The bikers navigated through Prayagraj’s narrow alleys, which I am sure, Google Maps likely picks up as shortcuts. However, I advise sticking to main roads if traveling by car, as these shortcuts are unmanaged

BHPian cormodore recently shared this with other enthusiasts:

After much deliberation over the travel date, I finally travelled for the Kumbh on February 16th from Hyderabad, and returned on February 18th. Initially, as per my first post, I had planned to travel in the last week of January, but the over-crowd reports made me reconsider. I then planned for the second week of February, but wife and myself couldnt get common leaves and over crowded news and traffic made us reconsider. With time running out and the closing dates approaching, I decided to take the plunge and traveled on February 16th.

Our journey began early, with my wife, two daughters, and I departing Hyderabad at 5 AM. We reached Rewa by 8 PM, carrying lunch from home and stopping for dinner at a midway restaurant before Rewa. Finding a hotel room took over an hour, and we finally secured a decent one for ₹2,500 per night—almost double the usual rate of ₹1,200.

On February 17th, we resumed our journey at 3:30 AM and got struck at the last toll before Prayagraj for 30 minutes and then to cross the MP-UP check post it took almost an hour. Post entering UP, thought of filling in the tank, but couple of petrol bunks displayed “no stock” board, and eventually filled my tank.

Around 7AM got struck on the Bundwan flyover, which was around 25Km before Arail ghat. It took around 6hours to travel ~10KM (we literally stood still for 1 hour without moving forward), and google estimated another 3 hours for the rest of the ~10 Km. Elders, especially ladies had tough time managing nature calls. Vendors were making quick bucks selling essential necessities. Couple of cars and trucks broke down due to heating issues, which made matters worse.

Once we reached Dadupur(around 10KM before Arail ghat), I found a parking (Godown converted to makeshift parking place), took a quick decision to park the car. Took an e-rickshaw to Arail, after covering some 7KM, police were didn't e-rickshaws to Arail because of the heavy crowd. Took two bike rides (one for me and elder daughter and one for wife and younger daughter) and covered the last stretch of 5M. The e-rickshaw cost ₹200 per person, while the bike ride cost ₹250 per person. Bikes would take you though the narrow lanes of the Prayagraj. The bikers navigated through Prayagraj’s narrow alleys, which I am sure, Google Maps likely picks up as shortcuts. However, I advise sticking to main roads if traveling by car, as these shortcuts are unmanaged and will lead to longer delays.

We reached the ghat around 230PM, took a boat ride(1000 per person) to Sangam, completed our holy dip and was back to Arail ghat around 5PM. The boat person did not push us for completing with in certain amount of time and he did not charge for my younger daughter.

Took a bike ride (400 Per person) to return to our parked car and started our journey back around 7PM. Many locals were serving hot meals (Kichidi) to travelers which paused the traffic at multiple locations in Prayagraj. Again the UP-MP border check post took another hour to cross. Reached Rewa around 1130 and we could not get any rooms this time. Reached the first toll after Rewa around 1230AM and took a break for the day and started back to Hyd around 530AM in the morning.

Originally we had planned to cover Varanasi as well, however, seeing at the traffic and crowd, we decided to skip and travel back to Hyderabad.

Some important observations from my end:

1. The roads were excellent throughout, except for some rough patches between Adilabad and Nagpur.
2. Limited food options are available between Nagpur and Katni. However, Madhya Pradesh’s Midway Treats, found every 60 km, were a lifesaver.
3. The number of vehicles heading to Kumbh was overwhelming, with travelers in a rush to reach their destination.
4. The last toll before Prayagraj took 30 minutes, and the MP-UP checkpoint took nearly an hour—plan for these delays.
5. Prayagraj’s traffic conditions are highly volatile; expect to be stuck for 5-6 hours.
6. Never take the google suggested routes for saving time and stick yourself to the main road leading to the Arail ghat. Bikers use narrow lanes that Google suggests as shortcuts, but these roads are in bad shape, poorly managed and can lead to further delays
7. Pre-book hotels in Rewa by paying in full and confirm in advance before going. When I was searching for hotels rooms, a person came with pre-booking from Agoda, and the hotelier did not accept the booking, saying he didn’t receive the booking. Hotel room prices are exorbitant in Rewa.
8. UPI is not accepted at Rewa hotels or among Prayagraj’s bike taxis or vendors—carry sufficient cash
9. I found bikers and rickshwalas courteous enough, although they were charging loads of money. Police were also generally very helpful.
10. Make sure you confirm the cost before taking the ride on the bike or rickshaw. They would say ride would cost Rs.X and once you get down, they would charge for kids (or two people) as well. The ride cost is always per person.
11. Govt prescribed rates for boating are 200 per person, and 50 for bike ride. No one follows the official rates. We were also told that if any police asks how much are we being charged, we should inform the Govt rates to police.
12. Ensure at least a three-fourths tank of fuel before entering Prayagraj or immediately after crossing the UP checkpost.
13. Mark and save parking locations on your mobile and drop-off points to avoid confusion in the dense crowd.
14. Surprisingly, the portable toilets and changing rooms in Sector 23 were well-maintained despite the crowd.
15. Keep food and water handy in your vehicle—you never know when you’ll need them.
16. Expect delays, be prepared for the unexpected, and stay patient throughout the journey.
17. People from Karnataka, Telangana, Maharashtra, Gujarat, Madhya Pradesh, and Chhattisgarh were traveling in large numbers. Interestingly, I hardly saw any vehicles from Uttar Pradesh during the trip.

Despite the challenges, the Kumbh was definitely a unique and spiritual experience for me.

Some pics of the traffic:

Traffic on Bundwan flyover, on which we were struck for 5 hours

Traffic under the flyover

Me and my Vento waiting for the traffic to clear

Welcome Arch to the Kumbh

Traffic at Dadupur-10KM before Arail ghat

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Don't try to cover Kashi, Ayodhya and Maihar as you will be rushing everywhere and stuck on road and queue. Make a plan any other time. Just visit mahkumbh and return

BHPian hrishi_dypim recently shared this with other enthusiasts:

I started from Pune on 5th feb morning, halted in night at Rewa. reached Prayagraj on 6th, stayed in night. Left Prayagraj on 7th evening, halted in Katni, started from Katni on 8th feb and reached Pune on 8th night. Few tips from my experience.

1. If everyone can walk, don't stay in Prayagraj, hotel and tent tarriff are very high and won't be able to sleep as there are a lot of mosquitos. We stayed in tent and could not able to sleep even for 2 hrs due to mosquitos. If staying is necessary, stay in near by cities.

2. If going by car , try to enter Prayagraj especially Arail or Jhusi area before 7 am as you can go further without much stoppage, chances will be higher to go near Arail ghat. Normally mass of police deployment happens from 8 am.

3.Boat prices change as per demand. When more demand , price goes higher. If you like to bath in sunlight like 11 to 2 pm. Boat prices will be higher like Rs 1000-3000 rs. Before 6 am it could be Rs 500-1000. When more rush and not able to get the boat try offering more price, you will be given 1st priority. No control on price from administrator and they can't help.

