Me and Manish had been planning a trip to Gokarna for several weeks and finally decided to make it happen. Since we only had three days available, we combined Gokarna and Goa into a compact road trip packed with long drives, scenic coastal views, good food, and much-needed relaxation.
Trip Highlights
- Travel Dates: 9th – 11th May
- Travel Time
- 9th : 11:01 hrs
- 10th : 4:37 hrs
- 11th : 11:50 hrs
- Travellers: Me and Manish
- Total Distance Covered: 1,282 km
- Average Speed: 55 km/h
- Vehicle: Scorpio-N
Day 1 – Pune to Gokarna (616.6 km)
Our journey began at 4:45 AM on 9th May as we rolled out of Pune before sunrise. The roads were smooth throughout most of the journey, making the drive surprisingly comfortable despite the distance.
Our first halt of the day was at Kamat Upahaar Veg Restaurant (Google Map Pin) for breakfast. After an early morning start from Pune, it was the perfect place to stretch our legs and recharge.
Just before reaching Kamat Uphaar for breakfast, we encountered our first minor moment of concern for the trip. An amber warning indicator suddenly illuminated on our Mahindra Scorpio-N’s instrument cluster.
Since it was the first time we had seen this warning light, we immediately started trying to understand what it meant. Our initial concern was that it might be related to a DPF (Diesel Particulate Filter) regeneration cycle, which could potentially require attention during the journey.
After spending a few minutes checking the owner’s manual and understanding the warning, we were relieved to discover that it was simply a low DEF (Diesel Exhaust Fluid/AdBlue) level indicator. It wasn’t a DPF regeneration warning or any mechanical issue that could affect the trip.
With the concern quickly resolved, we continued to Kamat Upachar for breakfast, joking about how even a small warning light can momentarily raise the heart rate at the beginning of a long road trip.
We enjoyed a hearty breakfast consisting of a Masala Dosa, a traditional Shira-Upma combination, and a refreshing glass of Cold Milk with Bournvita. The simple, familiar flavours provided exactly the energy boost we needed before continuing our long drive towards Gokarna.
With breakfast done and the morning traffic behind us, we settled into the rhythm of the road and continued southward.
By afternoon, we reached Hotel Hanuman Udupi Ruchi (Google Map Pin) in Dharwad, Karnataka, where we stopped for lunch.
After several hours on the road, we kept the meal simple and comforting with a plate of Puri Bhaji. It was a satisfying break from driving and gave us an opportunity to relax before tackling the remaining stretch towards Gokarna.
With lunch done, we continued our journey through Karnataka’s well-maintained highways and scenic stretches, steadily making our way towards the coast.
To keep ourselves fresh during the long drive, Manish and I exchanged driving duties every two hours. This made the journey much more comfortable and helped us stay alert throughout the day.
The route was a delight to drive. Even the forest and ghat sections were well-maintained and enjoyable, adding a touch of adventure without being stressful.
By 3:45 PM, after covering 616.6 km, we finally reached Gokarna and checked into our hotel Kudle Beach View Resort (Google Map Pin).
Unfortunately, I had not slept well for the previous two nights, and the long drive triggered a severe bout of acidity. Combined with the high temperature and humidity, it drained most of my energy. After checking in, I immediately rested in the comfort of the air-conditioned room.
The evening wasn’t particularly pleasant. Even after sunset, the heat and humidity remained intense due to our beach-facing location. Stepping outside felt uncomfortable, so we only ventured out for dinner.
The hotel had arranged a buffet dinner, but neither of us had much of an appetite. Between the exhaustion, acidity, humidity, and lack of sleep, the day ended early with a much-needed rest.
Day 2 – Gokarna to Goa (131 km)
After a good night’s sleep, I felt significantly better the next morning. The acidity had subsided, and I finally felt refreshed after proper rest.
We headed for breakfast at Kudle Beach View Resort, where the spread was simple but satisfying. The highlight was the fresh and soft idli served with chutney, accompanied by fresh-cut fruits, cucumber salad, aloo paratha, and a freshly prepared omelette.
