A round trip from Pune to Rameswaram by road, with a daily driving limit of 400 km, requires approximately 9 to 10 days. The total one-way distance is roughly 1,350 to 1,450 km, depending on the exact route and detours.
Dividing the journey into 400 km segments ensures a relaxed pace, allowing you to reach Rameswaram in 4 days. Budgeting 2 days for sightseeing and 4 days for the return leg brings the total to 10 days.
Onward Itinerary (Pune to Rameswaram)
- Day 1: Pune to Belagavi (approx. 340 km)
- Route: NH48 (Pune-Bangalore Highway).
- Context: Exit Pune early to avoid city traffic. This stretch is a well-maintained 4-6 lane highway. You can stop at Kolhapur for a mid-day meal.
- Day 2: Belagavi to Chitradurga (approx. 330 km)
- Route: Continue on NH48 via Hubli and Davanagere.
- Context: The road is excellent. Consider visiting the Chitradurga Fort in the evening if you have energy remaining.
- Day 3: Chitradurga to Salem (approx. 360 km)
- Route: NH48 to Tumakuru, then bypass Bangalore via the NICE road or Peripheral Ring Road to join NH44 towards Salem.
- Context: The Bangalore bypass is crucial to avoid heavy city congestion. Salem offers a variety of comfortable stay options.
- Day 4: Salem to Rameswaram (approx. 360 km)
- Route: NH44 to Madurai, then NH87 (Madurai-Rameswaram Road).
- Context: You will cross the iconic Pamban Bridge as you enter Rameswaram island. The final 100 km stretch is scenic and relatively flat.
Stay in Rameswaram (1-2 Days)
Spend at least one full day visiting the Ramanathaswamy Temple, Dhanushkodi (the ghost town), and Agni Teertham.
Return Itinerary (Rameswaram to Pune)
To maintain the 400 km limit, you can follow the same stops in reverse:
- Day 7: Rameswaram to Salem (~360 km)
- Day 8: Salem to Chitradurga (~360 km)
- Day 9: Chitradurga to Belagavi (~330 km)
- Day 10: Belagavi to Pune (~340 km)
Practical Travel Tips
- Toll Costs: Expect to pay approximately ₹2,500–₹3,000 in one-way toll charges. Ensure your FASTag is sufficiently loaded.
- Best Time to Travel: October to March is ideal to avoid the scorching heat of Tamil Nadu.
- Road Conditions: The Pune-Bangalore-Madurai corridor is one of the best road stretches in India. However, be cautious of diversions near border crossings (Maharashtra-Karnataka and Karnataka-Tamil Nadu).
- Vehicle Check: Ensure your car is serviced, tires are checked, and you carry a spare. Long highway stretches can be demanding on engine cooling systems.