[SID131]

Hello everyone !

This is my first travelogue on Team-BHP, and while I’ve done my best, I’m sure there are areas that could be improved. I would greatly appreciate any feedback or suggestions to help me enhance my future posts.

Thanks for reading, and I look forward to your thoughts!

Cheers,
Sid

Planning : The initial plan for this year’s road trip was an adventurous journey to Ladakh in August 2024. I had been eagerly looking forward to the trip, but fate had other plans. Just before the trip, I experienced the heartbreaking loss of my father. In light of this, the Ladakh trip had to be postponed, as I focused on family and coping with the loss.

In October 2024, following the loss of my father, who had always cherished the idea of visiting Sri Aurobindo Ashram in Pondicherry, I felt that my family and I needed a retreat to heal. Having lost my mother before him, the grief was overwhelming, and we sought some peace. However, unforeseen circumstances at work put a damper on those plans too. A critical client meeting required me to be present in the office, leaving me with limited leave options.

Given the time constraints, I had to adjust my plans. After careful consideration, I settled on a more feasible route: a road trip covering Kolkata, Hyderabad, Jagdalpur, and Sambalpur. Although it wasn’t the grand trip I had originally envisioned, this route still promised peace and solace amidst new experiences and scenic landscape.

Long Post Warning: This will be a detailed account with plenty of highlights, recommendations, and travel tips, so grab a snack and settle in!

The Route : KOLKATA > GOPALPUR > RAJAMAHENDRAVARAM > HYDERABAD > JAGDALPUR > SAMBALPUR > KOLKATA



Total distance covered - 3326 KMs
Trip duration - We started from Kolkata on 9th October 2024 and returned to Kolkata on 20th October 2024.
The car - Bolero Neo N10 - Black , Oct 2023 model.
Toll - Rs 3827/-
Fuel - Rs 15501/-
The Team - My better half (Navigator and Group Leader), Me (Solo driver), and our 11 years old Daughter (Chatterbox to keep us awake during the drive).

The hotels of our trip were booked just a day or two in advance during the journey, except for our first stop at Gopalpur. From our experience, this approach helps secure the best hotel rates, often with some room for negotiation. However, I wouldn't recommend this strategy if you're heading to a remote area or traveling during peak season.

Day 1: Kolkata to Gopalpur – 611 KMs (12 hrs 30 min via NH16)

We set out at the stroke of 11 PM on the night of Mahashashthi, 9th October 2024. Night driving on National Highways always feels more comfortable for me—less traffic and more open roads. After crossing Vidyasagar Setu, we seamlessly merged onto the Kona Expressway, which, surprisingly, was almost empty at that hour. The real treat began after we joined NH16, where the road stretched out before us, almost as if it was made for road trips.

The Kharagpur-Jaleswar stretch had a few diversions and rough patches, but the road ahead, bathed in Durga Puja lights, had its own charm. We reached Gopalpur by 11:30 AM the next day. The Zone By The Park Gopalpur offered good amenities, though the breakfast spread could’ve been better. The hotel provides covered car at the basement of the hotel.

https://youtu.be/yULTRe5lEyI

With some rest needed, we decided to skip sightseeing and relax, as this was our second time in Gopalpur.

Our hotel in Gopalpur : Zone By The Park Gopalpur - 0680 222 1222 / 8338909990.



Day 2: Gopalpur to Rajamahendravaram – 465 KMs (8 hrs via NH16)

The next day, the road beyond Brahmapur took us through smooth, four-lane highways, making the drive an absolute delight. The change in road quality was noticeable as we made our way deeper into Andhra Pradesh. Rajamahendravaram greeted us with its peaceful vibe. We stayed at La Hospin, a riverside hotel offering a beautiful view of the Godavari River. The only drawback was limited parking, but the serene environment made up for it.


Our Hotel in Rajamahendravaram – La Hospin - 0883 248 8888


Day 3: Rajamahendravaram to Hyderabad – 444 KMs (8 hrs via NH16 & Pune-Machilipatnam Hwy)

This stretch of NH16 is one of the best stretches in Andhra Pradesh, smooth and well-maintained. The drive was so easy that I had cruise control on for long stretches. There are several EV charging stations on this route but we came across only one Nexon EV on this route. Hopefully more EV cars will be seen on Indian highways in future.

https://youtu.be/AaKIa1AHgY8

Arriving in Hyderabad, we checked into the Marigold by Green Park. The hotel offered spacious rooms, a great breakfast spread, and delicious food at the in-house restaurant. The hotel had ample covered parking at its basement.