Enjoying breakfast with a beautiful beach view in front of us made the experience even more enjoyable. The relaxed morning atmosphere helped us recover from the previous day’s long drive and prepare for the journey ahead.
Despite being in Gokarna, we decided to skip sightseeing altogether. The combination of high temperatures and humidity, along with our physical exhaustion from the previous day, made us choose comfort over adventure. Sometimes, listening to your body is the best travel decision.
After checking out, we started our drive towards Goa.
The short 131 km journey brought us to Varca, Goa, where we stopped for lunch at Gagan’s Roadside Bar & Grill (Google Map Pin). The difference in weather was immediately noticeable. Goa felt much more welcoming and bearable compared to Gokarna.
For lunch, we treated ourselves to some delicious coastal fare. We started with a perfectly cooked Surmai Tawa Fry and Rava Fry Prawns, both fresh and packed with flavour. For the main course, we enjoyed a chicken curry dish with rotis, which turned out to be hearty and satisfying after the drive. The cool breeze made the outdoor lunch experience extremely enjoyable.
With good food, cooler weather, and a relaxed roadside setting, it was one of the most enjoyable meals of the trip. After lunch, we continued towards our stay at The Zuri White Sands, Goa Resort & Casino (Google Map Pin).
After checking into The Zuri White Sands, we were looking forward to some much-needed rest. However, we soon noticed that our room wasn’t cooling down as expected. Even after waiting for more than 45 minutes, the room temperature remained uncomfortable.
Assuming it might take some time for the air conditioning to stabilize, we waited patiently, but there was little improvement. We followed up with the hotel staff a couple of times and eventually requested a room change.
The replacement room was marginally better. While the cooling was still far from ideal, at least the AC blower was functioning properly and helping maintain a more comfortable environment. We reported the issue again, hoping to understand what was causing the problem.
Only then did the hotel staff reveal the actual situation. The resort’s central air-conditioning system was experiencing technical issues, and an electrician was already working on repairs. We were also informed that the cooling problem was affecting all rooms across the property, not just ours.
While the issue did impact the overall comfort of our stay, we appreciated finally receiving a transparent explanation. With the weather outside being pleasant and most of our evening plans centered around the beach, we decided not to let the inconvenience affect the rest of our Goa experience.
Sunset at Varca Beach
One of the highlights of the trip was the beautiful beach experience at Varca.
The hotel offered private beach access, and golf carts were available to transport guests to the beach area. The beach itself was stunning—clean, peaceful, and surprisingly uncrowded.
With very few people around, we were able to enjoy the calm atmosphere and a breathtaking sunset. We sat by the shore, enjoyed some fish snacks, and simply watched the sky change colours as the sun disappeared into the horizon.
It was exactly the kind of peaceful beach experience we were hoping for.
Dinner by the Sea
After freshening up, we headed to The Southern Deck – Beach Bar & Bistro (Google Map Pin) for dinner.
The restaurant offered a wonderful setting with live music in the background, complemented by the soothing sound of waves from the nearby beach. The atmosphere was relaxed and perfect for winding down after a day of travel.
For dinner, we kept things simple and comforting. We started with Classic French Fries and Garlic Chicken Lollipops, which made for great starters while enjoying the evening ambience. For the main course, we opted for Plain Steamed Rice and Dal Tadka—a light yet satisfying meal that was exactly what we needed after two days of driving and the rich lunch earlier in the day.
The combination of good food, live music, sea breeze, and the sound of crashing waves made it one of the most memorable evenings of the trip.
After dinner, we briefly explored the casino at our hotel. However, exhaustion quickly caught up with us, and instead of trying our luck at the tables, we chose a good night’s sleep and prepared for the long drive home the next day.
Day 3 – Return to Pune (506 km)
The final morning began with one of the best breakfasts of the trip at The Zuri White Sands, Goa Resort & Casino.
The breakfast spread was extensive and offered something for every palate. We started with fresh fruits, followed by a butter croissant from the bakery section and a much-needed cup of coffee.
