Chiplun to Akkalkot by Night Bus – A 380 km Journey Under the Stars | Full Story

Hi, I am Nomad Patel – Why I started this journey on 23rd Feb after Beed to Chiplun?

If you read my last post, you know I came to Chiplun on 20th February. Beed to Chiplun – 15 hours, full day journey. I reached Chiplun bus stand in evening, fully tired. That time Kumbharli Ghat I saw in day time.

After reaching Chiplun on 20th Feb, I did not go back. I stayed in Chiplun for 2 days – 21st and 22nd February. I was staying near Shivaji Nagar. I took rest, my legs were paining. I went to Parshuram temple, ate fish thali one time, and I was writing my diary – Beed to Chiplun notes.

On 22nd Feb night I was sitting at hotel and I saw timetable board. There one board was there – Chiplun to Akkalkot, Guhagar depot, last bus 9:30 PM towards Karad. I thought – Akkalkot means Swami Samarth Maharaj. I wanted to go since long time. And this bus goes via Pandharpur, Solapur. I never went this route at night.

I searched in Google – Chiplun to Akkalkot bus ticket price, Chiplun to Akkalkot distance, timing – Nothing proper. Only 2-3 old forum reply – “Go via Kolhapur, no direct bus”. But board was showing direct bus. So I decided – I will go on 23rd Feb night and I will write real diary, because no one has written.

So this post is direct continuation of my Beed to Chiplun journey. Same diary, same black pen. Beed to Chiplun ended at Chiplun on 20th Feb. Chiplun to Akkalkot started from same Chiplun stand on 23rd Feb. If first journey was day journey under sun, this one is night journey under stars. 380 KM, 9.5 hours.

My Bus Details – What I saw on 23 Feb

I came to Chiplun bus stand at 8:30 PM on 23rd Feb. My bus was at 9:30 PM – Last bus to Karad side. If you miss this, no more direct bus to Solapur.

Bus stand was not much crowded at night. Only night journey people were there. I saw many Mumbai, Navi Mumbai buses – All Guhagar depot buses. Red colour buses.

I waited almost 1 hour. At 9:20 PM my bus came – Red MSRTC ordinary bus. Number plate MH 08 AP 6164. I noted in my diary same time. Board was handwritten – Chiplun -> Patan -> Karad -> Vita -> Atpadi -> Pandharpur -> Solapur -> Akkalkot.

Bus was full pack. No seat empty. I came to know later this route is always full pack because Konkan to Solapur direct, no need to change at Kolhapur. So you must do reservation. I paid ticket – Rs 565 – and I got window seat in middle. Long night ahead – 380 KM.

I wrote in diary at that time only – “Reached Chiplun bus stand 8:30 PM 23-02-2026. Bus started 9:35 PM. Ticket Rs 565. Bus number MH 08 AP 6164. Route Chiplun -> Karad -> Pandharpur -> Solapur -> Akkalkot. Photo watermark nomadpatel.in | 23-02-2026”. This is my own writing, not copy from forum.

Stop 1: Chiplun Bus Stand – 0 KM – 9:35 PM start

I reached at 8:30 PM. Day time full crowd was not there. Only 10-15 people sitting on bench with bags. One snack vendor was there near gate, small bulb light.

I asked conductor – “Bhaiyya, Chiplun te Akkalkot chi bus kuthe?”
He said – “Tithun aahe” – pointing to corner bus.
I asked – “Kiti vajta sutte?”
He said – “9:30 la. Khup garadi aahe. Booking karun ghe.” Means very crowded, do booking.

I sat on my seat. Bus was already half full at 9:15 PM only. At exactly 9:35 PM driver started the bus. We went out of stand. Chiplun roads were quiet at night. Same stand where I came on 20th Feb from Beed side. 3 days before I came and now I am going again.

Stop 2: Chiplun Shivaji Nagar Bus Stand – 9:42 PM – 3 KM

At 9:42 PM we came to Chiplun Shivaji Nagar bus stand. Only 3 KM from main stand.

This stand was fully empty at night. No people, no vendor. Only dim lights on platform.

I asked conductor – “Ithe sudata ka?”
He said – “Ho, pan kahi passenger nahi aahet” – Yes, but no passenger.

Bus did not stop properly, just slow and checked if anyone is there, then went. In day time this stand is full, but at 9:42 PM night it was empty.

Stop 3: Pedhambhe Bridge – Narrow Bridge – Around 10 PM

From Shivaji Nagar we went to Therdi village. 2-3 people got in on roadside.

Then we came to Pedhambhe Bridge around 10 PM. This bridge is very narrow – Only one gadi can go at a time. Condition was very bad – Full cracks, patches. Driver blew horn two times before going on bridge. At night you can only see with headlight.

I told next passenger – “Ha pul khup junaa aahe”
He said – “Ho. Rastyavar khup khande aahet. Saavkaash chalaavayla hava.” Means road has many potholes, drive slowly.

