Kochi to Nashik & back in my Skoda Kushaq 1.5L DSG

December 31, 2024

My original plan was to drive along NH66 all the way to Mumbai, then proceed to Nasik, possibly using the expressway.

BHPian Auto_guy_101 recently shared this with other enthusiasts:

Hello Bhpians,

Here’s an account of my 1st long road trip. What was initially two distinct events turned out into a long road trip. I had a couple friends in the resort business in Goa (these are offbeat resorts far from the beaches) and a friend’s wedding in Nashik, all in December.

The Planning

Some plans were made around September, but it was still not a road trip. Come October, friends backed out and I extended the invite to my mother and grandma. We added a bunch of temples to the plan, and they were set. Then began the real planning, say by 1st week of November. Dates were being thrown around, bookings were made – some of them thankfully were cancellable. I wanted to time the trip such that we got some rest in between, escaped the Christmas and New Year madness of Goa and minimized days off. The initial 5 days off turned into 7 and we got a good 2 weeks period with some staycation and return back around 25th to take rest.

The hotels and routes (add to that our vegetarian diet) needed a good 1 week of prep. Many thanks to the route updates and suggestions from fellow bhpians, I was able to put this un-conventional plan into motion.

The gang

Me (the sole driver), my mother and my 80+ grandmother. This trip was special to her for 2 reasons. Firstly, she has been on a somewhat similar route about 40 years ago when one of our relatives had to drive down their Ambassador from Mumbai to Kochi and she travelled from Nagpur to Mumbai to accompany them. Secondly, at her age, it was sheer will power that helped her make the trip.

Last but not the least was the workhorse (or sophisticated tiny horse) – my Kushaq, which carried our luggage in the boot and spare seat and took us through the journey in good comfort. The drive was excellent in most parts, but more on that later.

The route stay and destinations

Day 1: Kochi to Bekal (~340 km, 9 hrs)

Stay at Gateway Bekal (beautiful property, we managed to get some pre inaugural discounts and IHCL shareholder coupons helped). Route taken was NH544 till Thrissur, then joined NH66 near Valanchery. Rasavati, Kannur for lunch. Bekal fort is also worth a visit. This route has one of the worst roads (till NH66 is complete) and the section near Koilandy was the worst for me.

Day 2: Bekal to Udupi to Murdeswar (~240 km, 6 hrs)

Stayed at some cottage in Murdeswar. The roads steadily improve as one leaves Kasargod and the rest is mostly 4 lane highways (albeit the lane clogging cattle and dogs on the route). Udupi was crowded and Murdeswar was one of my worst experiences. My advice to fellow travellers – either stay at the RNS residency or guest house in Murdeswar or don’t stay in that town. A Paakashala near Bhatkal is your best bet for veg food.

Day 3: Murdeswar to Goa and 2 day stay (220 km, 5 hrs)

Headed to this beautiful 250 year old renovated Bunglow – Mansao Curtorim – this is my 3rd visit and this places never ceases to amaze. Later headed to Natures Nest which is haven for Birders. The roads were in general good, but more on that later. Missed Doodhsagar as it was too much of an effort.

Day 5: Goa to Bagalkote (220 km, 5 hrs)

Stayed with a dear friend. Took the Anmod ghats, then some undefined route and a non-existent road to join some main roads near Khanapur, then bypassed Belagavi to reach my destination. Karnataka state and national highways are in a league of their own. My only complaint with them is the frequent speed breakers – I once had 20 speed breakers in 10 kms.

Day 6: Bagalkote to Shirdi (600 kms, 8.5 hrs)

Took the NH52 from Bagalkote to Vijayapura (this stretch is 2 lane, but good roads), then to Solapur (some maps sync issue and I ended up going through the town), then continued past Bheed towards Aurangabad and took the Samruddhi Mahamarg to Shirdi, Stayed at Shirdi and had time for Darshan at evening after the drive. Clocked around 18 kmpl, with cruise control at 95 (NH52) and 105 (Expressway) for considerable distances.

Day 7-10: Nashik

Travelled to Nashik via a short section of Samruddhi Mahamarg and stayed at Majestic Hotel, beside the Mumbai Agra Highway. Panchvati, Sula wines (for some wine tasting), some rather spicy Misal Pav and a wedding later, we departed.

Day 11: Nashik to Shani Shingnapur to Vijayapura (600 km, 9.5 hrs)

We had missed this temple in our earlier visits and didn’t want to make a standalone trip from Shirdi or Nashik as it was 2 or 3 hrs respectively oneway. So we headed to the temple (reached at noon), then to Ahilya Nagar – Parampara restaurant – for lunch. From there to Solapur, had some tea (thankfully took the bypass this time) and headed to Bijapur, reaching there at 9 PM.

I didn’t have the guts to use cruise control or take speed at night, which possibly cost us an hour of travel time. We stayed at VoV Hotels nice hotel with a restaurant above. We were super tired.

Day 12: Bijapur to Bangalore and then some rest (520 km, 9 hrs)

Visited Gol Gumbaz in the morning, did some vegetable and jaggery shopping and started back at noon (possibly the worst time to start back). The 1st 320 km to Chithradurga took us a good 5 hrs, with a stop in between and after some high tea at Paakashala, we started back, reaching Bangalore at 9 pm.

Last Leg: Bangalore to Kochi with a Sojourn at Coimbatore (500 km)

Lot of visiting friends and relatives in Bangalore, Coimbatore and some good food – this is a well known route to me but this time, it took the longest time. Special mention to Hotel Hariharaputhra in Palakkad for their awesome food and savouries as well as Friends restaurant in Ram Nagar, Coimbatore for some very tasty food.

Here are a few clicks:

Taj Bekal