4.Don't try to cover Kashi, Ayodhya and Maihar as you will be rushing everywhere and stuck on road and queue. Make a plan any other time. Just visit mahkumbh and return.

5.Drive defensive and carefully , there are many first time driver on highway for mahkumbh, they have no experience or sense how to overtake or change lane.

6. Be gentle to bikers going for mahakumbh especially the family one.they have equal rights to use the road.

7. Have enough food and water in your car for emergency or if you stuck in traffic. There are no good hotels or dhabas for food on highway from Pune to Prayagraj, keep the expectation low. Petrol pumps will be saviour in case you are looking for washrooms.

8. Return with enough gangajal and distribute to your friends and neighbors who could not make it.

9. Bikers are allowed everywhere so if you don't want to walk just stop any biker you can see. Dont hesitate by look of biker , they are normal people like us but want to encash the opportunity. They charge 100-200 rs and can drop you to your destination.

10. Being calm and patient is the key. You can't predict anything. Just go with the flow. You are lucky because you have been called by ganga maiya and bholenath.

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The Skoda Kodiaq had barely seen any action, with just 1,680 km on the odometer over the past four months. By the end of the week, we had added another 2,210 km to that count

BHPian travelog recently shared this with other enthusiasts:

In January, four close friends decided to embark on an epic road trip from Mumbai to the Rann of Kutch in an almost brand-new Skoda Kodiaq. The journey kicked off on February 7th, and unlike our previous trips, this one turned out to be a completely different experience. The car had barely seen any action, with just 1,680 km on the odometer over the past four months. By the end of the week, we had added another 2,210 km to that count!

Day 1: Mumbai to Ahmedabad

We hit the road at 5 AM, expecting a smooth drive, but heavy traffic, road repairs, and a couple of chai and lunch breaks stretched the 535 km to a 12 hours journey

Despite the rough patches, the Kodiaq's comfort and performance stood out, making the long haul much easier.
We had pre-booked an airbnb apartment and walked to a nice restaurant for an early dinner and called it a day for the adventure to unfold in the coming days.

Day 2: Ahmedabad to Kutch

We kicked off the day with a Zomato-ordered breakfast before setting out for Bhuj, a city that bore the brunt of the devastating 2001 earthquake. As the headquarters of Kutch—the largest district in India, spanning an immense 45,674 sq. km—Bhuj holds deep historical and cultural significance.

Our first stop was Prag Mahal, followed by the adjoining Aina Mahal. We were fortunate to have an experienced senior guide who walked us through the rich history of these architectural marvels in great detail, making the two-hour tour truly immersive.


Prag Mahal was commissioned by King Pragmalji in the 1860s, was designed in the Italian Gothic style by Colonel Henry Saint Wilkins and stands prominently in the heart of Bhuj. Right next to it, Aina Mahal was built in the 18th century by Ram Singh Malam during the reign of Lakhpatji.

Both palaces house a stunning collection of artifacts, coins, paintings, and intricate architectural details, reflecting the grandeur of a bygone era. Despite the catastrophic earthquake, these historic structures largely withstood the damage, with restoration efforts preserving their legacy.

We stayed at an independant house/ homestay. That evening, we had some wonderful local cuisine at the dhaaba styled Maru Gamdu ( My Village).

Day 03: Bhuj to Dhordo ( Rann Utsav tent City)

After breakfast, we had a wonderful ride to the tented city~ Rann Utsav, which is a collaboration of a private entity and Gujarat Tourism. The infrastructure there is amazingly good and we had a lovely stay with an all-inclusive 1 night package which includes stay in a tent, all meals and so also the experience of the sunset at zero point which entails a coach ride plus a camel cart ride in the White Rann. The experience is something surreal!

The food was grand, tasty and after dinner there's cultural programmes until 10;30 pm. One can short around, see the textile and painting exhibitions. The best part is there are ev buggies to move you around within the large complex/ city. This city would be operating until March 15th and then most of the infra would be dismantled until October when the winter begins.

One must visit and experience this at-least once in one's lifetime!

Day 04: Rann Utsav- India Bridge - Dholavira - Gorewali

Though not part of our package, we were allowed to travel in the coach to view the sunrise at the zero point. The camel cart was not part of this trip. The sunrise at 7:30 am was a sight to watch and truly mesmerising.

Post break-fast we checked out and drove the India bridge. One can go beyond only if one has taken a permit from the BSF in Bhuj. Since photography is strictly prohibited, we did not any pics. However, it offers an amazing view of the white desert.

Enroute to Dholavira, one has to drive on the beautiful " Road to Heaven" which is every tourist and photographer's delight. There are about 8 viewpoints on this 35 kms stretch. On both sides is the white Rann.

Next we went to the Dattatreya Temple before visiting the Dholavira civilisation site. This area is severely prone to earthquakes and contains the ruins of the ancient city of the Indus Valley Civilisation. We engaged a guide and learnt quite a lot of its history. However, it was discovered only in mid 60's and is the fifth largest of eight major Harappan sites.

We had a good lunch at the Evoke restaurant and we then drove down to Gorewali village near Rann Utsav and checked-in into a pre-booked village homestay.

We had an amazing home-made local dinner before resting for the night.

Day 05: Gorewali- Ahmedabad- Mumbai

Starting at 4am, we drove down to Mumbai via Ahmedabad and the drive was uneventful though a very long drive. The Skoda Kodiaq was superb offering great comfort and never felt tired though we clocked 2,210 kms on this very satisfying trip!

Kutch is something different and extraordinary and worth a visit once in one's lifetime. Do not miss it!

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We started with one plan and finalized a completely different one just 10 days before the trip as most friends couldn't join this time.

BHPian adetour recently shared this with other enthusiasts:

Prelude:

It was yet another year of wondering where to go during the year end, and then finally falling back to our default option - The North East! Spoilt for choice with lots of pending places in NE, we started with one plan and finalized a completely different one just 10 days before the trip as most friends couldn't join this time.

Finally, it was only one car - MK's XUV500 (now 2.4L+ on odo), 3 of us, usual 17 days and 7752kms, we covered Ziro, Menchukha, Lamang, Majuli, Nongjrong.

Some snippets from the drive:

Winterscapes of Ziro Valley

The "roads" to Menchukha

Menchukha Bazzar and the surrounding snow peaks

Yargyap Chhu/Siyom River

Scenes around Menchukha

A lot of Local cuisines tried

Lamang Post - the last driveable point before the LAC

Snow around Lamang - fresh snowing happened the previous day

The Menchukha Valley

Siko Dido Waterfalls

Vistas of Majuli

Serene Sunsets of Majuli

Some Satra Hoppings

Last Sunrise of 2024 from Nongjrong

Clear Umngot River

Valleys of East Khasi Hills in Winter

Last Sunset of 2024 from Nongjrong

First Sunrise of 2025 from Nongjrong

SECTIONS

• Planning
• Day 1&2 - Chennai to Rajahmundry & Rajahmundry to Kalyani
• Day 3 - Kalyani to Bongaigaon
• Day 4 - Bongaigaon to Ziro
• Day 5 - Places in Ziro : Part 1
• Day 5 - Places in Ziro : Part 2
• Day 6 - Ziro to Aalo
• Day 7 - Aalo to Menchukha : Part 1
• Day 7 - Aalo to Menchukha : Part 2
• Day 8 - Places in Menchukha : Part 1
• Day 8 - Places in Menchukha : Part 2
• Day 9 - Lamang, last driveable point before LAC : Part 1
• Day 9 - Lamang, last driveable point before LAC : Part 2

Continue reading BHPian adetour's North East travelogue for BHPian comments, insights and more information.

