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india
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road trip from tamilnadu to kashmir
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The Original Idea behind this Road trip from Madurai (a city from deep South India) to Ladakh (district at Northern most part of India) belongs to my friend "Mathalai Muthu Kumar" (Above Photograph).
It sounds interesting, when my friend told me about driving to northern most part of India on his Jet Black "BOLERO".
Wow!, it feels great to drive through several States, different Landscapes, changing Climatic conditions, variable Altitudes, but with Fixed Attitude to reach Ladakh.
I was much excited to join with fellow mates "Krishnamoorthy", "Muthu Vijayan" & "Muthu Kumar" for this trip
From Left
"Krishnamoorthy" often called Kicha, Always sleeps at small gap
"Muthu Vijayan" our Hindi Ji & Co-Pilot
"Muthu Kumar" expert than Google Maps, also crowned as "Village Vingyani"
& Me
It's Roughly an Un-Planned trip, we have decided to explore places on the Go!.
Traveling from Kanyakumari to Kashmir might be great. Since we have traveled several times to Kanyakumari & its located just 240KMs from Madurai, we find no point in starting from there.
Onward Journey
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Return Journey
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We rely greatly on Google Maps & Google Navigation right from the Beginning of our trip till we reached back to home.
Monsoon was not friendly when we start our journey & Television
report shows flooding in Uttarkand (North India) we ignore all those
things, since our travel plan did'nt fall through Uttarkand.
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Odometer
Starting: 0, Ending: 716
Distance Traveled: 716KM
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Travel thru
Tamil Nadu
Karnataka
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Toll
No.. of Tolls: 9
Toll Spendings: Rs.390
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Stay
Sapthagiri Boarding & Lodging
Dabaspete, Karnataka
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Chinnamanur > Madurai > Salem > Bangalore > Dabaspete
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Had a Sleepless Night, Excited about Unplanned Road Trip to visit the Northern most part of India. Got up from Bed (not wake-up) around 3:45AM. I have Nothing to do till my friend reaches my Home. OK, I have to kill some Time. Switched ON my Laptop & Created this Trip Report Page around 4.00AM.
All Luggage's' are already Packed & Kept ready Last Night to avoid last minute hurry.
Starting from Chinnamanur, My Friend reached my home around 6.20am.
We Started from Madurai around 6.45am. We have stopped only for breakfast on the highway & reached Karnataka in the afternoon.
{{{ Karnataka }}}
After a little shopping in Bangalore till late evening, we continued our journey & had our night stay at Dabaspete (a small town near Bangalore).
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Odometer
Starting: 716, Ending: 1460
Distance Traveled: 744KM
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Travel thru
Karnataka
Maharastra
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Toll
No.. of Tolls: 12
Toll Spendings: Rs.621
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Stay
Rajyog Hotel
Godoli, Maharastra
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Dabaspete > Hubli > Kolhapur > Godoli
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We did not plan to see any places in Karnataka, just stopped at very few places to relax for a few minutes.
{{{ Maharashtra }}}
After a day long drive, we stayed at Godoli (on the way to pune), Maharastra |
Odometer
Starting: 1460, Ending: 1927
Distance Traveled: 467KM
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Travel thru
Karnataka, Maharastra
Gujarat
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Toll
No.. of Tolls: 8
Toll Spendings: Rs.572
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Stay
Hotel Vishram
Valsad, Gujarat
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Godoli > Pune > Mumbai (Thane) > Valsad
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Driving from Godoli, we've reached Pune.
From Pune we drive through India's first Six Lane Expressway Connecting Mumbai & it's one of the best roads in India. Pune-Mumbai Expressway stretches through the scenic Mountain range via passes & tunnels.
It was my first time experience in traveling through Tunnels on Road.
After driving for a Couple of days we thought of spending a day in Lonavala & in Mumbai, but the rain spoils the sport.
It was raining heavy & the weather reports on the internet didn't encourage us to stay in Mumbai, we have decided to skip Exploring Lonavala & Mumbai and we continued our drive towards Gujarat.
