[Fauji]

Originally Posted by NPV

Here is my plan now after booking hotels, do not want to make any leg of the journey hectic:
Dec 24: Bangalore - Madurai, Visit temples, stay overnight @Madurai
Dec 25: Madurai - Kanyakumari
Dec 25-26: Stay @Kanyakumari
Dec 27: Kanyakumari - Rameshwaram, stay overnight @Rameshwaram
Dec 28: Rameshwaram - Bangalore

Need help with choosing hotel at Rameshwaram -
Hotel Queen Palace (near bus stand) Or Hotel Royal Park (Ramnad highway) ?

Narayan,

Looks good.

Queens plaace looked good and seemed to be new when we were in Rameshwaram in August.

On the way back, you can try Rameshwaram - Karaikkudi - Dindigal - Bangalore and visit the Chettinad palace.

In Kanyakumari, make sure you reach early for the boat ride to Vivekananda memorial. Because of holidays, you may end up waiting for 45 mins to an hour if late.

Visit well kept museaum on Vivekananda. Also check timings of temple and be there. If i am not wrong it is closed between 12.30 PM till 4 PM.

Plan to visit beautiful Padmanabhapuram palace which si a short drive on the road to Trivandrum.

Lastly, don't forget Tirunelveli halwa

[ampere]

@NPV,
The other place to see is Suchindram. No extra effort. The temple is almost on the way while coming back from KK towards Madurai.
Not to be missed! . Its a beautiful temple.

[Fauji]

Thanks Ampere. I missed it. He can combine that with Padmanabhapuram palace.

[dreamdiesel]

Originally Posted by NPV

Here is my plan now after booking hotels, do not want to make any leg of the journey hectic:
Dec 24: Bangalore - Madurai, Visit temples, stay overnight @Madurai
Dec 25: Madurai - Kanyakumari
Dec 25-26: Stay @Kanyakumari
Dec 27: Kanyakumari - Rameshwaram, stay overnight @Rameshwaram
Dec 28: Rameshwaram - Bangalore

Need help with choosing hotel at Rameshwaram -
Hotel Queen Palace (near bus stand) Or Hotel Royal Park (Ramnad highway) ?

TTDC has a huge and well maintained property right next to the sea at Rameshwaram. Its located near Agniteertham with walking distance to the temple. I was there a month back and the rooms had been recently renovated. Sea Facing AC rooms for about 1.4k including breakfast. Spacious car park.

I did Bangalore - Madurai (Day1), Madurai - Rameshwaram(Day2), Rameshwaram - Kanyakumari(Day3) and Kanyakumari - Bangalore(Day4)

Kanyakumari - Bangalore is easily doable in 9hrs

[NPV]

Originally Posted by Fauji

Narayan,

Looks good.

Queens plaace looked good and seemed to be new when we were in Rameshwaram in August.

On the way back, you can try Rameshwaram - Karaikkudi - Dindigal - Bangalore and visit the Chettinad palace.

In Kanyakumari, make sure you reach early for the boat ride to Vivekananda memorial. Because of holidays, you may end up waiting for 45 mins to an hour if late.

Visit well kept museaum on Vivekananda. Also check timings of temple and be there. If i am not wrong it is closed between 12.30 PM till 4 PM.

Plan to visit beautiful Padmahnabhapuram palace which si a short drive on the road to Trivandrum.

Lastly, don't forget Tirunelveli halwa

Thank you Poorna Sir ! I checked the map and found Padmanabhapuram and Suchindram on the same route (maybe slight deviation).
Will also check availablility of rooms at Queen Palace, Rameshwaram. Another friend also mentioned that it looked new when he visited Rameshwaram 2 months ago.

Originally Posted by ampere

@NPV,
The other place to see is Suchindram. No extra effort. The temple is almost on the way while coming back from KK towards Madurai.
Not to be missed! . Its a beautiful temple.

Thank you Amp !

Originally Posted by dreamdiesel

TTDC has a huge and well maintained property right next to the sea at Rameshwaram. Its located near Agniteertham with walking distance to the temple. I was there a month back and the rooms had been recently renovated. Sea Facing AC rooms for about 1.4k including breakfast. Spacious car park.

