This INDIAN Family Did a 6000 km Roadtrip Covering 8 States in 12 Days On a Budget!

Photo of Road Trip- 6000KM - 12 Days - 1 Family- 7 states & 1 UT - Kolhapur- Shimla/Manali- Rajasthan- Kop by vishwajeet patil

Hello guys,

This is about our long awaited 6000 km road trip from Kolhapur- Pune- Indore-Delhi-Amritsar-Shimla- Manali-Rohtang la- Jaisalmer-Kolhapur. so tighten your seat belts to experience the wonderful moments in this journey.

After lots of research, discussions, convincing the family members & analysis of different reviews on travel websites, finally decided to start our long awaited road trip with own private vehicle with family members. Initially my mom was not agree to travel by car on such a long route, but before this trip also we have travelled Rajasthan so am succeeded to convince her. Car Maintenance done with extra care to avoid the failures in between road. Failure of car on such long trip is very scary.

🚗VW Vento Auto -TSI Petrol- Luxury, safety & class meets at one place. Plan is ready with every day travel distance, points to be visited at each location, bag packs, sufficient amount of water (20 l ), food, playlist & Snacks. we have two drivers- myself & my father. Both are having good experience of driving.

We have decided to travel approximately 700 km, but it depend upon the road condition.

* 30 Sept 2021.- Thursday from this date initial part of journey started.💢

Mom & dad travelled from Kolhapur to Pune in their private car reached by 6 p.m. in Pune. Myself, mom & dad meets at Kharadi, Pune at 7.00 p.m. after my office hours. Already i have pre-booked hotel at Kharadi Bypass for them. They get refreshed till time i reach there. Enjoyed delicious food in dinner in nearby restaurant. Kharadi Bypass in Pune is best land mark where you can get lot of options for food, stay as IT parks are in close vicinity, (Eon, Magarpatta)

Stayed at - Pune- Galaxy apartments, Behind Satkar Restaurant, Kharadi Bypass

Reasonable rates, easy to access from Kharadi bypass, Parking also available. - Charges 700/800 per night.

Actual journey started from Oct 1 we have decided to start early & reach early, not to travel after 7.30 p.m. to avoid the risk of accident in night time.

Day 1- OCT 1st 2021- Pune to Indore via dhule - 609 Km

While travelling from Kharadi Bypass to Dhule, We have enjoyed Tea made by jaggery on the way & Misal for Breakfast @ Shirur road. Misal is very famous in Pune, no of options are available on Shirur/Nagar road for Misal.

Roads condition near Shirdi is very dangerous, more time required due to big path holes on Shirdi road. We have taken Lunch @ Malegaon, no of veg- nonveg hotels are available roadside while heading towards MP- Indore.

Indore is place for foodie guys, here you can enjoy lots of options from chat, Namkeen, Shikanji & lot more.

Visiting Places

1. "56 Dukan" to enjoy the delicious street food, Namkeen, Chat & Sweets.

this is at city center, from one end to other end 56 shops are there on both sides of road so this area is named as 56 Dukan. This is "Jannat" for foodies

2. Maheshwari Saree is famous silk saree available in "Mrignayani" Saree center- MG road, Indore

this shop is maintained by State govt of MP, Here you can get the mesmerizing designs of sarees in reasonable price & ladies can't restrict them to visit the shop. when i was visiting Indore for official purpose, always bought saree for family members.

3. Rajwada Palace - 1km from city center.

4. Ujjain- 55 Km from city center- Famous for Mahakaleshwar temple. must visit.

From Indore to Ujjain devotees used to travel by wakling during " Kawad Yatra"

In Kawad yatra, Two pots are attached to both side of stick filled with water & holding that stick on neck, devotees travel 70 km from Indore to Ujjain by walking on feet.

We have stayed at Hotel Ridhi SIdhi, Siya ganj Indore. Good hotel for one day stay. We did not faced any issue regards to hotel. Close to city center. But not easily find out the hotel location. Parking space not available.

Day 2- Indore to Delhi- 850 Km

Places to visit- Its better to rent a auto/cab to travel in city as all below mentioned places are nearby, also you can get rest from self driving.

