[vnabhi]

Great, thanks Asish-----that is just the info we were looking for. I meant 3 nights and 2 days. Looks like Karde is a possibility----any update on the road to that place?

[ASHISHPALLOD]

Originally Posted by vnabhi

Looks like Karde is a possibility----any update on the road to that place?

mahaby-poladpur-bharnephata-khed-dapoli-karde/murud harnai.

mahaby to poladpur is twisty rough 40 km ghat.
poladpur to bharnephata is wide smooth twisty nh17.
bharnephata to dapoli is mixed twisty road.
dapoli to murud, it is ok.
for karde, last 3 km is narrow rough road.

[vnabhi]

Originally Posted by ASHISHPALLOD

mahaby-poladpur-bharnephata-khed-dapoli-karde/murud harnai.

mahaby to poladpur is twisty rough 40 km ghat.
poladpur to bharnephata is wide smooth twisty nh17.
bharnephata to dapoli is mixed twisty road.
dapoli to murud, it is ok.
for karde, last 3 km is narrow rough road.

Thanks a ton, Asish. I tried looking for hotels via Cleartip.com, as suggested by mobike008, but it shows only 2 hotels---neither Dreamland nor Savoy (where mobike stayed) are listed. If you have the contact number of Dreamland, please share it.
Thanks once again.

[ASHISHPALLOD]

Originally Posted by vnabhi

If you have the contact number of Dreamland, please share it.

please check this site.

their per day tariff is at lowest rate for sept end.

call-02168-260228

[vnabhi]

Originally Posted by ASHISHPALLOD

please check this site.

their per day tariff is at lowest rate for sept end.

call-02168-260228

Will do--thx. You were so fast in your response that I got to read it soon after I refreshed my page

[frequentflyer]

Originally Posted by mobike008

Venu, as you can see from Ashish's feedback. Pandarpur to Satara is an extremely lonely 140kms stretch wherein you wont find a single soul on the road.

This was also confirmed by Zen91. Hence, Solapur to Indapur route.

Oh if you are travelling by day do not bother about the lonely part, it is lonely by Indian standards. The Sholapur Pune (Indapur) road is notorious for accidents and truck traffic. it is the only un-reformed hi way heading out of Pune now.

[vnabhi]

Originally Posted by frequentflyer

Oh if you are travelling by day do not bother about the lonely part, it is lonely by Indian standards. The Sholapur Pune (Indapur) road is notorious for accidents and truck traffic. it is the only un-reformed hi way heading out of Pune now.

Thanks. I'm aware of the travails of the Solapur to Pune stretch as I've faced hell while driving to Mumbai a year and half ago.

[vnabhi]

Guys, any updates on the rains in Mahabaleshwar area? If it is still raining hard, then I don't think there will be much to see there when we go there on Sep 26th.
My brother in law went there last August (2008) and returned disappointed.
Any ideas, Ashish and others?
Thanks in advance.

[ASHISHPALLOD]

Originally Posted by vnabhi

Guys, any updates on the rains in Mahabaleshwar area? If it is still raining hard, then I don't think there will be much to see there when we go there on Sep 26th.

still raining in Mahabaleshwar but not as hard as august but you know, no one can predict the Indian weather correctly.

[santhosh_kumard]

I was there last week (Sep-8/9). The rains was there for half a day, rest of the two days no problem from rains. Its very manageable.

Most of the places is very empty and I enjoyed that part of it very much.

Additional bonus is the lush greenery and the enchanting fog that comes every now and then. Sitting beside Venna lake, having a ginger tea and watching the scenery being draped and uncovered by the fog was a sight to behold.

Bad thing is that apart from Kate's Point, other points are closed ( nothing can be seen ) due to the dense fog. But driving through those areas ( which was eerily empty ) is an adventure altogether.

[vnabhi]

Thanks Asish and Santosh.

Santosh---did you visit with prior accomodation or did you get it on the spot?

[santhosh_kumard]

Originally Posted by vnabhi

Thanks Asish and Santosh.

Santosh---did you visit with prior accomodation or did you get it on the spot?

I did a prior accomodation at MTDC resort. I should say, the resort is not for everyone, its in middle of forest and the place is damp.

But from what I see, since its not a touristy season at all, if you go on a weekday, you have all the mahabaleshwar for yourself :-).

If you are planning to land up on a weekend (Friday->Monday), it might just be better to book the rooms so that you are not led into some bad accomodation by the guides there. The guides there are a pesky lot!.

[rkavthekar]

Originally Posted by vnabhi

Thanks Asish and Santosh.

Santosh---did you visit with prior accomodation or did you get it on the spot?

Vnabhi,

Sorry for not going through all the mail trail. But, here's some information that you might want to reconsider. Couple of reports in the paper of past few days suggest that tourist are pretty less in MahaB, so, accomodation should not be an issue. However, Sept 21 is a long weekend and so is Sept 28 and 2nd Oct. This period should attract more tourist, however, you should be able to find a decent accomodation. The number of tourist at this time should be around 30-45% of peak summer season at the best.

If you are a no risk taker and travelling with family, you can book in advance.

takecare & drive safely

[vnabhi]

Originally Posted by santhosh_kumard

I did a prior accomodation at MTDC resort. I should say, the resort is not for everyone, its in middle of forest and the place is damp.

But from what I see, since its not a touristy season at all, if you go on a weekday, you have all the mahabaleshwar for yourself :-).

If you are planning to land up on a weekend (Friday->Monday), it might just be better to book the rooms so that you are not led into some bad accomodation by the guides there. The guides there are a pesky lot!.

Thanks for the info. I am going on a Saturday, so I might as well book for a day, and shift to a better one/ extend, depending on the comfort.
I will not go to the guides, as Ashish and mobike008 have already posted the names of good hotels---of course a few of them may be closed during monsoon.

[vnabhi]

Originally Posted by rkavthekar

Vnabhi,

Sorry for not going through all the mail trail. But, here's some information that you might want to reconsider. Couple of reports in the paper of past few days suggest that tourist are pretty less in MahaB, so, accomodation should not be an issue. However, Sept 21 is a long weekend and so is Sept 28 and 2nd Oct. This period should attract more tourist, however, you should be able to find a decent accomodation. The number of tourist at this time should be around 30-45% of peak summer season at the best.

If you are a no risk taker and travelling with family, you can book in advance.

takecare & drive safely

Thanks @rkavthekar for sharing this info reg tourist density. I think we posted almost at the same time, so I'd missed your post.
I've called Dreamland and Savoy---but I did not get a response from Savoy---one website says they are closed for renovation.
Dreamland has confirmed that there is accomodation for 26th sep, and I shall be making a token payment tomorrow for the 3-day package.
Thanks once again.