[Thanos-VV]

Originally Posted by darklord

Puliyarai till Kottavasal (KL border) had some pretty huge craters, especially in the bends).

Travelled in a Safari 2.2..

Thanks darklord for the details. Travelling in a fully loaded hatchback so I think I will stick to Option 2.

[JohnnyBoss]

Originally Posted by Maibaa

... travelling by Cab from Kochi to Munnar and using local transport for Sightseeing.

I would suggest to retain the cab from Kochi for the local sightseeing in Munnar. Get quote for the round trip + local sightseeing.

[narayanang76]

Returned from Kerala to Bangalore during last Saturday, 25th May 2024.

Instead of usual NH44, Google was suggesting taking the 544H from Bhavani to Thoppur via Mettur. And also, the new NH844 from Dharmapurii - Rayakottai - Hosur. Decided to try both these suggestions and I felt like it was worth it. Started from Palakkad at 10:30 AM and I was in my Whitefield home at 5:30 PM, with a relaxed drive, less traffic and saving some toll fees. Less traffic on both these alternate routes saved time. Both these routes have good roads except some sections passing through smaller towns.

Cheers,
narayanang76

[guruji]

Originally Posted by narayanang76

Returned from Kerala to Bangalore during last Saturday, 25th May 2024.

Instead of usual NH44, Google was suggesting taking the 544H from Bhavani to Thoppur via Mettur. And also, the new NH844 from Dharmapurii - Rayakottai - Hosur.

Did you notice restaurants and petrol pumps on these two alternate routes?

[narayanang76]

Originally Posted by guruji

Did you notice restaurants and petrol pumps on these two alternate routes?

There aren't any big restaurants/petrol pumps on these alternate routes, other than the typical small ones you see in TN. We will need to plan and manage it outside of these routes.

[NPV]

What would be the best route for an evening start (on a weekday) from Bangalore heading to Kalady and then from there to club Mahindra Ashtamudi?

Plan is to reach Kalady early morning, visit the Sringeri Shankara math, temples and then head to Ashtamudi in the afternoon.

[ampere]

Originally Posted by NPV

What would be the best route for an evening start (on a weekday) from Bangalore heading to Kalady and then from there to club Mahindra Ashtamudi?

My suggestion would be Ettumanoor Thiruvalla Chengannur Ashtamudi. But please do check on rain status.

Originally Posted by narayanang76

Instead of usual NH44, Google was suggesting taking the 544H from Bhavani to Thoppur via Mettur. And also, the new NH844 from Dharmapurii - Rayakottai - Hosur. Decided to try both these suggestions and I felt like it was worth it. Started from Palakkad at 10:30 AM and I was in my Whitefield home at 5:30 PM, with a relaxed drive, less traffic and saving some toll fees. Less traffic on both these alternate routes saved time. Both these routes have good roads except some sections passing through smaller towns.

A note of caution on 844. Since it's incomplete; please dont take this road in the dark. There are places it abruptly ends and many places where it needs quite some work.

The Bhairamanagalam to Neralur (through Hosur) is a big section and it will take quite some time to complete. I dont see it happening soon. Apart from that some stretches between Palacode to Rayakottai need closure. And one of them I think has not even gone through Land Acquisition.

[silversteed]

Originally Posted by NPV

What would be the best route for an evening start (on a weekday) from Bangalore heading to Kalady and then from there to club Mahindra Ashtamudi?

Plan is to reach Kalady early morning, visit the Sringeri Shankara math, temples and then head to Ashtamudi in the afternoon.

If you plan to travel from Kalady to Ashtamudi in the daytime, please consider either of the two options below instead of the MC Road:

1. Kalady - Muvattupuzha - Arakuzha - Veliyanoor - Uzhavoor - Mallapally - Kumbanad - Sooranad - Ashtamudi
   
2. Kalady - Muvattupuzha - Pala - Ranni Pathanamthitta - Adoor - Sasthamcotta - Ashtamudi

The MC Road option would see heavy traffic, especially on the Thiruvalla - Chengannur route.

