Sept. 26 – Oct. 4, 2026
By JAYAPRAKASH P
A bunch of us CET friends, all bitten by the travel bug, just wrapped up another drive holiday through Karnataka, Goa, and Maharashtra. Happy to share a quick glimpse of our trip – mostly through photos.
Day 1: September 26 – Bangalore to Karwar (The Long Haul – 640km, 14hrs)
We knew we had a massive distance to cover, so we hit the road early via the Tumkur route to beat the morning rush. Standard pitstop for breakfast at Dhruvathare, Kalinganahalli.
Instead of staying on the boring highway, we took the scenic detour through western Karnataka. Drove past Tiptur and Bhadravathi, took a quick breather at Jog Falls, and then navigated those gorgeous, winding forest roads down to Honnavar.
Hopped onto the Kochi-Panvel highway and finally rolled into Sterling Holiday Resorts, Karwar, around 7 PM.
Day 2: September 27 – Karwar to Chandor (Safaris, Treks & Hidden Carvings)
After having breakfast from Sterling, we drove straight to Netravali Wildlife Sanctuary. We booked their Mainapi Waterfalls Safari and trek.
It started with a wild 4km off-road ride in a 4WD vehicle, followed by a solid 2km trek deep into the forest.
The waterfall was absolutely pristine and worth every step! Grabbed a late lunch at the forest canteen afterward.
On the way to Chandor, we went hunting for the prehistoric rock carvings at Usgalimal (took some serious navigating because signboards are non-existent!).
Checked into Calwon’s Bayith, a cozy homestay in Chandor, by 6 PM.
Day 3: September 28 – Chandor to Aldona (The Floating Feni Experience 🥂)
Post check-out, we headed straight to Cazula Premium Feni Distillery, one of Goa’s oldest. We had pre-booked their signature ‘Floating Feni Experience’ and it lived up to every expectations.
The journey started with an insightful distillery tour tracing the heritage and craft of Feni making. Then came the most unique part — a private table arranged for us inside a serene, cool freshwater spring. Tasting various Feni blends while soaking our feet in the spring water and relishing authentic Goan delicacies was simply unforgettable.
We had the company of a lively group of young techies from Hyderabad in the same slot, adding to the vibrant atmosphere. A truly unique and soulful experience!
Later, we drove to our next stay, Cancio’s House in Aldona. It’s a stunning 500-year-old Portuguese-Goan heritage home. The hosts, Roberto and Raquel, are absolute gems. They served us home-cooked Goan delicacies in their dining room and shared some fascinating family history.
Day 4: September 29 – Chill Mode in the Goan Villages
After three days of non-stop driving, today was all about taking it easy. We spent the day exploring the quiet, picture-perfect villages of Consua, Pomburpa, and Aldona.
For lunch, we hit up Blue Moon for an incredible Goan Seafood spread recommended by our hosts.
Day 5: September 30 – Aldona to Amboli (Ghats & Greenery)
Said goodbye to our hosts and set off for Amboli via Tilari and Chorla Ghat. The Tilari Dam area was stunning and completely tourist-free.
Chorla Ghat gave us endless photo ops, so we took our sweet time, windows down, soaking in the fresh air, lush meadows, and mountain views.
Checked into Stonewood Hotel in Amboli by evening, freshened up and drove to Amboli Waterfall nearby, then headed back for dinner.
Day 6: October 01 – Amboli to Amba Ghat (Cruising the Hills)
Another day, another scenic drive! The route from Amboli to Amba Ghat was packed with lush green hills and gorgeous waterside views.
Because it’s a popular route, there was a bit of traffic, but we cruised through and reached Club Mahindra, Amba Ghat, by evening.
Day 7: October 02 – Amba Ghat to Mulshi (The Reunion)
Woke up to the sound of a flowing stream right next to Club Mahindra. Breakfast with a view from their restaurant was top-notch.
We checked out and headed to our final destination, Mulshi. We drove through the Kaas Plateau (Maharashtra’s Valley of Flowers) – absolutely beautiful lookout points all along the way.
The roads were great, though packed with holiday travellers. Reached our homestay, Tulip Villa in Girivan, around 4:30 PM. The best part? Two of our Bombay friends joined us here for the final two nights!
Day 8: October 03 – Tamhini Ghats & Secret Streams
After breakfast, we drove out to Tamhini Ghats and Savlya Valley. Thanks to one of our friends who knows the region inside out, we took a random detour and found a hidden stream with absolutely zero tourists.
We had the whole place to ourselves and spent hours swimming in the crystal-clear water. Absolute bliss. Headed back to the villa by evening.
Day 9: October 04 – Mulshi back to Bangalore (Homeward Bound – 880 kms, 16 hrs)
Time to head back to reality. We parted ways with the Mumbai crew early in the morning and hit the Pune-Bangalore highway for the long haul back. The drive was smooth and uneventful, and we finally rolled back into Bangalore around 10:30 PM, officially wrapping up another unforgettable road trip !
