mumbai - nasik

macann

hello

we are landing at mumbai midweek noon in december and would like to know what we might pay for a driver+car to take us to nasik?

also, what is the going rate for a driver+car in the karnataka area per hour?

we are toying with the idea of getting the train - but not sure after a long flight from london - and then getting to the tain station?

any ideas?
thanks in advance

snonymous

How many people are you?
Approx rates for AC cars ex Mumbai [outstation rate] are as follows:

Comfortable for 2: Indica / Indigo: Estimate INR 12 per km outstation rate + drivers allowance INR 150-200

Comfortable for 3-5: Qualis / Tavera / Innova / Scorpio [latter 2 will be a bit more expensive]: Estimate INR 15-18 per km + drivers allowance.

Karnataka will be surely cheaper than Mumbai, by a couple of rupees per km.

It should take about 4 hours by road along NH-3 but may take longer depending on the traffic and the hold ups on NH-3 due to 4 lane work in progress. It is a scenic drive especially in the ghat section near Igatpuri. Here is a link to Akbar Travels, a reputed car hire agency to get an idea of pricing: http://www.akbartravelsonline.com/ca...pages/car.aspx
I think they have a rep at the airport.


You can also check for very comfortable AC bus timings at redbus.in and ticketvala.com Raj National Express is a reputed bus operator. But I don't think there is any airport pick up, and you may have to take a cab to the nearest pick up point [wont be very far but the cabbie will protest at the short fare].

brishti

snonymous, jorge reverter, mumbaikars and everybody else

this is for the august 15th weekend...
has been finally decided - wine, dine and song - no coastline

will be driving down from mumbai - nashik.
here're the two places thats a must : the vineyards and of course trimbakeshwar
two queries here:
what is the scenic/interesting route from mumbai to nashik?
any other places that're a must?
[ personally - more aint better, i'd rather explore a place from dawn to dusk than try and get in as many 'spots' as i can ]

my quandry is a place to stay in nashik.
budget: 500 - 1000 [incl taxes]
guesthouses with courtyards would be ideal
clean rooms - clean loo's... are the basic requirements. a/c not a requirement.
preferances are for open spaces - courtyard - a cow meandering about - koel in the tree kinda place
panchavati seems to be in the running... other suggestions would really be welcome.


thank you.
:brishti

macann

hello snonymous

thank you for your reply - there will be 2 of us -
what do you think to the train option?

snonymous

Scenic route: Mumbai Tryambakeshwar Nashik

Just went on the Wada Parali Suryamal rd yesterday. From Parali it is 60km to Tryambakeshwar. This is the scenery you can expect:


We took NH3 upto Bhiwandi Kalyan phata then left to Wada and onward. The road is good so far, few potholes, but heavy truck traffic from Bhiwandi to Wada.

Attached Thumbnails

         

snonymous

http://www.indianrail.gov.in/inet_metro_trns.html gives you the trains availability between stations.

You will have to make your way to the nearest station by cab - pre paid cabs available at the airport.

You can also book online train tickets on the same site. Give yourself a decent time margin to reach the station [min 1hr depending on station], allowing for flight delays, traffic etc.

I havent been by train to Nashik, so perhaps other members can give you better info.

brishti

snonymous...

thank you - thank you a thousand fold for the info. muchestly appreciated
wonderous pictures, as always.

next time you go on a trip... perhaps you can add me in as piece of one numbers luggage !!!



:brishti

snonymous

Will think about it!!!

I forgot to mention, if you take this route, there is a large patch of Karvy by the roadside on the Parli Suryamal stretch that has just started to bud, it ought to be in full mass bloom by Aug 15, which you can enjoy.

Strobilanthes mass flowering takes place once in 4-7 years.

safari vala

Pandu Lena
Location: Trirashmi Leni Hills, Pandavleni Mountains
Distance: About 8 km to the south of Nashik
Highlights: Hinayana Buddhist Caves
Built By: Jain Kings
Number of Caves: 24

Pandu Lena caves are situated near the Nashik city of India, at a distance of only 8 km towards its south. They are one amongst the numerous Buddhist Caves built in the country during the flourishing days of the religion and are twenty four in number. The caves date back to the time period between 1st century BC and 2nd century AD. Amongst all the caves situated at Pandu Lena, also known by the name of Pandavleni, the most significant ones comprise of those numbered eighteen and twenty.

All these caves are viharas (monasteries), with the exception of cave 18, and are counted amongst the oldest structures situated in the vicinity of Nasik. Another name for the Pandu Lena Caves is Trirashmi Leni, based on the name of the Trirashmi Leni Hills amidst which they are situated. These caves were built by the Jain kings, as home for the Jain saints. Cave 3 is a huge vihara, which has been adorned with a few magnificent sculptures. Cave 10, though older than cave 3 and with more intricately carved sculptures, looks almost identical to the latter.

Cave 18 comprises of a Chaitya Hall and is believed to have been built around the same time as the Karla Caves. The cave boasts of splendid sculptural designs and has a beautifully ornamented portico. It houses magnificent idols of Buddha and Bodhisatva, along with the icons of Jain Teerthankara Vrishabhdeo, Veer Manibhadraji and Ambikadevi. Other notable features comprise of skillfully chiseled water tanks. Though more than 2000 years old, Pandu Lena Caves are definitely worth having a look at.