[NPV]

Originally Posted by silversteed

If you plan to travel from Kalady to Ashtamudi in the daytime, please consider either of the two options below instead of the MC Road.

Can you make it simpler by suggesting which of the two is better? This is our very first time driving in these parts of Kerala. We would be doing a weekday afternoon drive from Kalady to Ashtamudi.

[silversteed]

Originally Posted by NPV

Can you make it simpler by suggesting which of the two is better? This is our very first time driving in these parts of Kerala. We would be doing a weekday afternoon drive from Kalady to Ashtamudi.

I have taken #2 myself a couple of times (not to Ashtamudi, but towards Kottarakkara) and the first option was suggested by a friend from Chengannur. If I were to pick one, it would be #2 since I have driven on that route.

[ampere]

Originally Posted by NPV

Can you make it simpler by suggesting which of the two is better? This is our very first time driving in these parts of Kerala. We would be doing a weekday afternoon drive from Kalady to Ashtamudi.

Originally Posted by silversteed

I have taken #2 myself a couple of times (not to Ashtamudi, but towards Kottarakkara) and the first option was suggested by a friend from Chengannur. If I were to pick one, it would be #2 since I have driven on that route.

I was thinking between MC road and Ranni option and suggested MC because of rain and more ghat sections in the latter. How does the equation change with monsoon?

[NPV]

Few more queries for food, parking:
1. Where to park and enter the Sree Padmanabhaswamy temple ? Is it the west nada/entrance ?

2. Breakfast somewhere nearby after a visit to Sree Padmanabhaswamy temple

3. Plan to visit Padmanabhapuram palace next and then return to Ashtamudi. Any recommendations for lunch (good vegetarian options)?

4. Any good restaurants around Club Mahindra Ashtamudi just in case we get bored of their buffet spread over 2 days?

[darklord]

Originally Posted by NPV

Few more queries for food, parking:

I am not so sure the cops still allow parking at west nada (I could be wrong).

The closest paid parkings are:
https://maps.app.goo.gl/so87jFo6peSHDL8C6 (KSRTC land given as paid parking)
and
https://maps.app.goo.gl/uEXWM5dQtBS7BkTm8

As for query 3, I suggest either:
https://maps.app.goo.gl/969fmNyCgH3t2Hhz6 (parking is available, but a bit tricky).
or
https://maps.app.goo.gl/cj2AcccvpFABY1XU7

Do note that traditional wear is a must for Sree Padmanabhaswamy Temple darshan.

These hotels in Kollam town always come up when discussing non-veg restaurants (I have visited none of them):
https://maps.app.goo.gl/8K3Xk3Co5tovGMm36
and
https://maps.app.goo.gl/6EjrJ1HX5dErNnRf6
and
https://maps.app.goo.gl/LuGTYCo2v2u86i4e9 (mainly fish)

Sree Suprabhatham is a good veg restaurant nearby:
https://maps.app.goo.gl/GTfxkSfyHXWZMm7u7

[NPV]

Originally Posted by darklord

I am not so sure the cops still allow parking at west nada (I could be wrong).

Thanks so much, invaluable information!


Is there a specific entrance from where we should enter the Padmanabhaswamy temple for Darshan or are there multiple entrances to get in ?

Any suggestions for breakfast somewhere near the temple after our darshan?
Looking up on gmaps I found these eateries rated high and close to the temple - Venkadesa Bhavan, Gaurisankar, Udupi Hotel, Annapoorna, Aryaas Park, Alankar and Mothers Veg about 1+km away.

Would prefer something nearby so that we can then walk to the Swathi Thirunal palace for a visit.

[Thanos-VV]

Originally Posted by NPV

Any suggestions for breakfast somewhere near the temple after our darshan?

Ariya Nivaas near KSRTC Bus Stand Thampanoor is a good option for Veg.