[Sutripta]

Originally Posted by anurag_p80

@Sutripta, thanks for the Madarihat tip. Will stretch till there on Day 3 for sure if i cannot make Phuntsholing.

Siliguri to Phuntsoling very comfortably done in a day. However if you are coming from beyond Siliguri, then Madarihat is the option. (The Madarihat Tourist Lodge, called the Jaldapara lodge, is with fooding. So becomes expensive for only a night halt.)
There are no real border formalities at Phuntsoling. Formalities are only if you want to proceed beyond.

Regards
Sutripta

[anurag_p80]

@HVK, Sutripta, Sheel and others,

Would it be advisable (I know HVK is not in favor) to take the Bankura route to reach Asansol from KGP? It is a 100 kms or so shorter than the Kolkata route. If it saves time, and since I think I will be doing it during the day time, think it would make sense. If I am taking the Burdwan-Gushkara route than obviously the Kolkata route will be preferred. What do you guys say?

Also on Day 2, starting early from Rambha (4-5am), what will be a logical stop considering that I want to minimize driving after dark?

[hvkumar]

Originally Posted by anurag_p80

Also on Day 2, starting early from Rambha (4-5am), what will be a logical stop considering that I want to minimize driving after dark?

Very difficult choices, but with an early morning start, in 14 hours you could reach Bhagalpur. If delayed, then there are no good places to stay beyond Asansol till Bhagalpur

[anurag_p80]

Originally Posted by Sheel

Dumka should have a hotel or two.

Originally Posted by hvkumar

Very difficult choices, but with an early morning start, in 14 hours you could reach Bhagalpur. If delayed, then there are no good places to stay beyond Asansol till Bhagalpur

Dumka not an option for staying the night?

Also do advice on the Bankura route to reach Asansol from KGP. If it will save significant time, I am willing to try it. Else will stick to the Kolkata route.

@Sheel, any idea on the Dumka-Bhagalpur stretch as of now?

[Sheel]

Originally Posted by anurag_p80

Dumka not an option for staying the night?


@Sheel, any idea on the Dumka-Bhagalpur stretch as of now?

Dumka does have few hotels, but if you are looking for anything fancy, it will disappoint. It should have the basics.

For complete information on that thread, please keep yourself updated here

Dumka - Bhagalpur stretch at present isn't good. There is a detour mentioned on the last 2-3 pages of that thread. If you are in a car with generous GC, it should not be a problem.

[hvkumar]

Originally Posted by anurag_p80

Dumka not an option for staying the night?

Also do advice on the Bankura route to reach Asansol from KGP. If it will save significant time, I am willing to try it. Else will stick to the Kolkata route.

@Sheel, any idea on the Dumka-Bhagalpur stretch as of now?

Originally Posted by Sheel

Dumka does have few hotels, but if you are looking for anything fancy, it will disappoint. It should have the basics.

For complete information on that thread, please keep yourself updated here

Dumka - Bhagalpur stretch at present isn't good. There is a detour mentioned on the last 2-3 pages of that thread. If you are in a car with generous GC, it should not be a problem.

As Sheel said, Dumka has very basic hotels which may not please most

[anurag_p80]

Originally Posted by Sheel

For complete information on that thread, please keep yourself updated here

Dumka - Bhagalpur stretch at present isn't good. There is a detour mentioned on the last 2-3 pages of that thread. If you are in a car with generous GC, it should not be a problem.

Have read through that particular thread at least twice. Will be in a Renault Duster, so ample GC.

@HVK, going through the Asansol route, it will be Asansol-Chittaranjan-Masalia-Dumka, correct? Any info on where to turn off from NH2 to join Chittaranjan road? I read about the Jubilee Petrol Pump, is that easily identifiable?

[hvkumar]

Originally Posted by anurag_p80

@HVK, going through the Asansol route, it will be Asansol-Chittaranjan-Masalia-Dumka, correct? Any info on where to turn off from NH2 to join Chittaranjan road? I read about the Jubilee Petrol Pump, is that easily identifiable?

Here is the map of that sector.
After crossing the JUbilee Petrol Pump, you come to a small junction (with a Check Post, I think), where the road diagonally turns to teh right towards Chittaranajan.

https://goo.gl/maps/iokHr

You do not have to go into Chittaranjan, you bypass it and go via Jamtara to Dumka.

[anurag_p80]

Originally Posted by hvkumar

You do not have to go into Chittaranjan, you bypass it and go via Jamtara to Dumka.

Thanks for the map HVK. So same road till Jamtara, and then turn off into Dumka-Jamtara road?

[hvkumar]

Originally Posted by anurag_p80

Thanks for the map HVK. So same road till Jamtara, and then turn off into Dumka-Jamtara road?

Same road from Jamtara to Dumka

[Sutripta]

Originally Posted by anurag_p80

Would it be advisable (I know HVK is not in favor) to take the Bankura route to reach Asansol from KGP?

If in blitzkrieg mode, use the GQ. except for Panagarh, more consisten timewise.

Regards
Sutripta

[Babuda]

[@HVK, going through the Asansol route, it will be Asansol-Chittaranjan-Masalia-Dumka, correct? Any info on where to turn off from NH2 to join Chittaranjan road? I read about the Jubilee Petrol Pump, is that easily identifiable?[/quote]

Take a right at the Jubilee Pump crossing. This route will take you through Gourandi - Masalia and will end up right opposite the Clock Tower in Dumka. This is a much better option than going through Chittaranjan - Jamtara.

[anurag_p80]

Originally Posted by Babuda

Take a right at the Jubilee Pump crossing. This route will take you through Gourandi - Masalia and will end up right opposite the Clock Tower in Dumka. This is a much better option than going through Chittaranjan - Jamtara.

Thanks Babuda. Is the Jubilee Petrol Pump easily identifiable, and is the turnoff labelled and visible?

[Babuda]

Originally Posted by anurag_p80

Thanks Babuda. Is the Jubilee Petrol Pump easily identifiable, and is the turnoff labelled and visible?

Approximately 8 km. after you get on to the Asansol Bypass, you will notice a huge Indian Oil Petrol Pump to the left. There is a junction immediately adjacent to the pump. Left takes you into Asansol, straight towards Delhi; the road to the right is the one which will take you to Dumka.

[anurag_p80]

Please also suggest some decent hotels for Night stops. As per the updated plan, the stops will be:

Day 1: Rambha/ Barkul or Bhubaneswar (OTDC at Barkul, Venus Inn at Bhub?)
Day 2: Asansol or Bhagalpur (Rajhans or Vaibhav Inn at BGP, at Asansol??)
Day 3: Phuntsholing/ Madarihat

Return:
Bongaigaon/ Nalbari- Please suggest places to stay?