The hotels near the entrance mainly catering to the tourist crowd visiting the Iruppu falls opened just before 8 am so for anyone reaching at this point breakfast or chai is an option here.

BHPian vijayols recently shared this with other enthusiasts:

A moderate level trek through the Brahmagiri wildlife Sanctuary running through grasslands,sections of tree covered forest canopy,a couple of streams to cross over on wooden logs,a chance to spot elephants in the wild,a falls at the start of the trek and a culmination of the trek with a steep climb with a rewarding view of the undulating green peaks and all this within a day sounded enchanting enough for me to sign up when the team announced the plan for this weekend.

The vast Grasslands.

The beautiful Brahmagiri Peak

Couldn't dig out the history as to why this hill got the name Brahmagiri which translates to the hill of Brahma who arguably is the least celebrated of the big three Indian Gods, as most stories narrated by locals talk of references to the Ramayan albeit being contradictory in nature.One of the story mentioned by Poonacha a fellow trekker/friend that in his place Coorg it is believed that the river they worship Kaveri was the daughter of King Kavera and he was blessed with the birth of Kaveri after prayers and penance to please Brahma.This happened in the hills today called as Brahmagiri hills.The other story suggests that Lord Brahma was supposed to have built the Vishnu temple at Thirunellai.That of course is the beauty and fascination of listening to tales which makes interesting conversations, this time with the car driver who mentioned that on the advice of their Guru Lord Rama and Lakshmana were to set up a temple while Hanuman was searching for the whereabouts of Sita and when they made the temple without waiting for his return he was angry and scratched the hill which made a mark!The more popular version being that Rama and Lakshmana when in search of Sita stopped here and being thirsty Lakshmana shot an arrow to pierce the earth and unearth water which turned out to be the Lakshmana Teertha river which merges with the Kaveri downstream.

Hmm don't know when I would get over this habit of wandering away with my train of thought instead of focussing on the story.And what better way to start one than from the beginning?

So there was an announcement in our India Hikes Trekking Club-Bangalore Chapter mentioning a weekend trek to Brahmagiri with the objective to document the trek to help future trekkers and I jumped in late at the chance.

The plan was simple that we would be divided into teams each of which would be assigned duties like one team handling the route documentation including tracking on Gaia maps,one handling the photography,one handling marking important points and one smaller points like public bus timings,hotel timings etc and the process to book the trek and so on.

Trek Destination-Brahmagiri trek.

Location- Placed between the states of kerela on one side being Wayanad District and the other being in kodugu district in karnataka.The nearest town was Virajpet 250 kms away and an overnight journey from Bangalore.The Brahmagiri hill was situated in the Brahmagiri wildlife sanctuary which was an extension of the Nagarhole and Bandipur forests connected by the kutta corridor.Approximately 181 sq kms in area and home to many birds and animals like elephants,tigers,leopards,wild dogs,sloth bear,sambar and barking deer,malabar giant squirrel,Great Hornbills,Nilgiri Langur,lion tailed macaque among others.

Terrain- Primarily grass lands with lush green forest patches and a couple of streams like Lakshmana teertha and Negilu Hole with a rest house called Narimalai Forest rest house a view point ,the Narimalai Hill and of course the
final destination at 5276 feet the Brahmagiri Peak.

Trek Routes- Being shared by two states the karnataka side trek which we were undertaking is the more difficult trail starting at Iruppu Falls/Rameshwara temple and covering a distance of about 11 kms one side and from the kerela end its starts at Thirunellai temple (Vishnu Temple) up to Brahmagiri peak covering a distance of 6 kms one side.

Trek Booking- We had to log in to the Karnataka Govt Website www.aranyavihaara.karnataka.gov.in and book the slot for the trek.In this case Kodugu District Brahmagiri trek and pay the fee and upload a govt document number to get the confirmation.There are 300 slots available per day and this trek is relatively less popular and easily available.
The start time mentioned is 8 am and return by 5 pm.

Bus Booking- We booked an AC sleeper bus to Gonikoppa from Vinayaka travels costing appx Rs 600 each way.

From Gonikoppa to Kurchi village(start point of the trek) our fellow trekker Upayan had arranged for a taxi which cost us Rs 450 per person both ways.Way cheaper than the auto which were present at 4.15 am when the bus reaches Gonikoppa who were quoting Rs 1200 each side per auto.Public bus is also available at 6 am.

Homestay Booking- A fellow trekker Puneet had booked a fresh up stay at Sherlock Homestay along with hot breakfast and packed lunch and cost us appx 700 Rs per person.This was barely a km away from the start point of the trek.

Breakfast options otherwise is a challenge as the local hotels catering to the visitors seeing Iruppu falls would tend to open closer to the 8 am start time.A bakery (Shabari Bake house) was open at 4.15 am at Gonikoppa for chai or basic bakery snacks.

What to Pack for the trek- Would suggest as a checklist an extra pair of clothes,a torch light,cap,2 litres of water,some snacks,a sweater(as it gets cold in the morning both at Bangalore and Gonikoppa,Trekking shoes to wear for the trek,a poncho,battery pack for mobile charging,a towel,cutlery for food,tiffin boxes for packed lunch and a eco bag to collect waste on the trail.We also were asked to download Gaia or all trails app which on hind sight was a necessity. This app needs a KML file of the route to be downloaded and opened in this app to give the GPS trail of the trek.This is essential as there is no mobile network and can be a life save if lost.

Trek dates-We were to catch a late night bus on friday reaching on saturday morning when we would trek and take the saurday night bus back to bangalore to reach on Sunday early morning.

The Trek map.Courtesy India Hikes Documentation team.

So the final lot of 21 trekkers assembled at Majestic bus stop and boarded the sleeper bus.Since we were in such huge numbers we practically were the major passengers in the comfortable bus.Would recommend this bus for its comfort though I as usual couldn't catch a wink of sleep.(Confirmed this on my Garmin watch which recorded no sleep data both ways.Don't what is with me and sleep while in travel or in tents.Do not seem to catch any sleep).

The bus stopped once for natures call and chai and dropped us on the dot at 4.15 am at Gonikoppa (A few kms before Virajpet)about 20 kms away from Kurchi village where our stay and the trek start was located.

Upayan called our transport who arrived shortly in 3 cars while we noted the options to get to Kurchi for our trek documentation.Autos seem to be always available.The other options like I mentioned was asking the home stay to arrange for a car or wait for the public bus at 6 am.

The early morning drive through the plantations was thrilling especially as we nearly hit a pair of hares which crossed the road in a flash.We thought we had killed them but an inspection confirmed that though injured the hares seemed to have made it.A dramatic start to what turned out to be an action packed day ahead!

