So many films have exalted the Goa road trip. And why not? The road through the western ghats, skimming near the beaches on your way, passing through the dense forests and beautiful valleys. The trip to Goa is indeed a surreal journey. But have you already done it, or is it still lying undone on your bucket list?
Here are some things that will make you plan this trip like a professional biker.
The Route
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There are two routes that you can follow. NH66 that goes through Panvel, Chiplun, and Kankavli. And the other is NH48 that goes through Satara, Kolhapur, and Belgaum. The latter cover a major part of Mumbai Banglore Expressway. You don’t have to do anything, just drive. But the road on NH66 takes you through the enchanting Western Ghats, quaint villages and paddy fields.
The Perfect Timing
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The best is to take this ride from mid-June to mid-August when the monsoons cover this patch with surreal beauty. Everything is lush green and there are waterfalls along every turn of the mountains of the Western Ghats. Of course, riding in rains is a different challenge altogether, but it is worth it. For those who dislike getting drenched, any time of the year is great, except the summer months of April and May, which should be seriously avoided.
The Friendly Halts
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Along NH66, you can stop at Chiplun, Ratnagiri or Sawantwadi. All of these places have decent accommodation. And the food here is great, especially if you can smack down a sumptuous fish thali. Harihareshwar, Vijaydurg, and Tarkarli also have government tourism guest houses by MTDC.
Help Along The Way
If your vehicle needs some repair or it breaks down along the way, most of the villages and cities have garage services. And every few hundred meters you’ll see a signboard with a mechanics phone number written on it. You can call and they will come and fix up your vehicle.
Itinerary
Ideally, you need ten days at least to enjoy this road trip. However, you can also complete this trip on a long weekend. You can stay the night at Kolhapur or Chiplun if you are planning to do it in a shorter time.
This monsoon is the best time to check a Goa road trip off your bucket list.