The live counters were the real highlight. Freshly prepared Masala Dosa and Onion Uttapam were served hot off the griddle, while another counter offered Puri Bhaji made to order. Among all the dishes, the Medu Wada and Parathas stood out as personal favourites, perfectly cooked and full of flavour.
The hotel also had a sandwich station where guests could customize their own sandwiches, adding another nice touch to an already impressive breakfast experience.
After a leisurely meal and one last look around the resort, we checked out and began our return journey to Pune.
Another small milestone during the trip was our Scorpio-N crossing the 7,777 KM mark. Based on the trip distance, the odometer would have rolled over somewhere during our return journey from Goa, roughly 157 km after leaving Varca. Unfortunately, I realized it only after the moment had passed and missed taking the customary photograph.
As the day progressed, we continued our drive towards Pune and decided to stop for dinner near the Khed Shivapur Toll Plaza. We chose Azzurro Bar & Restaurant (Google Map Pin), expecting a good dining experience given the brand’s popularity in Pune.
Unfortunately, the experience turned out to be one of the few disappointments of the trip. The restaurant felt unusually quiet and lacked the lively atmosphere we had anticipated. The menu options were limited, and overall there wasn’t much that appealed to us after a long day on the road.
We ordered a few starters, but the meal didn’t quite meet our expectations. Rather than spending more time there, we decided to cut the stop short, settle the bill, and continue our journey home.
Sometimes road trips come with unexpected culinary highlights, and sometimes they come with forgettable pit stops. This happened to be the latter, but it certainly didn’t take away from an otherwise memorable journey.
The drive back was smooth and uneventful, allowing us to cover approximately 506 km comfortably. By the end of the day, we were back home with wonderful memories and another successful road trip added to our books.
Final Thoughts
This trip didn’t unfold exactly as we had imagined when we first started planning our Gokarna getaway several weeks earlier. What was intended to be a sightseeing-focused coastal escape gradually transformed into a journey centered around relaxation, recovery, and enjoying the drive itself.
The first day tested us with a demanding 616 km drive, lack of sleep, soaring temperatures, humidity, and an unexpected bout of acidity. By the time we reached Kudle Beach View Resort, rest was the only thing on the agenda. As a result, we ended up skipping Gokarna sightseeing altogether. Looking back, it was the right decision for the trip.
One of the biggest highlights was undoubtedly the drive. The roads were excellent throughout the journey, including the ghat and forest sections. Sharing driving duties every couple of hours helped us stay comfortable and made the long distances surprisingly enjoyable.
Goa brought a welcome change of pace. The weather was noticeably more pleasant, and the relaxed atmosphere allowed us to slow down and enjoy the coastal surroundings. The peaceful beach, beautiful sunset, and laid-back evenings became some of the most memorable parts of the trip.
Our stay at The Zuri White Sands, Goa Resort & Casino wasn’t entirely smooth. The resort’s central air-conditioning system was facing technical issues, which affected room cooling across the property. While the issue wasn’t resolved during our stay, the staff eventually provided a transparent explanation, allowing us to focus on enjoying the rest of the experience.
The trip also reinforced how much good hospitality and simple comforts matter after long days on the road. Comfortable stays, satisfying meals, and opportunities to unwind often ended up being more valuable than a packed sightseeing schedule.
Not every stop was a success. One of our meal stops during the return journey fell short of expectations, but every road trip has its share of highs and lows. Fortunately, it did little to diminish an otherwise enjoyable experience.
Over three days, we covered 1,282 kilometres, travelled across multiple states, experienced two very different coastal destinations, and spent countless hours on the road sharing stories and conversations.
In the end, this journey served as a reminder that travel doesn’t always go according to plan—and that’s often where the best memories are made. While we may not have explored Gokarna the way we originally intended, we returned home with great memories, a deeper appreciation for the journey itself, and yet another successful road trip added to our books.
This blog post was reworded with the help of ChatGPT for clarity and structure. The experiences, thoughts, and emotions shared here are entirely my own.
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