Bangalore - Kodaikanal - Munnar : Route Queries

Lightening-Fast · 17th August 2010, 09:03

@vartakavi and @Ampere, thanks a lot for the info guys. But i have my stay covered. I am more inclined to know if there are any good refuelling options in Dindigul before i hit the ghats. And are there any pure veg restaurants in Kodai. My dad refuses to eat. I am going to look for it anyways, but just a heads up would be helpful for sure

ampere · 17th August 2010, 09:59

Quote:

Originally Posted by Lightening-Fast

@vartakavi and @Ampere, thanks a lot for the info guys. But i have my stay covered. I am more inclined to know if there are any good refuelling options in Dindigul before i hit the ghats. And are there any pure veg restaurants in Kodai. My dad refuses to eat. I am going to look for it anyways, but just a heads up would be helpful for sure

Not sure about it. There SHOULD be a BP definitely! Salem has one on the 5 roads junction. No idea about Dindigul.

blackstallion76 · 2nd May 2011, 10:39

Hi Friends,

I am planning for Kodai trip from May 11 - 15. Booked Kodai resort for 2 nights. I want to try out some hotels around Marayoor.

1. Any good hotels around Marayoor?
2. Planning to leave BLR by 4am and reach Kodai at 12pm? Is that doable with sedate driving with family?
3. OR Should I plan to drive half the distance till salem/namakkal previous night and leave early to reach kodai?

While coming from Marayoor, what route to take back to bangalore that too on Sunday?

Please advice.

laluks · 2nd May 2011, 10:52

Quote:

Originally Posted by blackstallion76

Hi Friends,

I am planning for Kodai trip from May 11 - 15. Booked Kodai resort for 2 nights. I want to try out some hotels around Marayoor.

1. Any good hotels around Marayoor?
2. Planning to leave BLR by 4am and reach Kodai at 12pm? Is that doable with sedate driving with family?
3. OR Should I plan to drive half the distance till salem/namakkal previous night and leave early to reach kodai?

While coming from Marayoor, what route to take back to bangalore that too on Sunday?

Please advice.

Point 1.
Don't know, but why? Its just 30 odd kms from Munnar.
May be there would be some home stays?

Point 2.
BLr Kodai is doable as you said. BLR to Perunduarai is all 4 lane road. Before you'll realise you started to drive you'll be there. Consider a max of 4 hours till here. Perundarai, Dhrapuram, palani, kodai are mostly two lane road. A relaxed ( with photo stops, etc..) drive could take 5 to 6 hours.

Consider 10 to 11 hour for this Blr kodi stretch.

Else BLR, Salem, Dindigul, Kodi road is again 4 lane. This could take 6 hours. kodai road to kodai is around 80km. Will take around 2 to 2.5 hours with your photo stops

point 3.
Not required.

ampere · 2nd May 2011, 11:49

You can be at Salem in 2.5 to 3 hours max! The route via Dindigul-Batlagundu may be swifter as most part of it is 4L.

rameshnanda · 2nd May 2011, 11:55

Quote:

Originally Posted by blackstallion76

Hi Friends,

I am planning for Kodai trip from May 11 - 15. Booked Kodai resort for 2 nights. I want to try out some hotels around Marayoor.

1. Any good hotels around Marayoor?
2. Planning to leave BLR by 4am and reach Kodai at 12pm? Is that doable with sedate driving with family?
3. OR Should I plan to drive half the distance till salem/namakkal previous night and leave early to reach kodai?

While coming from Marayoor, what route to take back to bangalore that too on Sunday?

Please advice.

The best route for you to come back to Bangalore would be Munnar-Maraiyoor-Udumalai-Dharapuram-Kangeyam-Perundurai-Salem-Krishnagiri-Bangalore.

gadadhar · 2nd May 2011, 17:33

Quote:

Originally Posted by blackstallion76

Hi Friends,

I am planning for Kodai trip from May 11 - 15. Booked Kodai resort for 2 nights. I want to try out some hotels around Marayoor.

1. Any good hotels around Marayoor?

While coming from Marayoor, what route to take back to bangalore that too on Sunday?

Please advice.

There is Chandana Residency,Marayoor Hotels:Chandana Resorts,Chandana Residency,Chandana Annexe,Chandana Herbal Palace ,Munnar,Kerala,India in Marayoor if you are looking for stay. If it is for a food break, there family restaurant was closed for renovation last month, not sure whether it is functional now

rameshnanda suggestion is the best route from Marayoor to Bangalore

BTW - Not related to above post. Got a speeding ticket (they are using speed gun) on 25th April while driving towards Munnar around 5 kms before Adimaly. People driving from Kothamangalam to Munnar, please be careful. They are not giving the usual +10 kms allowance since it is in the high-range, so you have to be driving below 70 kmph.

blackstallion76 · 9th May 2011, 14:10

Thanks for suggestions. I have booked Bella Vista.
Since, I will be leaving Bangy by 4am and probably reaching salem by 7.30am. Are there any good eatouts on highway near Salem or after that? Please advise.

