BHPian CrazyToDrive recently shared this with other enthusiasts: It’s the compilation of travelogues of my recent drives I had in my Hyundai Alcazar Diesel AT. Drive to AmboliDuring Diwali, I planned a quick drive from Pune to Amboli. The plan was to go on a long drive, relax at the resort, and then drive back home. Amboli is a small hill station and a favorite picnic spot during the monsoon season, known for its majestic waterfalls. However, during Diwali, it is considered the off-season. The trip was scheduled for November 8th, with the return on November 9th. I booked a one-night stay at Dark Forest Retreat.We started at 5:00 AM from Baner, Pune. It was a good decision as we didn’t encounter any traffic and made good progress. We crossed Karad around 8:00 AM and stopped for breakfast. After a hearty breakfast, we continued our journey. The two-wheeler traffic had increased considerably, slowing us down. We crossed Kolhapur around 9:45 AM, then passed Nipani and took a right towards Amboli, continuing on the Nipani-Ajara road. The road is a single lane with intermittent potholes. After crossing Uttur, we encountered ongoing cement road construction, with incomplete bridge work causing diversions. However, the route was scenic, with trees and farms on both sides. We reached the resort by noon. Sunrise enroute After completing the check-in formalities, we freshened up and had lunch at the restaurant. Post-lunch, we rested for a while and then enjoyed some time in the resort’s pool. In the evening, we visited the famous Amboli Waterfall and Sunset Point. To my surprise, the waterfall was crowded. Somehow, we managed to find a parking spot and walked towards the waterfall. Although there was only a little water, we still enjoyed the visit. Later, we drove down the ghat, enjoying the twists and turns until we were about halfway down, witnessed the sunset, and then headed back. Waterfall Amboli Ghat There was a nice line written on board – The Animals are not crossing the road, road is crossing the Jungle Since we had plenty of time to spare, we decided to visit the Hiranyakeshi Temple. However, the road leading to the temple was secluded, narrow, and full of potholes, so we decided to turn back halfway. We then returned to the Sunset Point and stayed there to admire the night sky. The kids were excited to see the sky full of stars-it was a unique experience to witness the night sky in complete darkness. Afterward, we had dinner and returned to the resort. Late at night, we took a stroll around the property. The next morning, we woke up feeling refreshed. We took some drone shots, had breakfast, got ready, and started packing for our journey back home. We left the resort at 11:00 AM. Resort Aerial view After reaching Kolhapur, we decided to visit the windmills near Thoseghar. However, before reaching Karad, we encountered a massive traffic jam. Fortunately, some locals guided us through village roads, and after driving for 20-25 minutes, we rejoined the highway. From there, the drive was smooth, with minimal traffic. Along the way, we stopped for lunch at a Kamat outlet. Before reaching Satara, we exited the highway. Google Maps directed us through small internal village roads. I was a bit skeptical about the route since the roads were narrow, but they were in good condition. Eventually, we reached the windmills. Seeing the massive structures rotating with the wind was a wonderful experience. On my last visit in my Ford Aspire, I was able to park my car right at the base of a windmill, but this time, the road was blocked. Walking up to the windmills was an option, but we decided not to go all the way. On the way back Towards Thoseghar Windmills After enjoying the sunset and a cup of tea, we decided to visit Sajjangad Fort on the way back. By the time we reached the parking lot, it was around 7:30 PM. Climbing the fort at night was a unique experience-though there were streetlights along the way, making it easier. At the Sajjangad fort, we were lucky to witness the evening aarti that was in progress. We had darshan of Shri Ram and Samarth Ramdas Swami before starting our descent. On the way back, we took the same village roads to reach the highway. From there, it was a non-stop drive to Pune. Check out BHPian comments for more insights and information.
