Beginners Guide Car ROAD TRIP to Konkan(Kashid & Diveagar Beach)

We bought a new car (Maruti WagonR), and I always wanted to go on a road trip. The problem was none of us are very good drivers. Just learned the art of driving, still practicing phase is on.

So the first major task was to find out the destination which will be easier to drive for a novice driver. We wanted to avoid the hilly areas of Western Ghats and decided to go for Konkal coastal route.

Now the problem was the shortest route we decided to take, our friends suggested that it will be difficult as it’s a national highway with no dividers and overtaking trucks/trailers is a challenge even for a skilled driver.

Nevertheless, we decided to take a much longer and safer route to Kashid, Murud and Diveagar. My suggestion would be sooner or later you have to take the plunge so don’t listen to anyone just make up your mind decide on the route travel on a less crowded day may be working day which will give you less traffic. Leave early, drive slowly and you will be good to go.

Here are the routes we have taken to & fro:

• Navi Mumbai-Pune ExpressWay-Khopoli Pali Road(Take the exit just after the first Pune toll)-Roha- Kashid

• Kashid-Agardanda Jetty-By Car Ferry(http://carferry.in/rohini-agardande-2/ ) to Dighi-Diveagar- Drive from Kashig to Agardanda if you have 4 Wheelers else to Rajapuri Jetty at Murud for Two wheelers. Take a ferry to Dighi Port. From there drive to Diveagar. Please note Car ferry is only available at Agardanda Jetty. Car ferry cost was around 200 Rs including Car & two people. Ferry operates continuously so the timing mentioned in the website may vary.

• Diveagar-Mhasala-Mangaon-Kolad-Khopoli Pali-Pune Expressway-Navi Mumbai

Food/Stay Guide

At Kashid, you will get plenty of resorts and home stays with clean options. As we have travelled during weekdays most of the restaurants were closed but homestays and hotels will provide you meals. There are small restaurants near the market area.

At Diveagar, you will have more option for stay as well as food. They have restaurants and hotels open all season. I didn’t find any nice breakfast joint here but plenty of places for meals like RaneVandhu Khanaval or Patil Khanaval etc.

On weekends you won’t have to worry about stay and food at all.

We mostly book hotels prior and then visit places, this time we thought we will search once we reach as we had our own car. But trust me it does not make much difference if you are planning to come and bargain in a place like this. They will rather keep hotel empty than negotiate with money. It’s better to pre-book it.

If you have any question please put it in the below comments, will be happy to address it.