Also, driving from Kodai to Munnar. Hence would like to know if there are any good restaurants on the way.

rameshnanda · 9th May 2011, 14:30

Quote:

Originally Posted by blackstallion76

Thanks for suggestions. I have booked Bella Vista.
Since, I will be leaving Bangy by 4am and probably reaching salem by 7.30am. Are there any good eatouts on highway near Salem or after that? Please advise.

Also, driving from Kodai to Munnar. Hence would like to know if there are any good restaurants on the way.

If you are entering Salem, you would get good restaurants near central bus station. If you need it on the highway, there is GRT on the NH7 itself and you will get A2B after Dharmapuri before Thoppur toll.

For Kodai to Munnar, you would be doing, Kodai-Theni-Bodi-Munnar. I once had snack at Hotel Saravana Bhavan in Theni and the quality is very average.

ampere · 9th May 2011, 15:29

GRT is costly (300 per buffet), but provides a welcome break after driving for about 200km to Salem. Since you start early, you may reach faster. Do note they open only at 7!

naveen.raju · 9th May 2011, 16:14

Quote:

Originally Posted by blackstallion76

Also, driving from Kodai to Munnar. Hence would like to know if there are any good restaurants on the way.

Theni is the best option. After that you wont find good eat outs. Maybe few open restaurants (quick bites) near the border.

blackstallion76 · 16th May 2011, 14:34

Thank you all for suggestions.
Came back from Blr-Kodai-Munnar-Blr trip yesterday. It was good overall for family vacation. Weather was not good at all. It was same as Bangalore more or less.
Main reason I opted to Kodai/Munnar was for the weather. But, I was not impressed.
Ooty seems to be good compared to Kodai/Munnar in terms of weather.
Awesome view points in Munnar and Kodai. Just my thoughts.

It seems the Palani-Kodai road is in good shape now.

BLR-KODAI: 465kms - 7 hrs
BLR-HOSUR-SALEM-KARUR-DINDIGUL-VATHLAGUNDU-KODAI

KODAI-MUNNAR: 180kms- 6hrs
KODAI-VATHLAGUNDU BYPASS-THENI-BODI-BODIMETTU-POOPARAI-DEVIKULAM-MUNNAR-CHITHIRAPURAM

MUNNAR-BLR: 490kms - 10hrs
MUNNAR-MARAYOOR-CHINNAR-UDULAMPATI-DHARAPURAM-KANGEYAM-PERUNDURAI-BHAVANI-METTUR-THOPPUR-HOSUR-BLR
Most tiring drive from Munnar to U.Pati. Lots of traffic due to huge rush.
People parking on either side of the roads without any sense.
Took 2.5 hrs just from Munnar to Marayoor.
And from Mettur to Thoppur the road was never ending.
Is there any shortcut from Mettur to NH7? How many kms is Mettur from NH?

ranjitp1 · 16th May 2011, 15:26

Quote:

Originally Posted by blackstallion76

KODAI-MUNNAR: 180kms- 6hrs

MUNNAR-BLR: 490kms - 10hrs
MUNNAR-MARAYOOR-CHINNAR-UDULAMPATI-DHARAPURAM-KANGEYAM-PERUNDURAI-BHAVANI-METTUR-THOPPUR-HOSUR-BLR

Stick to coming via Salem now a days as the NH7 is fully 4 laned now.Join NH7 at Perundurari and go on till Bangalore.

Going via Bhavani-Mettur is not an option anymore.It is a fast drive via Salem and no holdups anywhere.

Any reason why Kodai to Munnar took 6 hours or was it just a slow drive?

blackstallion76 · 16th May 2011, 16:06

Agreed. I should have stick to NH7 all the way. Had problems finding inner roads in towns.
From Kodai to Munnar the longest was the Pooparai-Munnar. I did normal driving.
Kodai to Theni - 2.5 hrs. Actually, I had gone little far ahead of Bodi bypass. People said to go the Kumili and go to Munnar. Then I detoured back to Bodi bypass.

Devikulam road has some buses traffic to move. It was like a single lane road.
After that, I had to reach Chithirapuram. Asking directions took some time as well.
Folks in Kodai said, it normaly takes 4-4.5hrs.

ampere · 16th May 2011, 18:41

Mettur road now is full of trucks, who only want to take that route to avoid toll. Apart from that, not worth taking at all. GQ is in very good shape. Salem by-pass very good, but for one/two cross-roads.

Sign-boards towards Bangalore sometimes can be a bit confusing. But over all definitely worth taking this option.

Plus if one is fine to splurge, great food at GRT and right on the highway!