Bus crossed bridge slowly. Then Shringav and Phofali villages came. At Phofali roadside stop, 2 people got down. Same bridge I crossed on 20th Feb in day time coming from Beed – That time I saw river water. At night only dark.

Stop 4: Koynanagar Bus Stand – 11:00 PM – Dinner Break – Same Hotel as Beed to Chiplun

From Phofali, bus entered Kumbharli Ghat. This ghat has too many turns, full zigzag. In day time on 20th Feb I saw full valley. At night I could not see view, only I could feel bus turning left-right, left-right. My head was also turning.

At 11:00 PM we reached Koynanagar bus stand.

This place I remembered from my Beed to Chiplun journey. Same hotel – Laxmiprasad. On 20th Feb morning I had chai and bun maska there for Rs 30. Now same hotel but at night, dinner stop.

Many other buses were parked there – Kolhapur to Roha, Chiplun to Pune buses. People were eating.

I got down and ordered Dal Khichdi. Cost Rs 110.
I asked hotel owner – “Ajun kiti vel aahe?”
He said – “20 minute. Saavkaash jaa” – 20 minutes, take your time.

I ate fast, bought water bottle Rs 20, came back to bus. Total expense at Koynanagar – Rs 130.

From Koynanagar, Patan is 23 KM and Karad is 57 KM – Around 1.5 hours. I wrote in diary – “Koynanagar – Same hotel as Beed to Chiplun 20th Feb – Dinner Rs 110 on 23-02-2026”. So you can see connection.

Stop 5: Patan Bus Stand – 12:00 AM Midnight – 63 KM

From Koynanagar, road to Patan was made of concrete, smooth road. Bus went fast. We reached Patan bus stand at exactly 12:00 AM midnight.

Bus stand was quiet at midnight. 2-3 people got down, 2-3 got in. I wrote in diary – “Patan – Reached 12:00 AM. Distance from Koynanagar 23 KM. Road smooth.”

Patan is small place near Koyna dam. At midnight no shops open.

Passing Through – Navarasta and Malharpet – 12:30 AM

From Patan, bus went through Navarasta and Malharpet villages. Road was smooth, bus was going fast in dark. No stop. I saw small houses, lights off. People sleeping.

Stop 6: Karad Bus Stand – 1:00 AM – Platform 10 – 97 KM – Cleanest Bus Stand

We reached Karad bus stand at 1:00 AM. Bus stopped at Platform Number 10.

Karad bus stand is big junction. Many buses go from here – Sangli, Kolhapur, Satara. I heard it got award for Maharashtra’s cleanest bus stand. At 1 AM also it was clean – No kachra, dustbins empty, lights full bright.

I got down for 2 minute walk, legs were paining. I saw some people waiting for buses at 1 AM also – Some going to Sangli, some to Pandharpur.

From Karad, Vita is 42 KM.
I asked conductor – “Vita kiti door aahe?”
He said – “42 kilometer. 1 tasaa” – 1 hour.

This is good thing of night journey – You see big bus stands empty and clean, no crowd.

Stop 7: Vita – 1:45 AM – 130 KM

From Karad bus passed Rajmachi and crossed Surli Ghat. This ghat is small.

We reached Kadegaon at 1:30 AM.

Then Kadepur, then Vita at 1:45 AM. Bus stopped for 2-3 minutes. Vita is market place. At 1:45 AM only tea tapri open near stand. 2 people got down with big bags.

Stop 8: Khanapur – 2:20 AM – 140 KM and Bhiyghat

From Vita we reached Khanapur at 2:20 AM. Roads from Karad to Khanapur were fully empty – No gadi, no people on road. Only our bus light and engine sound.

After Khanapur we entered Bhiyghat – Small ghat after Khanapur. After crossing Bhiyghat, road became very bad – Full potholes. Bus was jumping. I had to hold seat handle. Driver made speed 20 KM only. This patch was worst compared to good concrete road before.

Stop 9: Atpadi – 2:45 AM – 160 KM

We reached Atpadi at 2:45 AM. Bus stopped for 1 minute. Atpadi is small town in Sangli district. At this time only dogs on road. One person got down and went fast in dark.

Passing Through – Dighanchi – Around 3:15 AM

From Atpadi we passed Dighanchi village. Bus did not stop. I was half sleepy, but I saw board – Dighanchi. I noted name.

Stop 10: Pandharpur Bus Stand – 4:00 AM – Platform 10 – 220 KM

We reached Pandharpur bus stand at 4:00 AM. Bus stopped at Platform 10.

Pandharpur bus stand is one of the longest bus stands in Maharashtra. Even at 4:00 AM some activity was there – 5-6 people, 2-3 buses, and I could hear mandir bhajan sound from far – Vitthal mandir.

Conductor told – “Pandharpur to Akkalkot 111 KM”.

