[NPV]

Originally Posted by sandeep3in

My search yielded 2 routes

The first one is through Dindigul and the 2nd one is through Udumalaipettai in Tamil Nadu.

The route through udumalpettai shows less distance but not aware of the condition of the roads on these routes.

The NH7 Dindigul route is faster though distance may be slightly more compared to Udumalaipettai. Also, if your hotel/resort is on the Chinnakanal side (Club Mahindra, Sterling, etc) then it's better to take Dindigul route - Munnar town from Chinnakanal is easily an hour's drive usually.

[ampere]

Add to it the fact that Dindigul to Theni has lots of diversions. Even that can eat up on your time a bit.
But sure the option via Dindigul, would reduce the drive time on the ghats.

But would surely recommend the Udumalpet route on the way back. It has got beautiful scenery.
Because while returning, you are not bound to make it to destination in time due to fading light in the ghats.

[rameshnanda]

Originally Posted by sandeep3in

The route through udumalpettai shows less distance but not aware of the condition of the roads on these routes.

Of the topic , can some one who is been to Munnar suggest a good and decent accommodation for a family.

As per the reports I have (from a person who used the Udumalpet route to Munnar last week), the roads are mostly very good and few potholes between the first checkpost and the TN, KL forest checkposts. That's not a big deal anyway. I would strongly recommend this route both ways given the fact that Dindigul-Theni is in Pathetic condition. If you have a Sedan, it would be real pain in the Dindigul-Theni section. If want to try out the Theni route, think about doing Madurai-Theni instead.

Few accommodations that I recommend.

Tea Valley Resort

Deshadan Resorts & Hotels | Munnar | Varkala | Chettinadu | Maldives | Srilanka | Lakshadeep

Glenmore resort munnar, Munnar resorts, Munnar homestay, Munnar hotels

Food is excellent at Deshadan. Driving down to the Glenmore resort is adventurous. Be cautious on that too.

[narayans80]

Originally Posted by rameshnanda

If want to try out the Theni route, think about doing Madurai-Theni instead.

Going through Madurai bypass isn't much of a detour anyway. Except for 2-3 patches, Madurai-Theni is in great shape.

[Chillout]

Planning to travel from Coimbatore to Munnar on August 16th. If anyone else is planning to travel on the same date, let me know. We can meet up and go together. Also I hope folks who are planning to leave in the first week of August give us an update on the current road conditions

[.sourov]

Hi Guys, I am planning a trip to Munnar on last week of August and I will be driving my car. Please let me know which is the best route to take during that time as I think it will be peak rainy season and also whether that’s a good time to visit the place. We will be two couples and some information regarding accommodation will also be great, we are looking for something at a budget of 3000 per couple per day. I own a Ritz so roads will potholes and offroading are a strict no no.
Keep Revving
.sourov

[nfsfreak]

Friends,

I am planning Trichy-Theni in a Corolla next week with family. Will start from Trichy on Saturday around 5 AM. My work in Theni is just for 2-3 hours. (hoping to reach Theni by 8-9 AM)
So, planning to visit Munnar & Thekkady and return to Trichy by Sunday night.

My current plan is to visit Thekkady from Theni on Saturday (will reach thekkady by 2-3 PM). After the boat ride, planning to reach Munnar for Saturday Night halt (may be start from Thekkady by 5 or 6 PM).
Else, the alternate would be to reach Munnar by Saturday afternoon from Theni and try to cover Thekkady on Sunday afternoon.

My queries:
As per recent updates, Dinidigul-Theni (70Kms) is pathetic but Trichy-Dindigul is in very good condition (100 Kms- 4L).
So, do let me know if its that worse that I should consider Trichy-Madurai-Theni instead (adds around 40+ kms)?

How are the roads between Thekkady-Munnar. Whether is it safe to drive in the evenings/night in that section?

Is this a good time to visit Munnar? How will be the climate now?
(I am taking my grandmother for this trip who is 65+. So, I have to be careful while planning the trip regarding the climate,rains etc).

Is Thekkady worth a visit? Will the boat rides get cancelled if it rains?

[ampere]

Originally Posted by nfsfreak

My queries:
As per recent updates, Dinidigul-Theni (70Kms) is pathetic but Trichy-Dindigul is in very good condition (100 Kms- 4L).
So, do let me know if its that worse that I should consider Trichy-Madurai-Theni instead (adds around 40+ kms)?

I can see this option on Google maps

- At Dindigul take NH7 and come down till Kodai road.
- Take the road to Batlagundu.
- At Batlagundu take the road to Andipatti/Jakkampatty where you get on to Madurai Theni road.

I think Batlagundu-Kodai has good roads. But I dont know about Andipatti to Batlagundu. Attached is the routing for your reference:

Bypassing Dindigul-Theni

Madurai option is good, but for crossing Madurai itself !