{{{ Gujarat }}}
Couldn't find any welcome board while entering into Gujarat. I've attached photo of the Hotel we stayed in Gujarat
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Odometer
Starting: 1927, Ending: 2381
Distance Traveled: 454KM
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Travel thru
Gujarat
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Toll
No.. of Tolls: 10
Toll Spendings: Rs.418
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Stay
Hotel Planet
Kalol, Gujarat
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Valsad > Bharuch > Vadodara > Ahmedabad> Gandhi Nagar > Kalol
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After 3 days of travel, Our first seeing stop was at Ahmedabad, Gujarat.
We just want to see some selective places on the go, since our original target is to see Ladakh.
After looking at Google Search results, we liked to visit Akshardam temple in Ahmedabad & want to see some of the Step-Wells which are famous in Gujarat.
Our 1st Stop near Ahmedabad is at Adalaj Step-well, Gandhi Nagar. It is five storied deep-well built on Octagonal shape, leading down to the level of water.
Click Here to read more about Adalaj Step-well
Our next stop is at Akshardam.
I'm very much disappointed when we reach Akshardam, photography was not allowed inside the Akshardam Campus. After visiting the Temple I found no reason behind prohibiting Photography. The Temple was well maintained & Kept Clean. Laser show running on late Evening was the highlight & the entire show was amazing with laser lights on fountain.
After spending a night at Kalol near Ahmedabad, we have decided to proceed to Jaisalmer at Rajasthan.
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Odometer
Starting: 2381, Ending: 2973
Distance Traveled: 592KM
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Travel thru
Gujarat
Rajasthan
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Toll
No.. of Tolls: 3
Toll Spendings: Rs.80
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Stay
Hotel Marina Mahal
Jaisalmer, Rajasthan
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Valsad > Bharuch > Vadodara > Ahmedabad> Gandhi Nagar > Kalol
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En-route Jaisalmer there were 2 more Step-wells on our list to visit in Gujarat.
It's a Sunny day while we visit Sun Temple at Modhera. It feels good to see the Sun-Shine after traveling through Cloudy & Rainy areas for several days.
after spending few minutes at Sun temple, our next stop is at Patan.
Rani Ki Vav, a famous Step-well located in Patan town.
Since the climate is Hot, it begins to sweat a lot.
We got re-energized after having a Good lunch at Patan town. (Forget to take a photo of that good restaurant).
{{{ Rajasthan }}}
Road to Jaisalmer seems very dry & hot and we entered into Rajasthan late in the evening.
Just after entering into Rajasthan, we could realize the scarcity of water in that region (below photo).
We reach Jaisalmer at late night after a day long drive through Gujarat.
It's one of the must see destination in India & its worth spending a couple of days here.
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Odometer
Starting: 2973, Ending: 3079
Distance Traveled: 106KM
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Travel thru
Rajasthan
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Toll
No Tolls
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Stay
Hotel Marina Mahal
Jaisalmer, Rajasthan
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Jaisalmer > Desert > Jaisalmer
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Our "Bolero" needs a facelift and make-over, it's well taken care off by my friend "Mathalai Muthu Kumar" & Co-Pilot "Muthu Vijayan" at all times.
Thank you guys for keeping this Horse stunning & running.
We booked a packaged trip through Hotel to Visit places around Jaisalmer in our own Car.
Our 1st Stop is at Golden Fort.
Our Guide said that this entire fort is constructed on Inter-Locking System without the use of cement or other materials to bond construction layers.
Even though the fort looks Unique in color & construction, this place seems to be worst maintained.
The Yellow Colored stones used for construction in this area looks unique throughout the Jaisalmer city.
Since its yellow in Color, they Call it as "Golden-City".
Ignite this to take Short Route to Ladakh
We Spent some time for taking Photos
Here are some Photos with exterior view of Golden Fort
We spent few minutes in Shopping area & then our guide has taken us to Patwon-Ki-Haveli, which is also located near Golden Fort.
It has five different Palaces. We have gone inside one of them; maintenance was so poor, so we have decided to skip looking inside the rest of the buildings.
Our Guide has taken us to the Next Spot, Gadisar Lake.
It's wonderful to see a Lake in the center of the City that has Ultra Hot Climate.
