Driving Ujjain, Mandu, Omkareshwar, Maheshwar

Hi
Any advice on hiring a car and driver in Ujjain and travelling to Mandu, Omkareshwar, Maheshwar and back to Indore to fly out to Mumbai? Is this doable?Any suggestions?

We plan to take the train from Kota to Ujjain which looks like it is about a four hour trip? (And driving from Kota looks to be a 12 hour trip?)

Cheers
Mitchell

From Kota you have 260 km to Ujjain that means no more than five-six hours drive. The train takes 5 hours and you have two options:
04.50 - 09.45
15.05 - 20.25

From Ujjain you can continue to Omkareshwar by train and then to Maheshwar and Mandu by bus or taxi, no need to have a car with driver waiting for you.

Jorge

Thanks for the advice Jorge.
Is it not worthwhile to have a car and driver in this area? We've had good luck travelling this way in other parts of India as we like to stop in small places enroute.Are the roads in this area as bad as earlier reports?

We're planning about 8 days in this area and like staying in smaller towns. It sounds like Mandu is pleasant that way.Any itinerary suggestions?

thank you,
Mitchell

Mandu is very pleasant, and so is Maheshwar. I personally am not too keen on Omkareshwar - found it a bit hassly and I've seen a recent picture of it with a huge great big dam right next to it.

In both Mandu and Maheshwar you won't need a car. In Mandu you can walk or cycle around the sites. Maheshwar is a small town and you can easily spend a few days by the river relaxing, visiting temples, taking boat trips... So I really don't think you'll need a car.

The roads in that area are pretty bad though, and buses can be very full so it might be a good idea to take taxis between the places if you like a bit of comfort!

JuliaF is absolutely right.

Maheshwar and above all Mandu are great places to stay. I have a weakness for Mandu, here in Indiamike you can have a look at my article about Mandu:
http://www.indiamike.com/india/artic...and-forgotten/

In my gallery (jorge reverter) as well as in my son's gallery (jorge jr) you can see some pictures of Mandu, Omkareshwar, Maheshwar etc.

Not far from Mandu you can pay a visit to Dhar, an old city with character.

Jorge

thanks JuliaF and Jorge.
I checked out your article on Mandu and look forward to reading it. Your pictures are beautiful, not sure if there is a way to search by area?

Can you tell me more about Dhar?
And any mid-range accommodation ideas for Mandu, Ujjain and Maheshwar?
Thanks again,
Mitchell

Probably worse. Over two years later, and my teeth are still rattling in my head.

I agree with this.

Hi!

I too have bone jarring memories of my Mandu trip...!!!

However A friend of mine recently visited Mandu and was surprised to find that road condition was pretty much OK.
Regarding roads between onkareshwar and maheshwar...they should also be OK since these roads are maintained by NHDC for their power projects...

EOS

For hotels in Mandu and Maheshwar I have sent some information last 2005 on the hotel section here in IM.

About the roads: were terribly bad in September 2005, probably they are better now because worse was almost impossible.

Jorge