We were given 3 rooms to freshen up at the Sherlock home stay which was neat and the bed looked comfy.There was hot water available and fresh towels.That surely was a luxury not to be missed for a trek.

Breakfast was hot dosas and chutney with some masala omelettes thrown in along with tea/coffee.Service was with a smile which was refreshing.

Packed lunch was pulao with raitha/Boiled eggs and they gave me recyclable plastic covers which I had forgotten to bring for ensuring food did not leak.

Would any day recommend this place if only for the service with a smile attitude not to mention the delicious hot food served.

Believing rightly that an early start helps we were ready with our packed lunch and bags bang on target by 7 am.The start of the trek was barely 500 mts away at the forest office gate located next to Rameshwara temple.

On reaching there learnt that the timings (though was pertaining to the more popular Iruppu falls)was mentioned as 8am to 5pm.Moreover checking with the forest guard there we learnt that the guides usually reach by 8.30 am or so and that too if they have been informed that there is a trekking group.

So the protocol looks like after we book the trek online we need to call the Forest officer (Naveen) 8050521417 or the local coordinator Sudeep on 9663172355 and inform them to tell the guides that a trekker has booked for the Brahmagiri trek so that they could be present there on time.The guides 5 of them in total of which one stays in the Narimalai Forest rest house (to take care that the electric fence is switched on and be present for night duty) and the others take care of duties like guides for trekkers and fire tracking jobs and basic patrolling duties.

Our guides Jai (who was the lead) and Gagan (trail guard) reached by 9 am when we started our trek.The guide fees are extra at Rs 500 per batch of booking(Max of 10 per booking).Tips of any are at the discretion of the trekkers.A basic instruction was given which included silence on the trek,wearing of neutral color dress with orange/white and other bright colors a no-no,not throwing plastic on the trail and that of we were to spot animals especially elephants on the trek then based on the advice of the guides we may have to cut short the trek and return back.Apparently the animal especially elephant-man conflict had increased over the years and elephants were up to the trick of not getting scared by fire crackers or air gun shots but would attack if threatened by humans.

While waiting for the guards to turn up a few of us explored the places nearby and Anil found that just behind the Rameshwara temple the Lakshmana Teertha stream flowed.

The hotels near the entrance mainly catering to the tourist crowd visiting the Iruppu falls opened just before 8 am so for anyone reaching at this point breakfast or chai is an option here.

Just around 9 am our group of 21 and an additional 4 trekkers of another group were all set and excited to begin our journey.The initial trail was a cement path with a few steps leading straight to the falls while we took a right deviation towards the Brahmagiri hills.The team responsible for the trail mapping (included me in the lead)started recording on our Gaia app.This coincided with the already mapped trail downloaded from the KML file.

Continue reading BHPian vijayols' travelogue for more insights and information.

This ride was unique in many ways. We had our first female rider captain, who quickly rose through the ranks after getting her hands on a Royal Enfield Hunter.

BHPian Mrs&Mr_Shenu recently shared this with other enthusiasts:

A New Route by the Kerala Forest Department and we were the first group to try it out.

It had been three months since our rider group last planned an adventure. This time, we decided on a 75-kilometer ride to Chimmini.

Chimmini has become an Instagram sensation, known for its picturesque dam and stunning surroundings. The final 5 kilometers of the route are particularly breathtaking, offering a visual treat to all who travel it.

While planning our ride, we spoke with officials from the Kerala Forest Department. Initially, we were looking for an easy 3-kilometer trek. However, they informed us about a new trek route set to be introduced in the first week of February 2025. We were thrilled to be the first team to explore this pristine route.

This ride was unique in many ways. We had our first female rider captain, who quickly rose through the ranks after getting her hands on a Royal Enfield Hunter. Additionally, we welcomed new riders, new trekkers, and new bikes to our group.

Ride Plan:

• Edapally
• Ambalur (right turn)
• Chimmini (Trek)
• Chokkana

Expense: Rs. 800 per head, including snacks, Kerala-style meals (lunch), and a coracle ride.

We gathered around 5:30 AM and set off towards Chimmini. The route was mostly along the national highway, allowing us to comfortably ride at speeds of 60 to 70 kilometers per hour. This stretch from Kochi to Thrissur had some ongoing construction work.

As the sun began to rise in the east, by the time we turned towards Chimmini from Ambalur, it was shining brightly. The route offered a unique experience with the increasing sunlight and a carpet of cold mist over the fields. It was truly something worth experiencing.

By around 7:50 AM, we reached the gates of the Chimmini Forest Reserve. We had shared our names and vehicle details a few days earlier, so the formalities at the gate were already completed for us.

From there, we moved to the Inspection Bungalow, where they arranged our parking and extended the courtesy of a small but tasty breakfast. We quickly finished it and were ready for the adventure.

As this was the first trek through this new route, we were accompanied by 2 Beat Forest Officers and 4 guides. They gave us a brief on the purpose of the trek and the precautions to be taken. Then, off we went.

The area around Chimmini is very beautiful, especially if you visit during the monsoon or afterwards. Unfortunately, our timing wasn't ideal as the route had less greenery and no water in the streams. However, this also made the trekking easier. We walked past fallen leaves and slowly got onto the trail, which had only been trodden a few times before by the guides.

A key part of this trek was the non-stop live commentary from the guides. They spoke about the ecology, the food chain, and the importance of treating nature with respect. The guides emphasized why it is critical for all of us to be part of the ecosystem and actively contribute to it. Some of the examples they mentioned were eye-opening for us.

By noon, we reached the other side of the dam reservoir, where coracles were ready for us to cross. One of our groups had taken a different route and was far behind the other two groups. Each coracle could take 4 people along with one person to steer it.

This part was especially exciting with the heavy breeze. At the end, we even managed a few 360-degree spins before reaching the shore.

We had a delicious lunch and then set off back to Kochi through Chokkana. On the way, just after Chimmini, we stopped at a small stream for a refreshing splash of water. It was a great spot for some hearty water fun.

Chokkana was our last leg of the ride. This place is more vibrant during the monsoon, with lots of twists and turns through the countryside roads. Sometimes, local buses would surprise us around the corners. We stopped at one of the famous hanging bridges, took some snaps, and later gathered for some delicious snacks and tea. Some of our fellow riders even indulged in a game of football on a local ground.

From there, it was a dull ride back, mainly due to the hectic traffic back to Kochi. In retrospect, it was a day well spent, a happy ride, and an even happier trek.

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Samruddhi Mahamarg is fantastic as so many have claimed and mentioned. Given that this was my first drive on Samruddhi it certainly made a fantastic impressive as you join the expressway

BHPian StreetRider recently shared this with other enthusiasts:

As all good thing happen, a chain of events triggered my visit to the MahaKumbh 2025. The same chain of events had set in motion that this will be a Road Trip. Road Trip from Pune to Pragyaraj.

While I have driven long distance nothing close to this distance, but then this time I have my XUV7OO next to me. It certainly gave me all the confidence I needed. Some quick search on the net and forums including fellow BHPians got the required details around road conditions and we had set this in motion in one days' time. Evening 7:00 booked the place where we will stay at Pragyaraj and we were all set, rest of the bookings we decide to to it dynamically based on the progress we make with the drive.