Entrance to Gadisar Lake
After having lunch, we have nothing to do in the rest of the afternoon as our next visit to desert is scheduled on the Evening.
It feels great to take rest in the Air-Conditioned room after wandering outdoors in the city which has hot climate.
After relaxing few hours in the room, we proceed to desert located about 45KMs near Jaisalmer.
Sand dunes, Spread over the Road
We could see many Camels crossing the road as they wish.
No Terrorists!!!!. They just cover their faces to escape from Blowing Sands.
It's me, Riding on the Camel
Wow! Everyone follows my Camel
We are about to get down from the camel
Sunset Point
Camel race!!!
Waiting for Sunset
Disappointing Sunset, yet managed to take few photographs
He never listens to anyone.
Listens to me, atleast to take a Photo.
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Odometer
Starting: 3079, Ending: 3392
Distance Traveled: 913KM
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Travel thru
Rajasthan
Punjab
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Toll
No Tolls
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Stay
Kumar Hotels
Amritsar, Punjab
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Jaisalmer > Pokran > Bikaner > Sri Ganganagar > Amritsar
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There's no other place on our list to see in Rajasthan. Just a day long drive to reach Amritsar, Punjab.
Pokran By-Pass Road.
Pokran is said as research and testing site of the Indian nuclear programme.
To read more about Pokran, Click Here
Maximum Speed of our Black Horse
The Entire stretch from Jaisalmer to Punjab Border looks deserted like this
Came across a sandy dunes & Stopped here for a photo
Just a Pose, I didn't drive
Our Black Horse looks Stunning
{{{ Punjab }}}
Entered into Punjab
Evening in Punjab
We have reached Amritsar at late night.
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Odometer
Starting: 3392, Ending: 4359
Distance Traveled: 367KM
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Travel thru
Punjab
Jammu & Kashmir
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Toll
No.. of Tolls: 2
Toll Spendings: Rs.120
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Stay
Hotel Bharti
Udhampur, Jammu Kashmir
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Amritsar > Attari/Wagah (India-Pakisthan Border) > Jammu > Udhampur
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Got-up earlier yet late to step-out of the hotel. Booked a Quad Bedroom & Everyone has to wait for their turn to finish their nature call.
It feels good to visit a temple, early in the morning. We have gone to one of the must see destination in India, Golden Temple at Amritsar
Riding on a Horse Cart, after a very long time.
Have to wear a turban before entering the Temple
Amazing!!! Golden Temple
A Closeup Shot
View from a distance
From the other side
Looks great, Maintained Clean
In front of the Main Entrance.
Jallianwalla Bagh is located very near to Golden Temple. We visited there after having Breakfast near the temple.
Entrance
Jallianwala Bagh Memorial
In front of Martyrs' Well
Martyrs' Well
to read more about Martyrs' Well, Click Here
After visiting the Golden Temple & Jallianwala Bagh, we then proceed to see India-Pakistan Border
Toll Slip.
Our Vehicle Number was typed wrong, Careless in Sensitive Border Area.
India - Pakistan Border
{{{ Jammu & Kashmir }}}
So far, So Good. 8 days of Traveling has gone like 8 minutes.
Things have changed when we enter J&K (Jammu & Kashmir).
I'm mentally disturbed when my mobile phone is disconnected from National Roaming inside J&K. Since I'm into Service oriented business, I hardly need my mobile phone Active on working Hours and that made my mind restless till i leave J&K.
The Govt. might have taken some safety measures by opting to stop roaming in to J&K area for Pre-Paid Customers from Other Circle, But most of the travelers will feel separated from family & work after entering into that region. After visiting several mobile stores, I came to know that obtaining New Pre-Paid connection will take atleast 3 days to get active, which seems useless since we might travel back after visiting J&K in 3 days.
Highest percentage of Mobile subscribers is in India are using Pre-Paid mobile connections & Now-a-days Pre-Paid connections are working fine while traveling to International destinations & Restricting the use of Mobile phone inside J&K for citizens visiting from other parts of India seems un-acceptable.
