The climb to Igatpuri was a breeze, my XUV700 handled bumper-to-bumper inclines like a champ.
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2000 KM Update: Family Weekend Getaway to Trimbakeshwar Temple
After a hectic family function and a frustrating “no car” phase, we were back in Mumbai and itching for a road trip. With my corporate job keeping me on a tight leash (gotta give the bosses some breathing room before begging for leave again!), a quick weekend escape was just what we needed. My niece, who stays with us every summer, was on board, and we decided on a trip to Trimbakeshwar Temple. As we believe, a darshan only happens when He calls you.
We set off at 5:30 AM with a full diesel tank and nitrogen-filled tyres, taking our usual route to Nashik via Igatpuri (Thane → Bhiwandi → Vashind → Igatpuri). The Mumbai-to-Kalyan stretch was its usual chaotic mess—traffic and truckers made a few crossings dicey. A colleague had suggested taking NH-48 till Manor, then NH-160A via Vikramgad → Jawhar, but I stuck with my known route. Big mistake—later heard the alternate was smoother. We covered 192 km with a couple of breaks (kids on board, you know!) and stopped for breakfast at:
Hotel Sai Pranjal, Khatwali, Vasind – Awesome food, clean spot, plenty of parking, and wallet-friendly prices.
As expected, traffic slowed us down at Bhiwandi and the Kasara–Igatpuri stretch. The climb to Igatpuri was a breeze, though—my XUV700 handled bumper-to-bumper inclines like a champ. No rollback, no drama. The brake hold and rollout were spot-on, making those ghats a cakewalk.
Instead, I took a left from Ghoti onto NH-160A, and wow, that stretch was pure bliss—scenic, peaceful, and perfect. We nearly missed the left onto NH-160A but doubled back after a kilometre. Good decision —the drive through lush villages, shimmering lakes, and rolling hills was jaw-dropping. The road was in great shape with barely any traffic.
We rolled into Trimbakeshwar by 10:40 AM. Locals offered ₹500 passes for temple entry and parking inside, but we parked outside and skipped driving past the gates. With walking not an option for everyone, we grabbed an auto to the temple. It was a weekend, so the crowd was insane. My niece quickly snagged ₹200 donation darshan passes (free for the kid with us).
The paid darshan line took a gruelling 3.5 hours—way longer than my past visits. But the darshan was soul-filling, and the chants of “Har Har Mahadev!” made it all worthwhile.
Next, we headed to our Airbnb in Gangapur, about 24 km away via a narrow, single-lane road. The 2BHK apartment on the top floor was surrounded by greenery and fresh air. My wife and I were blown away by the calm weather and soothing breeze. We’ve stayed in plenty of professional homestays, but this one had a unique rustic charm. Cooking? Nah, we leaned on food delivery apps—total lifesavers!
The flat was spacious, clean, and tastefully simple. We left feeling relaxed and recharged. Just for information, it was ₹ 6,000 per day.
The drive back the next day included a pit stop at McDonald’s before Igatpuri. Despite city traffic and long hours, the journey was smooth. The XUV700 handled like a dream, even with its heft. Haven’t crunched the mileage numbers yet, but I observed ~12 kmpl in Mumbai traffic and ~16 kmpl on highways. That’s a solid 10/10 for fuel efficiency in my book, especially for an automatic diesel in Zap mode.
The drives were super comfortable—I felt fresh even after hours behind the wheel. Switching to an automatic, powerful diesel engine was the best move. The XUV700’s cocoon of comfort is unreal. After clocking 2000 km, I’m convinced it deserves every bit of praise.
Sharing a few trip pics for my Team-BHP family!
Thanks for reading. Keep Driving.
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