Be Little careful with Safari. It is most likely going to go for clutch replacement @ 20000 KM. Please keep a watch on speed and rpm. If RPM goes high and acceleration is not happening means u are headed for trouble.

Lots of Safari Dicors have gone for clutch replacements @ 20000 KM. Mine too..

[LongDrive lover]

Originally Posted by drustogi

Be Little careful with Safari. It is most likely going to go for clutch replacement @ 20000 KM. Please keep a watch on speed and rpm. If RPM goes high and acceleration is not happening means u are headed for trouble.
Lots of Safari Dicors have gone for clutch replacements @ 20000 KM. Mine too..

Thanks.. I'll be careful. So far, no problem. Just a query: Is TML/ TASC going to inform every Safari owner for clutch replacement? or only when the problem surfaces, then they'll replace it.

[LongDrive lover]

Hello All again,

Its time to revive the plan and get to details.
Following HVK Sir's plan, I have deliberated upon the options and framed it day-wise, with 2-3 variations:

BASE PLAN:

Day 1. Lucknow-Allahabad-Rewa-Katni-Jabalpur (Night Halt).
Day 2. Jabalpur - Nagpur-Hyderabad (Night Halt).
Day 3-4. At Hyderabad (At sister's place and Getting vehicle serviced).
Day 5. Hyderabad - Bangalore
Day 6,7,8. At Bangalore (City sight seeing and being with relatives).
Day 9. Bangalore-Madurai-Rameswaram (Night Halt).
Day 10. Rameswaram - Kanyakumari (Night Halt).
Day 11. Kanyakumari - Trivendrum (Night Halt).
Day 12. TVM-Munnar (Night Halt).
Day 13. Munnar (Night Halt).
Day 14. Munnar - Kochi (Night Halt).
Day 15. Kochi - backwaters visit at Kumarkom/or Alleppy - Kochi (Night Halt).
Day 16. Kochi-Coonoor-Ooty (Night Halt).
Day 17. Exploring Ooty-Kotagiri -Oooty(Night Halt).
Day 18. Ooty-Mysore (Night Halt).
Day 19. Mysore-Coorg (Night Halt).
Day 20. Coorg - Chikmangloor (Night Halt).
Day 21. Chikmangloor - Kudremukh- Udupi (Night Halt).
Day 22. Udupi - Maravanthe-Ankola-Hubli (Night Halt). (Sight seeing ends here, and return journey starts)
Day 23. Hubli - Surat NH4, NH8 (Night Halt).
Day 24. Surat-Chittorgarh (Night Halt).
Day 25. Chittorgarh - Lucknow

VARIANT 1

D1-22 Same as above.
D 23. Huble-Hampi (sight-seeing)-Bijapur (seeing Gol Gumbaj only) (Night Halt at Bijapur).
D 24. Bijapur-Sholapur-Aurangabad-Burhanpur-Indore.
D 25. Indore-Lucknow

VARIANT 2

D1-8 Same as above.
D 9. Bangalore-Kodaikanal
D 10 Kodaikanal - Munnar
D 11 Munnar
D 12 Munnar - Kochi
Rest same as Base plan.

(It means leaving Rameswaram, Madurai, kanyakumari, TVM, etc. for another trip in future (in winters) that will focus on east coast including these places alongwith Pondichery, Trichi, Chidambaram, Mahabalipuram, etc.).

My apprehensions: (Suggestions requested):

1. It sure looks very ambitious and hectic. But, is it feasible? To & fro journeys are ok, I can drive that without any problem. But, giving the monsoon season, I know, we wont be able to see all the spots of a particular place in detail or stay put relaxed for 2-3 days at a place in a holiday mood with such a schedule. That is alright. But, my worry is: will we be able to do all these places reasonably okayish, in this manner?

2. Or do we need to cut down on number of places without reducing number of days, so as to make it more enjoyable to the family. Consider I'll be with wife, 12 yr old son and 5 yr old daughter. Though I like nomadic style tourism i.e. just see a place and move on to another one. Driving and on-the move sight-seeing thrills me. But, I am more concerned about other family members comfort. So, kindly advise accordingly. Will we be facing odd days when we can't go as per our plan, and will have to remain in hotel?

Any modifications required?..Comments plz..

