[abheekg]

Dear friends,
I will be driving Shibu's Defender to Nagpur from Delhi.
http://www.team-bhp.com/forum/4x4-ve...ml#post2047299
I am looking for a partner for the delhi-nagpur leg and ideas about the best route, best resting points and friends with telephone numbers on the way to fall back upon in case of problems during the drive. It would be most ideal if we were to find an interested jeep owner to escort the Defender to Nagpur.
Whats the best route to take for the journey - nh7, nh26 or nh69 ?
New Delhi, Delhi 110001, India to Nagpur, Maharashtra 440001, India - Google Maps

Since this is going to be a drive of my dreams, I want it to be a relaxed drive. I am not looking to reach point B from A in the least possible time and would like to drive through an interesting route stopping by at important landmarks on the way. I would if possible want to drive through the scenic Panna-Bandhavgad area of MP.

Having said that it should be also important to note that the defender being at least 15 years old and is being drive down to Nagpur to be serviced (hence my steed is not in the best possible health for the journey - we are trying to make the vehicle fully road worthy in the meanwhile)

What route with possible detours to important places on the way do you suggest I take for this journey ?

regards,
Dr. A Ghosh
09960332228

[hvkumar]

The best route from Delhi to Nagpur would be via Agra, Gwalior, Shivpuri, Guna, Biaora, Bhopal, Itarsi, Betul. Expect roads to have pot holes thanks to the rains, but our friends like pramods do this drive in one long day.
On this route, depending on your speed, you could stay at Bhopal or even at Bhimbetka (which has a good MPTDC resort).

If you want to go via Panna, then you can go from Gwalior via Jhansi, Panna, Katni/Bandhavgarh, Jabalpur, Seoni to Nagpur. Expect some terrible roads in the Jhansi-Panna route. On this route, you could stay at the Panna Jungle resort or Jabalpur/Seoni. It will be a full 2 days on this route.

I would avoid the NH26 route where road widening is still going on.

[abheekg]

So its going to be Delhi - Agra - Gwalior - Jhansi - Panna - Katni/Bandhavgarh - Jabalpur - Seoni - Nagpur



New Delhi, Delhi 110001, India to Nagpur, Maharashtra 440001, India - Google Maps

Considering i'll be driving at 60-70 kmph consistently, and considering that i'll be starting early morning from Delhi, where to break journey in the night ?



How to ensure that i'll be driving Jhansi - Panna - Katni/Bandhavgarh - Jabalpur stretch in the early morning hours ? How's the condition of this stretch ? Are there any interesting detours to take on this route to maximize wildlife viewing chances ? Could I stop for lunch at some scenic location in this route ?
Are there any stretches where there are any problems that I should know about ?
I am planning to divide this journey into 3 stages Delhi-Jhansi (appx 450kms) , Jhansi-Jabalpur ( appx 400kms) , Jabalpur-Nagpur (250kms) .

Is this a feasible plan ?
What are the interesting things that I should look to stop by on this route ?

regards,
Dr. A Ghosh

[hvkumar]

I think you can push it on day 1 to Chhatarpur so that you can go past Panna in teh early morning hours.

From Panna, the road was great - but that was in Jan - and I have no idea if teh road has stood up to the test of the monsoons (since these roads have been laid well for the first time ever).

Roads are very narrow (some sections are 1-lane) after Jhansi.

No safety issues that I know of on this route, but expect very little traffic and facilities from Jhansi to Katni. NH7 is well-endowed.

You pass Panna WLS on the way and if you push hard on Day 1, you can stay at the Jungle Camps in Panna.

Your 3-stage plan is very much doable.
But it may be a bad idea to go into Jabalpur city, which can be very messy. In case you are looking for a good places to stay in that area, why not go to Bedeghat - some 15 kms detour - and stay in MPTDC resort on the banks of the River Narmada?

On the way, you cut through Pench WLS after Seoni.

You could take a detour and see Kajuraho after Chhatarpur. Another idea would be to arrive as early as possible in Jhansi and visit Orchcha.

Some comments on the route map of yours:
- From Panna, take the road via Amanganj to Katni instead of the longer route via Satna
- Do not take the Jhansi bypass, go through town.
- Take the Seoni bypass, don't go through town
- Jabalpur has a good bypass too.

