[kirantp]

Originally Posted by naveen.raju

Take the route that ranjit pointed out. Took that route long time back so cant comment on the road conditions.

Originally Posted by RajeshK

Stayed at North Park, Vadagara on last 07th Sep'12. Rooms are neat, but costly considering their available facilities. The normal AC room is 2K+ Tax and Delux is 2.5K+tax (3K). Their parking is very limited, only 2 cars can park at a time and remining has to park in the NH side.

Originally Posted by ranjitp1

You could go via the Udumulpet-Chinnar-Munnar route and cone back via the Theni-Dindigul-Nh7-Salem route.This way you dont have to come back the way you went.Both routes are good and equally scenic.There is some widening work happening at Dindigul but nothing to worry about.430am departure should see you reaching Munnar by 1230.The Mcdonalds,A2B etc after wouldnt open until 630am iirc.Your safest bet would be Saravana Bhavan at Sankari or the expensive GRT at Salem.

@Naveen, Rajesh, Ranjitp: Thank you for your inputs.
On the route, this would be the one I should be doing as suggtested by Ranjitp, correct?
Onward: bangalore- krishnagiri-salem-coimbatur-pollachi-udmalapet-chinnar-munnar

Return: Munnar-chinnar-Theni-Dindigul-Nh7-Salem-krishnagiri-bangalore

[coolclouds]

Originally Posted by kirantp

@Naveen, Rajesh, Ranjitp: Thank you for your inputs.
On the route, this would be the one I should be doing as suggtested by Ranjitp, correct?
Onward: bangalore- krishnagiri-salem-coimbatur-pollachi-udmalapet-chinnar-munnar

Salem-Tirupur-Palladam-Udumalpet would do. Any specific reasons for Coimbatore/Pollachi?

[kirantp]

Originally Posted by coolclouds

Salem-Tirupur-Palladam-Udumalpet would do. Any specific reasons for Coimbatore/Pollachi?

Hey no specific reason. Just that I found this route in one of the threads. So I will modify the route as suggested by you. Thanks coolclouds.

[ranjitp1]

Originally Posted by kirantp

Hey no specific reason. Just that I found this route in one of the threads. So I will modify the route as suggested by you. Thanks coolclouds.

These are your two routes:

BLR-Udumulpet-Chinnar-Marayoor-Munnar

https://maps.google.co.in/maps?saddr...sz=10&t=m&z=11

Munnar-Theni-Dindigul-Salem-Bangalore

https://maps.google.co.in/maps?saddr...mra=pr&t=m&z=8

For more information,refer to this thread and kindly post your queries there.

http://www.team-bhp.com/forum/route-...-route-35.html

[gadadhar]

Originally Posted by kirantp

Hey no specific reason. Just that I found this route in one of the threads. So I will modify the route as suggested by you. Thanks coolclouds.

It will be better if you avoid Tirupur since you will lose around 1 hours going around the city through the ring road (and can be very confusing). Better option will be Salem - Perundurai - Kangeyam - Dharapuram - Udumalaipet - Marayoor - Munnar. I used to do Vijayamangalam - Palladam route earlier, but moved to this later since it takes less time and no madenning rush of Tirupur. I did this route few weeks back, roads are excellent except for close to 10 kms after Chinnar TN checkpost.

Below thread have lot of information, let me know if you need anything further

http://www.team-bhp.com/forum/route-...-route-35.html

[mushy876]

Team,

I along with a group of 10-15 friends would be travelling during the 1st weekend of December. We are looking to spend a couple of nights, either in Lonavala or Panchgani/Mahabaleshwar. I think we would be looking for bungalow/ Cottage kind of staying options, i believe this would help in both keeping the costs reasonable and keeping the camaraderie going. Request you kind folks to suggest options at both places.
Initial research have turned up places like Basilica Bungalows in Lonavala and The Ravine at Panchgani(Duplex rooms here host upto 4 each).
Regards.

