Team-BHP
(
https://www.team-bhp.com/forum/)
-
Travelogues
(
https://www.team-bhp.com/forum/travelogues/)
Since Last 2 years I have been doing solo road trips. My previous 2 solo trips are documented in the threads below.
2015 http://www.team-bhp.com/forum/travel...eli-goa-2.html 2016 http://www.team-bhp.com/forum/travel...v-cross-2.html
It was the solo time of the year again and it was tough choosing a destination. I was sure I wanted to head towards the Jungle.
In 2016 I had done Ranthambore and Kanha so they were out of contention. The only other nearby destinatiosn I could think of was Pench and Tadoba. Since I had crossed Pench on my way to Kanha, I felt like exploring a new place so Tadoba it was. Also tiger sitings at Tadoba have been great with cubs and safari slots were available online.
Trip details: 4th Nov 2017 : Leave Mumbai and stay overnight at Aurangabad.
5th Nov 2017: Aurangabad to Tadoba, plan was to reach around noon and relax.
6th Nov 2017: 2 Safaris planned Morning: Navegaon Gate and Evening Kolara Gate
7th Nov 2017: 2 Safaris planned Morning Kolara Gate and Evening Pangdi Gate
8th Nov 2017: Drive back to Mumbai in one shot
Hotel Name
Zeal Tadoba resort located at Kolara gate
Safari Booking
Done by the hotel as a package.
Essential Kit
Spare car keys
1 Liter engine oil and 250ml brake oil
Tool kit
Swiss army knife
DSLR with 300mm lens (I am newbie with DSLR which can bee seen in pics)
Warm Jacket (Actually saved me from sun burn while driving without sunfilm)
Sunglasses
All charges and music
A Teaser Pic Lets move on to day one…..
Day 2: Nov 5 2017 Drive to Tadoba
Left at 6 am and took the below route.
The drive from Aurangabad to Jalna is good 4 lane road. But from Jalna upto Tadoba is very bad. Rough surface and surprise potholes deep enough a swallow an elephant. During this time I did manage to jump into few pot holes and was praying that the Vcross makes it through. After half way through I realized my clutch had started slipping in 4th gear i.e. power was not being transmitted to the wheels but the RPM was rising. I did a test in 1st , 2nd and 3rd gear but there was no slipping, it was only dominant in 4th gear and could be felt in the 5th gear as well. I immediately realized that my clutch is worn. It was not very prominent but I could tell. I have petes remap on my truck and it does reduce the life of the clutch.
Post this I started driving in a very sedate manner with no immediate surge in power and there were no issues. But the fact that the clutch is not in a good health did keep me worried through out the trip and had an effect over the final itinerary. I reached my resort at 3:30 PM and called it a day.
Hotel View from room Parked at the Kolara gate The Kolara Gate Cont: Day 3...
Nice one there.. Lucky to spot a Tiger.
BTW, the howz the clutch of the Vcross? Did you get to replace it?
Cheers
Tadoba blogs are becoming very interesting these days. Beautiful narration and some very nice images . The blog is pretty detailed and could be used for reference by many. Keep traveling and sharing such beautiful vlogs.
Quote:
Originally Posted by headers
(Post 4302982)
Nice one there.. Lucky to spot a Tiger.
BTW, the howz the clutch of the Vcross? Did you get to replace it?
Cheers |
Thanks. No clutch has not been replaced yet. I am driving around locally but the problem is not being replicated while driving in the city even while driving aggressively. Also the slipping was prominent when accelerating suddenly around 100 kmph for a fraction of a second. I think I am going to use it for some time and see how it goes. It will need to be replaced sooner or later no doubt about that.
Absolutely lucky you to spot the tigress from such a close range in her natural habitat. How much was the approximate cost for stay, food and tickets for a person at Tadoba?
Quote:
Originally Posted by tazmaan
(Post 4302666)
At the end of the day this was my 3rd solo road trip in as many years. Except the slight hiccup everything went as per plan. |
Lovely travelogue! I used to think Tiger spotting trips were recommended only in summers, but thanks for disabusing me of that notion. Do you think it's a good idea to go in January? Also, are all arrangements for the safaris made by the resorts/hotels in Tadoba?
Cheers,
Vikram
Quote:
Originally Posted by tazmaan
(Post 4302565)
Day 1: 4th Nov 2017
The drive to pune was straight forward with no issues. The route I took was as per the map below originally but I missed the Chakan exit which cost me atleast 30 minutes. I took the last exit at Pune post which google maps went in to fit and took me through most outrageous rural roads untill I re-joined my original route. The drive after that was routine but it got dark post Ahmednagar and I hate driving in the dark. Start MID readings Attachment 1694318 Attachment 1694317 Attachment 1694316 Route Attachment 1694310 On express way Attachment 1694314 Attachment 1694319 Camouflaged Scorpio at Khapoli Toll Attachment 1694416 Just after the sun set with reddish moon in the background Attachment 1694312 At the Hotel (Manor Aurangabad) Attachment 1694313 Flag post inaugurate on the same day. I could see it from my room across the street. Attachment 1694309 Best part of Day 1
I used to own a 1982 W123 300D detailed in the thread below. http://www.team-bhp.com/forum/super-...ar-sold-7.html
I had sold it to a guy in Aurangabad and we are still in touch. I informed him about my stay at Aurangabad and a dinner was planned almost immediately. What followed was awesome Aurangabad street food and a drive in the W123. It did bring back old memories after all that’s the car in which I went for a drive for the first time with my to-be wife then. The W123 at the hotel parking lot (Phone pic) Attachment 1694311 Cont: Day 2... |
Hey I remember this old girl. Hope she is doing fine :)
Quote:
Originally Posted by tazmaan
(Post 4303154)
Thanks. No clutch has not been replaced yet. I am driving around locally but the problem is not being replicated while driving in the city even while driving aggressively. Also the slipping was prominent when accelerating suddenly around 100 kmph for a fraction of a second. I think I am going to use it for some time and see how it goes. It will need to be replaced sooner or later no doubt about that. |
This could be an oil seal leak in the gearbox seeping the gearbox oil in the clutch causing the slippage (could be, not sure), none the less, even if this is the case, the clutch is gone even if there is life as once oil touches it, its finished.
Great Pictures Tazmaan.cpics:
A lone traveler always draws curiosity. People are always used to seeing families or groups of friends. Many people cannot get their heads round the fact that some individuals may like traveling on their own.
It must be a great experience getting to see the Tiger in its natural environment. I have been to a couple of other reserves, but have yet to spot the elusive Tiger. I have heard that Tadoba gives a higher chance of spotting one and your post is proof to that. It is in my list of places to visit in India.
Your vehicle looks the part and it does have a tough macho look. Two questions - What is that spoiler like flap on the bonnet front?.
How is the suspension set in the D-Max, is it soft and springy and also does it roll about a lot on twisties?.
Keep driving and posting. It was a pleasure to read through your post. Thank you.:thumbs up
Cheerio!
All times are GMT +5.5. The time now is 08:12. | |