Caution : Google map will take you through Vijayawada Bypass. As per my finding before our trip, this road was incomplete and maybe still is incomplete. Do your researches before you take this Byepass. We took the Benz Circle flyover route , however, this detour through Vijayawada, caused us a delay of about 40 minutes due to traffic congestion.

A memorable stop during our journey was at Food Villa Family Restaurant near Vijetha Supermarket, where we indulged in some of the most flavorful Mutton Dum Biriyani we've ever had. It was truly a highlight of the trip.

Our hotel in Hyderabad : Marigold by Green Park - 040 6736 3636.


Day 4 and 5: Exploring Hyderabad

Hyderabad’s traffic is a challenge, especially in Old Hyderabad, where scooters outnumber cars. So, we opted for local transport for sightseeing. We explored iconic spots like Charminar, Golconda Fort (don’t miss the Sound & Light Show!), and the Hussain Sagar Lake promenade. We skipped the Salar Jung Museum (didn’t want to embarrass ourselves with our lack of art knowledge!).

Charminar and Golconda Fort can be done on the same day. If you visit Golconda fort do not miss the Sound and Light show, hence plan accordingly.
https://tourism.telangana.gov.in/sou...ShowAtGolconda

Ramoji Film city will take the entire day if you plan for the Studio tours.
https://www.ramojifilmcity.com/studi...-packages.html

The best place for buying Hyderabadi Pearls and Attar is old Charminar Bazar and for Sarees it is Ameerpet market. I try to stay away from such locations in vain, our group lead by her nature is attracted to such places and hence had to abide.








Day 6: Hyderabad to Jagdalpur (549 KMs – 13 hrs via NH163 & NH63)

The drive to Jagdalpur was full of surprises. The highway till Warangal was smooth and fast, but once we crossed into Chhattisgarh, the road became a winding adventure through forests and ghat sections.


Although the roads in Chattisgarh is smooth but the two wheelers here drive through the middle of the road in the 2 laned roads, hence caution is advised.

https://youtu.be/T0c48IAETXY

Unfortunately Medigadda Barrage on River Godavari was closed for maintenance and we had to take a detour through Kaleshwaram. The stretch that falls in Maharashtra along this route is in perilous conditions with number of diversions and craters. We lost 2 hours because of the detour.


Once in Chhattisgarh the forest and ghat sections starts hence , it is advised to start early from Hyderabad so that the winding roads through the forest is driven during daylight hours.


Our hotel in Jadalpur : Bajaj’s Karwan Inn on Chitrakote Road - 096696 65658.

Bajaj’s Karwan Inn, a decent hotel located on the outskirts, offering simple yet comfortable rooms.Breakfast is very ordinary. Food menu lacks variations but the available ones are tasty. The hotel is situated a little away from the Jagdalpur town and all the tourist spots can be reached from here without getting into the main town of Jagdalpur.


The Damdami Luxury resort near the Chitrakote Waterfall is ideal for staying in the lap of nature. But it must be prebooked to get rooms here.
https://tourism.cgstate.gov.in/book_online/

Caution: Avoid staying at Champa Bag Resort in Jagdalpur. The hotel has very limited parking space within its compound, and vehicles are parked haphazardly, making it difficult and risky to maneuver any car in and out without potential damage. Despite having pre-booked with the assurance of parking on the premises, when we arrived at 9:30 PM, we were refused parking and directed to a narrow, poorly lit alley outside the hotel. Unwilling to take the risk, I cancelled my booking on the spot. To make matters worse, both the manager and receptionist seemed indifferent to losing a customer, showing no remorse for the inconvenience caused.

Day 7 and 8: Waterfalls and Nature in Jagdalpur

Jagdalpur is home to two stunning waterfalls—Chitrakote and Tirathgarh. Chitrakote, also called the ‘Niagara of India’, was slightly less spectacular than usual due to the river’s lower flow in October, but it was still a sight to behold. Tirathgarh, on the other hand, offered a more serene experience, with the water cascading peacefully over rocks. Both waterfalls are must-visits if you're in the area, and you can easily do them in one day.






