{"id":2097,"date":"2015-10-13T14:26:26","date_gmt":"2015-10-13T08:56:26","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/www.travelkhana.com\/tkblog\/?p=2097"},"modified":"2015-10-22T21:20:14","modified_gmt":"2015-10-22T15:50:14","slug":"konkan-maharashtra-a-practical-guide-for-solo-female-travellers","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/blog.travelkhana.com\/tkblog\/konkan-maharashtra-a-practical-guide-for-solo-female-travellers\/","title":{"rendered":"Konkan Maharashtra \u2013 A practical guide for solo female travellers"},"content":{"rendered":"

I had just quit the day job to follow my passion, and already had two travel plans in place. I had no clue about what to do and where to go in the span of 15 days that I had in Konkan. After a lot of online research, all I could gather was that most people who travel around Maharashtra usually do it by their own vehicle and are mostly based in the state or around.<\/p>\n

\"Stunning<\/a>
Stunning Malvan Sky<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

I wanted to explore the tiny towns on the Konkan coast as well as Aurangabad\u2019s Ajanta & Ellora caves along with the Lonar Crater Lake. But since both areas are in the opposite directions from Mumbai and have almost no direct connectivity, I mainly concentrated on Konkan. Here\u2019s the route I chose:<\/p>\n

Mumbai >> Murud >> Guhagar >> Malvan >> Goa<\/strong><\/h2>\n

I chose to explore Murud, Guhagar and Malvan in buses which are typically used by the locals for daily commute from one city\/village to another.<\/p>\n

But I managed to squeeze in the train travel whenever I got a chance because Konkan is said to be one of the most beautiful railway tracks in India and I had to see it to believe it.<\/p>\n

\u201cKonkan has one of the most beautiful railway tracks in India\u201d<\/em><\/strong><\/h1>\n
\"Sunset<\/a>
Sunset at Murud<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

If you are looking for comfort, public transport in Konkan is not something you would like to choose but it is probably the only way to travel other than hiring a car\/bike and comes really easy on the pocket.<\/p>\n

Quick tips:<\/strong><\/p>\n

    \n
  1. Switch between train and bus travel to experience nature and local life<\/li>\n
  2. Ask your hosts for modes of transport, local events and about local food<\/li>\n
  3. Visit the nearest Bus stand for exact timings and routes. Don\u2019t always rely on online information<\/li>\n
  4. People are extremely helpful. Still, keep an eye on your stuff and keep someone informed back home<\/li>\n
  5. Dress conservatively and follow all that you do anywhere else in India.<\/li>\n
  6. People will talk in Marathi. If you don\u2019t understand the language, ask them to speak Hindi<\/li>\n
  7. Try the local food. It\u2019s something you will remember for months \u2013 I recommend the Pomfret, Chicken and Solkadhi (a curry that is pink in colour and is made of coconut. It is either consumed with rice or had after a meal)<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n

    \u201cJourney to Konkan is incomplete without tasting local food\u201d<\/em><\/strong><\/h1>\n
      \n
    1. Ask local for train and bus timings. Try and leave early so that you reach the destination before it gets dark. Most streets get lonely after 8 PM<\/li>\n
    2. Avoid auto-rickshaws for local commute. They are highly expensive. Walk around as much as you can<\/li>\n
    3. Carrying an Umbrella is a must if you are travelling in Monsoon. Also, take at least two pair of shoes \u2013 one for sand and rain, and one for everywhere else<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n
      \n
      \n
      \"Konkani<\/a>
      Konkani Pomfret Thali<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/dt>\n<\/dl>\n
      \"Veg<\/a>
      Veg Konkan Thali<\/strong><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

      When I visited:<\/strong> Month \u2013 September, Season \u2013 Monsoon<\/p>\n

      How to travel:<\/strong><\/p>\n

      Mumbai to Murud<\/p>\n