[cyclops]

Hey many thanks for a quick revert..
But I was just wondering, even though the mulshi-tamhini (NH17) route is a bit longer, is it worth of going those extra miles.. i mean is it quite scenic???

Also is belgaum on the way of the route suggested by you? if not what is the closest location to belgaum? actually i have a couple of friends over there with whom i might catch up...

[alpha1]

The shortest route would be to go from Pune to Mandgaon (on Bombay-Goa highway) via Mulshi and Tamini Ghat. The road is pretty straight and decent. There are few very bad patches though (and pretty long too) - on the hills just after Mulshi.

From Mandgaon its straight national highway to Goa.

However, since yours is a new car, and since ppl in general have a notion of not putting new things to task, you can got to Panvel on expressway, and then join the Bombay-Goa highway. The road quality would be superb on this, but it is pretty time consuming.


The Tamini ghat road is really scenic though. Consider that

[cyclops]

hmmm... so which route should be taken..???

I also heard of the chiplun route which goes through the coastal areas...
what is the feedback on that?

if you have to vote, which would be the best route you'll pick?

a. via mulshi-tamhini-NH17
b. via satara-kolhapur-amboli
c. via chiplun

calling for all the expert's advice...!

[nav75]

In my personal view, NH17 is boring before Poladpur (on Mumbai side). If you don't mind being a bit slow then my favourite route it Pune - Mahabaleshwar - Poladpur - Chiplun - Goa.

If you are ok to give a couple of ghats a miss on NH17 then even Pune - Kolhapur - Gaganbawda - NH17 - Goa (no you don't reach Amboli from Kolhapur, Amboli ghat comes when you turn off NH4 after Nipani or from Belgaum).

The fastest and still scenic would be Pune - Belgaum - Amboli - Sawantwadi - Goa (in a car). Though on a bike Pune - Nipani - Amboli - Sawantwadi - Goa will be better as road from Nipani to Amboli was not in best of condition when I rode in 2006.

[suchetd]

have driven many times from various routes from Pune to Goa and found that route via Tamhini ghat-NH17 is more time consuming as compared to Route via Kolhapur-amboli-sawantwadi. This has become faster with 4 lanes on bangalore highway taking you to kolhapur in just 3 hours. Amboli ghat/Sawantwadi is scenic but NH17 has its own charm. Route via chiplun is even longer.

[pamishra]

I am planning a Pune-Goa trip next weekend. Can anyone please let me which road is currently better:
Nippani - Sankeshwar - Gadhinglaj - Ajara OR
Nipani - Uttur - Ajara

Please advise!

[cediafan]

Hi,

This is a last minute plan! I want to travel to Goa with a 3 month old infant and want to find out the best route (best road condition). My last trip to Goa was 5 years back and I took the Kolhapur-Ambegaon route to Panjim. I am ready to take a longer route as long as the road condition is good. I have been through the threads on this forum but my requirements are slightly different as I am worried about my baby girl.

My accommodation is on the Kolva beach in Goa. I would also like to know about any good hotels, fuel stops etc. Any guidance is welcome!

[ampere]

The best route is Sankeshwar/Amboli/Sanwantwadi.
But you would need to go through Goa to hit the southern region where you
have your resort.

An alternate roundabout route would be through Hubli/Ankola.
It would be fast and cleaner but surely longer.

[mayankjha1806]

3 month old baby, the only thing to worry about is her health in terms of not too much temperature changes. Keep her wrapped and comfortable and she should be fine. Actually this is the time which is most comfortable to travel as the child is completely dependent on the mother.

All you need to do is take care of the mother and the child will be fine .

[ASHISHPALLOD]

Its sankeshwar-gadhinglaj-ajra-amboli-sawantwadi-banda-panjim-madgaon route.
I will not recommend here for you to travel via danoli-banda direct route as u are travelling with 3 month old infant.

On this route, there are towns at every 30 km, you can stop anywhere as needed.

At amboli, vitthal kamat hotel is best for food.

After crossing amboli ghat, there is sudden change of temperature and humidity.
Take care.

[ScorpWarp]

Kamat Holiday resort offers decent food and relaxed ambience. Not sure if you are a veggie but if not how about trying Sahin's fav Martins Corner? but no idea as to how infant friendly is that place. Maybe others can shed some light.

[phamilyman]

Originally Posted by cediafan

Hi,

This is a last minute plan! I want to travel to Goa with a 3 month old infant and want to find out the best route (best road condition). My last trip to Goa was 5 years back and I took the Kolhapur-Ambegaon route to Panjim. I am ready to take a longer route as long as the road condition is good. I have been through the threads on this forum but my requirements are slightly different as I am worried about my baby girl.

My accommodation is on the Kolva beach in Goa. I would also like to know about any good hotels, fuel stops etc. Any guidance is welcome!

In a car seat there is no problem. The kids as long as they're well fed are happy. We did a trip when our kid was 4 months, as did a friend recently.

This includes some reasonably crappy routes this side (Sariska or Gwalior-Jhansi). Your roads are awesome in contrast. Don't even bother

kudos on taking the kid along!

[Figopian]

The route suggested by ASHISHPALLOD is good, had taken it just a couple of weeks back. Are you taking a halt at Kolhapur? It will be a good idea to reach Kolhapur in the evening, rest and then early morning start for Goa. Kamath at Amboli is good, but will be too early for you if you start from Kolhapur, you can try Kamath Sawantwadi, its on the road and is good considering the infant.
If you are driving non-stop from Pune, you can try one new restaurant "Minurva" (Dont bother about the spelling, it was something like that I saw ) a little after Ajra, I saw lots of families and cars there, so hoping it will be good, looked clean from outside.

Weather is good in Goa right now, not as chilled as in Pune, but its comfortably cool, best season to spend time in Goa, wrong season to shop

Have fun!!

[MX6]

3 month old is not an issue. As long as the mother is confident of handling the child. Here are certain reasons why a baby might start crying in the car.
1. Hunger
2. new surroundings (yeah, they know what their home looks and smells like
3. Absence of their favourite toys
4. darkness
5. Sudden plonking in to a car seat
6. health issues.

Generally they are robust and better adapting to conditions than grown ups. If you can plan for these, then the travel becomes easier.
Do take along it's toys, food, medicines (in case of emergency), favourite CD's (of songs) etc. The trick is in recreating the home in your car.

Coming to the route, if it is south goa, go ahead and take the longer route of Pune - Hubli - Ankola - Karwar - your resort. Start early and drive as much as possible while the baby is asleep. Plan the breaks accounting for nappy changes and feeding times.

Finally, never panic if the baby cries. Just take a break, park under a tree and keep her engrossed and diverted. Enjoy the trip. Cheers.

[cediafan]

Thanks all for your replies! It is reassuring to know that the routes are good