[kirantp]

Originally Posted by gadadhar

It will be better if you avoid Tirupur since you will lose around 1 hours going around the city through the ring road (and can be very confusing). Better option will be Salem - Perundurai - Kangeyam - Dharapuram - Udumalaipet - Marayoor - Munnar. I used to do Vijayamangalam - Palladam route earlier, but moved to this later since it takes less time and no madenning rush of Tirupur. I did this route few weeks back, roads are excellent except for close to 10 kms after Chinnar TN checkpost.

Below thread have lot of information, let me know if you need anything further

http://www.team-bhp.com/forum/route-...-route-35.html

Thanks Gadadhar. How are the roads between Kangeyam - Dharapuram - Udumalaipet ? We will be driving in All New Honda City, hope there will not be any belly scrapers enroute.

[NPV]

Originally Posted by kirantp

How are the roads between Kangeyam - Dharapuram - Udumalaipet ? We will be driving in All New Honda City, hope there will not be any belly scrapers enroute.

On my way back to Bangalore recently I took Pollachi-Palladam-Kangeyam-Perundurai route and the roads were in good condition, 2 lane undivided roads with trees on either side, scenic and will take you back to the good ol' days when all highways were like that, can't remember any belly scrapers
I don't expect Dharapuram-Udumalaipet to be bad either, hope I'm not wrong.

[faustus77]

Marlon/Narayans80/J.Ravi and any member in Pondicherry.
hi everybody
You may recall that in Feb you all were very helpful in finding a safe good hotel for a single female in Chennai.She stayed at Accord and she was well taken care of.
She wants to go for 2/3 days to Pondicherry and stay near the Aurobindo ashram/Auroville.
Can you please recommend a good safe hotel there.
How does she travel from the airport to Auroville?
Do luxury buses start from the airport so she can catch it?
Would prefer buses instead of a cab as that would be safer.
The hotel should have dining hall attached so she doesnt have to go out to eat at night.
She would be there from 29th sep to 3rd oct.
Thanks a lot
Regards
PS:how are the roads and how long does it take by a luxury bus?

[ranjitp1]

Originally Posted by faustus77

She wants to go for 2/3 days to Pondicherry and stay near the Aurobindo ashram/Auroville.
Can you please recommend a good safe hotel there.
How does she travel from the airport to Auroville?
Do luxury buses start from the airport so she can catch it?
Would prefer buses instead of a cab as that would be safer.
The hotel should have dining hall attached so she doesnt have to go out to eat at night.
She would be there from 29th sep to 3rd oct.

PS:how are the roads and how long does it take by a luxury bus?

AFAIK,all buses to Pondy from Chennai depart from Koyambedu Bus Station.Since she is new to Chennai,I would suggest that she head to the the starting point of the bus rather than trying to board enroute at Thiruvanmiyur etc.

You could book online on redbus.in / ticketgoose.in/ makemytrip/ or on Rathimeena.co.in which is a very good operator on this route.Buses leave at all times.It is just a 4-5hr drive from Chennai to Pondy.Road is good and very scenic all along the East Coast Road(ECR).Most of the operators have seats earmarked for ladies,so select those.

As for stay options in Pondicherry,there are all kinds depending on budget.My reccomendations would be as follows:GRT Grand,Ocean Spray,Le Pondy,De L'orient,Promenade,Du Parc,Le Dupleix,I would reccomend GRT or Athithi.Having said that the others mentioned above are equally excellent.

[ampere]

Originally Posted by coolclouds

Salem-Tirupur-Palladam-Udumalpet would do. Any specific reasons for Coimbatore/Pollachi?

Originally Posted by kirantp

Hey no specific reason. Just that I found this route in one of the threads. So I will modify the route as suggested by you. Thanks coolclouds.

I think you would be better off taking Perundurai-Kangeyam-Dharapuram-Udumalpet road.
Because there is a high probability of getting stuck in one ways at Tiruppur.

In fact the route via Dharapuram is the one which most people take to Munnar.

[gadadhar]

Originally Posted by kirantp

Thanks Gadadhar. How are the roads between Kangeyam - Dharapuram - Udumalaipet ? We will be driving in All New Honda City, hope there will not be any belly scrapers enroute.

