Monsoon Drive

Vehicle: Maruti Zen 1999

Route taken :Kundapur->Goa->Amboli falls->Kolhapur temple->Bijapur->

Hampi->Shimoga->kundapur.

Total Kms:1500km

speed: 80-100 Avg
Top speed:120kmph

Mileage:15km/litr

ZEN 1999

The best part of a drive is planning the travel. As everything was planned and finalized, finally I started our first long drive(with family) from kundapur at 3pm.

Day 1:  Kundapur->Ankola

Driving on NH17 with light drizzle and heavy clouds ,greenery all around, beaches on the left was a superb experience. The road conditon was not good from kundapur to bhatkal but it got better once we crossed bhatkal. we stayed in ankola on first day.

MARVANTHE BEACH ON LEFT AND SAUPARNIKA RIVER ON RIGHT

Day 2: Ankola->Goa->Amboli Falls>Kolhapur>Gokak

It was 3 state drive on 2nd day. Entered GOA early morning filled up petrol(rs.55) ang through Sawantwadi reached amboli. This ghat section stretch was a awesome  drive with twists and turns.

Amboli Ghat-The Fog

From amboli started towards kolhapur. Reached kolhapur by noon, Visited temple and started driving towards gokak. It pleasant to drive on pune-bangalore highway. even my old zen was crossing 120kmph easily and 2nd day come to an end.

Day 3:Gokak>Bijapur>badami
Third day drive started with empty roads. only thing irritating in this stretch was humps which comes each time we enter a village. Reached bijapur at 10am, hired a guide as we didn't wanted to waste time searching routes.

Badami

Bijapur

Visited  Ibrahim Rauza,Gol Gumbaz,Malik-E-Maidan and started towards Badami. Reached Badami at 5 and planned to visit Caves. we reached just before clossing time. there was lots to cover and we had less time. people going to these places make sure you have at least 3-4 days just reserved for badami and hampi.

                                     Bhuthanatha temple

Day 4:Badami>Pattadakallu>Hampi

Day  4 morning Started with exploring Gali Gopura and then started driving towards pattadakallu. Pattadakallu is small Place with vast history. then started towards hampi. Reached hampi around noon and here we hired a guide. there are many guides available, we hired a KSTDC guide, well trained about history of these places.

Kamal Mahal

We missed many small places to keep up with time.Day ended with stay at shanbhag International Hospet.

Two face Art-Cow on left and an Enlephant on right

Day 5:Hospet>Shimoga>Kundapur
Started driving Home,we had to cover 383Km. Drive became pleasant once we crossed shimoga. The road from shimoga-agumbe-kundapura is in very good condition. Reached home at 5.

Sunflower field near Harihara

 Highlights

*Karnataka roads are worst when compared to Maharshtra and Goa.

*Amboli ghat gives very good experience to nature lovers.

*Best experience was driving on pune-bangalore express way.