Started with a plan of Pune > Nagpur (stay) > Pragyaraj (stay) > Nagpur (stay) > Pune, so this was supposed to be a quick visit, Thursday to Sunday.

Those getting on this trip all set, me, wify, brother-in-law (BIL) and his spouse

Took care of office stuff and decided to carry it along just incase

Route Plan: Pune> Chakan> Sinnar> Samruddhi Expressway > Nagpur > Jabalpur > Rewa > Pragyaraj

Day 1 : Thursday
Started from Pune at 06:50. Pune to Chakan was breeze and without any major traffic issues crossed notorious Chakan.

Road till Samruddhi Expressway is mix bag, but by and large no major issues. There is work that is in progress on the highway so do lookout for the diversions

Had breakfast before entering the expressway (Saiprasad Restaurant) given that the expressway is known to not have many options. Hit the express way by around 10:15

Samruddhi is fantastic as so many have claimed and mentioned. Given that this was my first drive on Samruddhi it certainly made a fantastic impressive as you join the expressway.

As has been the feedback, Samriddhi can be too monotonous and boring, you should keep yourself active with regular breaks, conversations, music and observing things around. Fueling stations at regular intervals offer facilities of washroom and quick tea/ coffee.

We refueled at BPCL (Shree Ram Corporation) had a quick filter coffee and moved ahead from there. A couple of breaks along the way and exited Expressway approx. 15:45. Transferred control to the XUV7OO to my BIL somewhere along the way and took the co-passenger seat.

After commuting with the Nagpur bypass, which is a huge one and navigating through not the best roads we were on our way to Jabalpur. but before a pitstop for refueling.

MP Roads are nice and a pleasure to drive, OfCourse some maintenance work along the way, but not much to complaint. Unlike Maharashtra roads which are quite busy, MP roads offer a largely peaceful drive. Encountered multiple tolls along the way and will give details later on.

The highway gave a glimpse of Pench, inviting us to spend more time there, but time was not on our side. On our way, after some though of breaking at Jabalpur or Rewa, we decided to break at Jabalpur. Booked a hotel as we travelled towards Jabalpur - Hotel Onyx Inn Zero Degree. Nothing fancy, very basic place, to crash for the night. Settled on this place after checking a few places ad ruled out as they had some wedding functions planned.

Had dinner at a place Badkul - Jabalpur, as recommended to us. Turned out to be a good place.

Day 2: Friday
- As had decided the day before we started early from Jabalpur. Before started happned to interact with a family from Gujrat, who had stayed at the same place and were returning back after visiting Pragyaraj (MahaKunbh). Brief feedback, gave a very positive review of the overall experience and the roads.
Started from Jabalpur at around 06:20. As we progressed we encountered some fog, but not dense/ thick enough to stop the travel. Road condition was good with a few exceptions.

Had breakfast at GuruKripa Dhaba at around 08:00 and then continued ahead.

Entereed Pragyaraj at around 11:00 and then after some struggle with the maps reached our resort by 11:30.

Living Greens is a wonderful place, we liked the setup and the vibe in general. My earlier interactions with the owner were positive and then with the hotel staff was equally warm.

After quick refreshments, we immediately decided to take the plunge and headed for the Arial Ghat as was recommended to us by the staff. Along the way we saw a lot of designated parking spots which were quite some distance away from the ghat. These areas served as the parking areas during the peak dates and were all vacant when we crossed them.

Wonderful vibe, setup and arrangement. we could see a lot of cops and support staff everywhere. We were already informed that since we are not on a peak date, we will be luck and can take the vehicle very close to the ghat. We fumbled a bit, but then a traffic cop advised us route and suggested that we should take the car close down and there is enough parking there (as it was not a peak date).

After a bit of bargaining, we settled on 1300 Rs for the 4 of us to the Sangam, at Sangam another 200 Rs for using the place. While the official ratecard mentioned 75 per person, I doubt if that is being adhered to.

At the Sangam, being well prepared with dry fit clothes made things easier. For the ladies we did not opt to use the make shift setup at the platform and preferred to be back and the banks. The banks has ample changing room provisions in place and best to get changed there.

Once in dry clothes we decided to explore the Killa Ghat and Akhar fort area. A short 30 min painful (traffic) drive and we parked our vehicle at the designated parking spot, paid 50Rs for the parking and we were on foot exploring the place and the divinity.

Spent time at Killa Ghat and continued our walk along the sangam banks. Wonderful vibe, energy and atmosphere. Long queue at the "Bade HAnuman" meant that we had to skip and decided to explore around. Decided to head back to our place after the respective better halfs were satisfied.

Day 3: Saturday
After an early morning tea at 06:10 we decided to make the move and started at around 06:25. This time around we had thicker fog than before and this slowed us down.

Continued through the fog at safe speed. Refueled at a BPCL - COCO in UP after 30 odd mins. This was a good pump with elaborate setup for refreshing (including bathing). Fuel prices in UP were cheap by ~3 Rs as against those in Maharashtra, got the tank full done that will take us through till Nagpur and beyond.

After contemplating if we should go beyond Nagpur, we decided to stay at Nagpur along our route, but decided to add Bhedaghat to our itinerary.

This was a good addition to the trip. Enroute had breakfast at Wayside Restaurant - Katni (before Katni) on the other side of our travel. Very good place, neat and clean. Food was also wonderful.

Reached Bhedaghat Boating point ~12:30. Paid for the list to the boating point and this also gave us the parking spot. Wonderful to see the Marbel rock faces and the wonderful narration by the guide as well. Paid the official charges of 800 Rs. and then later the additional tip.

As was the template, we had booked a hotel at Nagpur as we were travelling. Highway Relax Inn would be our place to crash. Again nothing fancy, we wanted a place that would not need a detour.

Day 4: Sunday
Started our last leg back to Pune at 06:10. Refueled, incidentally another BPCL pump. This one on the highway was not so well maintained, specifically the washrooms. Quick Tea/ coffee/ snax and off we go.

sparse traffic on the expressway, as we crossed Ch. Sambhajinagar, the number of vehicles improved. Couple of breaks along the stretch and we were through the expressway.

Had lunch at Akshay Family Garden Restaurant and that would see us though in the last leg till Pune. This time as well we got lucky to not experience the Chakan traffic (may be the visit to Kumbhmela is playing a role here ) and till reaching home around 16:00

Note: Consider the recent news on massive traffic jam along the MP - UP roads leading to Pragyaraj, Do validate the latest when you plan.

Check out BHPian comments for more insights and information.

The round trip was about 3800km , Both the motorcycles did not miss a beat or give us any kind of mechanical trouble.

BHPian cjt2012 recently shared this with other enthusiasts:

The riding season is on , so soon as we stepped off the ship both Varun and I decided to do a longish road tour on the bikes. Since we both work on ships , at the first opportunity to ride we take it. The last long trip I did was to Bhutan from Mumbai in 2024, (you can read that account on this forum) We were looking forward for another trip.
I personally don't like to plan much for a ride, so Varun did most of the route plan. I often say a Road trip is about the adventure and thrill of the Journey and not just about the destination.
We were two of us ( Varun Langrana - Age 36 - 2023 BMW R1250GSA and myself Clement Thomas- Age 49 - 2017 BMW R1200GS ); A few days before the trip we had a short meeting on the route and the places we would like to cover during this trip and a WhatsApp group was made.

