[maheshramaling]

Dear all,

I am planning to do a (South India Coastal Triangle Trip - SICTT). I am at just planning stage - so everything is open at this moment of time. Find below few details of the trips how it looks as of now;

Route:
Bangalore --> Mangalore 350+ kms
Mangalore --> Nagercoil 690+ kms (might break this into 2 leg by stopping in gods own country)
Nagercoil --> Keelakarai 220+ kms (might not stay)
Keelakari --> Nagapattinam 240+ kms
Nagapattinam --> Puducherry/ Pondy 150+ kms (might or might not stay)
Pondy --> Chennai 150+ kms
Chennai --> Bangalore 350+ kms

Distance to be covered: Approx 2150+ kms.

Men: Me and another friend but happy to go ahead even if I have to travel alone .

Machine: Skoda Laura TDI

Dates: Some time during January or February 2012

Objective of the trip: Drive along the beautiful & scenic coastal region....that's it. May be some sightseeing & photography!

Objective of this thread: To seek suggestions on route, road conditions, accommodation & anything else to be considered from fellow TBHPians. BTW - Is GPS device a must for this kind of trip?

Originally Posted by maheshramaling

To seek suggestions on route, road conditions, accommodation & anything else to be considered from fellow TBHPians. Is GPS device a must for this kind of trip?

You can consider Ginger Hotels for stay at Managalore, Thiruvananthapuram and Pondy. For Kochi, I would suggest The Senate, but book through MakeMyTrip.com for best rates. For Chennai, my recommendation is Hotel New Woodlands, Dr Radhakrishnan Road. If you are including Kanniyakumari, I recommend Vivekananda Kendra for stay.

Regarding road conditions, I can say that Nagapattinam>Pondy via NH 45A is good except some bad stretches near Cuddalore. From Cuddalore to Pondy, the road is congested. From Pondy to Chennai, you have preferred ECR, which is 2-laned toll road as compared to NH 66/45 which is fully 4-laned, but without scenic beauty of coastal area.

Yes, GPS is a must. It will guide you within the cities. Even on the known routes, it will guide you properly.

[navan49]

You can make a small change in your route from Kanyakumari. Take Kanyakumari Tiruchendur Tutucorin single road not so good but ok. Tutucorin to (Via Kilakarai Ramnad) Rameswaram (Being a motorist better to see the Annai Indhiragandhi sea bridge connects Mandapam & Rameswaram) if not interested skip and take the ECR to Nagapattinam. I am not aware of the completion of the road till Nagapattinam/ Seek from others till cuddalore. Cuddalore Pondy Chennai is a butter smooth. Beware of the rash driving drivers on ECR from Pondy to Chennai. Pondy Chennai road till mahabalipuram is having lots of blind L bends and z turning.

[maheshramaling]

Originally Posted by J.Ravi

You can consider Ginger Hotels for stay at Managalore, Thiruvananthapuram and Pondy. For Kochi, I would suggest The Senate, but book through MakeMyTrip.com for best rates. For Chennai, my recommendation is Hotel New Woodlands, Dr Radhakrishnan Road. If you are including Kanniyakumari, I recommend Vivekananda Kendra for stay.

Regarding road conditions, I can say that Nagapattinam>Pondy via NH 45A is good except some bad stretches near Cuddalore. From Cuddalore to Pondy, the road is congested. From Pondy to Chennai, you have preferred ECR, which is 2-laned toll road as compared to NH 66/45 which is fully 4-laned, but without scenic beauty of coastal area.

Yes, GPS is a must. It will guide you within the cities. Even on the known routes, it will guide you properly.

Originally Posted by navan49

You can make a small change in your route from Kanyakumari. Take Kanyakumari Tiruchendur Tutucorin single road not so good but ok. Tutucorin to (Via Kilakarai Ramnad) Rameswaram (Being a motorist better to see the Annai Indhiragandhi sea bridge connects Mandapam & Rameswaram) if not interested skip and take the ECR to Nagapattinam. I am not aware of the completion of the road till Nagapattinam/ Seek from others till cuddalore. Cuddalore Pondy Chennai is a butter smooth. Beware of the rash driving drivers on ECR from Pondy to Chennai. Pondy Chennai road till mahabalipuram is having lots of blind L bends and z turning.

Thanks J.Ravi, navan49!

I will try taking the rameshwaram & kanyakumari if time permits.

BTW - anyone has road conditions in Subramanya Ghat section? Back in 2005/ 2006 - it was worst. Also - can someone share the kerala section of road. I heard the road is worst between Mangalore and Kasargod. Anyone - any idea?

