Behind the wheel & Contributor

Vinod Kumar...know more about me

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Day - 1 Delhi -Ahmedabad 928kms 14hrs

Day - 2 Ahmedabad - Mumbai 526kms 9 hrs

Day - 3&4 Mumbai

Day - 5 Mumbai - Goa 656kms 13hrs

Day - 6&7 Goa

Day - 8 Goa - Bangalore - 709 kms - 11 hrs

Day - 9,10 Bangalore

Day - 11 Bangalore -Hyderabad - Nagapur - 1096 kms - 14 hrs

Day - 12 - Nagpur - Jhansi - 650 kms - 12 hrs

Day - 13 Jhansi - Gwalior - Agra - Delhi - 440 kms 9 hrs

Day - 1

We started by 4.15 am. We were apprehensive about fog, were slowed down for the 1st 100 kms till around Neemrana with occasional foggy patches. Rest overall progress was fast and uneventful. Breakfast stop at Nasirabad and Lunch after Udaipur. Got a minor jam at Udaipur. Thankfully cleared it in 30 minutes. As we approached Chittorgarh the sun turns brighter and slowly we start to shed our layers of clothes, Udaipur was hotter and woolens no longer reqd.

By 6 pm reached Ahmedabad Chiloda circle , we stayed at Hotel Surya Palace which is 1/2 km before Chiloda circle with enough parking and reasonable rates. We got a double room for Rs 1350/-. The day was hot but evening and mornings are chilly due to the wind flow.

Hotel Surya Palace


Delhi - Jaipur - Widening in progress, overall ok. Jaipur bypass - 2 major diversion at city, rest all after Manoharpur is in good condition. Post Jaipur - Roads are great.

Drive Summary

Start - 4.15 am

Jaipur - 7.30 am

Nasirabad - 9.45 am

Chittorgarh - 12.20 pm

Udaipur - 1.45 pm

Shalmaji - 04.45 pm

Ahmedabad - 06:10 pm

Total distance - 930 kms, Time 12 hrs

Day-2

We resumed our journey by 8 am. Morning was chilly. Enjoyed the 80 kms drive on NE-1. Office traffic was high and after Baroda truck traffic too was high. Roads are in good shape all the way till Mumbai. Breakfast was at NE-1 exit near Reliance pump. Lunch at Hotel Ahura after Vapi before Charoti toll. The food was good. At Bharuch toll traffic at both end was smooth, pleasantly surprised. Overall road condition was good and reached Malad, Mumbai by 4.30 pm.

Drive Summary

Start - 08.00 am

Baroda - 09:00 am

Baruch - 10:55 am

Surat : 12:00 pm

Vapi : 01:30 pm

Dahisar : 03:30 pm

Malad : 04:30 pm

Total distance : 526 kms, Time 8 hrs

Day 3 & 4 Mumbai Sightseeing

Ayyappa temple Goregaon


Bandra–Worli Sea Link


Mukesh Ambani Antilla


Bademiya


Colaba causeway


Gateway of India


Haji Ali


Leopold cafe


Police headquarters


Race course


Clock tower


Regal cinema


Taj Hotel


Queen's necklace


Day 5 - Mumbai - Goa (via NH17)

Since we have travelled on NH4 many times, it was decided to take NH17. Our plan was to drive all the way on Pune expressway till the toll gate and after paying Rs 90/- toll , immediately taking a U turn and exit via gate No 2 to Penn connector road. This is again a toll road approx 27 kms and connects at Penn. Advantage one can avoid all major traffic between Panvel till Pen. Road condition and traffic is minimum.

We started our journey by 5.40 am from Malad. Took JVLR, Airoli to Express way. Moderate traffic was there till expressway. Post that the progress was quick. We reached Pen by 7.15 am and distance of 115 kms. Took our break fast at Kamat residency at 8:15 which is at 150 kms from Mumbai.

A map enroute


NH17 is overall in good shape but single lane with reasonably high truck and opposite traffic progress is slow. Only around 25 km around sawantwadi till Goa border is in bad condition. Goa NH17 is in good condition but undivided and high traffic. Drive is scenic and not to mention tiring too. One has to be constantly agile for slow and opposite traffic. We reached Margao, Goa by 06:30 pm.