Air was cold at Pandharpur at 4 AM. I took my jacket. On 20th Feb I was in Chiplun at 4 AM? No. This was new feeling – Temple town at 4 AM.

Stop 11: Mohol Bus Stand – 4:47 AM – 260 KM

From Pandharpur bus went on Pandharpur-Solapur Highway. This road is fantastic – Full smooth, wide, new concrete road. Best road of full journey.

We passed Tungat village and reached Mohol bus stand at 4:47 AM. No crowd, only one tea shop open. Bus stopped 1 minute.

Passing Through – Lamboti – Around 5:00 AM – 80 KM speed

From Mohol bus went on highway, passed Lamboti at 80 KM per hour speed. This was fastest part of journey. After bad Bhiyghat road, this smooth highway was like relief. I slept little bit here.

Stop 12: Solapur Bus Stand – 5:15 AM – Platform 3 – 320 KM

We reached Solapur bus stand at 5:15 AM. Bus stopped at Platform 3.

Even at 5:15 AM early morning, bus stand was crowded. People were coming, buses were starting for morning, full noise of buses and chai wale shouting “Chai garam”.

From Solapur, Akkalkot is only 40 KM. My ticket was already till Akkalkot, so no need to buy new ticket.

Stop 13: Akkalkot Bus Stand – 6:15 AM – Final – 380 KM

From Solapur bus went on smooth concrete highway, passed Kumbhari and Valsang Toll Naka.

Morning light was coming slowly. Little light in sky. Few gadis on road. People waking up.

We reached Akkalkot bus stand at 6:15 AM. Morning was quiet and cool. I got down from bus, fully tired but happy. Total distance around 380 KM as per my diary – Chiplun to Akkalkot distance is around 380 KM via this route.

After Solapur I took small nap, so I could not note full detail, but I wrote – “Reached Akkalkot at 6:15 AM on 24th Feb morning – Journey started 23rd night.”

This same bus starts return journey from Akkalkot at 9:00 AM morning and 9:30 PM night to Chiplun.

My Expense Sheet – What I Paid on 23 Feb

Ticket Chiplun to Akkalkot: Rs 565 – Paid at Chiplun counter on 23-02-2026
Dal Khichdi at Koynanagar Laxmiprasad: Rs 110
Water bottle: Rs 20
Total: Rs 695 – I paid cash, no online extra charge. This is my own expense, not official MSRTC rate. Rate may change.

What I Learned From This Night Journey

This was my first night bus journey. Beed to Chiplun on 20th Feb was day journey. This night journey taught me many things.

1. Night journey is peaceful. Road empty, no traffic, no horn. You can see stars from window.
2. But night journey is also tiring. In dark you cannot see outside view – I missed Kumbharli Ghat view which I saw clearly on 20th Feb day time.
3. This bus is always full pack. If you want to go, do booking before. I saw 10 people standing till Karad.
4. Kumbharli Ghat at night is also good, even if dark – Because I knew this ghat from 20th Feb trip, so I could feel turns.
5. Karad bus stand is really clean – Award is correct. At 1 AM also clean.
6. Pandharpur at 4 AM is different feeling. Bhajan sound at 4 AM is nice. Never felt in day.
7. Road after Pandharpur is best – Pandharpur-Solapur highway is smooth.
8. Travel changes you. You see different people, hear Marathi, Hindi, Kannada, feel cold at 4 AM at Pandharpur. You come back different. My Beed to Chiplun to Akkalkot chain is now full circle.

Final Tips from Nomad Patel – My Side

1. Do booking. This route is always full pack – I went on 23rd Feb and it was full.
2. Take window seat. Even at night ghat feeling is good if you know route like I knew from 20th Feb.
3. Take light jacket. At night on Kumbharli Ghat and at Pandharpur 4 AM very cold.
4. Eat at Koynanagar. Dal Khichdi at Laxmiprasad is good – I ate there both times – 20th Feb and 23rd Feb.
5. Take power bank. 9.5 hours journey, no charging point in ordinary bus.
6. Be patient. Long journey – 380 KM, 9.5 hours.
7. Enjoy quiet. Night journey has own magic – No noise.
8. Read my other journeys. If you liked this, read my Beed to Chiplun trip on 20th Feb – This is its direct next part. Both have Kumbharli Ghat and same hotel.

Disclaimer – Important

This is my personal experience on 23 February 2026 for nomadpatel.in. I am not from MSRTC, not from government. Timing, ticket price, route may change. All notes are my own handwritten diary with watermark nomadpatel.in | 23-02-2026. Photos are my own. For confirmed inquiry, go to your nearest bus stand. Ticket photo is my diary copy, not official ticket.

Written by Nomad Patel – nomadpatel.in – I travel, I write, I share real bus stories. This journey is continuation of Beed to Chiplun journey dated 20-02-2026.

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