17th August 2010, 09:03	#196
Lightening-Fast BHPian Join Date: Jun 2010 Location: Bangalore Posts: 252 Thanked: 17 Times	@vartakavi and @Ampere, thanks a lot for the info guys. But i have my stay covered. I am more inclined to know if there are any good refuelling options in Dindigul before i hit the ghats. And are there any pure veg restaurants in Kodai. My dad refuses to eat. I am going to look for it anyways, but just a heads up would be helpful for sure
	() Thanks

2nd May 2011, 10:39	#198
blackstallion76 BHPian Join Date: May 2008 Location: Bangalore Posts: 349 Thanked: 80 Times View My Garage	re: Bangalore - Kodaikanal - Munnar : Route Queries Hi Friends, I am planning for Kodai trip from May 11 - 15. Booked Kodai resort for 2 nights. I want to try out some hotels around Marayoor. 1. Any good hotels around Marayoor? 2. Planning to leave BLR by 4am and reach Kodai at 12pm? Is that doable with sedate driving with family? 3. OR Should I plan to drive half the distance till salem/namakkal previous night and leave early to reach kodai? While coming from Marayoor, what route to take back to bangalore that too on Sunday? Please advice.
	() Thanks

2nd May 2011, 11:49	#200
ampere Team-BHP Support Join Date: Sep 2009 Location: Bangalore Posts: 18,321 Thanked: 13,599 Times View My Garage	re: Bangalore - Kodaikanal - Munnar : Route Queries You can be at Salem in 2.5 to 3 hours max! The route via Dindigul-Batlagundu may be swifter as most part of it is 4L.
	() Thanks

9th May 2011, 14:10	#203
blackstallion76 BHPian Join Date: May 2008 Location: Bangalore Posts: 349 Thanked: 80 Times View My Garage	re: Bangalore - Kodaikanal - Munnar : Route Queries Thanks for suggestions. I have booked Bella Vista. Since, I will be leaving Bangy by 4am and probably reaching salem by 7.30am. Are there any good eatouts on highway near Salem or after that? Please advise. Also, driving from Kodai to Munnar. Hence would like to know if there are any good restaurants on the way.
	() Thanks

9th May 2011, 15:29	#205
ampere Team-BHP Support Join Date: Sep 2009 Location: Bangalore Posts: 18,321 Thanked: 13,599 Times View My Garage	re: Bangalore - Kodaikanal - Munnar : Route Queries GRT is costly (300 per buffet), but provides a welcome break after driving for about 200km to Salem. Since you start early, you may reach faster. Do note they open only at 7!
	() Thanks

16th May 2011, 14:34	#207
blackstallion76 BHPian Join Date: May 2008 Location: Bangalore Posts: 349 Thanked: 80 Times View My Garage	re: Bangalore - Kodaikanal - Munnar : Route Queries Thank you all for suggestions. Came back from Blr-Kodai-Munnar-Blr trip yesterday. It was good overall for family vacation. Weather was not good at all. It was same as Bangalore more or less. Main reason I opted to Kodai/Munnar was for the weather. But, I was not impressed. Ooty seems to be good compared to Kodai/Munnar in terms of weather. Awesome view points in Munnar and Kodai. Just my thoughts. It seems the Palani-Kodai road is in good shape now. BLR-KODAI: 465kms - 7 hrs BLR-HOSUR-SALEM-KARUR-DINDIGUL-VATHLAGUNDU-KODAI KODAI-MUNNAR: 180kms- 6hrs KODAI-VATHLAGUNDU BYPASS-THENI-BODI-BODIMETTU-POOPARAI-DEVIKULAM-MUNNAR-CHITHIRAPURAM MUNNAR-BLR: 490kms - 10hrs MUNNAR-MARAYOOR-CHINNAR-UDULAMPATI-DHARAPURAM-KANGEYAM-PERUNDURAI-BHAVANI-METTUR-THOPPUR-HOSUR-BLR Most tiring drive from Munnar to U.Pati. Lots of traffic due to huge rush. People parking on either side of the roads without any sense. Took 2.5 hrs just from Munnar to Marayoor. And from Mettur to Thoppur the road was never ending. Is there any shortcut from Mettur to NH7? How many kms is Mettur from NH?
	() Thanks

16th May 2011, 16:06	#209
blackstallion76 BHPian Join Date: May 2008 Location: Bangalore Posts: 349 Thanked: 80 Times View My Garage	re: Bangalore - Kodaikanal - Munnar : Route Queries Agreed. I should have stick to NH7 all the way. Had problems finding inner roads in towns. From Kodai to Munnar the longest was the Pooparai-Munnar. I did normal driving. Kodai to Theni - 2.5 hrs. Actually, I had gone little far ahead of Bodi bypass. People said to go the Kumili and go to Munnar. Then I detoured back to Bodi bypass. Devikulam road has some buses traffic to move. It was like a single lane road. After that, I had to reach Chithirapuram. Asking directions took some time as well. Folks in Kodai said, it normaly takes 4-4.5hrs.
	() Thanks

16th May 2011, 18:41	#210
ampere Team-BHP Support Join Date: Sep 2009 Location: Bangalore Posts: 18,321 Thanked: 13,599 Times View My Garage	re: Bangalore - Kodaikanal - Munnar : Route Queries Mettur road now is full of trucks, who only want to take that route to avoid toll. Apart from that, not worth taking at all. GQ is in very good shape. Salem by-pass very good, but for one/two cross-roads. Sign-boards towards Bangalore sometimes can be a bit confusing. But over all definitely worth taking this option. Plus if one is fine to splurge, great food at GRT and right on the highway!
	() Thanks