[abheekg]

Originally Posted by hvkumar

I think you can push it on day 1 to Chhatarpur so that you can go past Panna in teh early morning hours.

i'll do that.

Originally Posted by hvkumar

expect very little traffic and facilities from Jhansi to Katni. NH7 is well-endowed.

So I will need to have a plan B on this stretch incase of any snag.

Originally Posted by hvkumar

You pass Panna WLS on the way and if you push hard on Day 1, you can stay at the Jungle Camps in Panna.

Are the Jungle Camps near/touching the highway in the Panna to Katni stretch ? Where do i take the detour to reach them ?

Originally Posted by hvkumar

Your 3-stage plan is very much doable.
But it may be a bad idea to go into Jabalpur city, which can be very messy. In case you are looking for a good places to stay in that area, why not go to Bedeghat - some 15 kms detour - and stay in MPTDC resort on the banks of the River Narmada?

I will keep this in mind.

Originally Posted by hvkumar

On the way, you cut through Pench WLS after Seoni.

Know this park like the back of my hand.

Originally Posted by hvkumar

You could take a detour and see Kajuraho after Chhatarpur.

I think I should not miss Khajurao.

Originally Posted by hvkumar

Some comments on the route map of yours:
- From Panna, take the road via Amanganj to Katni instead of the longer route via Satna

Why not this route which will take me through panna if the map is to be believed. Any idea about this route ?
Panna, Madhya Pradesh, India to Katni, Madhya Pradesh 483501, India - Google Maps


My rationale of taking this route is that it will give me more kms along the fringes of Panna. Am I right i thinking so or the route via Amanganj will be more scenic.
Any idea of any other detours in this small stretch from Panna to Katni which can throw up some interesting scenery ?

Any other stretches in my run where I can take some interesting detours ?

regards,
Dr. A Ghosh

[hvkumar]

Plan B - there are hotels at Gwalior, Jhansi (Hotel Sita), Chhatarpur (Hotel Chhatrapur Regency), Kajuraho (10 kms detour from Bamita on the road to Panna)(lots of hotels).

The MPTDC-run Jungle resort is on the highway itself (16 kms after Bamita, 1 km after crossing the River Ken bridge). There is one more resort which is off the road, take a turn off at Panna village (1 more km further down).

I have no idea bout the road you have mentioned. The Amanganj route is newly laid but knowing MP no roads are reliable. 20 kms after crossing Panna village you come to Yellapanna where you take a right turn to go to Amanganj/Katni or continue straight towards Satna. The Amanganj route is a narrow road going through desolate jungles till Amanganj after which there are only fields. I guess it is quite a nice drive.

I would avoid any night drive in the Gwalior-Katni sector.

Facilities are poor, hence refuel in advance, fuel stations are few and far between after you leave Gwalior.

[SILVERWOOD]

It was such a pleasure talking to you.
Have sent you a PM.

Regards,

SILVERWOOD (Waseem)

[JeepCaptain]

Originally Posted by abheekg

Dear friends,
I will be driving Shibu's Defender to Nagpur from Delhi.
http://www.team-bhp.com/forum/4x4-ve...ml#post2047299
I am looking for a partner for the delhi-nagpur leg and ideas about the best route, best resting points and friends with telephone numbers on the way to fall back upon in case of problems during the drive. It would be most ideal if we were to find an interested jeep owner to escort the Defender to Nagpur.
Whats the best route to take for the journey - nh7, nh26 or nh69 ?
New Delhi, Delhi 110001, India to Nagpur, Maharashtra 440001, India - Google Maps

Since this is going to be a drive of my dreams, I want it to be a relaxed drive. I am not looking to reach point B from A in the least possible time and would like to drive through an interesting route stopping by at important landmarks on the way. I would if possible want to drive through the scenic Panna-Bandhavgad area of MP.

Having said that it should be also important to note that the defender being at least 15 years old and is being drive down to Nagpur to be serviced (hence my steed is not in the best possible health for the journey - we are trying to make the vehicle fully road worthy in the meanwhile)

What route with possible detours to important places on the way do you suggest I take for this journey ?

regards,
Dr. A Ghosh
09960332228

abheekg,Thanks a lot Doc for helping me with this.