& Rules of traffics are strict in Delhi, so carefully drive the vehicle.

1.Red Fort- 3km from city center- Online/counter ticket are available.

Its better to reach early there, crowd is getting increased as day passes.

Monument Tickets

by using above mentioned link you can get the tickets online, to avoid waiting in crowd.

2. India Gate- Mantralay.

2. Humayu Tomb- 8.6 Km from city center

3. Qutub Minar- 10.km from city center

4. India Gate- 5.8 Km from city center

5.Lotus Temple- 10 km from City center- Check current condition as it was closed due to covid during our visit.

We have stayed in Star Palace hotel near Delhi railway station. Take care of fraudsters if you are newly travelling in Delhi. Street food is very delicious in Delhi like chat items, Dahi Bhalla. refer below link for more details regarding street food in Delhi

Delhi Street Food

We have started our journey towards Golden temple 🙏 one of the best place to visit to refresh your mind & relax from your stresses. We have visited all above mentioned places in Delhi, by 7.30 p.m. we have reached in Ambala, Cantt.

Day-3 Delhi to Ambala - 200 Km

On the way Amrik Sukhdev is famous place for the Paratha lovers. we stayed at Ambala cantt, Sunrise hotel near railway station. Near to highway. Facility also good.

Day 4 Ambala to Amritsar -454 Km

Road condition is very good during this journey from Ambala to Amritsar.

Its better to book the hotel near golden temple, As parking also available near golden temple which can used for overnight parking of the car. We have stayed in hotel Panjabi Niwas near to golden temple.

you can enjoy the Panjabi Lassi, Diff types of Parathas & other delicious food near golden temple.

Places to visit

1. Golden Temple- Dnt carry more belongings & jewelry while going inside the temple. Also selfies are not allowed inside the holly water. Refresh your mind & relive all your worries in premises of god. one of the best temple & surrounding ever seen before.

2. Jallianwala bag- By watching area inside you can not control your emotion. Feel sorry for peoples who lost their life. both Golden temple & J. Bag are nearby - Walking distance.

3. Atari Border: when you reach there, you will feel goosebumps by watching the Indian army, our border forces & their sacrifice.

Auto/Taxies are available from golden temple to reach the Attari border & return its to & fro service. Reach early there to get the best view. Its based on first come first serve basis. Cultural show will start in evening, and run for next 1-1.5 hr. Bring some snacks, water with you.

Now we are moving towards the Himachal Pradesh- Unforgettable Himachal from Panjab.

Note: While driving car in Himachal Pradesh keep one more engine oil bottle in stock with you. As in stiff roads of Himachal more engine oil consumed by car, also daily check the engine oil before start of your journey.

Please carry sufficient warm clothes while travelling to Himachal during start of winter season also, Specifically towards rohtang pass, As our hand become senseless while we are at Rohtang pass.

Day 5- Amritsar to Kufri - 312 Km.

Kufri is the place where you have to negotiate very hard, as agent there tell you anything for Horse & ponny ride. They will tell you will show lots of points in top after ride ends but don't become fool by paying too much amount.

also check the season for apple, without season you can't whiteness apples in garden. During winter season its best to visit. During summer not that much entertaining. You can take selfie with yaks, shopping, adventurous sports in summer.

There are two stages in first stage you ride using horse/ponny, In 2nd stage Jeep required. All the costs need to finalize before start of journey. We have paid 4500 for 3 peoples for both stages, accordingly finalize the tickets.

Places to visit -

1. Kufri Fun world

2. Apple Garden ;

3.Adventourous Activity

Kufri to Shimla- 14 Km

Shimla is best place to witness the mesmerizing beauty in all seasons. Shimla is bit congested as flat ground area not available for construction of road & buildings

Also there are some restricted areas by army/Govt of Himachal so while driving own your own please take care. As google maps not considering these restrictions so you can end up by paying heavy fine. We went in such area as per G-map, but authority guided us to correct road. Thank you for their support.

Places to visit.