Drive Summary

Start : 05:40 am

Panvel : 06:20 Am 70 kms

Pen : 07:15 am - 115 kms

Kamat Residency - 08:15 - 150 kms

Mahad : 10 am - 215 kms ( Pala Caves)

Khed : 10:45 - 260 kms

Chiplun : 11:30 - 300 kms

Ratnagiri : 12:45 pm 380 kms

Rajapur : 01:15 pm 440 kms (Lunch Break)

Kankawali : 03:20 pm 490 kms

Sawantwadi : 04:10 pm 545 kms

Goa Border : 04:40 pm 562 kms

Panjim : 05:30 pm 610 kms

Margao, Betalbatim - Hotel Jasmin - 06:30 656 kms

Total Distance : 656 kms. Drive time : 13 hours.

Day 5, 6, 7 @ Goa

Our stay was at Club Mahindra - Jasminn which is around 5 kms from KT Circle Margao. CM has converted 5 - 6 big bungalows to the hotel with all required facilities. Ideal for those who want tranquility away from city buzz.

Club Mahindra - Jasminn (Update 2017 - the resort is closed)


Betalbatim is a small Indo-Portuguese village, surrounded by rice fields and is away from city traffic and is very serene. The beach is also at a secluded area and was around 1.5 kms from our hotel. Colva Beach is around 6-8 kms from here. One more observation about Betalbatim is the presence of foreign tourists. Among the popular stay here was Nanu's resort & also lots of home stay options too.

Betalbatim beach








We were the only Indian family there & rest all were foreigners. The sea too is very calm. This Goa trip - kids demanded no sight seeing only beaches as a result of which our time was spent on the beach and shacks. Morning till 11am in Betalbatim and evenings at Colva. All in the agenda was to eat and drink.

Colva beach






Our evening hangouts were at Colva beach. The best part is that there is an activity for all age groups. Lots of shopping, eating and adventure activity like boat ride, Jetski, Para-sailing. Of course many photography subjects too. Evenings become very lively with live music and great crowd.







This is one of the best beaches in south Goa and the longest beach too. Our favourite eateries were Luke's place, Kentuckee and Sagar Kinara for South India dishes. Goan fish curry with rice is our favorite pick.

Kentuckee




We also visited Vasco da gama. It was around 35 kms from our resort. We saw the 400 year old St. Andrews church. Just after the airport is the Naval Aviation Museum. We were late as the timing is only upto 4pm only.

St. Andrews church

Day 8 Goa - Bangalore(709 kms)

As the plan got extended for a business meeting in Bengaluru , route decided was Margao - Karwar - Hubli - Tumkur - Dodabalapur - Devanhalli - Budigere - Hoskote. The Tumkur - Devanhalli is in good condition and very less traffic. We planned to start early but could start only by 7.15am. Traffic around Margao was already high. Progress till Canacona was slower due to school traffic.

Karwar warship museum










Drive Summary

Margao - Start 07:15 am

Canacona - 08:30 - 43 kms

Karnataka Border : 08:45 - 68 kms - Stopped and enquired about our travel and asked for Liquor/Wine being carried.

Karwar City : 09:00 - 76 kms (Here again we were stopped and enquired about our travel)

Breakfast Stoppage : Udupi Cafe

Warship Museum : 10 am - 81 kms (Again at karwar exit too was stopped for general enquiry)

Left turn to Hubli : 110 kms - 11 am

Yellapur - 175 kms - 12:15 pm (Jungle area)

Kirwati - 200 kms - 12:30 (Jungle area)

Kalghatgi - 220 - 12:45 )

Hubli - 245 - 1:10 pm - NH4 the progress was fast.

Lunch Break : 365 (Kamath - At reliance A1 - Opposite side) 2:20 pm

Chitradurga - 450 kms 03:40 pm

Sira - 04:20 548 kms

Tumkur - 04:50 610 kms (12 km after tumkur toll left for Devanhalli)

Dodabalpur - 05:30 pm - 655 kms

Devanhalli - 06:00 pm - 675 kms

Hoskote - 06:45 pm

Total distance - 709 kms Total time : 11:5 hrs

Day 11 Bangalore - Hyderabad

Since we will be travelling by the North-South Corridor NH7 for the first time, planned to start as early as possible so that we cover Nagpur if possible.

