We had been thinking about a road trip for almost a month. Destinations kept changing—Bangalore, Indore, Hyderabad—but road conditions ultimately decided things for us. We wanted to enjoy the drive as much as the destination, and Hyderabad checked that box perfectly. The plan was simple: three days in total, with the first and last day dedicated to driving and one full day in between just to rest.
With both Manish and I sharing driving duties, the nearly 650 km distance felt manageable. Two-hour driving rotations were planned to keep fatigue away. Once that was decided, Hyderabad was locked in.
We booked a hotel for two nights in Banjara Hills area, a comfortable and well-connected neighbourhood. Sightseeing was intentionally skipped in the planning as this trip was about the drive and proper rest. Food, however, was non-negotiable. So, we made a list of iconic eateries even before we packed our bags.
Another important part of the plan was opting for the NHAI annual toll pass worth ₹2,999. Since the entire journey was on national highways, all tolls—seven each way—were covered. The pass paid for almost half of itself within just three days, making it a no-brainer.
Day 1: Pune to Hyderabad – Let the Drive Begin
Bags packed, hotel booked, and the Scorpio-N loaded, we were ready. Google Maps showed a 10-hour drive, so we started early to beat the traffic, rolling out of Pune at 5:00 AM.
In the morning, the roads were empty, and within an hour we had left Pune behind and merged onto the national highway. Our first stop came at around 6:15 AM at Yewale Amrutulya, Kasurdi for a refreshing cup of tea. A strong cup of tea did exactly what it was supposed to—wake us up and set the tone for the day.
Traffic was light, the road was open, and driving felt effortless. At 7:00 AM, we switched seats and Manish took over. During this whole day ride, we truly started understanding why the Scorpio-N is branded as the “Big daddy of all SUVs.” Smooth, comfortable, and planted—it made time disappear. Before we realised it, four hours had passed.
It was time for a Breakfast. At Hotel Nisarg Idli Gruh, Chincholi around 9:00 AM.
A crisp masala dosa and hot tea did the job. Soon after, windmills began appearing along the horizon. We stopped near Aliyabad Area to click a few photos.
Another short halt followed—this time near a cauliflower field in Humnabad that looked straight out of a postcard. Driver switch, quick photos, and we were back on the road.
The Karnataka stretch was a delight. Smooth tar roads almost throughout, which for any car lover means pure bliss. By the time we entered Hyderabad, it was close to 2:00 PM.
We decided to grab lunch before heading to the hotel and stopped at Taj Mahal Hotel, Hyderabad.
Yes, the first meal in Hyderabad wasn’t biryani—it was a vegetarian thali. Tiredness won over cravings, and honestly, it was a great choice. We did not invest much of a time to find a place along the way. The place has been around since 1950, and the quality showed.
After lunch, we checked into the hotel and rested for a couple of hours. Even the car deserved a break.
A short nap later, we stepped out around 6:00 PM for tea and a quick walk. Somewhere between sips, challan was received from the Telangana traffic department, which we promptly paid. Lesson noted!
Dinner was planned at Bawarchi Restaurant, Hyderabad. We drove towards the dinner venue!
Street parking was surprisingly easy, the table came quickly, and the biryani lived up to its reputation. With full stomachs, we returned to the hotel, made calls back home, and wrapped up Day One—exactly as planned.
Day 2: Breakfasts, Biryani, and Doing Absolutely Nothing
Day two started early again. After getting ready, we left at 9:00 AM for a much-awaited breakfast at Cafe Niloufer, Hitech City.
On the way, we passed the iconic Hyderabad IKEA.
Cafe Niloufer, a legacy since 1978, lived up to its reputation. Aloo paratha, Lebanese delight sandwich, bun maska, and endless tea—pure comfort food. Satisfied, we returned to the hotel and spent the rest of the morning resting.
Lunch was planned at Pista House, where biryani, rotis, and chicken masala dominated the table. Twenty-five years of culinary legacy showed in every bite. After such a heavy lunch, walking felt necessary.
Post-lunch, we walked to Yusuf Bhai Perfumes, a fascinating store filled with shelves of ingredients used to craft custom perfumes. After shopping, we returned to the hotel for an afternoon nap.
Dinner plans were ambitious—Shadab Biryani—but Hyderabad traffic had other ideas.
After spending nearly 1.5 hours on the road and finding no parking, we aborted the plan and returned to Taj Mahal Hotel for a very light dinner of Puri Bhaji, Idli and Fresh Lemon Soda. In hindsight, it was probably for the best. Tomorrow was another long drive.
Day two ended late, close to 11:00 PM.
Day 3: The Return Drive to Pune
Day three was return-journey day. We checked out and left the hotel by 8:00 AM, stopping once again at Cafe Niloufer, Hitech City for breakfast at 8:30 AM. Mumbai Poha, the familiar Sandwich, Honey Lemon tea—and a few bakery items packed for the road.
Taking the Outer Ring Road, we said goodbye to Hyderabad and started the return journey, sticking to the same two-hour driving shifts.
Lunch was planned for Solapur, but the heavy breakfast (and samosas packed by Manish) kept us going longer than expected. Traffic diversions slowed us down, but somewhere along the way, the Scorpio-N crossed the 4,444 KM milestone—a small but satisfying moment.
Finally, our lunch happened at Hotel Khansab Chacha, Solapur around 3:45 PM. Google ratings proved reliable. Simple food, great taste, and we were back on the highway.
High tea turned into a bit of a joke—several places rejected based on ambience alone. Eventually, we settled for a compromise tea stop along the highway and continued. Fatigue was real, but conversations and the 12-speaker Sony sound system kept us going.
By evening, it was clear we wouldn’t be home by dinner time. The ETA showed 11:30 PM. We decided the final meal of the trip had to be special and stopped at Hotel Shauryawada, Uruli Kanchan around 9:15 PM. Chicken raan, Daal-rice, good ambience—an excellent way to end the journey.
We finally reached home by 11:30 PM.
More Than Just a Road Trip
This trip was everything we hoped for—great roads, legendary food spots, and long hours behind the wheel. A perfect way to connect with your car, understand it, unleash it, and celebrate it. The endless tar roads and the finely tuned beast by Mahindra turned the drive into an experience, not just a journey.
Until the next one.
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.
Leave a Reply