[LongDrive lover]

Some more thoughts:
Another variant
VARIANT 3
D1-20 Same as above.
Sight-seeing ends at Chikmangalur (Including Rameswaram-Kanyakumari circuit, as well as, Coffee Country - Coorg, CKM, but leaving Coastal Karnataka. This will balance my trip portfolio little bit rain-wise)

I have one dream trip in mind, that will include beauties of west coast from Ratnagiri-through Goa- to Coastal Karnataka, NH 17 all the way till Calicut. So can afford to leave Udupi-Marvanthe circuit).

D 21. Return journey starts Chikmangalur - NH4 (Where and how to get onto NH4 from CKM?)- Continue wherever we can push by 9 pm. I think can reach Mumbai/Thane? if not, any decent hotel on NH 4 may be near Satara, etc.
D22. Reach somewhere near Udaipur or RTDC Ratanpur.
D 23. Home

I am game for main base plan, if it could be done. Or else, VARIANT 3 is my choice - just a 2-3 days shorter version of main plan. So even if we are delayed by 2-3 days due to rains/ tiredness/ laziness, we'll be able to finish it leaving coastal Karnataka part.

Any modifications required? Comments plz..

Thanks..

[hvkumar]

Lovely options, I like your Base Plan the best. Gives you great coverage.
Rains - don't worry about landslides, etc anywhere en route. You will not face any dislocations thanks to rains.
Bad roads - all over South, roads will be good for first 1-2 months of rains, even Nh17 takes time to crack up, not immediately after rains start.
You will face max problems in your second route option, going on Indore-Shivpuri stretch, which sees bad roads, huge traffic jams, etc, during rains.

For Variant 3, getting from Chickmagalur to Nh4 - try the Chickmagalur-Tarikere-Bhadravathi-Shimoga-Honnali-Harihar route.

[LongDrive lover]

Originally Posted by hvkumar

Lovely options, I like your Base Plan the best. Gives you great coverage.
Rains - don't worry about landslides, etc anywhere en route. You will not face any dislocations thanks to rains.
Bad roads - all over South, roads will be good for first 1-2 months of rains, even Nh17 takes time to crack up, not immediately after rains start.
You will face max problems in your second route option, going on Indore-Shivpuri stretch, which sees bad roads, huge traffic jams, etc, during rains.
For Variant 3, getting from Chickmagalur to Nh4 - try the Chickmagalur-Tarikere-Bhadravathi-Shimoga-Honnali-Harihar route.

.

Thanks sir.
Yes, I too agree about Indore route, hence it stands ruled out. Otherwise also, after such a hectic schedule, and consequent tiredness, we'll not be motivated enough to venture onto two-lane Indore route. So, On return smooth sailing on NH 4, NH8 and NH76 will be comfortable.

Now once leaves are sanctioned, will start about accommodation, finer details of each day route and calculating tentative budget, etc.

[vasoo]

One another option would be for you to travel directly from Kanyakumari to Munnar through TN on Day 11. Then you can go to Thekkady, Kumarakom and Kochi on Day 12-15. This way you can avoid the high traffic zones in Kerala between TVM and Munnar. And from Kochi you can either go through Pollachi or through Nilambur, Bandipur towards Ooty. This will be much more entertaining than driving through the high traffic zones in NH47 towards CBE. See two maps below which I had done for my friend in last Dec for his trip from Kanyakumari to Ooty. And of course, the road from Munnar to Thekkady is pure heaven. I think Thekkady lake boating is now open as well.

[LongDrive lover]

Thanks Vasoo, will consider it.

[LongDrive lover]

Thanks Vasoo, will consider it.
Any comments/suggestions on it?

PS: Sorry mods for repeat posting. Actually, was trying to edit and, by mistake it got posted twice.

[LongDrive lover]

More temptations, more confusion. Help, help pl.

Thought over the plan again. Contemplating few changes.