My bike is generally well kitted for long trips, The bike was serviced at BMW Thane in Dec 2024 where the valve clearances were checked and shims changed as required ,oil changed , coolant changed , K&N air filter was cleaned, Cardan shaft removed and greased , Cardan Oil changed , Checked torque values on all crucial nuts and bolts and Tyre pressure checked. The Brake pads were not changed since they looked to be good enough

I have both Aluminium Touratech Panniers and Soft Luggage, but i prefer the soft luggage basically to manage the weight ( Panniers tend to be heavier)

Some very essential generic requirements on the motorcycle are as below:
1. USB Charging port 12V (My bike has 3 USB ports)
2. Aux Lights
3. Headlight guards / protectors
4. The Connected cradle to accommodate the phone is a very essential requirement when using Phone for Google map Navigation.
5. Ensure you have good set of riding gear, this is non negotiable - I was using Klim Adventure Rally Pro Jacket , Klim Badland Pants , Rynox Gloves , Scorpion AT950 modular helmet, I prefer a cotton t-shirt inside in the heat.

Other equipment's carried were : Qubo Bike Cam with loop recording charged by the bikes 12v USB port, This is a fantastic piece of kit and its real value for money, essential tools, a Spuncture Puncture repair kit, a compact air compressor (12V supply from the bike), a jump starter , Cable ties (very important), straps, bungee chords, Essential first aid and medicines, Spare Brake pads front and rear, Spark Plug set, key fob spare battery, Emergency key.

Throughout the trip, only regular fuel was used on my bike.

Odometer Reading before setting off

Bike set up for the trip

Day 1: 13.01.2025 Mumbai (MH)- Chitradurga (KA) : 820km

We decided to start a little early and set off at 5:30am , made brisk progress towards Pune and stopped for breakfast somewhere near Shirwal around 8:30am, with good roads on NH48 we were making good progress passing Satara around 10:30 and onwards towards Karad , but soon after Satara the road diversions started and so did the morning traffic which increased quiet a bit. The diversions were there almost every 4 to 5 km which was very annoying and also setting us back in time. For the most part the roads were decent , we were making steady progress and we passed Kolhapur around 12 noon, with a few breaks in between for water, tea and tanking up.

Tea Break near Kolhapur

Lunch stop was soon after Belagavi around 2:00pm after which we pushed on, Soon after Belagavi the roads became very good and it was an absolute pleasure on two wheels, at some point the NH48 becomes AH47 passing Dharwad, Hubballi, Devagiri, Davanagere and by round 7:00pm we were on the outskirts of Chitradurga. We checked into Hotel Ravi Mayur which is a very basic hotel to spend the night.

Day 2: 14.01.2025 Chitradurga (KA) - Kanyakumari (TN) : 850km

We started from the Hotel around 7:45am tanking up on the highway soon after setting off.
The roads (AH47) continued to be excellent and we headed towards Tumakuru and onwards to Bangaluru, as expected we did face some traffic on the outskirts of Bangaluru. We took the NICE ring road ( paying a Toll for our bikes ).

After Bangaluru , we took the NH 44 towards Kanyakumari, passing Hosur and stopping at Krishnagiri for Lunch around 1:00pm
Post lunch , we again made rapid progress with excellent roads in Tamil Nadu continuing, soon we were passing Dharmapuri, Salem, Dindigul, and by evening 5:00pm we were at Madurai where we decided to stop for tea and some refreshments, we had done 350km from krishnagiri to Madurai in 4 hours. We were hoping to reach Kanyakumari by 8:30 or 9:00 pm.

Near Madurai

As we started from Madurai, the weather took and unexpected turn and it started pouring down heavily, we decided to press on with the ride , I changed the ride mode to RAIN and we continued our ride, As if the rain was not enough of an issue; thing were soon going to become nasty, at around 6:30pm the TPMS on the bike started blinking orange and the rear tyre pressure dropped from 42 to 35 and soon it dropped below 30 when the TPMS started to blink Red, At first , I thought that the heavy rain is causing the electronics on the bike to play up, which was definitely not the case, one glance at the rear tyre and it became apparent that it had a puncture. I contacted Varun and we pulled up at the nearest Petrol pump, careful inspection of the tyre revealed a 5 inch long thin steel rod embedded in the tyre, after managing to remove the steel rod, out came the puncture kit and we tried the repairs, however the air was not holding as the hole was larger and a single insert was not sufficient.

Since the festival of Pongal (Which is the biggest festival in TN) was going on everything in Tamilnadu was shut, so were the puncture shops, luckily the petrol pump attendant had the number of a puncture shop owner, he called him and within 20min the guy came to help us, I filled up air at the puncture shop and rode the bike to the puncture shop , where he removed the thin insert and put in a larger insert , this repair worked.

This whole episode set us back by about 1 hour , it was already dark, it was still raining heavily and we still decided to continue to ride to Kanyakumari.

We had an uneventful ride from there to Kanyakumari and reached around 10pm.

Since Pongal was going on, the Hotels in Kanyakumari were overflowing with people, and we did not get any rooms at hotels near the sea, However about 1.5km before Kanyakumari we checked into "The Coral Kanyakumari" which was a relatively new hotel, it was a good hotel with good food.

The Coral Kanyakumari

Day 3 - Day 4 15.01.2025 - 16.01.2025 At Kanyakumari

The Hotel was very comfortable and we were able to get good rest and also explored the places of interest at Kanyakumari, like the Swami Vivekanada Rock, Thiruvalluvar statue, Sunset and sunrise point, Vattakottai fort, Mathoor Aquaduct among other sites.

Some photos from Kanyakumari

At Vattakottai Fort

At Mathoor Aquaduct

Kanyakumari and its approaches are peppered with Wind turbines as it is considered as the best location in India for harnessing wind energy, these massive machines can be seen all along the highways on approaches and its a truly majestic sight.

Day 5 : 17.01.2025 Kanyakumari (TN) - Munnar (KL) (Via Kovalam) 380km

Set out from Kanyakumari at around 8:30am and headed to Kovalam and took the very scenic coastal road, Parked the bike at the common beach parking and rented a beach chair for an hour , enjoyed the nice sunshine and the white sand beach before heading onwards to Munnar.

At Kovalam

Roads in Kerala , while they are very good are mostly single carriageways (even their highways) and as such quiet dangerous, not to mention Google maps on a few occasions taking us through some very narrow rubber plantation roads before linking up to some road, the route led us from Thiruvananthapuram , Kilimanoor, Ayoor, Kottarakkara, Pathanamthitta, Ranni, Pala, Thodupuzha , Adimali to Munnar. Kerala is a very beautiful state with natural beauty like few other places on earth (its little wonder that its called God's own Country). Reached Munnar about 8:00pm ,We stayed at Silver Blooms homestay , it was a decent place however food was not available at the location and the owner would bring us the Breakfast in the mornings.

