Climbing Thirupathi hill in Palio 1.2 (OV)

suren181 · 15th February 2007, 15:03

The Palio would definitely make it through easily. Have driven to Tirumala in all sorts of cars. Fiats, Amby's, a Simca, M800, Omni etc. You would not have a problem am sure.

sreenivass · 15th February 2007, 15:30

It is the skill more than the vehicle that will dictate your drive up the hill. I suggest you get some tips from an experienced guy that drives on ghats frequently. I have seen buses going on the outer periphery around hair pin bends and cars following inner circle.

prkothan · 16th February 2007, 11:30

Please suggest me the best (good and safe road) route available

Chennai - Tada - Srikalahasti - Renigunta - Thirupathi - Tirumala
or
Chennai - Tiruvallur - Tiruttani - Puttur - Renigunta - Thirupathi – Tirumala
Or
Chennai – Puzhal – Cholavaran (NH-5) – Uttukottai (NH 205) – Puttur- Thirupathi- Tirumala

Please share your experience.

zulfikar · 16th February 2007, 12:12

DUDE i went to Ooty on my Eliminator without any problems.
so palio can do it a lot better...

mega5918 · 16th February 2007, 12:17

Quote:

Next week I am planning to go with my family to Thirupathi. So its going to full load (5 people +1 kid + some luggages). Just wondering (worring) will Palio 1.2 would able to climb the hill without any stutter.
Though I have a choice to take my inlaws Baleno, me and my wife would like to take our beloved Palio. Have anyone tried it earlier.

@Prasanna,
No Problems man your Palio will do it with 5PPL, but be very very careful with the Tirumala Buses man! And there are 2-Steep curves little careful while taking those curves. We had taken a Santro with 5PPL to Tirumala without any problem, We didn't even have to stop... If you are planning to take Baleno you'll surely enjoy the driving, I drove my Baleno most of the time in 4 and 5 Gear last time when I went to Tirumala. All the best and Update fellow BHPn's about your trip. May god bless you.
../Mega

hrag · 16th February 2007, 12:31

The quickest route is
Chennai - Tiruvallur - Tiruttani - Ponpadi - Nagari - Vepagunta - Puttur - Taduku - Vadamala - Renigunta - Tirupati - Tirumala
Good roads, lots of traffic and mostly 2 lane.

An alternative, slightly longer is
Chennai - Poonamallee - Sriperumbudur - Vedal
Shortly after Vedal, there is a major intersection - left takes you to Kanchipuram, right takes you to Arakkonam (take this).
Vedal - turn right - Palur - Arakkonam - Tiruttani - Ponpadi - Nagari - Vepagunta - Puttur - Taduku - Vadamala - Renigunta - Tirupati - Tirumala
You get to enjoy 4 lane roads till Vedal.

I'd recommend the first one for you.

Adventurous route (no roads in between, no signposts in English):
Chennai - Sembiyam - Madhavaram - Naravarikuppam - Padianallur - Cholavaram - Puduvayal - Kavarapettai - Gummidipundi - Elavur - Tada - Varadayyapalem - Butchinayudukandriga - Sri Kalahasti - Erpedu - Renigunta - Tirupati - Tirumala
4 lane upto Tada, little or no roads between Tada and Sri Kalahasti, only signboards in Telugu as well, good 4 lane roads after Sri Kalahasti.

I have not used your third route given above - don't think Uttukottai is on NH205 by the way.