1. Hyderabad can be dropped. Though route via H'bad will be shortest, but want to save those 2 days planned there. So, H'bad can be a part of some other trip east side. This will give 2 more days in Kerala/Karnataka.
2. Tempted to take Thekkadi- Munnar route for driving on those beautiful green ghat roads.
3. Is Trivendrum a must do? I know it should be included. But, what to do if constrained for time?
I have been to Sri Padmabhavan temple (sorry for spelling!) and offered puja in traditional Kerala dhoti. Of course, spending a day at Kovalam is also called for. And then we have a full photoblogue compiled by Ranjit, that would need one week at TVM to explore those exotic locations.
So even ready to drop TVM from the list!
4. Then Again, from Munnar to Kochi, want to travel on unconventional Iddukki side route (Devikolum- Nedumkandam- Kattappana-Vellayamkudi-Idukki-Painavu-Kulamavu-Thodupuza-Mavatypuza-Kochi) recently reported by Games Goblin.
5. Can Kanyakumari too be left for the time being?
5. Also worried about time needed to travel and essential darshan & sight-seeing at Rameswaram and kanyakumari?
I think B'lre-Rameswaram journey via Madurai will take almost whole day! Then we can't leave next day early morning? Then, for R'ram- kanyakumari, time needed to travel and spend there?
Then kanyakumari to Thekkady- to- Munnar via TN route as shown in one of the maps here by Vasoo. Is it possible to reach Munnar in one day from kanyakumari via Thekkady? or we have to take night halt at Thakkady, then proceed to Munnar next morning?. Want to take those ghat roads in day time. Not having much much hopes of boating in Periyar lake, but just want to pass through that zone.
6. Which route to take from Kochi to Ooty? 1. Via Thrissur, Pallakad, Coimbatur; 2, Via Neelambur as suggested by Vasoo above in a map?; or 3. Via Chalakudi - Athirapally- Valparai- Polachi- Coconoor (is it possible)., and how much time is expected by which route?
7. Finally, since saving 2-3 days by dropping H'bad and TVM; am tempted to spend those days by taking a more exciting return route!
Instead of taking on to NH 4, want to continue on NH 17 from Udupi-Marventhe- Ankola- Karwar- Goa- Panvel, Mumbai spending 2 days in Goa! Though, it'll not cover Goa in full-fledged manner, rather, it'd be sort of a trailer of Goa. Sight-seeing by traveling on NH17 till Mumbai will be exciting, I think.

In view of these thoughts, pls pour in your suggestions. Based on the feasibility of things, to be assessed from your suggestions, will modify the plan.

[ampere]

Originally Posted by LongDrive lover

More temptations, more confusion. Help, help pl.

Thought over the plan again. Contemplating few changes.

1. Hyderabad can be dropped. Though route via H'bad will be shortest, but want to save those 2 days planned there. So, H'bad can be a part of some other trip east side. This will give 2 more days in Kerala/Karnataka.

Looks OK

2. Tempted to take Thekkadi- Munnar route for driving on those beautiful green ghat roads.

For this you need to drop TVM. Go to Munnar directly from KK via Madurai/Theni.

3. Is Trivendrum a must do? I know it should be included. But, what to do if constrained for time?
I have been to Sri Padmabhavan temple (sorry for spelling!) and offered puja in traditional Kerala dhoti. Of course, spending a day at Kovalam is also called for. And then we have a full photoblogue compiled by Ranjit, that would need one week at TVM to explore those exotic locations.
So even ready to drop TVM from the list!

I would say not necessary.

4. Then Again, from Munnar to Kochi, want to travel on unconventional Iddukki side route (Devikolum- Nedumkandam- Kattappana-Vellayamkudi-Idukki-Painavu-Kulamavu-Thodupuza-Mavatypuza-Kochi) recently reported by Games Goblin.

Should be OK. Can also take the regular route through NH49 through Adimali/Kothamangalam.

5. Can Kanyakumari too be left for the time being?
5. Also worried about time needed to travel and essential darshan & sight-seeing at Rameswaram and kanyakumari?
I think B'lre-Rameswaram journey via Madurai will take almost whole day! Then we can't leave next day early morning? Then, for R'ram- kanyakumari, time needed to travel and spend there?
Then kanyakumari to Thekkady- to- Munnar via TN route as shown in one of the maps here by Vasoo. Is it possible to reach Munnar in one day from kanyakumari via Thekkady? or we have to take night halt at Thakkady, then proceed to Munnar next morning?. Want to take those ghat roads in day time. Not having much much hopes of boating in Periyar lake, but just want to pass through that zone.