Lunch Stop on route to Munnar

Day 6 - 18.01.2025 - At Munnar

The Homestay at Munnar

We explored Munnar and near by locations of Top Station, The route is very scenic with Tea Gardens on both sides of the road for some time and then dense forest , the roads were good until Top Station, but then the road became non existent and it started to rain, This made the mountain trails very slippery and both our bikes got bogged down in slush and slippery mud. It took tremendous effort to bring both the bikes out from the slippery mud with the help of another rider who was also stuck in the same predicament. The whole experience was very tiring and scary since we were alone in that area with overcast skies , heavy rain and sticky slippery mud with two big bikes bogged down.

On Route to Top Station Munnar

The mountain trails after Top Station where the bikes got stuck in the slippery mud

Continue reading BHPian ctj2012's travelogue for more insights and information.

Between our two electric cars (Tata Curvv and Mercedes-Benz EQB), an electric bike, a 14-kilowatt solar setup at home, and a house full of over 300 plants, going green isn’t just a choice; it’s a lifestyle

BHPian EVCruiser recently shared this with other enthusiasts:

Charging Through: Our 6,400 km Electric Road Trip Across India

An electric road trip across India, a commitment to sustainable energy, a commitment to a greener future. In the 14 days of our travel, my wife and I drove from Bangalore to different iconic destinations like Rann of Kutch, Jaisalmer et all covering the diversity of our country and the many challenges of driving Electric car. From charging infrastructure to scenic routes, each leg of the journey reinforced our commitment on reducing our carbon footprint.

Sustainability isn’t just something we talk about—it’s how we live. Between our two electric cars (Tata Curvv and Mercedes EQB), an electric bike, a 14-kilowatt solar setup at home, and a house full of over 300 plants, going green isn’t just a choice; it’s a lifestyle. This trip was our way of proving that electric travel isn’t just possible—it’s practical, fun, and the future. We hope our journey inspires more people to embrace sustainable travel.

While there were some early challenges driving an electric car on an epic cross-country journey — notably, finding enough charging stations — the obstacles added to the excitement and spontaneity of the trip. We found that the charging stations we encountered, many with restaurants and rest areas, were encouraging us to take breaks, reducing driving fatigue and making the trip more enjoyable.

The Joy of the Unexpected
The highlight of the trip is it is entirely unplanned. We only had Ran of Kutch and Jaisalmer in our minds and route and stays along the way are out of spontaneity. We have chosen Tata Curvv for this trip because of easiness in terms of servicing in any emergency case. We tried to charge mostly in Tata Power wherever it is available but mostly others as well since they are faster compared to Tata Power Chargers. Charging in 120kwh fast charger is so refreshing that it charges 20% to 80% in less than 20min.

Trip in Numbers –

Total Trip Days: 16

Core Travel Days: 11

Distance Covered: 6,387 km (Bangalore to Bangalore), 5,522 km (Nellore to Nellore)

Average Km per Day: 400 (Bangalore to Bangalore), 502 (Nellore to Nellore)

States Covered: 7

Total kWh Consumed: 954 (Bangalore to Bangalore), 816 (Nellore to Nellore)

Km per kWh: 6.7 (Bangalore to Bangalore), 6.77 (Nellore to Nellore)

Charging Stops: 31 (Bangalore to Bangalore), 27 (Nellore to Nellore)

Day 1: Bangalore to Tirupati (250 km)
Our journey began in Bangalore, leaving in the late afternoon at 4:30 PM. We reached Tirupati by 8:30 PM. After charging our electric vehicle at the Taj Hotel (Tata Power Station, 37 kW), we stayed overnight at my sister’s place, marking the first leg of our exciting road trip.

Day 2: Tirupati to Nellore (135 km)
We spent the day in Nellore, where we dropped our kids and Fizzy (Doggy) off at their grandparents' house. We didn’t rush and enjoyed some quality family time before continuing our journey.

Day 3: Nellore to Hyderabad (485 km)
After leaving Nellore, we stopped in Ongole to see some friends while charging as well. We stopped at Rompicherla for a quick charge, then continued to Hyderabad, where we arrived by 6:00 PM. We stayed at friends place and topped up the vehicle at TML Select in Alkapuri (Tata Power).

Day 4: Hyderabad to Ellora Caves and then to Dhule (764 km)
We set out early and debated whether to take the route through Maharashtra to Rann of Kutch or the one heading to Jaisalmer. We opted for the former and took a detour to Ellora Caves, stopping to charge at Basavakalyan and Beed along the way. Reaching Ellora, driving 600 km, by late afternoon, we explored the caves and the Grishneswar Temple before heading to Dhule for the night. Charged in Ellora Resort in Ellora while having our dinner.

Day 5: Dhule to Statue of Unity and to Mehsana (568 km)
After a relaxing overnight stay in a nice hotel and nice breakfast and quick charge in Dhule, we made our way to the Statue of Unity in Gujarat. Reaching by 3:00 PM, we spent the afternoon touring the statue and other attractions nearby, while charging our vehicle in Ramada Encore. We then continued to Mehsana for an overnight stay after charging at Kalol while dining.

Day 6: Mehsana to Rann of Kutch (355 km)
The drive to Rann of Kutch was one of the most memorable of our trip. We charged our vehicle in Radhampur and continued our journey of 245 kms to Rann Utsav area. As we drove through the vast, endless white desert, we felt like we were in another world. We reached Rann of Kutch by 4:30 PM, charging the car at Mobiline before heading out to explore the white desert and catching the night views. If the only charging station in Rann Utsav is not working then the backup plan was to drive 82 km to Bhuj for charging which would be a detour. We stayed at Tent City for the night, enjoying cultural programs and traditional food. The following morning, we caught the stunning sunrise over the desert.

Day 7: Rann of Kutch to Barmer (475 km)
We started from Rann of Kutch and crossed through the picturesque Radhampur route. Along the way, we visited the Dholavira Harappan civilization site and stopped to charge at Hotel Shivaay in Tharad. After another quick charge in Sanchur along with Dinner, we reached Bamar by evening, ready to rest.

Day 8: Bamer to Jaisalmer (166 km)
We left Bamar early and reached Jaisalmer by 11:30 AM. We charged the car at Taj Gowrabandha Palace Hotel before heading to Jaisalmer Fort and other nearby attractions. The city, with its sand-coloured architecture, was a sight to behold. After some shopping, we headed to the desert camp area in Sam, where we stayed overnight in neat and clean tents, enjoying cultural programs and delicious food.

Day 9: Jaisalmer Desert Safari and Longewala and to Pachpadra (558 km)
The morning began with a thrilling desert safari and a camel ride in the Sam Desert. Afterward, we decided to visit Longewala, a site with significant historical importance due to the 1961 India-Pakistan war. My wife’s father had sentimental ties to the place as he was posted in Jaisalmer. We visited the Longewala Museum and picked up some souvenirs. We then returned to Jaisalmer and charged the car before starting our journey back. We have reached Pachpadra for overnight stay. We took a non-highway route for some reason and ended up in an nervousness filled drive as we have seen none for over 100 kms in that pitch dark but safely cruised along to Pachpadra and stayed overnight.