No Mobile Phone, No Mobile Internet, No Navigation Support without GPRS/3G. It shows how much we depend on electronic devices in our day-to-day life. Yes! Electronic devices Rules us.
Mind may be tired, Our Attitude didn't change, and we need to drive a long-way.
After crossing Jammu, we drive through hilly region towards Srinagar.
Our night halt was at Udhampur, on the way to Srinagar
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Odometer
Starting: 4359, Ending: 4655
Distance Traveled: 296KM
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Travel thru
Jammu & Kashmir
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Toll
No.. of Tolls: 1
Toll Spendings: Rs.100
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Stay
Camp Tent
Srinagar, Jammu Kashmir
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Udhampur > Anantnag > Srinagar
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Again a day long drive with very few stops.
We travel through 2.85KM long Jawahar Tunnel
Believe us, We are not into Car Rally
We are in Highway
Dal Lake, Srinagar
House Boats in Dal Lake
We have reached Srinagar in the afternoon.
This day is almost disappointing & made me feel the negatives of Un-Planned trip.
Welcome Banners Everywhere for Amarnath Visitors, but totally Unorganized & Unprepared Officials to control too much crowd.
Road is jam-packed with cars, its pilgrim season for Amarnath Temple. No one is ready to follow the Road rules; almost everyone behaves in the way that they are on Road Race. Undisciplined driving leads to Inch by Inch movement of Traffic.
It's Hectic to hear unwanted HORN Sounds in gridlocked traffic. Wake-up India, We need to Change.
After spending Half-a-Day in the Grid-Locked traffic, we have not even crossed 10KMs from Srinagar .
It's already night, Cars other than JK registered were forced by the Officials to stop & park it on the ground.
Officials are not ready to listen that we are not going to temple & we are on the way to Leh, They simply forced us to park our vehicle along with Amarnath temple visitors.
It's already cold, we could see lot of woman with kids stranded on roadside.
When asked to local people about Amarnath, we came to know that we have to travel along with this crowd upto "Sonamarg".
Some local people were making money by offering Tents for Rent to pass the Night. Luckily we could rent out one roadside tent & we had managed to sleep in that on a cold night.
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Odometer
Starting: 4655, Ending: 5084
Distance Traveled: 429KM
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Travel thru
Jammu Kashmir
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Toll
No.. of Tolls: 3
Toll Spendings: Rs.120
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Stay
Hotel Shanti Palace
Leh, Jammu Kashmir
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Srinagar > Sonamarg > Drass > Kargil > Leh
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Waked up early in the morning from Camp Tent.
Since our vehicle is locked into parking area allotted for Amarnath temple visitors, tension begin right from the morning. Amarnath visitors are asked to obtain registration slip from the Srinagar town.
When the officials inquired us, we told them we are going to "Leh", Luckily they believed & allowed us to travel through Check-post.
Thank God, we got your blessings.
We were Very tired after long journey. Stuck in the middle of traffic, couple of times (Photo below).
Almost a day left to reach our destination.
Again Traffic Jam
Beautiful View while in Traffic Jam
We are about to move again
After crossing "Sonamarg", We had got rid off traffic from Amarnath temple visitors.
Road is mostly deserted from Sonamarg to Leh. Very few vehicles & good looking scenic mountain range.
After crossing "Sonamarg"
Believe me, its NH1 (National Highways No.1)
NH 1
NH1
Picture equals 1000words.
I need not explain the road condition in words.
Wow!, Entered into Ladakh Region
Driving through NH1
Driving through NH1
NH1
Driving through NH1
Driving through NH1
100's of bridges constructed in these area looks like this
Happy & Lucky to visit such a place.
To read more about this place, Click here
Driving through NH1
NH1, fine road for very few kilometers
Driving through NH1
Driving through NH1
It seems School students are on their way back to Home
Kargil
Kargil Town
Hungry, after seeing this board
Army Cafe
Our "Black Horse" hardly needs a bath
It's done by fellow mates
Ready to go after a superb wash with Ice cold water.
Our "Black Horse" might have enjoyed it
Driving through NH1
Driving through NH1
Driving through NH1
Driving through NH1
Forgot the Joke!, Good Picture
road work in progress on NH1
Sun is about to set
Driving through NH1
Those who don't believe, look at the signboard.
