Mumbai To Goa Scenic Coastal Route

Hi All,

I would want some proper information on the Mumbai - Goa Scenic Coastal Route.

I am planning to go to Ganpatipule in Jan '09 and heard abt it from a pal. I searched the web but couldnt find find perfect info...

Could someone who has travelled on dat route help me with it.

Basically i would want to know which are the places via which i need to travel, how long will it take via this route, how is the condition of the road, where do i need to travel via sea and do they ferry 4 wheelers across and at which places do i need to cross via sea....

these info would really help me in planning a perfect trip....

Thanks all

Regards
Rajesh

I'm taking the train from Kolyan to Ratnagiri tomorrow. Will be there a week so check with me after and I can tell you what I found out but I will keep an eye out for what you ask. I found the following thread was a good starter for me when looking around but a search of this site will get you lots more. Maybe you want to contact the author of the thread as well....

Ganapatipule

Thanks Mate....

I will catch up with you after sometime and check...

Thanks
RC

The roads seem ok as far as Indian ones go but I only took an auti from Rat station to Ganpatipule (400rps) and a bus back (31rps).

It's a big long beach (4kms???) and even at the busy weekends you aren't likely to see anyone other thean Indians visiting the shrine and making use only of a 300 yard stretch of sand immediatley in front of the shrine and the MTDC resort. Otherwise you can walk north and be by yourself for an hour each way.

there's plenty of places to stay but not alot to do right there so you'll want to get about a bit with your own transport. Couldn't find moped hire there but I didn't try hard. It's typical resort for nationals, not geared up for foreign tourists but very relaxing if you want to do nowt. Goa still has the added 'comforts' you might miss and if it's isolation you want there are still unspoilt places within Goa itself that do the job.

But it's interesting and the scenery can be spectaular around the region, especially up in the hills.

If you want somewhere to stay there's a place (name???) about 100 yards north of MDTC that has Konkani huts starting about 1200 rps. MTDC is the same price and slightly faded. There are also some cheaper places behind and off the beach. Avoid Shri Saga. I lasted about three days but I don't have much time to play with.

Not exactly what you were after but it's all I've got ....

p

No Probs Suchapool....Thanks a ton for yr assistance...really appreciate it...

Route
Govandi – Juinagar – Nerul – Panvel – NH-17 – Vadhkal – Kolad – Mangoan –Mahad – Poladpur – Chiplun – Sangameshwar – Nivali Phata – Ganpatipule (367 kms)
We left Govandi at 6:00 and reached Ganpatipule at 14:45 with 4 breaks. We halted at Juinagar for 20 minutes and Nerul for 5 minutes to pick up family members on the way to Ganpatipule.

Possible Pit Stops
Kshanbar Vishranti – Just before Karnala Bird Sanctuary (13 kms from Panvel)
Hotel Karnala – Opposite Karnala Bird Sanctuary (14.5 kms from Panvel)
Kamaths – Nagothane (55 kms from Panvel)
Gargi Ruchi Garden – (Landmark Raigad Sainik School) (125 kms from Panvel)
Kamaths – Mahad (After Gargi Ruchi Garden) (127 kms from Panvel)
Motel Visawa – After Mahad (160 kms from Panvel)

When you are nearing Pen there is a toll naka (Rs 10/- for 4 wheeler).
If you go straight from Vadhkal you go to Alibaug, Left is NH-17 towards Goa.
After Mangoan take a right to go to Srivardhan / Harihareshwar (45 kms).
On the way to Mahad take a left to go to Raigad Fort (25 kms).
After the toll naka (Rs 5/- for 4 wheeler) at Mahad take a left to go towards Pune via Varandha Ghat Bhor (150 kms).
Take a left at Poladpur to go to Mahabaleshwar / Panchagani (35 kms).
Take a right at Chiplun to go to Guhagar (42 kms).
Take a right at Nivali Phata to go to Ganpatipule (31 kms).

There are many options to stay in Ganpatipule. The best one is the MTDC resort, the only one facing the beach. Check-in is at 10:00 and check-out is at 9:00. You can extend the check-out by maximum half hour. Credit Cards are accepted here for lodging. The lodging options available are Deluxe Non AC room, Deluxe AC room, Sea View Cottage, Konkani Non AC room, and Konkani AC room. The tariff is the lowest during monsoon. The booking of rooms can be done online using the MTDC website. Take a printout of the receipt and show it at the reception. You would have to pay Rs 250/- per guest + plus 10% tax and Rs 100/- as deposit which is refundable before you check-in. You will have to pay the deposit in cash; the balance can be paid by credit card. The standard occupancy is for 2 people. We had to pay Rs 790/- extra as we had 2 guests. The tariff for the Deluxe Non AC room was Rs 1250/- and we had booked 2 rooms. Almost all the rooms are sea-facing. Open the balcony and you can see the beach and hear the waves. Hot water is available 24 hrs. There is no room service available. The Konkani huts are around a kilometer from the reception, so once you check-in you can take your vehicle there. Beer is available in the restaurant. Food is not that great. On the way towards Prachin Konkan there is a place which is available for boarding owned by one of the temple priest. If you want to have a proper darshan you can stay there and the priest will take care of the darshan. On that same road you can stay at the Durvankar hotel. Credit cards are accepted here. Only vegetarian food is available here.

The famed Ganapati Temple is just a minute from the MTDC restaurant. The temple is located on the base of a hill and there is a pradakshina which is around a kilometer long and takes around 15 minutes to complete (preferred by most pilgrims). You can also take a pradakshina around the temple. The regular Prasad that pilgrims take, home is the Boondi Laddoo, which is available in packets of 2 and 4. The cost is Rs 5 per laddoo. There is a very good museum Prachin Konkan which is around a kilometer from the MTDC resort. Take a left from outside the MTDC resort. Most of the crowd on the beach is in front of the temple. If you want some solitude go towards the right or the left from the temple. If you go towards the right of the temple you can see the Konkani huts of MTDC.