My first ever longest driveGrand Trip of 4200 Km
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https://grandtrips.blogspot.in/
I am a regular reader of travel blogs, as I love to travel. I decided to post one of my own. Since it is my first article about my journey it had to be special and so it was, about my longest road trip by our car "Hyundai Grand i10" to our native place Basti (U.P.). It was a round trip of 4200 Km. Initially, it was like a dream to plan such a long journey by car, but reading, travel blogs of many daring travelers helped me fully make my mind to do it.
After preparing myself, I started preparing my wife for this grand trip. Believe me, the trip was planned for November 2015 but everybody was getting mentally prepared for this since February 2015 itself. After some yes and many nos everybody seemed to start showing interest for the trip and finally they were 100 percent ready to go.
The decided date to start the trip was 5
th November 2015. As I was very excited, I started noting down the things to be taken for the journey. As my daughter is 6 years old and son is 2 years old, I had to take care of their sleeping and sitting arrangement to make the journey comfortable for them. Two days before the journey there were some changes in the rear seat to make like leg room area which I filled with mattress and made it to the seat level so as to make it spacious for them to sit, play or sleep. Packing was done on 3
rd itself. The day before leaving, we had our dinner at 8 pm. Food for the journey was also partially done and we slept at 9pm after finalizing everything. The next day was the day for which we all were waiting for. Me and my wife woke up at 3 am and started preparing puri sabji. In addition, we kept boiled eggs, some packed Lassi and lot of snacks along with about 6 liter of chilled water. We carried this much of stuffs to avoid breakfast and lunch in the restaurant, as usually we both dont like to stop much in long journeys as it kills time. As far as hygiene is concerned, kids would enjoy the home made food all the time as much as possible. We decided to take the breaks only for tea.
5-Nov-2015: Pune to Bhopal
Sunrise: On the way to Sangamner
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At 4:45am we locked the door and now we were ready to move and started at 5am. In the morning there was very less traffic on Nasik highway and we reached Sangamner by 7.30am. Took right for Kopargaon and then turned left after 6 km for Manmad, we joined NH-3 (Before Malegaon Girna river, take right and join NH-3 for Indore) and took our first tea break at 10:30am at hotel A-1 Sagar (Hotel is just 9.7 km after Malegaon junction which has excellent parking and restroom).
Hotel A-1 Sagar
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Dhule Indore highway (NH-3)
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Till now we have covered 268 km and again we started at 11:00 am towards Indore via Dhule and Sendhwa. There is a rumor that Sendhwa is a dacoit zone but its not true, one of my friends from Indore told me that it was there around 10-15 years back when the new highway was not built. In old days there were police vans which would provide protection to bunch of vehicles.
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Welcome to Madhya Pradesh
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Toll booth: Dewas Bhopal corridor
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After Indore via Dewas bypass we took a right for Bhopal and reached Bhopal at 8pm. We decided to stay in Bhopal at our relatives home. Here the worst thing to happen was that we both have lost our data connection, as we were totally dependent on GPS only to reach home. Well, we started asking for J.K.Road but to our surprise anyone we met had no idea of the address which was not very far away. One of a guy expressed that how the J.K.Road can be here (J.K. road yahan kaise ho sakta hai) (lol). Getting right direction was difficult and we lost our 1 hr in just taking rounds of the city. Finally, we met a guy who clearly explained the way to reach our destination, and at last we reached home at 9.30pm and covered another 509 km (Total: 778 km). During this 509 km stretch we only took a break to fill our bottle with cold water. We didnt get the data connection till the time we stayed in Bhopal.
We had our dinner and slept at 12:30pm and woke up at 5:30am. Bua ji prepared Poha and packed up some Poha, bread jam and bread butter for us. We had our breakfast and were again ready for the next move to Basti. It was quite good for us and again we dont have to worry about the lunch for the kids.
6-Nov-2015: Bhopal to Lucknow
Standing on the Tropic of Cancer
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We started at 9:15am from Bhopal and have to cover 850 km. It was too late to start, but we have the option to stay in Lucknow, as my wifes home is there. Due to this late departure, we skipped to visit the Sanchi stoop which was on the way, but will definitely cover in our next trip :-). Via Vidisha and Bina we joined the NH-26 (North-South Corridor) in Malthone. The road was excellent till Jhansi you can maintain 100+ Kmph but wait for the twist; beware of Cows and buffaloes as you cant realize from which corner of the road they will instantly pop up in front of your vehicle. Definitely you will get some stretches in these 153 km to maintain the stated speed but always be alert.