KK to Munnar via Madurai is doable in a day. KK-Madurai-Theni-Bodi-Munnar. One option is to skip Rameshwaram.

6. Which route to take from Kochi to Ooty? 1. Via Thrissur, Pallakad, Coimbatur; 2, Via Neelambur as suggested by Vasoo above in a map?; or 3. Via Chalakudi - Athirapally- Valparai- Polachi- Coconoor (is it possible)., and how much time is expected by which route?

Kocy-Ooty is through Guruvayur.

Kochy-Trichur (NH47)
Trichur-Kunankulam-Pattambi-Perinthalmanna-Melatoor-Gudalur-Ooty.
Doable in a day. Start early.

7. Finally, since saving 2-3 days by dropping H'bad and TVM; am tempted to spend those days by taking a more exciting return route!
Instead of taking on to NH 4, want to continue on NH 17 from Udupi-Marventhe- Ankola- Karwar- Goa- Panvel, Mumbai spending 2 days in Goa! Though, it'll not cover Goa in full-fledged manner, rather, it'd be sort of a trailer of Goa. Sight-seeing by traveling on NH17 till Mumbai will be exciting, I think. That's why I am even willing to leave Kanyakumari, if advised so.

In view of these thoughts, pls pour in your suggestions. Based on the feasibility of things, to be assessed from your suggestions, will modify the plan.

No ideas on these points. Though know about them, others are better positioned to comment. But seems like a good idea to go via Goa.

Only thing I feel that it should not get too hectic. How many drivers on the group?

[LongDrive lover]

Thanks @ ampere for crisp comments. Waiting for other's views before finalizing the plan.

No need to worry about driving, I'll do that. Actually, being a passenger is more tiring then driving! (IMO. my opinion only). My concern is family's comfort. But, except our To & Fro journey (approx. 2200-2300 kms each side for 3 days each side), other sigh-seeing days journeys involve manageable distances, I think.

[ampere]

Originally Posted by LongDrive lover

Thanks @ ampere for crisp comments. Waiting for other's views before finalizing the plan.

No need to worry about driving, I'll do that. Actually, being a passenger is more tiring then driving! (IMO. my opinion only). My concern is family's comfort. But, except our To & Fro journey (approx. 2200-2300 kms each side for 3 days each side), other sigh-seeing days journeys involve manageable distances, I think.

You say it so correctly. Thats too true for me too! Even I prefer to drive rather than sit idle ! And also your handle says so !

[mjothi]

Originally Posted by LongDrive lover

No need to worry about driving, I'll do that. Actually, being a passenger is more tiring then driving!

Ya, I can guess from your handle.

Originally Posted by LongDrive lover

My concern is family's comfort. But, except our To & Fro journey (approx. 2200-2300 kms each side for 3 days each side), other sigh-seeing days journeys involve manageable distances, I think.

Sir, having a truck and you should not think about this. believe me, it would not feel tiring at all

[LongDrive lover]

Originally Posted by mjothi

Sir, having a truck and you should not think about this. believe me, it would not feel tiring at all

Thanks @ampere and @ mjothi for your kind words. That's true actually. Coming out from that wheel is not a pleasant feeling. Always feel like driving it for whole day!

mjothi, I know how much you like the comfort of this tata truck as the 1st travelogue I read on T-BHP was 6D GQ drive where you enjoyed in hrishi's truck for 6 days! and that too under the guidance of the Guru! means you had nothing much to do except clicking snaps and enjoying! haha!

Thanks MX6 for the prompt response. Saw your PM, sorry couldn't reply yesterday. yes, it'll take 1 week to freeze the plan.

You are right. I am lil too tempted for making it a max coverage trip. I fully agree that we won't be able to do justice to those beautiful places in that little time. To get soaked into the true ambiance of those exotic sites will need 2-3 trips. But, that's our limitation being so far away. So, its like a compromise sort of situation. Till we get time to spend the required time at each place, we are opting like 'seen it, being there' kind of mode. Am comfortable with it as long as it is safe and within bearing capacity limits for the family.

I am aware of your advise about speed limits, and I'll sure be cautious while driving on unknown narrow roads under rainy, foggy/misty conditions and ghat roads/ village roads, etc. Once we go off NH7 after Madurai, speed scenario will change.

Any other issue/concern regarding safety, that we should be careful about?