Taj Palace breakfast


Drive Summary

Hoskote 04:30 am - Start

Devanhalli - Via Budigere - 05:15 am - 36 kms

Bagepalli Toll Rs 60 - - 05:42 am - 100 kms

AP Border : Penukonda - 06:05 am - 140 kms

Haripuram - hilly area, Beautiful Sun rise. - 150 kms

Marur Toll Rs 80 - - 06:35am - 193 kms

Anantpur - 06:46 am - 213 kms. (Big city)

Kasepalli - Toll Rs 75 - - 07:15am 261kms (Before toll IOC coco pump & After HP coco pump)

Gooty - 07;15 am - 264 kms

Dhone - 07:43 - 314 kms

Amkanthadu Toll Rs 75 - - 07:50 am - 320 kms

Kurnool Town : 08:15 am - 350 kms Big town , high traffic, Lot of automobile workshops

Breakfast - At town exit, (Right side 3 pumps in a row) Dhaba Hotel Taj Palace run by a Mallu. There egg masala & kerala parotta was very good. We had an heavy breakfast and a good 40 min refreshing stoppage.

Toll Rs 60 - 09:00am - 360 kms (Bpcl Ghar Dhaba - 383 kms.)

Krishna river - 413 kms 09:23 am

Toll Rs 48- l&t - 460kms 09:50 am

Jadcherla - 496 kms 10:10

Toll Rs 49 - Jadcherla Expway - 10:28am 523kms

ORR : 10:50 for bypassing HYBD City. - 546 kms

Total Distance - 546kms, Time Taken 6 hrs 20mins

Day 11 - Hyderabad - Nagpur

Drive Summary

Miyapur : 11:30 pm - 610 kms / 00 kms

Medchal Town : 12:20 pm - 642 kms / 32kms

Toll - Rs 95 - 12:34 - 662 kms / 52kms

Diversion : - Good roads ends 80 kms after toll. Diversion starts. : 01:20 pm - 743kms / 132 kms

Railway Cross : 1:40 - 692 kms / 162 kms

NIRMAL Toll Starts again : - Toll Rs 45 - Gamjal Village, Nirmal - 02:24 - 748 kms / 218 kms - (80 kms of Bad road)

Toll - Rolmamda Vill - Rs 90 - 02:50 pm 788 kms / 258 kms

Adilabad - 03:20 pm 835 kms / 303 kms

Bad Roads after : 03:40 855 kms / 323 kms - Very bad road. Big pot holes

Tea Break : Pimpri : 4:15pm 895 kms / 363 kms

Bad roads Till Wadner: 05:30 pm - 950 kms/ 413 kms (Around 90 kms bad road with diversions)

Hinanghat : 05:50 pm : 965 kms / 428 kms

Butibori : (Our Destination) - Hotel Royal Regency - 07:00 1020 kms / 483 kms

Nagpur city is another 25 kms.

Total distance : 1020 kms , Time taken : 14.5 Hours

Day 12 Butibori(Nagpur) - Jhansi

Bison Highway retreat

Start at 06:38 am

Nagpur ORR - Kamptee - 07:30 - 46 kms (Undivided 2 lane highway)

Kanhan - 57 kms - (4 laned highway starts)

Forest area starts : 80 kms - 08:10 am - Again 2 laine highway

MP border area - 90 kms - Bad roads

Bison Highway retreat - Rookhad - 134 kms - Till here roads are very bad. (Breakfast stop)

Karya - 142kms - 4 laned highway starts again

Toll - Allonia - 188kms - 10:30 am

Lakhnadon - 228 kms - 11:30am ( Leave NH7, Left turn to Narsimhapur) - Lots of diversions

Narsimhapur - 295 kms - 12:20 pm

Kareli - 315 kms

Narmada River - 330 kms - 01:20 pm

Sagar - Bypass is not complete 2 diversion - 440 kms 02:50 pm (Lunch stop)

Lalitpur - 535kms - 04:30 pm

Babina - 605 kms - 05:30 pm

Jhansi - Hotel Prakash Regency - 640 kms - 06:45 (Two lane and high traffic)

Day - 13 Jhansi - New Delhi

Start was delayed due to dense fog. Since there was no respite from fog we decided to start by 9 am. Our route was Jhansi - Gwalior - NH75

Drive Summary

Started by 09:15 am - Bad road, diversion

Dabra - 58 kms - 10:35 am

Tekanpur - 72 kms - 10:55 am (Breakfast Stop)

Gwalior - 96kms - 11:50 am

Morar : 110 kms - 12:30 pm

Merged to NH3 - 130kms 12:55 pm

Morena - 145kms - 1:15 pm

Dholpur - 175kms - 1:35 pm (Diversion, Slow traffic for 3 kms)

Toll : 270kms - 35 kms

Mathura - 285 kms : 03:15 pm

Kosi - 335 kms 04:00 pm

Palwal - 390 kms 04:40 pm

Ballabgarh - 415 kms 05:05 pm

Home 455 kms, 6.30pm

Total Distance 455 kms, time taken 9 hrs