[Dracoon]

Hi Friends,

Wanted to share my recent road trip experience in my Audi A3. While I had done road trips previously never this long. I planned it for months and glad to say it went exactly as planned or even better.

• Itinerary: Pune - Goa - Gokarna - Mangalore - Calicut - Kochi - Thekkady - Kodaikanal - Ooty - Chikamangalur - Hampi - Fratelli vineyard - Pune
  
• Time - 20 days
  
• Driving - ~70 hours
  
• Distance covered - 3008 Km+
  
• Mileage - ~19 kmpl

The driving experience overall was quite good. While we encountered some bit of rough patches, I must say the roads in south india are quite good. Here is how we did it.

Day 1: Pune to Goa - The longest I have driven in a single day (422 kms). Originally we had planned to go to Mahabaleshwar and then to Goa but had to change plans. But the roads are great (though also the maximum toll). We started around 9 and reached 5, only took break for lunch in Kolhapur

Day 2: Goa to Gokarna - We initially planned to say in Goa for 2-3 days but again had to cut some days. We have also lived in Goa for 1.5 years so were more keen to drive south. Goa to Gokarna drive is excellent. I found the roads in Karnataka the best. It was the first time I drove on a road which is just besides the sea. Stayed in Gokarna for a couple of days in a nice jungle resort. Visited the prestine Om beach and Mahabaleshwar temple

Day 4: Gokarna to Mangalore (Detour to Yana Caves) - We had to drive to Managlore which was only 5 hours drive so we had some time. We decided to take a detour to Yana Caves which is one of its kind rock formation. It was magnificant but did involve a lot of stair climbing. But it was so worth it.

Day 5: Mangalore to Calicut - Ok so this was probably the most testing driving condition. The highways are all 2 lanes, they are being expanded to 4/6 lanes but for now its only 2 lanes everywhere. The buses drive like crazy in Kerala (specially the pink ones). I have studied in Kerala to had already warned my wife. Anyways coming to the fun part, I told my wife I'll take her to a beach which is one of kind in India. She gave reaction mehh..whatever...then when we reached Muzhappilangad, she was like where is the parking..where are you going..and then she realized we are going to drive on the beach. Mind blown wow that was fun. It is a must do for all car enthusiast. It was so much fun

Day 6: In Calicut - I have studied in Calicut so went to college, some old places.

Day 7: Calicut to Kochi - Stayed for 3 days in Kochi. Did backwater tour, explored Kochi fort city, some shopping. Met some friends. Spend good quality time

Day 10: Kochi to Thekkady - Half way through the trip we were a little tired, rested for a day. Then next day planned to do Periyar wildlife sanctuary but did not get ticket as it was new year rush. We did a safari which took us to spice plantation, some offroading, boating, tea plantation etc. It was nice

Day 12: Thekkady to Kodaikanal - It was a short drive. Good roads, driving on hill is another kind of experience. We spent new year in Kodai. Visited all the famous spots, but it was misty so didn't see much

Day 14: Kodaikanal to Ooty - It was a long and windy road journey but we did it with a few small breaks in between. We like Ooty better then Kodai, maybe new year rush had passed, but it had a more rustic charm

Day 16: Ooty to Chikamangalur - We didn't actually see Chikamangalur, it was again a pit stop. But the Gateway Taj property is amazing. It was totally worth it, would again come here for sure

Day 17: Chikamangalur to Hampi - Hampi had been on our list for a long time. It is amazing place, with history oozing from everywhere.

Day 19: Hampi to Fratelli vineyard - Amazing find again. Must experience for those who like wines

Day 20: Back to Pune

We travel a lot, but road trips are special, there are so many special moments. Places we would not see otherwise.

To end a few quotes from my wife during the trip which I found funny:

• " Why do people drive like snakes in India " - In context of overtaking trucks who are driving left and some right side
  
• " These are not spead breaker, they are car breakers " - We should standardize how spead breakers are build, some of them are outright dangerous.

Ciao

[Flyer]

Wonderful Trip! I guess Muzhappilangadi is the only drive in beach in India. (I might be wrong). You covered most of the tourist destinations in south in a single trip. Did you really get an average 19 kmpl mileage? Thats awesome. Keep revving.

[Dracoon]

Originally Posted by Flyer

Wonderful Trip! I guess Muzhappilangadi is the only drive in beach in India. (I might be wrong). You covered most of the tourist destinations in south in a single trip. Did you really get an average 19 kmpl mileage? Thats awesome. Keep revving.

Thanks, yes Muzhappilangadi is the only drive in beach in India and I think the longest one in Asia. It was an amazing experience.

I did note down the average showing in MID post everytrip and for most trips it was more than 19, only in hills it was 15-17. If I do tank to tank, roughly it would still come ~18 but that includes in city driving also.

[razor_crest]

Coastal roads in Karnataka are awesome and picturesque to say the least, especially from Goa to Gokarn. Our recent trip to Goa from Chennai, led us through few awesome as well as treacherous routes.

[venkyhere]

Nice trip and travelogue.
I hope those stupendous FE numbers are from a 2.0TDI and not the 1.4TFSI. If indeed the 1.4TFSI, I have to go find a cliff to jump off from. What does the "S line" badge on the fender mean (does it come with both engine options) in terms of engine/suspension w.r.t the vanilla A3 ?

[Dracoon]

Originally Posted by venkyhere

Nice trip and travelogue.
I hope those stupendous FE numbers are from a 2.0TDI and not the 1.4TFSI. If indeed the 1.4TFSI, I have to go find a cliff to jump off from. What does the "S line" badge on the fender mean (does it come with both engine options) in terms of engine/suspension w.r.t the vanilla A3 ?

Thanks, yes it is 2.0 TDI Diesel engine, gives tremendous FE. Just returned from Mulshi (50 km) from my home, and got 18.2 kmpl (on MID) which included a lot of city driving.

S-line badge I think mean sports line. There is only slight difference/upgrades to exterior to make car look more sporty and black interiors, milano leather seats etc. I don't think there is any difference in engine/ tuning though suspension might be tweeked (not sure).

[harry_1732]

Hello, I am planning almost the same trip barring goa and rest all are.in my itenary too. I am starting from Pune and would be great if we can somehow connect for clearing some doubts of mine.

Pls share your contact details if possible via email or dm.

Harpreet

[Dracoon]

Originally Posted by harry_1732

Hello, I am planning almost the same trip barring goa and rest all are.in my itenary too. I am starting from Pune and would be great if we can somehow connect for clearing some doubts of mine.

Pls share your contact details if possible via email or dm.

Harpreet

Hi Harry, I would love to help you but the private messaging is not available to newbies like us i think. If you can post your questions here, will try and answer in details.