Originally Posted by hvkumar

The best route from Delhi to Nagpur would be via Agra, Gwalior, Shivpuri, Guna, Biaora, Bhopal, Itarsi, Betul. Expect roads to have pot holes thanks to the rains, but our friends like pramods do this drive in one long day.
On this route, depending on your speed, you could stay at Bhopal or even at Bhimbetka (which has a good MPTDC resort).

If you want to go via Panna, then you can go from Gwalior via Jhansi, Panna, Katni/Bandhavgarh, Jabalpur, Seoni to Nagpur. Expect some terrible roads in the Jhansi-Panna route. On this route, you could stay at the Panna Jungle resort or Jabalpur/Seoni. It will be a full 2 days on this route.

I would avoid the NH26 route where road widening is still going on.

hvkumar, Sir, Thanks for your pointers and all the help you are giving to Abheek.

[abheekg]

Dates of the delhi - nagpur drive decided. I will be driving from Delhi to Nagpur between 17 to 20 sept .Route : Delhi - Agra - Gwalior - Jhansi - Panna - Katni/Bandhavgarh - Jabalpur - Seoni - Nagpur with stop overs at Agra, Panna and other places to explore the area including khajurao. 2 partners found, looking for 1 more . This is one long photography drive of my dreams.

Dr. A Ghosh
09960332228

We'll drive the defender and another Gypsy.

[abheekg]

All set



I have a few further queries which I will post here.

Dr. A Ghosh

[JeepCaptain]

Originally Posted by abheekg

All set
I have a few further queries which I will post here.

Dr. A Ghosh

All the very best Dr Abheek and team! Thats a nice poster you have made.
Shibu Varghese

[hvkumar]

Doc, from Agra, considering the delay, you can contemplate 2 routes:
- via Panna
- via Bhopal

Panna Route:
Agra-(NH3)-Dholpur 60 kms-Morena 20-Gwalior 30-(NH75)-Datia 70-Jhansi 30 (Hotel Sita)-Mornipur 70-Nowgaon 50-Chhatarpur 22 (Chhatarpur Regency)-Bamita 35-(Kajuraho 10)-MTDC Panna Jungle Camp 16-Madla 1 (Panna Tiger Resort)-Yellapanna 19 (Hotel Satyam Palace)-Amanganj 40-Shahnagar 65-NH7 17 kms-Katni 15-Jabalpur 75-Laknadon 100-Seoni 60 (Hotel before bypass)-MPTDC Rookad Jungle Camp 37-Kamptee 90-Nagpur 20

Bhopal Route:
Agra-(NH3)-Dholpur 60 kms-Morena 20-Gwalior 30-Shivpuri 115 (Hotels)-GUna 100 (Hotels)-Vijaipur 35 (Hotel Metro Resort)-Biaora 70-(NH12)-Bhopal 100-Obaidullaganj 35-Hoshangabad 40-Itarsi 20-Betul 90-Nagpur 175

[pareshraheja]

Doc: The last post was more than a year back. Looking forward to your travelogue or have you started a new thread?

Further, I am planning to do a Delhi-Sagar-Nagpur-Hyd-Blr trip next year. I have chosen Sagar (MP) en-route as my in-laws stay there and will be taking a break at Sagar for a couple of days.

I understand that there is an expressway being built right from Delhi to Nagpur that will pass close to Sagar. Can anybody here who has an idea throw some light on it.

Cheers

[hvkumar]

Originally Posted by pareshraheja

Further, I am planning to do a Delhi-Sagar-Nagpur-Hyd-Blr trip next year. I have chosen Sagar (MP) en-route as my in-laws stay there and will be taking a break at Sagar for a couple of days.

I understand that there is an expressway being built right from Delhi to Nagpur that will pass close to Sagar. Can anybody here who has an idea throw some light on it.

Cheers

Not an expressway - but the North South Corridor goes on AGra-Gwalior-Jhansi-Lalitpur-Sagar-Narasingpur-Laknadon-Seoni-Nagpur route, is still incomplete and many sections south of Sagar are in a mess currently. But hopefully the work will be done next year by the time you travel.

[gd1418]

Very tempted to be a part of this, but.....

You can go through my travelogue - http://www.team-bhp.com/forum/travel...t-gurgaon.html for the route and night breaks. Since I drive only during the day, the scenic spots can be enjoyed..