We also made a quick stop at Kanger Valley National Park, but alas, the monsoon season kept us from exploring the forest. If you’re into wildlife, the Kanger Valley National Park offers a Gypsy safari, when the park is open. The famous Kotumsar and Dandak caves are situated inside the forest, are also covered by the Gypsy safari.
https://kangervalley.cg.nic.in/tariff.html


Day 9: Jagdalpur to Sambalpur (413 KMs – 9 hrs via NH26 & NH53)

The drive from Jagdalpur to Sambalpur took us through dense forests and rural roads. The road conditions were great in Chhattisgarh, but Odisha had its fair share of bad stretches with unexpected humps and barricades.

https://youtu.be/_eA8KitmqV4

Our hotel in Sambalpur : Regenta Inn - 096923 83737

The hotel is adjacent to Sambalpur Rail station. Car parking is available within the premises on the backside of the hotel building. Food on the menu is very good at the in-house restaurant. The hotel also has a Pizzeria and Bar on the roof top.

Day 10: Exploring Sambalpur

Sambalpur is known for its iconic Hirakud Dam, which we visited, and the Debrigarh Wildlife Sanctuary, where you can go on a safari or stay in the nature camp. The main attraction of Sambalpur is the Hirakud Dam. Tourist is allowed till the Gandhi Minar (Watch tower) on top of a hillock that overlooks the main dam.




To get a better view we drove to the right Dyke of the Dam through a narrow road. The view of the catchment area of River Mahanadi here is mesmerizing, as it looks like an endless lake.

https://youtu.be/X1kQR_DywqU

Debrigarh Wildlife Sanctuary, located 49 km from Sambalpur, offers the option of a day trip or a stay at the Debrigarh Nature Camp within the forest. Unfortunately, due to time constraints, we had to skip the visit this time, but the place definitely will be on our list when we visit Sambalpur again .

https://www.ecotourodisha.com/debrigarh-nature-camp.php

Like our Group Leader for those interested in local handloom products, Gole Bazar in Sambalpur is the place to shop, especially for Sambalpuri sarees.

Day 11 : Sambalpur to Kolkata via NH49 in 13 hours – 566 KMs.

As per my observation this stretch can be covered in 10 hours driving at a moderate speed of 80 KM/Hr if the entire road condition was good.
The road till Keonjhar is drivable with few bad patches in the Ghat sections. The NH between Jashipur till Bangriposi is extremely bad. There is barely any asphalt on the road and the potholes looked like craters created by falling meteorite. The unfortunate part is that the bad stretches are not due to construction of a new road or flyover, it is just bad due to lack of maintenance after the monsoon. But, despite the rough patches, we made it back home safely by evening, closing a 3326 km journey full of memories and unexpected discoveries. The final leg of the journey was bittersweet—exhausted from the road, but content with all the experiences we had gathered.

https://youtu.be/LM2yf0K9tZ4

We have covered 6 states during our entire trip :

1. Odhisa : Good and extremely bad roads.
2. Andhra Pradesh : Good roads
3. Telengana : Very good roads.
4. Chhhattisgarh : Good two laned roads.
5. Maharasthra : Bad roads in the state border.
6. West Bengal : Road conditions have somewhat improved. This time the barricades seem to be less and very few nuisances (Autos / Totos) on the NH.

After completing two road trips in our Bolero Neo, I thought it would be a good time to share a brief review of the car, especially in terms of its performance on highways.

Pros:

• The Bolero Neo is a powerhouse, commanding respect from most sedans and pseudo-SUVs on the road.
• It has impressive torque, allowing it to easily climb steep slopes in 3rd gear, even with the AC running.
• The suspension is well-tuned to absorb small humps and potholes smoothly, even at higher speeds.
• The MID displayed an impressive 21 km/l of diesel during this trip, with the AC on and ECO mode off. I’m a sedate, light-footed driver, so the actual mileage would likely be around 19 km/l, despite the car having only around 6,250 km on the clock.
• The static turn lights are a great feature, illuminating the side of the road and boosting confidence when navigating ghat roads at night.
• At present, there’s no real competition in its segment—an affordable, genuine SUV with RWD.
• The car has a controlled body roll up to 60 km/h. Beyond that, I make sure to slow down on curves.
• Huge bootspace to accommodate luggage for any season, specially if the small rear seats are folded.
• Overall, the Bolero Neo offers a solid package of features that ensures a smooth, comfortable, and safe highway drive.