[himavanth_m]

Originally Posted by maheshramaling

Dear all,

Objective of the trip: Drive along the beautiful & scenic coastal region....that's it. May be some sightseeing & photography!

BTW - Is GPS device a must for this kind of trip?

When you say photography, do you mean photographing temples mainly? Or is it just the roads.
Also do you have any places to visit in mind or is it just a drive trip?

I dont think a GPS device is necessary. You can always find people to ask directions. Just make sure you have a printed copy of the google maps to see the next place to ask for.

[navan49]

Remember the road from Kanya Kumari to Tiruchendur and Tutucorin outer to Ramnad is two lane road No toll but no divider too. Drive carefully.Pondy Cuddalore is a short distance of 22KMS of course congested and the local buses use the narrow road as runway.Pondy to Chennai ECR also two lane with oure separator. Any help in Chennai feel free to PM.

[mallumowgli]

The route given by you from Nagercoil to Keelakkarai is good. But if you want to keep to the shore, then from Nagercoil/Kanyakumari there is a route that runs by the seashore to Tiruchendur/Toothukkudi. You have to take a right at Anjugramam on the NH7 from Kanyakumari. I dont know the current condition - I had travelled about a decade back and it was OK at that time

[DWind]

Be aware that this KK-Tiruchendur road runs via Koodankulam. You can take a call to use this road depending on the situation prevailing at the the time of trip.

[maheshramaling]

Originally Posted by himavanth_m

When you say photography, do you mean photographing temples mainly? Or is it just the roads.
Also do you have any places to visit in mind or is it just a drive trip?

I dont think a GPS device is necessary. You can always find people to ask directions. Just make sure you have a printed copy of the google maps to see the next place to ask for.

Thanks! It will be just drive photo's and might visit some places including temples if time permits.

[bejoy]

Originally Posted by maheshramaling

Thanks J.Ravi, navan49!

I will try taking the rameshwaram & kanyakumari if time permits.

BTW - anyone has road conditions in Subramanya Ghat section? Back in 2005/ 2006 - it was worst. Also - can someone share the kerala section of road. I heard the road is worst between Mangalore and Kasargod. Anyone - any idea?

Did you mean Shiradi ghats? The ghats are in bad state. More updates here:http://www.team-bhp.com/forum/route-...ore-udupi.html


Roads in Northern part of Kerala are in a very bad state now. Check http://www.team-bhp.com/forum/route-...ad-kerala.html for current status. But there is hope. By Jan-Feb, most of the roads would have been repaired, as Kerala High Court is taken this issue up and keeping the Govt/PWD dept on toes.

[maheshramaling]

Thanks bejoy!

Originally Posted by bejoy

Did you mean Shiradi ghats? The ghats are in bad state. More updates here:http://www.team-bhp.com/forum/route-...ore-udupi.html

Yes - I meant Shirdi Ghats.

Originally Posted by Roads in Northern part of Kerala are in a very bad state now. Check [URL

http://www.team-bhp.com/forum/route-travel-queries/27690-current-condition-road-kerala.html[/url] for current status. But there is hope. By Jan-Feb, most of the roads would have been repaired, as Kerala High Court is taken this issue up and keeping the Govt/PWD dept on toes.

Good to know, thanks! Do you think Laura will have GC issues in these bad streches?

[aryasanyal]

Originally Posted by maheshramaling

Good to know, thanks! Do you think Laura will have GC issues in these bad streches?

Last time I travelled southwards from Mangalore, the section was absolutely horrible between Mangalore and Kasaragod. You won't have GC issues - I did the stretch in a Lancer - so it should be good for you too. But the drive itself is painful, slow and takes it's toll on your patience and concentration.

About 10 kms before entering Kasaragod, the section becomes fine. I am not sure if the fineness of the road continues till Calicut or not.

[hvkumar]

GPS devices like MMI do not show correct routes on ECR. Google Maps is also wrong in this sector in South TN.

IN Jan/Feb 2012, almost all teh roads will be in good condition, so do not fret about bad roads at this stage of planning.

I am surprised that you are not taking ECR between Tuticorin & KK.

You may want to refer the following 2 log books of mine for ideas:

http://spreadsheets.google.com/ccc?k...64648611&guest
This was my Coast 2 Cape 2 Coast trip of Dec 2005 when I faithfully followed the closest road to the coast throughout India, covering some 12,000 kms in 15 days. You can trace the routes for your South India coast trip here. However, at that time, the ECR in south TN was incomplete, so you will not find the ECR from Vedranayam suthwards till TOndi, when I resume the coast road again. At that time, most places in south TN< the ECR roads were virtually non-existent.