No worries there, roads are in very good shape till Udumalpet and your new city will be fine ( I did this is BMW 320 D which has a low GC, didn't have any issues). There is a small detour you need to take in Udumal - Chinnar road due to Railway overbridge construction. There are very few direction boards here and there, follow the traffic should get you back to the main road. After crossing the Chinnar TN checkpost road is bad for around 10 kms, but is manageable with your City

[Marlon]

Originally Posted by faustus77

Marlon/Narayans80/J.Ravi and any member in Pondicherry.

Question, from which place is your friend travelling to Chennai ? If she is coming from B'lore then I would suggest her to take a direct luxury bus to Pondy.

Cons of taking a Bus from Chennai to Pondy:

1. Most/All of the Luxury Buses are long distance buses with a mid-way stop in Pondy. So timings will not be right

2. From Chennai - Airport to Bus Stop - You need to spend Rs 450 by Cab and 1 - 1.5 hrs of travel depending on Traffic.

3. Bus Travel from Chennai - Pondy - Approx 4 Hours

Bus Tickets can be booked through RedBus.in . Preferred Buses are Parveen Travels , Rathimeena and then Universal.

Other State Buses are frequent but best to be avoided. Quality is Bad and takes a longer time with numerous stops in between.

Pro's of taking a cab from Chennai Airport

1. Chennai to Pondy will be less than 3 hours depending on traffic.

2. No wastage of time in city traffic , waiting for bus , odd timings.

Some Cabs from Airport - Fast Track , Aviation Express

Luxury Cabs like Avis will charge higher but would be safe.

MillionDots Taxi newly started cab has Etios Car with GPS and great service. But they are fleet is small and once they did not turn up for my airport drop.

Cons

1. Cost may be approx 3000 for one way travel.

2. Though travel is safe, since it is single female traveler need to think twice.

Road to Pondy :

1. Via East Coast Road - Scenic Drive , Takes more time , Single Lane, Best to be avoided since it is one of most accident prone roads with drunk drivers from Pondy having a gala time

2. Via Thindivanam - 4 Lane Highway all the way to Pondy. Approx 160 Kms can be covered in less than 2.5 hours depending on the time of Travel. Safe Road.

Hotels,

1. I have stayed at Athiti and it is awesome. Highly recommended. Great Food and Roof top swimming pool.

2. GRT , Le Pondy , etc are great but prices may be on the higher side.


Final Suggestion,

Try to book a package with these hotels which includes Pick-Up , Drop from Chennai Airport. Ask these guys to avoid ECR drive.

This way could be safe and would save a lot of travel time.



Rgds
Marlon

[faustus77]

Marlon
Hi and thanks a lot for your reply.
She is my daughter.
I read somewhere about the ashram guest houses.
Any idea about them
Just now called up Atithi.They are 12 km away from Auroville.
She wants to stay within walking distance of auroville.Any places you know of?
I would prefer she goes by bus.That would be safer.
Will advise her to go via Thindivanam in case she takes a cab.
Thanks once again and regards

[AbhishekB86]

Originally Posted by faustus77

Marlon
Hi and thanks a lot for your reply.
She is my daughter.
I read somewhere about the ashram guest houses.
Any idea about them
Just now called up Atithi.They are 12 km away from Auroville.
She wants to stay within walking distance of auroville.Any places you know of?
I would prefer she goes by bus.That would be safer.
Will advise her to go via Thindivanam in case she takes a cab.
Thanks once again and regards

Hello Sir.

I have been to Auroville. Your daughter may choose to stay at Purple which is a few kms away from the Mandir. However if you do have time till tomorrow morning I can consult my friend and give you very accurate details.
Please note this friend of mine was a single lady traveller who was in Auroville/Pondicherry about 4 times last year.
Autos are expensive in Auroville. If your daughter knows how to ride it will make a lot of sense to rent a Kinetic.
Please be assured Pondicherry/Auroville is a safe place for women. She may take the local bus. If I remember correctly there is a hostel in Pondicherry too. I shall advise you in detail and will ask my friend to reply to your query.