We joined Jhansi-Shivpuri road (NH-25, NH-2: East-West Corridor) then took right and continued, after 9.5 km turned left and then after 850mtr took right to Kanpur. We took our first tea break of 30 minutes near Kalpi before 76 km of Kanpur. We continued till Kanpur which is famous for traffic jam. We were stuck in a jam on the bridge and started the GPS a bit late, so wrongly we continued on Allahabad route. When the GPS started showing a U turn, then it struck that something went wrong. It was not too late; hardly it was 5-6 km extra because of this wrong way. We then took the U turn and stopped at one Omelet stall before joining Lucknow road. We ordered two plate bread omelets and it was our unexpected Second break in Kanpur near Lucknow-Kanpur highway. We started now for Lucknow and again we stuck in a jam after crossing Ganga river. Thank God it was for only 15-20 minutes, the jam got cleared and finally we continued for Lucknow. Now it was 10:00pm so we decided to stay in Lucknow and when my brother in Law came to know that we will be staying in Lucknow he brought Kabab and Parathas (Yummy:p) for us. As we entered Lucknow we were hardly 8 km near home when we again stuck in Jam. After 20 minutes of jam we came out and reached home at 11:15pm. We have now covered 1474 km from Pune.
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7-Nov-2015: Lucknow to Basti
Lucknow
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We woke up at 5 am, had our breakfast and left for Basti at 6 am. There was no traffic and it was easy to maintain 100 kmph, so we covered 206 km in 3 hrs and at 9 am we were on our doorstep. Till now we covered 1680 Km.
7-12 Nov- 2015: At home
We were at home only busy enjoying Dhanteras and Diwali.
My grandfather with my daughter
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Lakshmi poojan
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Bhadeshwar Nath temple - Basti
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13-Nov-2015: Basti to Lucknow
Ayodhya bridge (On the way to Lucknow)
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As it was the day of Bhaidooj, we again moved to Lucknow at 8:30 am and reached at 12 pm to my brother in laws home for Teeka. All my sisters in law reached just after we reached. In the evening we visited Phoenix mall and the day ends here.
14-Nov-2015: Lucknow to Basti
It was already in our plan to visit Lucknow Zoo to make the day enjoyable for the kids. Me, my wife, both kids and her both sisters with their kids reached the Zoo. Now we all have a count of 10 members (my brother in law joined us later). After some time he came with Tunde ki Kabab and parathas. We all enjoyed the meal.
Lucknow Zoo
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In the evening at 5 pm we finished our visit to the Zoo. At 5:30 pm we departed for Basti and reached at 9:00 pm and covered 204 km.
15-Nov-2015: Devi Patan temple
We visited Devi Patan (Maa Pateshwari) temple, Located in town Tulsipur in Balrampur District. It is the most important and among one of the 51th Shakti Peeths in the region. Nepal is just 23 Km from Tulsipur. After reaching the temple we parked the vehicles and stood in the queue for Darshan.
Devi Patan temple main entrance
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We did our darshan in about 30 minutes. Time for lunch so we chose to sit under the tree and had our home made lunch. After spending 3 hours we left from there.
There were 9 members, including 3 kids so we took two cars (Grand i10 and Zen). From Basti the distance of the temple is 114 Km. Road condition between Basti and Itwa was good 2 Lane roadbut from Itwa to Tulsipur the stretch of 50 Km was horrible and worst ever road in my whole trip.
18-Nov-2015: Basti to Jagdishpur
The day came to return Pune. The distance from Basti to Bhopal is 870 Km and it seemed difficult to cover it in daytime, as I strictly avoid driving at night with family. So we decided to split our journey and we moved for Jagdishpur located in Sultanpur district, which is 145 Km from Basti, to my sister-in-laws place.
Resting for the next drive !!
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Indogulf township park
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Indogulf temple
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We stayed 18
th and 19
th in Jagdishpur only. Jagdishpur visit had been already there in our plan, but before the 18th. To break this 870 Km stretch we have covered it on 18
th November Instead of going from Lucknow, via Jagdishpur we skipped two Toll plazas which is located between Faizabad to Lucknow.
20-Nov-2015: Jagdishpur to Bhopal
This was the day when we moved to Bhopal. My wife and her sister prepared Puri Sabji and also packed some snacks. We started the journey at 5 am. Instead of going via Lucknow we decided to take left from Gosaiganj and continue till Mohanlalganj. We filled our tank on HP (Hamara pump, Mohari kala) just after new district jail. The road condition from Jagdishpur to Lucknow Kanpurhighway is very good. After the railway crossing we joined Lucknow-Raebareli road. Again, we took a left and immediate right for Kanpur. By this route we bypassed Lucknow and joinedLucknow Kanpur Highway (NH 25). Ajgain is 21 Km from this junction.
As we entered in Kanpur a traffic police stopped us and very politely he asked Agar kasht na ho to gadi ke papers dikha sakte hain kya? (If you dont mind could you please show me the car documents?). This was the first and last time that my car documents were examined during the whole trip. Later he asked from where I am coming and where I am going then by himself, he guided me the route to Jhansi. At the same checkpoint the car next to ours was also MH-12 Pune passing. We were quite happy to see this.