To trace the ECR in ts full length in TN< you may find the following log book useful,
https://docs.google.com/spreadsheet/...xWclE&hl=en_GB

[maheshramaling]

Originally Posted by hvkumar

GPS devices like MMI do not show correct routes on ECR. Google Maps is also wrong in this sector in South TN.

IN Jan/Feb 2012, almost all teh roads will be in good condition, so do not fret about bad roads at this stage of planning.

I am surprised that you are not taking ECR between Tuticorin & KK.

You may want to refer the following 2 log books of mine for ideas:

http://spreadsheets.google.com/ccc?k...64648611&guest
This was my Coast 2 Cape 2 Coast trip of Dec 2005 when I faithfully followed the closest road to the coast throughout India, covering some 12,000 kms in 15 days. You can trace the routes for your South India coast trip here. However, at that time, the ECR in south TN was incomplete, so you will not find the ECR from Vedranayam suthwards till TOndi, when I resume the coast road again. At that time, most places in south TN< the ECR roads were virtually non-existent.

To trace the ECR in ts full length in TN< you may find the following log book useful,
https://docs.google.com/spreadsheet/...xWclE&hl=en_GB

Thanks hvk sir!

12k kms - wow! Your logs are definitely useful. Guess - if you have some maps to share - that would be bit more easier for a layman like me & visually see how the trip looks like in a canvas!

Pardon me for this silly question - how do you keep up to your log? Isn't too tough to remember everything and make a log of it or does any of this GPS devices have this feature?

After giving it a thought - guess, my trip will be as following;

Bangalore --> Mangalore 350+ kms
Mangalore --> Nagercoil 690+ kms (will break this into 2 leg by stopping in gods own country)
Nagercoil --> Kanyakumari 20+ kms
Kanyakumari --> Tiruchendur 90+ kms
Tiruchendur --> Keelakarai 150+ kms
Keelakarai --> Dhanushkodi 80+ kms
Dhanushkodi --> Nagapattinam 280+ kms
Nagapattinam --> Puducherry/ Pondy 150+ kms
Pondy --> Chennai 150+ kms
Chennai --> Bangalore 350+ kms

Total: 2200+ kms!

Also - might do this Dec end!

BTW - if at all I have to invest in a good GPS device, what would you recommend?

[hvkumar]

Originally Posted by maheshramaling

Pardon me for this silly question - how do you keep up to your log? Isn't too tough to remember everything and make a log of it or does any of this GPS devices have this feature?

Hand-written on the move. Also record routes on my Garmin GPS device and Visiontec GPS Data Logger. Also videographed/ geotagged by my car cam.

Even standard GPS Navigator devices have recording facility.

Bangalore --> Mangalore 350+ kms
Mangalore --> Nagercoil 690+ kms (will break this into 2 leg by stopping in gods own country)

Mangalore-Kasargod-Bekal Fort-Kanhangad-Payyanur-Ezhimala-Kannur-Muzhapilangad-Mahe-Kappad-Lozhikode-Beypore-POnnani-Kodungallur-Vypin-Vallaroadam-Kochi-Alapuzha-Kollam-Paravur-Varkala-TRivandrum-KOvalam-Poovar-Colachel-Nagercoil

Nagercoil --> Kanyakumari 20+ kms
Kanyakumari --> Tiruchendur 90+ kms
Tiruchendur --> Keelakarai 150+ kms
Keelakarai --> Dhanushkodi 80+ kms
Dhanushkodi --> Nagapattinam 280+ kms

KK-Ovari-Tiruchendur-Tuticorin-Vembar-Kizhakarai-Ramanathapuram-Rameswaram-Dhanushkodi-Rameswaram-Ramanathapuram-Tondi-Mimisal-Vedaranyam-Kodikarai-Vedaranyam-Nagapattinam

Nagapattinam --> Puducherry/ Pondy 150+ kms

Nagapattinam-Karaikal-Poompuhar-Chidambaram-Pichavaram-Cuddalore-Pondy

Pondy --> Chennai 150+ kms
Chennai --> Bangalore 350+ kms

BTW - if at all I have to invest in a good GPS device, what would you recommend?

In have used both MMI and SatNavGuide, found MMI to be better. However, make sure you upgrade maps frequently since they are improving with every new version.