[nfsfreak]

Originally Posted by ampere

I can see this option on Google maps
- At Dindigul take NH7 and come down till Kodai road.
- Take the road to Batlagundu.
- At Batlagundu take the road to Andipatti/Jakkampatty where you get on to Madurai Theni road.
............

Thanks for the link Ampere. This option looks good.
I've been on this road from Dindigul-Madurai road towards Batlagundu for my recent Kodai trip from Madurai and know that its in good condition till Batlagundu. But this havent crossed my mind that I could use this while coming from Trichy too


Any updates on Thekkady-Munnar stretch?
Google maps listed three options but not sure about the road conditions.

via Rajakad, Karithode, Nedumkandam, Anakkara - 87 Kms
Munnar, Kerala, India to Kumily, Kerala, India - Google Maps

via Chinnakanal, Poopara, Nedumkandam, Anakkara - 102 Kms
Munnar, Kerala, India to Kumily, Kerala, India - Google Maps

via Idukki - 94 Kms
Munnar, Kerala, India to Kumily, Kerala, India - Google Maps

[ampere]

Originally Posted by nfsfreak

Any updates on Thekkady-Munnar stretch?
Google maps listed three options but not sure about the road conditions.

@nfs
Before my driving days, I took the train to Kodai road and then hired a cab to Kodai.
Thats how it struck me !

About Thekady-Munnar:
Best route is via Nedumkandam/Poppara. Here is HVK for you !
(I hope situation is still the same)

http://www.team-bhp.com/forum/route-...ml#post2706737

[nfsfreak]

Originally Posted by ampere

@nfs
Before my driving days, I took the train to Kodai road and then hired a cab to Kodai.
Thats how it struck me !

About Thekady-Munnar:
Best route is via Nedumkandam/Poppara. Here is HVK for you !

Routes are decided then.
Thanks a lot Ampere. you rock!!!
Asked for latest updates on Thekkady-Munnar stretch in that thread, as I would be driving in the night

[luvurride]

Originally Posted by nfsfreak

Any updates on Thekkady-Munnar stretch?
Google maps listed three options but not sure about the road conditions.

I've driven the Poopara route from Thekkady to Munnar. This road actually joins the Madurai-Cochin highway at Poopara. The roads were ranging from good to bad depending on the stretches, 2 years ago. I did it in my Swift and was doable. So Corolla should manage quite fine. The route was quite deserted when I drove during the day and was really scary at a few stretches. With your start time of 5-6pm, if it was me, I really would not do this route.

Instead I suggest you stay the night at Thekkady and then attempt the drive early in the morning. Thekkady would offer you the same quality of stay at cheaper prices. Munnar's resorts are comparatively expensive.

Another option could be to do Munnar first and then get back to Thekkady on Saturday evening and then do the boat ride early morning. Early morning boat rides in Periyar river are the best and is most recommended for wildlife sightings.

[nfsfreak]

Originally Posted by luvurride

Instead I suggest you stay the night at Thekkady and then attempt the drive early in the morning. Thekkady would offer you the same quality of stay at cheaper prices. Munnar's resorts are comparatively expensive.

Another option could be to do Munnar first and then get back to Thekkady on Saturday evening and then do the boat ride early morning. Early morning boat rides in Periyar river are the best and is most recommended for wildlife sightings.

Thanks Luvurride. I think staying @ Thekkady is good option. Is there any other place to cover in Thekkady other than the Boat ride?

[luvurride]

Originally Posted by nfsfreak

Thanks Luvurride. I think staying @ Thekkady is good option. Is there any other place to cover in Thekkady other than the Boat ride?

You could go watch Kalaripayattu and Kathakali. There are usually evening shows scheduled everyday. This is offered in the main road that goes to the sanctuary. There is also an elephant camp where you could go for elephant rides. You could easily gather all these details from the resort locally.

My favorites though - Taking a stroll in the main road that goes to the sanctuary as it wears a leisurely and pleasant feel, and ofcourse a kerala ayurvedic massage!

Oh I just remembered I have written a travelogue on my Thekkady trip and the second page that has the final log has some pictures of the Poopara road too! Hope this helps!
http://www.team-bhp.com/forum/travel...hekkady-2.html

[satshen]

Originally Posted by androdev

Just got back from a trip to Munanr. Used Marayur road to go and Theni route to return.

Marayur route:
- Few forest check posts that require you to get down from the car and sign in the register
- It is a narrow road that makes it hard to overtake so you will mostly be trailing another car.
- But the traffic is smooth and reasonably safe road without too many blind curves
- Most of the route is through forest and not through "tea estates" - so when you people say it is scenic - it is forest-scenic and not tea-estate-scenic.

------->
I would pick Marayur route simply because it is stress free except for the check post stops.

Hated Theni route because of zillions of blind curves - in this part of the country buses/taxis/autos are driven very rashly so driving through this road requires way too much caution.

Btw, no cell phone signals through out most of these stretches.

Hi

Please could you give any information on the timings for the forest check posts. Heard that the check posts close for the night on the Marayur - Munnar route.

Thanx

Satish