Cons:

• I initially chose a SUV for its safety on highways, but after the disappointing Global NCAP results of the Bolero Neo, I would reconsider buying this SUV from Mahindra.
• The steering feels a bit too heavy for slow driving conditions.
• Despite being 6 feet tall, I still feel the seat height could be a little higher for better visibility.
• There’s a noticeable amount of knocking in the gear stick.
• While the plastic quality has improved, it still doesn’t feel premium.
• The GPS system and reverse camera aren’t included in the stock features, even in the N10 version.
• The Kenwood music system underwhelms—honestly, the stock system in my 11-year-old Ford EcoSport sounds better.
• The power window switches are located on the center console between the front seats, which feels awkward if you're used to cars with switches on the armrest. It's a strange design choice by Mahindra.

https://youtu.be/bxKmumM-P1k

[Aditya]

Thread moved out from the Assembly Line. Thanks for sharing!

[ron82x3]

Did you not visit any local places, until you reached Hyderabad?

[SID131]

Originally Posted by ron82x3

Did you not visit any local places, until you reached Hyderabad?

Due to paucity of time we were constrained to limit the number of stopovers. Moreover we have been to places of interest that falls enroute like Gopalpur, Chilka, Vizag, Gahiramata Beach
etc in our previous trips.

[haisaikat]

Sorry to hear about your loss. Travel indeed provides us a great opportunity to unwind and cope up.

This is a wonderful and precise travelogue of a nice family road trip with crucial road condition and accommodation details. Enjoyed reading it but missed seeing the man with his machine in one frame .

Gopalpur we had planned visiting several times but dropped due to the odd distance which makes a typical weekend getaway there hectic. Would like to know your feedback on the new Zone by Park property, from the map it looked like not directly in front of the sea but behind Mayfair.

Hyderabad street foods I have heard great things about, would love to taste them someday. Tirathgarh and Chitrakote waterfalls are on my wish lists too.

One out of topic question based on your post, is there a way to visit Gahirmata Beach? I thought they have closed it down for tourism.

[SID131]

Originally Posted by haisaikat

Sorry to hear about your loss. Travel indeed provides us a great opportunity to unwind and cope up.

This is a wonderful and precise travelogue of a nice family road trip with crucial road condition and accommodation details. Enjoyed reading it but missed seeing the man with his machine in one frame .

Gopalpur we had planned visiting several times but dropped due to the odd distance which makes a typical weekend getaway there hectic. Would like to know your feedback on the new Zone by Park property, from the map it looked like not directly in front of the sea but behind Mayfair.

Hyderabad street foods I have heard great things about, would love to taste them someday. Tirathgarh and Chitrakote waterfalls are on my wish lists too.

One out of topic question based on your post, is there a way to visit Gahirmata Beach? I thought they have closed it down for tourism.

Zone by Park - Rooms are well furnished and the hotel amenities provided commensurate the room tariff. Covered Car Parking is available at the basement of the hotel. Breakfast spread lacks variations and the food is slightly overpriced. The hotel is not on the sea beach , the sea is not visible from the hotel. Good for overnight stay and stopovers. I would suggest staying at Mayfair if the destination is only Gopalpur. Call Mayfair Kolkata Office and do not hesitate to negotiate , generally deals are offered for weekdays.

Gahirmata Beach - We went there way back in 2018. We had to take a boat from Gupti village , it took around 4 hours to reach Gahirmata beach. Although the beach was fantastic but we did not come across any turtles, probably it was not the nesting season. There were only one or two camps for the night stay near the beach, and the place was void of any other tourist, hence we returned on the same day. I am not sure of the recent developments in the area and would suggest proper research before venturing to Gahirmata specially with family.

[ABHI_1512]

Firstly welcome to the forum Sid131. Lovely account of the travel with all the requisite details. Would have ideally liked to see some more pictures though, specially from Hyderabad and the waterfalls at Chitrakote. Keep travelling, thanks for writing the log.

Do keep an eye on the TeamBHP meet thread, hope to see you in the next one. Our winter meet should happen soon.

Regards.

Originally Posted by haisaikat

One out of topic question based on your post, is there a way to visit Gahirmata Beach? I thought they have closed it down for tourism.

Gahirmatha beach is closed for visitors during the nesting season. One can always visit during the rest of the year. We tried previously but both of the times, our visit co incided with the nesting season. One can take the boat from Khola or Gupti ghat to reach Gahirmatha.

[haisaikat]

Originally Posted by ABHI_1512

Gahirmatha beach is closed for visitors during the nesting season. One can always visit during the rest of the year. We tried previously but both of the times, our visit co incided with the nesting season. One can take the boat from Khola or Gupti ghat to reach Gahirmatha.

This is useful information Abhi, thanks. I have read your Bhitarkanika TL and saw the reference there, I am also planning for a similar visit this winter. Lets see how things go.