AP to AP queries (Hyd-Vtz-Barddhaman-Siuri-Maldah-Siliguri-Tezpur-Tawang-Shillong) It all started at a Hyderabad (AP) Team-BHP meet. Someone suggested we do a GQ run from Hyderabad which was quickly amended to a drive to Leh and beyond. Absynthguzzler immediately suggested that we do a drive to Tawang (AR). There was some talk about the plan and somehow people forgot about it. For some reason it stuck in my mind and last week at a TBHP dinner in honour of our HRH-RR (now in exile in Chennai & NY) I broached the subject with Absynthguzzler who immediately jumped at the idea. Pulsar56 and Rajesh Rawal were keen but expressed reservations about getting leave etc. - they were put down under 'tentative but probable'. I realised that time was quickly running out and that we had to move fast if we were to make this vacation happen so I went through the various travel, route etc. threads on TBHP.
I now understand why HVKumar is called 'Chief'. My God! That man is astounding, the amount of information, knowledge and experience he has is just mind-boggling. He could easily replace hordes of Tourism Authorities, Road Information Systems and Cartographers. A PM to him and in a little while I had his logs in my mailbox. Thanks Chief for the logs as well as sharing your wealth of knowledge and tips on various threads here on TBHP. I also stumbled upon posts (and threads) by several TBHP members notably AKRoy and Saurabh M which served to inspire me and gave me vital information on the route beyond Kolkata. Thanks guys.
With the rudimentary information in hand, I sent out a few mails but most Hydeez had other engagements or were unable to take time off from work. Today two 'confirmed' and a 'tentative' had a quick meet over lunch, from there we called another 'tentative' who was just about to call me - talk about telepathy. By the time we left after lunch - there are 4 confirmed (+2 dependants) driving two cars (a Skoda Laura and a Linea, one Diesel and one Petrol). As of now we have two cars and four drivers (all with a fair bit of experience driving on highways), pretty good. Anyone who wants to join in esp. those en-route are welcome to join in, but please confirm as soon as possible so that Permits, accomodation etc. can be tied up. Frankly, we have no time to lose.
Here is the outline of our plan. We shall prepare the final route and detailed plan after obtaining more information about road conditions and accomodation.
1. 20.12.2009 06.00 hrs Leave Hyderabad and drive to Visakhapatnam
a. Via Suryapet, Khammam and Rajahmundry - 607 Kms? or b. Via Vijayawada - 670 km (Please let us know which road is better)
2. 20.12.2009 Spend the night at Visakhapatnam – either hotel Daspalla or Prince or Waltair Club.
3. 21.12.2009 06.00 hrs Leave Visakhapatam at and drive to Kharagpur (747 Km) / Bardamman (946 Km) / Bolepur (976 Km) / Siuri (1035 km) / Maldah (1222 kms). (Please let us know approx. driving times and give us suggestions for accomodation).
4. 21.12.2009 Spend the night at Kharagpur (747 km) / Bardamman (946 Km) / Bolepur (976 Km) / Siuri (1035 km) / Maldah (1222 kms)
5. 22.12.2009 Drive to Siliguri (720 from Kharagpur/ 521 from Bardamman / 432 from Siuri / 245 from Maldah)
6. 22.12.2009 Spend one night in Siliguri (Fliers can join us here by flying to Bagdogra). (Please give us suggestions for accomodation).
7. 23.12.2009 Drive to Tezpur (Updates on road conditions and driving time will be highly appreciated)
8. 23.12.2009 Spend the night in Tezpur (Fliers can join us here by flying to Tezpur)
9. 24.12.2009 Drive to Tawang and spend the night there (Fliers can join us here by taking the flights to Guwahati and thereafter the helicopter service to Tawang)
10. 25.12.2009 spend in Tawang and explore surrounding areas
11. 26.12.2009 spend in Tawang and explore surrounding areas
12. 27.12.2009 spend in Tawang and explore surrounding areas
13. 28.12.2009 Drive to Kaziranga National Park / Tezpur
14. 28.12.2009 Spend the night in Kaziranga National Park / Tezpur
15. 29.12.2009 Drive to Guwahati (if necessary) else proceed to Shillong
16. 29.12.2009 Spend the night in Guwahati (If necessary) else in Shillong (Please give us suggestions for accomodation).
17. 30.12.2009 Drive to Shillong / Explore Shillong and surroundings
18. 30.12.2009 Explore Shillong and surroundings
19. 31.12.2009 Explore Shillong and join in the festivities there for the New Years eve.
20. 1.1.2010 Drive to Siliguri
21. 1.1.2010 Spend the night in Siliguri
22. 2.1.2010 05.00 a.m. Drive to Siuri / Bardhamann / Kharagpur
23. 2.1.2010 Spend night in Siuri / Bardhamman / Kharagpur
24. 3.1.2010 05.00 a.m. Drive to Visakhapatnam
25. 3.1.2010 Spend the night in Visakhapatnam
26. 4.1.2010 05.00 a.m. Drive to Hyderabad
27. 4.1.2010 Arrive in Hyderabad.
I request members to chip in with their comments and suggestions, updates on road conditions and driving times.
a. Information about the road conditions beyond Siliguri are sketchy and hazy, we therefore particularly request members to update the road conditions, diversions etc. in those parts.
b. I am also unable to figure out decide whether we can drive from Tezpur to Shillong in one day.
c. We desperately need information on accomodation in West Bengal on the route indicated i.e. Kharagpur, Bardamman, Bolepur, Siuri, Malda and Siliguri. We would like 2 or 3 rooms for a night (each way) each room ideally costing under Rs.1000/- but not exceeding Rs.1500 per night. Suggestions for accomodation is Shillong are also welcome.
Thanks in advance.
Cheers, |