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Hotel Western Gatz in Theni (1300 Rs) is a good option which is just 30 meters from the highway. :thumbs up

If you are specifically looking for an overnight stay in Kumily then I would suggest 'Jungle Palace Homestay' which is closer to the Periyar Wild life sanctuary (Near lake Road). 1950/- Rs Tariff displayed in Makemytrip and Goibibo which would come around 1100 or 1000 after the discounts.

Many thanks JohnyRider for the pointers. Let me explore this further :)

I modified my plan and decided to stay in Theni. Checked with western gatz and their rate starts from 1850 + taxes for a standard Ac room. Found a deal in goibibo and booked it for 1856 all inclusive (including extra guest charge for my 8 year old kid as they charge for kids above 5 years).

Current price: -

Goibibo 1312/Rs (inclusive of tax). Pls apply the coupon code SEP15 in the 'I have a Promo code' section.

Makemytrip 1281/ Rs (inclusive of tax). Pls apply the coupon code MMTGO.

The bad road section started a bit before Mukkam and continued on to the Mukkam-Thamarassery stretch. The road work is completed as of now - my cousin who took this stretch confirmed that the whole distance is good now

I took the route as following

Coimbatore-Walayar-Palakkad-Mundur-Mannarkad-Perindhalmanna-Malapurram bye pass- Ramanattukara-Atholi-Thiruvangoor-Vadakara-Thalassery-Kannur

I started late in the morning so I thought I will give this route a try

Coimbatore-Walayar
The roads are good upto the NH and then diversions galore all the way to the Kerala border.

Walayar-Palakkad
Toll road with 45 rs to be paid. No complaints on the road surface and lesser number of two wheelers coming the wrong way on the NH compared to my last visit 6 months ago.

Palakkad-Mundur-Mannarkad
Good road surface and sparse traffic but there are maniac goods carrier jeeps being driven like they are in a hurry to meet the maker. :Frustrati

Mannarkad-Perindhalmanna-Malapurram bye pass
There was a small traffic jam at Perindhalmanna but I crossed it soon.

Malapurram bye pass- Ramanattukara
Constant traffic with road surface being good.

Ramanattukara-Atholi-Thiruvangoor
The bye pass has a diversion to Atholi and then to Thiruvangoor and this small road was heavy on traffic and the road surface at places was very bad and I had to slow down to crawling speeds.

Vadakara-Thalassery-Kannur
After joining the NH at Thiruvangoor it started raining and I had to travel in convey as the traffic was heavy and the winding roads did not permit overtaking. Mahe was also choc-a-block and finally reached Kannur almost 8.30 hours from Coimbatore.

Drove from Bangalore (Whitefield) to Vaikom on Sep 16th

Start time - 5:00 AM. End Time - 2:30 PM. Distance 576 KMS Break - 35 mins

Route - Whitefield - Varthur - Sarjapur - Bagalur - Hosur and then regular NH 7 - NH 47 route - Kalamassery - Kakkanad- Tripunithura - Vaikom

Took around 25 mins to clear the Sankari toll booth. 2 counters were closed and it was a royal mess. This is the first time that I am encountering this at this tool booth. Anybody experienced this before?

Return

vaikom - Tripunithura - Kalamassery - NH47 - NH7 - Sankari - Tharamangalam - Omalur - Krishnagiri- Hosur -Bagalur - Sarjapur -Whitefield.

Start time - 5:20 AM. End time - 2:20 PM. Distance - 564 KMs. Break Time - 35 mins.

Sankari - Tharamangalam -Omalur route saves 12 KMS and Rs 123/- in toll.
This deviation is 42 KMS long and took 55 mins for me. The road surface is broken with lot of potholes. Can maintain 60 - 80 KM/H.
Avoid at night. Not worth it if travelling at off peak hours better to go through Salem.

NH 207 Between Sarjapur and Hosur is being widened. Road was being relaid in some sections while I was returning yesterday.

Madukkarai - Walayar - Much better and faster. Traffic is allowed on some newly laid sections and hence smooth. No craters.

Walayar - Vadakkencherry - Almost done except for a flyover after Chandranagar.

Vakakkenchery- Mannuthy - Couple of craters between Kuthiran and Mannuthy. Can be negotiated in 2nd gear. Kuthiran is patched up. No traffic blocks. Covered Mannuthy to Vadakkencherry ( 30 KMs) in 36 mins ( 7:00 AM to 7:36 AM). Road widening seems to be halted again in Vadakkenchery - Mannuthy or it is too slow. Did not see much equipment.

Thanks for the update.
The flyover is opened towards Palakkad when I went yesterday.

Did you drive from Bangalore? Did you face any issue at Sankari toll booth?
Were all the counters open?

Also, did you notice any patchwork between Mannuthy and Vadakkencherry?

Planning for a trip to Pathanamthitta via Salem, Dindigul, Theni, Kumily. Anyone aware of the latest status of the culvert constructions between Vatlagundu and Lower camp?

Kindly pardon me if my query comes across as repetitive.

We are a family of 3 driving from Bangalore to Thiruvananthapuram with a 2 day stopover at Wayanad for sightseeing. Planning to start from Bangalore by evening. One presumes Gundlupet - Sulthan Bathery will be closed by then.

What options do I have to reach Mananthavady with a start from Bangalore by 6? Also, the estimated driving time, please.

Thanks.

Bangalore-Mysore-Hunsur-Gonikoppal-Kutta-Tholpetty-Manathavady.

This is the only route open at night. Driving time will be around 6 hrs.

I would recommend starting early the next morning (say by 4am). With a 6pm start you will pass through the forest areas at midnight and reach at a very odd time.

If your start time is 6 PM, then the only realistic option you have is Bangalore-Mysore-Hunsur-Gonikoppal-Kutta-Kattikulam-Mananthavady. This route is open through the night. I expect it will take around 6 hours keeping in mind safe driving, night driving, evening rush hour etc.

Alternatively, you could consider getting a bit of sleep in Bangalore itself and starting at around 3 AM. You can expect to cover Bangalore-Mysore-Handpost-Bavali-Mananthavady in about 5 hours and arrive in Mananthavady for breakfast.

Thanks guys, much appreciated. How are the road conditions though?

The planned start is for tomorrow evening. As you know, there is a KA bandh announced for the next day. So the options are limited with leaves already approved. Not brave enough to drive a KL car through KA on a bandh day :).

Then makes sense. Road conditions should be great throughout. The Gonikoppal-Kutta stretch had been bad for a long time, but now is relaid and good (Info from a few months back, assuming it would not have deteriorated much).

Expect the Gonikoppal-Kutta-Kattikulam stretch to be deserted. You also pass through the Tholpettey Sanctuary belt (No night ban as it is on the Kerala side). So be careful of wildlife sightings.

Have a safe drive.