prkothan · 21st February 2007, 12:05

I took the lesser known route – Chennai – Cholavaram-Periyapalayam-Uttukottai-Puttur-Tripati. A risk that paid off. It’s the shortest route (140 km), 95 % of road is very good.
Here the details
1. Chennai to Cholvaram via Madhavaramm, Puzhal & Redhills. This NH-05 (Chennai – Kolkata highway), complete 4 four lane excellent road. On reaching the check post, take left turn to Periyapalayam.
2. This is NH-205 road which takes you to Tripati. I guess it got the NH status recently, I could see many “mile-stones” displaying SH-61. From Cholavaram to Periyapalam the road is very good (except few stretches of 100 mtrs long, one at the start and another at the end). Its 2 lane dual carriage way like ECR.
3. From Periyapalayam to Uttukottai, the road quality is mix of good and bad. It is like 1 or 2 km very good newly laid road and un laid old narrow road for few mtrs ( 5 to 100 m). And last 3 kms is being relaid completely. In this stretch the max speed would be 30 kmph.
4. From Uttukottai to Puttur, its very good road laid by L&T. But there are too many really huge speed breaker near the villages. So be careful. And certainly avoid night drives.
5. Puttur bye-pass is really bad and repair works being done.
6. From Puttur to Tripati, again excellent road.

Palio 1.2 OV pulled effortlessly without any stutter in the hills. 95 % of the time I drove in 3 rd gear in the hills (both while climbing up and down).

Hope this helps. Drive safe and never forget to wear your seat belts.

suren181 · 21st February 2007, 15:50

Nice to know you had a lovely trip.

Lukeskywalker · 21st February 2007, 17:51

Quote:

5. Puttur bye-pass is really bad and repair works being done.
6. From Puttur to Tripati, again excellent road.

One doubt here, is it Puttur or chitoor?

rock18 · 21st February 2007, 18:00

Hey i recently (last weekend) went to Tirupathi on my Suzuki fiero.
While going, i took Chennai - redhills -Tada - Srikalahasthri - Renigunta-Tirupathi Tirumala route.
Majority of the roads were Good except for the bypass road from Tada which takes you to Srikalahasthri (around 40kms bad road).

While coming back we took Tirupathi -Renigunta-Srikalahasthri -Naidupet-Chennai.
Road from Naidupet to Chennai is very good 2 lane Highway.But this is not the shortest route as i have to travel 25kms more but this is the best route.

And regarding climbing the hills.I think palio can climb easily. I have seen some old vintage cars climbing those roads and gud thing is its a one way.The road does not have any steep climb.But while coming back watch out for lot of sharp hairpin bends.

In Tirumala,Narayanagiri road is the only place you will confront steep climbs and sharp turns. I have to climb in 1st gear in my fiero.Other than that most of the places are like our st.Thomas mount climb.

If you are still in doubt, Conduct a mock trip to St.Thomas mount with 5ppl on board and AC on and decide for yourself.

Happy journey.

mobike008 · 21st February 2007, 18:03

Quote:

Originally Posted by prkothan

Palio 1.2 OV pulled effortlessly without any stutter in the hills. 95 % of the time I drove in 3 rd gear in the hills (both while climbing up and down)

See, you were worrying for nothing, good to know you had a nice trip

rock18 · 21st February 2007, 20:04

Oops....Sorry i did not notice your post about the trip completion and wrote that thing in a hurry.
Good to hear that you had a nice trip.

prkothan · 23rd February 2007, 09:00

Its Puttur only. Chittoor is no way in the scene!!

DWind · 30th January 2009, 13:51

Bump!
Noticed that all the threads are older than a year. Planning to go to Thirupathi this weekend. Starting from South Chennai(OMR). Please let me know the best route to Tirupathi from Chennai.

hrag · 30th January 2009, 14:55

Please see posts 21 & 22 above.

All of them are in good condition though Puttur section has been traditionally bad.
My choice would be the route through Srikalahasti (lovely roads now as opposed to my post of nearly 2 years ago).

Assuming you know how to get to Koyambedu junction, head North at this junction. Go beyond Thirumangalam, Padi (unfinished flyover) and at the Madhavaram flyover, take a left - this will get you onto NH5.

Immediately after crossing over into AP, you will see overhead signs for Srikalahasti. At the Tada flyover, take the left lane and turn into the small road between the shops (this road eventually becomes a lovely winding 2 lane road). From here, it is fairly straightforward and you cannot lose your way.

OR

On NH5, take a left onto NH205 immediately after the first toll booth. This will take you straight to Tirupati. The problem with this route is that it passes through too many villages / towns.