Day 10: Pachpadra to Ujjain (658 km)
We departed Pachpadra and made our way toward Ujjain. We reached Udaipur for a brief stop where we charged and dined. Due to time constraints, we didn’t visit the Udaipur Fort but enjoyed lunch and a drive around the city. By evening, we headed to Ujjain for a brief rest and planned to visit the Mahakaleshwar Temple the next morning. We charged in Malgalwaad while snacking and in Dhodar while dining.

Day 11: Ujjain to Khamgaon (390 km)
Early in the morning, we visited the Mahakaleshwar Temple in Ujjain before heading to Indore for a charge and breakfast. Afterward, we drove to Omkareshwar Temple, but due to a heavy rush we were stopped 4 kms before, we had to take an auto rickshaw and after reaching we were told the darshan would take hours. Since I visited the temple earlier, we decided to head to Hyderabad for the New Year’s Eve celebration instead. The road from Omkareshwar to Maharasthra border was was very rough. We reached Khamgaon by 7:30 PM for charging and dining. We contemplated for a moment to stay overnight or continue to Hyderabad and decided the later.

Day 12: Khamgaon to Hyderabad (570 km)
We didn’t stop overnight and instead continued our journey to Hyderabad, charging the vehicle at Nanded around 2:00 AM. By 8:00 AM, we reached Hyderabad, where we spent the day resting and celebrating New Year’s Eve with friends.

Day 13: Hyderabad to Nellore (480 km)
After having a nice breakfast while charging and also visiting couple of friends in Hyderabad, we started our journey to Nellore at 1.30pm. We reached Nellore by 8.30pm while got briefly charged in Ongole along the way. Reunited with family there.

Day 14 and 15 : Quality time with family and friends
Nothing exciting except taking our Fizzy (Dog) to beach for the first time along with the kids.

Day 16: Nellore to Tirupati and to Bangalore (390 Km)
Started the final leg of our Journey from Nellore to Bangalore, stopping at Tirupati for Charging and Lunch with sister’s family.

Looking Back
This 6,400-kilometer road trip across India in an electric vehicle was more than just a journey—it was an adventure that combined exploration, sustainability, and a shared passion for driving. Every stop along the way, from the serene white deserts of Rann of Kutch to the historic sands of Jaisalmer and the spiritual Jyotirlingas, added a unique layer to our experience.
The highlight of this road trip was the stunning drives through the vast white deserts and golden sand dunes. These scenic routes reminded us of the beauty of India’s diverse landscapes and why the journey matters just as much as the destination.

This road trip reaffirmed our confidence in the potential of electric vehicles to support long-distance travel while reducing our carbon footprint. And hence we have immediately done an another 1,600 km trip to Bhimavaram for Sankranthi/Pongal celebrations.

With this trip, we’ve proven to ourselves—and hopefully to others—that long journeys in electric vehicles are practical, enjoyable, and aligned with the vision of a greener future. And as we set our sights on our next adventure, potentially the Maha Kumbh Mela, we hope to inspire more people to embrace sustainable energy solutions and explore the world with an eco-friendly mindset.

After all, it’s not just about the destinations we reach; it’s about the memories we create and the impact we leave behind.

Check out BHPian comments for more insights and information.

Tucson is definitely worth a visit, and there's a somewhat famous ditch known as the Grand Canyon which is not too far away, as is the lovely resort town of Sedona.

BHPian Mustang Sammy recently shared this with other enthusiasts:

Another year has gone by, and Yours Truly (henceforth called YT) is still playing catch up with these travelogues. Before my next visit there happens (and my memories fade), better to write up the experience from a year back.
February 2024 was (as always) cold and rainy, but with enough sunny patches to enable some nice sightseeing when I was there, on a work trip, with a short extension into a personal vacation. You will see plenty of sunny blue skies, some overcast ones, and some SPECTACULAR sights, which is a big reason why people are so reluctant to leave Northern California.

For those interested, here is an account of a short drive I did on one of my visits in 2023.
Above is what is known as a shameless plug, by the way

Transiting through Singapore. Changi airport is the best in the world, by a huge margin.

After landing in SFO, it was off (via the extremely clunkily organized) monorail shuttle to the rental car center, where I (excitedly) chose a Ford Bronco. The vehicle itself was unfortunately not the true-blue SUV, but a rebadged Ford Escape. It drove and handled well enough, so no complaints.

Picture taken from the slow monorail taking us to the rental car center. The plane I took to get here can be seen.

The first weekend after landing was devoted to catching up with old buddies and clearing the brain fog of jet lag. I did manage to squeeze in a short and scenic drive into the Santa Cruz hills to the Big Basin Redwoods State Park, one of my regular weekend hangouts back in the day. My travel companion was JC, an old friend of 35 years.

After a short drive on Highway 85, picked up JC from South San Jose and headed to the hills. From Saratoga via CA Highway 35, we joined highway 9 which took us to Hwy 236 (Big Basin way) which as you can guess from the name, took us straight to the Park. T’was a nice twisty drive on A-mazing roads. Hwy 9 & 35 are regularly used by enthusiasts of two and four wheeled steeds to stretch their legs on weekends. We stopped along the way at a vista point, where we were lucky enough to run into a bunch of car enthusiasts with their powerful and drool-worthy machines. Some pictures below for you to feast your eyes on.

Highway 85

City Road. Where are the potholes, red light jumpers and vehicles driving the wrong way?

Have stopped here so many times en route to the Big Basin, back in the day

The Skyline to the Sea trail. Goes all the way from the hills to the Pacific ocean.

Trail goes along the edge of the ridge

My ride, the Blue (Pseudo) Bronco, with a lovely old Porsche Carrera

BMWs with a Miata

Porsches with their German cousin

https://youtu.be/z54hBjvK8bk
Cars making a grand entrance to the rest area

American muscle: Mustang, Corvette
Japanese power: GTR

A souped-up Civic

One of the twisties we drove on. LOTs of fun

https://youtu.be/ScnPb8BwpIU
The end of Hwy 9 and the beginning of Hwy 236 (Big Basin Way).

After reaching the park I was shocked to see how much it had changed. I had read about the massive wildfires in 2020 that had done a lot of damage, but was unprepared for the degree of devastation they had inflicted. Signs were visible as we got close, but at the park HQ, the visitor center, interpretive walkways and exhibits and whole bunch of wonderful visitor amenities were gone. A few years of drought followed by lightning strikes set off the conflagration, which burned more than 86,000 acres!! Read the links for more information if interested.

https://journal.wildlife.ca.gov/2023...ds-state-park/

https://www.savetheredwoods.org/blog...ds-state-park/

To their massive credit, the State park service and volunteers have already done a lot of rebuilding . Trail signs are up, and some new information boards have also been put up. It will be a long journey to restoring the park to its original grandeur, though.

Burnt out trees visible on the approach road (Big Basin highway)

Burnt out skeleton

Hollowed out trunk

Continue reading BHPian Mustang_Sammy's travelogue for more insights and information.