My wife and I went to Goa to celebrate our first wedding anniversary - Feb 2012. We had taken my car (indica) for this trip. Goa is about 430 odd kms from Pune.
We started by 8am from Pune, took the Pune Bangalore Highway. Reached Kolhapur about 11.30 via Satara, Karad. Went to Mahalaxmi temple to offer prayers, had tasty misal, also bought a pair of Kolhapuri chappals.
We started from Kolhapur by about 3pm or so, and continued the NH4 highway. On the way, we get Tawandi ghat...About halfway on Tawandi Ghat, there is right turn towards Goa. This is via Uttur - Ajara route. I'd read a lot on the internet about the roads in not-so-good condition, and as per popular advice I found on the internet, did not take that right turn to Uttur but continue straight on the NH4 hightway till Sankeshwar.
From Sankeshwar (Karnataka), leave NH4 and take right turn towads Gadhinglaj - Ajara route. We also crossed Amboli ghat, after Ajara. This is a narrow ghat section with sharp turns, with oncoming traffic. Mmke sure you blow the horn at blind turns. At some section of the ghat, the protective barrier brick wall had collapsed and work was under progress. It is not very difficult, but you have to be careful. My strong recommendation would be to cross the ghat in day light!
Crossing Amboli ghat, we came down to Sawantwadi, and followed directions for Bardez, Goa. When we crossed Sawantwadi, it was dark, and we had to ask a lot for directions. Some section of the road on the way was absolutely bumpy, work was in progress.
We stayed a couple of night in Coco Goa @Bardez, we had taken a studio apartment. The room was very nice and I'd surely recommend it. The place near this hotel is quite and relaxing. The activity is more on Arpora-Calangute beach road, which is few kms away from Coco Goa. So it should not be a problem if you have own car or have rented a bike.
We started by 8am from Pune, took the Pune Bangalore Highway. Reached Kolhapur about 11.30 via Satara, Karad. Went to Mahalaxmi temple to offer prayers, had tasty misal, also bought a pair of Kolhapuri chappals.
We started from Kolhapur by about 3pm or so, and continued the NH4 highway. On the way, we get Tawandi ghat...About halfway on Tawandi Ghat, there is right turn towards Goa. This is via Uttur - Ajara route. I'd read a lot on the internet about the roads in not-so-good condition, and as per popular advice I found on the internet, did not take that right turn to Uttur but continue straight on the NH4 hightway till Sankeshwar.
From Sankeshwar (Karnataka), leave NH4 and take right turn towads Gadhinglaj - Ajara route. We also crossed Amboli ghat, after Ajara. This is a narrow ghat section with sharp turns, with oncoming traffic. Mmke sure you blow the horn at blind turns. At some section of the ghat, the protective barrier brick wall had collapsed and work was under progress. It is not very difficult, but you have to be careful. My strong recommendation would be to cross the ghat in day light!
Crossing Amboli ghat, we came down to Sawantwadi, and followed directions for Bardez, Goa. When we crossed Sawantwadi, it was dark, and we had to ask a lot for directions. Some section of the road on the way was absolutely bumpy, work was in progress.
We stayed a couple of night in Coco Goa @Bardez, we had taken a studio apartment. The room was very nice and I'd surely recommend it. The place near this hotel is quite and relaxing. The activity is more on Arpora-Calangute beach road, which is few kms away from Coco Goa. So it should not be a problem if you have own car or have rented a bike.