15th February 2007, 15:03	#16
suren181 BHPian Join Date: Aug 2006 Location: Hyderabad Posts: 850 Thanked: 11 Times View My Garage	Go ahead and have a great darshan The Palio would definitely make it through easily. Have driven to Tirumala in all sorts of cars. Fiats, Amby's, a Simca, M800, Omni etc. You would not have a problem am sure.
	() Thanks

15th February 2007, 15:30	#17
sreenivass BHPian Join Date: Oct 2006 Location: Bangalore India Posts: 932 Thanked: 44 Times View My Garage	It is the skill more than the vehicle that will dictate your drive up the hill. I suggest you get some tips from an experienced guy that drives on ghats frequently. I have seen buses going on the outer periphery around hair pin bends and cars following inner circle.
	() Thanks

16th February 2007, 11:30	#18
prkothan BHPian Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: chennai Posts: 180 Thanked: 39 Times	Please suggest me the best (good and safe road) route available Chennai - Tada - Srikalahasti - Renigunta - Thirupathi - Tirumala or Chennai - Tiruvallur - Tiruttani - Puttur - Renigunta - Thirupathi – Tirumala Or Chennai – Puzhal – Cholavaran (NH-5) – Uttukottai (NH 205) – Puttur- Thirupathi- Tirumala Please share your experience. Last edited by prkothan : 16th February 2007 at 11:32.
	() Thanks

16th February 2007, 12:12	#19
zulfikar BHPian Join Date: Feb 2005 Location: Hyderabad Posts: 532 Thanked: 18 Times View My Garage	DUDE i went to Ooty on my Eliminator without any problems. so palio can do it a lot better...
	() Thanks

16th February 2007, 12:31	#21
hrag BANNED Join Date: Nov 2004 Location: Bangalore / Madras Posts: 1,982 Thanked: 32 Times	The quickest route is Chennai - Tiruvallur - Tiruttani - Ponpadi - Nagari - Vepagunta - Puttur - Taduku - Vadamala - Renigunta - Tirupati - Tirumala Good roads, lots of traffic and mostly 2 lane. An alternative, slightly longer is Chennai - Poonamallee - Sriperumbudur - Vedal Shortly after Vedal, there is a major intersection - left takes you to Kanchipuram, right takes you to Arakkonam (take this). Vedal - turn right - Palur - Arakkonam - Tiruttani - Ponpadi - Nagari - Vepagunta - Puttur - Taduku - Vadamala - Renigunta - Tirupati - Tirumala You get to enjoy 4 lane roads till Vedal. I'd recommend the first one for you. Adventurous route (no roads in between, no signposts in English): Chennai - Sembiyam - Madhavaram - Naravarikuppam - Padianallur - Cholavaram - Puduvayal - Kavarapettai - Gummidipundi - Elavur - Tada - Varadayyapalem - Butchinayudukandriga - Sri Kalahasti - Erpedu - Renigunta - Tirupati - Tirumala 4 lane upto Tada, little or no roads between Tada and Sri Kalahasti, only signboards in Telugu as well, good 4 lane roads after Sri Kalahasti. I have not used your third route given above - don't think Uttukottai is on NH205 by the way.
	() Thanks

21st February 2007, 12:05	#22
prkothan BHPian Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: chennai Posts: 180 Thanked: 39 Times	I took the lesser known route – Chennai – Cholavaram-Periyapalayam-Uttukottai-Puttur-Tripati. A risk that paid off. It’s the shortest route (140 km), 95 % of road is very good. Here the details 1. Chennai to Cholvaram via Madhavaramm, Puzhal & Redhills. This NH-05 (Chennai – Kolkata highway), complete 4 four lane excellent road. On reaching the check post, take left turn to Periyapalayam. 2. This is NH-205 road which takes you to Tripati. I guess it got the NH status recently, I could see many “mile-stones” displaying SH-61. From Cholavaram to Periyapalam the road is very good (except few stretches of 100 mtrs long, one at the start and another at the end). Its 2 lane dual carriage way like ECR. 3. From Periyapalayam to Uttukottai, the road quality is mix of good and bad. It is like 1 or 2 km very good newly laid road and un laid old narrow road for few mtrs ( 5 to 100 m). And last 3 kms is being relaid completely. In this stretch the max speed would be 30 kmph. 4. From Uttukottai to Puttur, its very good road laid by L&T. But there are too many really huge speed breaker near the villages. So be careful. And certainly avoid night drives. 5. Puttur bye-pass is really bad and repair works being done. 6. From Puttur to Tripati, again excellent road. Palio 1.2 OV pulled effortlessly without any stutter in the hills. 95 % of the time I drove in 3 rd gear in the hills (both while climbing up and down). Hope this helps. Drive safe and never forget to wear your seat belts. Last edited by prkothan : 21st February 2007 at 12:07.
	() Thanks

