghat and found the road has deteriorated.

Some snaps from the trip and thanks again to everyone for your timely suggestions and support. I had to resize the snaps to shrink them below 3 MB, sorry for the right hand black column in the snaps:

[Ketan T]

Originally Posted by livetodrive

I also gave a long lecture to Ketan to concentrate only on one beauty but I failed to keep my own words. So modified trip was: Pune -> Jog falls -> Murudeswar -> Karwar (just to halt for a night and visit the war museum next day) -> Colva, Betelbatim beach and back to Pune. Must be my last trip to Goa from Pune..this year drove thrice !!
:

Goa pulls us all!