By 10:45 am we reached Jhansi and took our first tea break of 45 minutes. At 11:30 we continued for Bhopal and with non stop driving we have reached Bhopal at 7pm.Before Sanchi due to some reason the road were blocked by police and the route was diverted. Somehow, with the help of GPS we came out from all the diversions and joined on main road.
21-Nov-2015: Bhopal to Pune
We woke up at 4:30am, had our breakfast and departed at 6 am for Pune. It was a lovely morning and we came across Bhopal lake which was on the way and we couldnt stop ourselves to visit the lake. We captured some photos and then continued to Indore.
Bhopal during Sunrise
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Leaving Bhopal
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My better half trying her hand on driving
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A huge hunk - 74 Wheels
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Thumbs up hill - Manmad
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Our next target was to reach Sangamner before the Sun set and by 6:30 pm we touched Sangamner. And finally 9:30pm we reached home.
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About the Trip:
It was our first and a very long trip indeed. The result was that all four of us enjoyed and were again ready anytime for such long drive with our Grand i10. Must say it was an awesome experience.
Route:
Pune Malegaon Indore Bhopal Bina - Malthon Jhansi Kanpur Lucknow - Basti.
Basti - Jagdishpur - Mohanlalganj - Kanpur - Jhansi - Malthone - Bina - Bhopal - Indore - Pune.
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Kilometers covered: 4,200
Speed limit: 80 - 100 Kmph
Fuel consumed: 220 Liter
Fuel economy: 19 Kmpl
Fuel cost: Rs.14,680
Toll paid: Rs. 3,403
Flat Tyre : No
Road condition:
Pune To Sangamner : Road widening is in progress, but no issues in the early morning to cover the distance in time.
Sangamner - Kopargaon : Good
Kopargaon - Malegaon : Very Good
Malegaon - Indore : Excellent 4 Lane
Indore - Dewas : Very good 2 Lane
Dewas - Bhopal : Excellent 4 Lane
Bhopal - Vidisha : Good
Vidisha - Malthone : Very good
Malthone - Jhansi : Excellent 4 Lane (Bumpy road)
Jhansi - Lucknow : Very good 4 Lane
Lucknow - Basti : Excellent 4 Lane
Basti - Faizabad : Excellent 4 Lane
Faizabad -to Jagdishpur : Very good 2 Lane
Jagdishpur - Gosaiganj : Very good 2 Lane
Gosaiganj - Mohanlalganj : Good 2 Lane
Mohanlalganj - Lucknow-Kanpur highway : Very good 2 lane.
Toll Plazas and the amount paid:
| Toll Plaza |
Amount |
| Moshi, Pune |
28 |
| Dhule : NH-3 |
120 |
| Songir : NH-3 |
55 |
| Shirpur : NH-3 |
85 |
| Khalghat, Sendhwa |
86 |
| Indore |
80 |
| By-pass NH-3, Indore |
45 |
| Dewas-Bhopal Corridor |
42 |
| Dewas-Bhopal Corridor |
43 |
| Bina |
30 |
| Bina |
20 |
| Malthone |
85 |
| Jhansi-Lalitpur |
60 |
| Babina |
80 |
| Semri NH-26 |
80 |
| Baleswer |
80 |
| Usaka (Chamari) NH : 25-2 |
80 |
| Barajore, Etawah Chakeri Kanpur highway |
120 |
| Nawabganj (Kanpur to Lucknow) |
65 |
| Ahmadpur chauraha (Lko to Fzd) |
80 |
| Raunahi, Faizabad |
85 |
| Harraiya (Towards Gorakhpur) |
85 |
:
| (HP) Chondi, Taluka Malegaon - MH |
| (HP) Gram Mahobi, Bhopal - MP |
| (HP) Kanpur dehat - UP |
| (IOC) RKBK Basti - UP |
| (HP) Pandey, Basti - UP |
| (IOC) Devipatan, Tulsipur - UP |
| (HP) Hamara Pump, Mohari kala, Lucknow - UP |
| (HP) Shivpuri road, Sujwaha, Jhansi - UP |
| (HP) Bhopal road, Rangai, Vidisha - MP |
| (HP) Rachna sales and service, Phanda Sehore, Bhopal - MP |
(HP) Yeola, Nagar Manmad road - MH
|
Hyundai Grand i10 is an awesome piece of technology and you can blindly trust in it. I drove 510 Km nonstop from Malegaon to Bhopal without any trouble. The car is very comfortable for long drives. Now I am a big fan of Hyundai.
At last, I would like to appreciate my family members for showing immense patience throughout this long journey and making my dream journey to come true.