21st February 2007, 15:50	#23
suren181 BHPian Join Date: Aug 2006 Location: Hyderabad Posts: 850 Thanked: 11 Times View My Garage	Welcome back after the trip Nice to know you had a lovely trip.
	() Thanks

21st February 2007, 18:00	#25
rock18 BHPian Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: Chennai Posts: 310 Thanked: 55 Times View My Garage	Hey i recently (last weekend) went to Tirupathi on my Suzuki fiero. While going, i took Chennai - redhills -Tada - Srikalahasthri - Renigunta-Tirupathi Tirumala route. Majority of the roads were Good except for the bypass road from Tada which takes you to Srikalahasthri (around 40kms bad road). While coming back we took Tirupathi -Renigunta-Srikalahasthri -Naidupet-Chennai. Road from Naidupet to Chennai is very good 2 lane Highway.But this is not the shortest route as i have to travel 25kms more but this is the best route. And regarding climbing the hills.I think palio can climb easily. I have seen some old vintage cars climbing those roads and gud thing is its a one way.The road does not have any steep climb.But while coming back watch out for lot of sharp hairpin bends. In Tirumala,Narayanagiri road is the only place you will confront steep climbs and sharp turns. I have to climb in 1st gear in my fiero.Other than that most of the places are like our st.Thomas mount climb. If you are still in doubt, Conduct a mock trip to St.Thomas mount with 5ppl on board and AC on and decide for yourself. Happy journey.
	() Thanks

21st February 2007, 20:04	#27
rock18 BHPian Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: Chennai Posts: 310 Thanked: 55 Times View My Garage	Oops....Sorry i did not notice your post about the trip completion and wrote that thing in a hurry. Good to hear that you had a nice trip.
	() Thanks

23rd February 2007, 09:00	#28
prkothan BHPian Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: chennai Posts: 180 Thanked: 39 Times	Its Puttur only. Chittoor is no way in the scene!!
	() Thanks

30th January 2009, 13:51	#29
DWind BHPian Join Date: Apr 2007 Location: Singara Chennai Posts: 805 Thanked: 238 Times View My Garage	Current Updates please? Bump! Noticed that all the threads are older than a year. Planning to go to Thirupathi this weekend. Starting from South Chennai(OMR). Please let me know the best route to Tirupathi from Chennai.
	() Thanks

30th January 2009, 14:55	#30
hrag BANNED Join Date: Nov 2004 Location: Bangalore / Madras Posts: 1,982 Thanked: 32 Times	Please see posts 21 & 22 above. All of them are in good condition though Puttur section has been traditionally bad. My choice would be the route through Srikalahasti (lovely roads now as opposed to my post of nearly 2 years ago). Assuming you know how to get to Koyambedu junction, head North at this junction. Go beyond Thirumangalam, Padi (unfinished flyover) and at the Madhavaram flyover, take a left - this will get you onto NH5. Immediately after crossing over into AP, you will see overhead signs for Srikalahasti. At the Tada flyover, take the left lane and turn into the small road between the shops (this road eventually becomes a lovely winding 2 lane road). From here, it is fairly straightforward and you cannot lose your way. OR On NH5, take a left onto NH205 immediately after the first toll booth. This will take you straight to Tirupati. The problem with this route is that it passes through too many villages / towns.
	() Thanks

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