1. The ridge

2. Mall Road: Best shopping place.

3.Christ Church - all 3 locations at one place, walking distance, get the lift from parking area near mall road to reach the actual mall road. Shopping freaks are most welcomed on mall road, lots of things to shop. Also very clean & neat environment. Here you can enjoy the momos & other Himalayan food. Cakes, pastry shops also delicious.

Sometimes film shooting also going on, at ridge, Night view of church is very good.

4. Jaku temple- Jakhu temple is ancient temple in Shimla, located on Jakhu hill, Dedicated Hindu lord Hanuman. While driving to Jakhu hill learning driver should not drive the car. Road is very stiff & risky.

In Shimla we have stayed at Royal Home stay, Travelling down the valley is more. but scenic view from the room is excellent. But City center is also far away from hotel & in night very difficult to find out the hotel.so better to select the hotel near city center.

Day 6- Shimla to Manikaran Sahib 🙏 250 Km

On the way to Manikaran Sahib @ Kullu you can enjoy the river rafting & Bijli Mahadev temple. But we have skipped as we have to cover some other points on destination.

Road of Manikaran goes through the Beauty of Kasol, which is famous for tent stay. Lots of private tent providers are available near bank of Parbati river. Temp is very less near river back, approximately 4

Manikaran- Its located in Pravati Valley. Bow down in silence of Manikaran Sahib & bless yourself. langar & stay facility available in temple. We have taken langar in temple & washed our as well as other devotees plates. Its considered as a blessing.

Here you can enjoy the hot water springs inside the temple, these are continues from last many years.

We stayed @ Manikaran. Outside of entrance bridge, near parking hotel options are avaialble.

Some hotels provides Hot water directly from the hot springs of temple. During Sept month this is very good feeling to enjoy hot springs inside the hotel.

Day 7 - Manikaran to Manali- 81 km

Mall road also good & specious, you can purchase famous Mantra flags here for your bike or car.

Shimala & Manali are famous for dry fruits like Walnut, Almond, Kashu

Places to Visit.

1. Hadimba Temple - 1km from city center

2. Vashista Baths- 3 Km from city center

3. Manu Temple- 2 km from city center

4. Solang valley- 18km from CC- Don's miss this place. as this is best place in Manali, all adventurous activity like paragliding, Bike ride & lot more.

For Paragliding you have to reach at the top by wire rope ride with your guide, after reaching at specific location, Instructor will guide you. If you are weak by your mind do not perform this activity, Check your strength they only perform the same. Lower height- Paragliding option also available who are having fear of height in their mind. 7500 to 8000 will cost for 2 persons, Go - Pro video shooting extra charges, Keep camera such that parashot c

you can visit in any season to enjoy in Solang valley

Manali to Rohatang Pass - 36 Km

Before visiting Rohtang pass please check the weather conditions there. All time its not open majorly in winter season. Also you can witness the long Atal tunnel (9.02KM) while moving towards Rohtang pass. Roads while travelling towards Rohtang pass are very risky so drive Safely.

also these roads are maintained Border forces, so maintain speed limits as mentioned.

Pre-book the pass for Rohtang, because limited cars are allowed during the complete day for diesel & Petrol variant.

Check online govt website for getting the pass for Rohtang, will be less costly as compared to private booking. For booking PUC, License details, other passenger details are required. Take printout of pass while travelling towards rohtang pass.

We were too much exited to visit the Rohtang pass. We have visited with our own car. Excellent ice view at Rohtang pass we have witnessed, Mountain with multicolored flags keep your mind fresh.

Now we have completed the Unforgettable Himachal, Moving towards Rajasthan. "Padharo Mare desh"

Day 8 & 9 - Rohtang Pass to Jaisalmer.- 1107 Km

By completing 2 days journey, reached to Jaisalmer. Road towards Jaisalmer is awesome, you can drive with high speed like 150-160/Km considering safety of you & your family members.

we have excited to enjoy jeep & Camal ride in Sand dunes.

Places to visit.

1. Sam sand dunes- 38 Km from city center- Please book your package before reaching there, 300-500/person Max, required negotiation skills. Includes Jeep, Camal ride, Photo shoot, Cultural program in night with dinner. To reach at sand dunes your own car required if you use cab in package, extra amount will be added.