After sunset, anyway we need to drive & reach "Leh"
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Odometer
Starting: 5084, Ending: 5116
Distance Traveled: 32KM
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Travel thru
Jammu Kashmir
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Toll
No.. of Tolls: 10
Toll Spendings: Rs.418
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Stay
Hotel Shanti Palace
Leh, Jammu Kashmir
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Leh > Khardung La > Leh
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Wonderful day, we were about to reach our final destination, Khardung La.
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Odometer
Starting: 5116, Ending: 5438
Distance Traveled: 322KM
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Travel thru
Jammu Kashmir
Himachal Pradesh
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Toll
No.. of Tolls: 10
Toll Spendings: Rs.418
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Stay
Camp Tent
Himachal Pradesh
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Leh > Pang > Sarchu > Rangyo
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Our Return Journey starts from this point
{{{ Himachal Pradesh }}}
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Odometer
Starting: 5438, Ending: 5985
Distance Traveled: 547KM
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Travel thru
Himachal Pradesh, Chandigarh
Punjab
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Toll
No.. of Tolls: 1
Toll Spendings: Rs.38
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Stay
Punjab Residency
Banur, Punjab
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Rangyo > Rohtang Pass > Manali > Chandigarh > Banur
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Traveling through Himachal Pradesh
{{{ Punjab }}}
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Odometer
Starting: 5985, Ending: 6252
Distance Traveled: 267KM
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Travel thru
Punjab, Haryana
Delhi
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Toll
No.. of Tolls: 2
Toll Spendings: Rs.123
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Stay
Indian Social Institute
New Delhi
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Banur > Panipat > New Delhi
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We were about to reach the Capital of India
{{{ Haryana }}}
{{{ Delhi }}}
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Odometer
Starting: 6252, Ending: 6764
Distance Traveled: 512KM
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Travel thru
New Delhi
Uttar Pradesh
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Toll
No.. of Tolls: 4
Toll Spendings: Rs.395
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Stay
Hotel Apna Guest House
Jhansi, Uttar Pradesh
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New Delhi > Agra > Gwalior > Jhansi
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Starting from Delhi, we travel through one of the India's Best 6 Lane "Yamuna Expressway" to reach Agra
{{{ Uttar Pradesh }}}
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Odometer
Starting: 6764, Ending: 7590
Distance Traveled: 826KM
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Travel thru
Uttar Pradesh
Madhya Pradesh
Maharastra
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Toll
No.. of Tolls: 9
Toll Spendings: Rs.565
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Stay
Hotel Avantika
Yeotmal, Maharastra
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Jhansi > Sagar > Nagpur > Yoetmal
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Crossed 3 States in a day
{{{ Madhya Pradesh }}}
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Odometer
Starting: 7590, Ending: 8571
Distance Traveled: 981KM
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Travel thru
Maharastra
Andhra Pradesh
Karnataka
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Toll
No.. of Tolls: 14
Toll Spendings: Rs.874
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Stay
N.C.M Lodge
Devanahalli Town, Karnataka
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Yeotmal > Adilabad > Hyderabad > Kurnool > Devanahalli (Bangalore)
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As usual, it's a day long return journey. Traveling through Andhra Pradesh was a Breeze, Entire Road Stretch right from tip to toe of the State was fine. Only because of the superb road condition throughout Andhra Pradesh, we were able to cover very near to 1000KMs in a single day.
{{{ Andhra Pradesh }}}
Finest road stretch across the state, starts from here
8 Lane Expressway to By-Pass Hyderabad
8 Lane Expressway to By-Pass Hyderabad
8 Lane Expressway to By-Pass Hyderabad
8 Lane Expressway to By-Pass Hyderabad
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Odometer
Starting: 8571, Ending: 9288
Distance Traveled: 717KM
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Travel thru
Karnataka
Tamil Nadu
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Toll
No.. of Tolls: 9
Toll Spendings: Rs.440
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Devanahalli (Bangalore) > Hosur > Salem > Madurai > Chinnamanur
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Back to Home
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