I did Bangalore - Madurai (Day1), Madurai - Rameshwaram(Day2), Rameshwaram - Kanyakumari(Day3) and Kanyakumari - Bangalore(Day4)

Kanyakumari - Bangalore is easily doable in 9hrs

Thanks dreamdiesel. My friend who visited 2 months ago stayed at TTDC but he mentioned rooms may not be available, I will check though.

[rameshnanda]

Originally Posted by NPV

Thanks dreamdiesel. My friend who visited 2 months ago stayed at TTDC but he mentioned rooms may not be available, I will check though.

TTDC, Rameshwaram has ample space for car parking. Thats the best part of this Hotel. Rooms are strictly average. Getting rooms at TTDC wouldn't be that difficult. You can get it. Check this link for online booking.

::: TTDC ONLINE :::

[NPV]

Originally Posted by rameshnanda

TTDC, Rameshwaram has ample space for car parking. Thats the best part of this Hotel. Rooms are strictly average. Getting rooms at TTDC wouldn't be that difficult. You can get it. Check this link for online booking.

::: TTDC ONLINE :::

Thanks Ramesh. The website displayed the message "Room is Not Available in this Dates" so I called them and it's the same status - no availability for 27 Dec. I booked at Hotel Queen Palace, Rameshwaram since it's the only one that had a room available, also confirmed that they do have Parking in their campus.

I booked Hotel Supreme at Madurai but I think they do not have their own parking space. Just wanted to know (@ampere, others ?) if it's safe to park on the road outside the hotel ?

[rameshnanda]

Originally Posted by NPV

Thanks Ramesh. The website displayed the message "Room is Not Available in this Dates" so I called them and it's the same status - no availability for 27 Dec. I booked at Hotel Queen Palace, Rameshwaram since it's the only one that had a room available, also confirmed that they do have Parking in their campus.

I booked Hotel Supreme at Madurai but I think they do not have their own parking space. Just wanted to know (@ampere, others ?) if it's safe to park on the road outside the hotel ?

Personally, I don't prefer parking the vehicle on the road. Did you try with Hotel New College house in Madurai? They do have good parking facility.

[ampere]

Originally Posted by NPV

I booked Hotel Supreme at Madurai but I think they do not have their own parking space. Just wanted to know (@ampere, others ?) if it's safe to park on the road outside the hotel ?

@NPV,
Even I stayed at Supreme once. It does not have a parking. (Although I saw a basement)
But they said we could park next to the hotel and their security guy would take care.

[NPV]

Originally Posted by ampere

@NPV,
Even I stayed at Supreme once. It does not have a parking. (Although I saw a basement)
But they said we could park next to the hotel and their security guy would take care.

Confusion continues - I just called Hotel Supreme, got their contact information from website (Phone : +91 452 2343151).
They mentioned that they do have parking within their campus. Possibly a new development/arrangement ? I'm also trying to confirm/verify this with some friends in Madurai.

[NPV]

Update on Madurai hotel: I spoke to a friend in Madurai who helped with booking a room at The Metropole (Opp. District Courts, Madurai). Parking I'm told is not a problem there. Tariff also seems to be quite similar to Hotel Supreme (since I'd booked Hotel Supreme via traveguru website). Canceling booking at Supreme shortly.

[ajitkumarlb]

Originally Posted by NPV

Folks - need your valuable suggestions.
Planning to drive down from Bangalore to Poovar, Kanyakumari, Rameswaram during Dec 24-28.

@NPV: here we meet again!

I am doing the same route starting 18th on the return will be coming from Kerla (thekkady/munnar).

Here is my plan:
18 Dec: Drive to Yercaud (cover Mettur & hogenakkal)
19 Dec: Stay in yercaud (shevaroysgroup.com booked)
20 Dec: Drive to Madurai (What's on the way?) (Hotelmalaresidency.com booked)
21 Dec: Drive to Rameshwaram (What's on the ay?)
22 Dec: Stay in Rameshwaram (Hotel is the big question???)
23 Dec: Drive to KK (What's on the ay?)
24 Dec: Stay in KK (hotel tri sea booked)
25 Dec: Drive to Alleppy (Did not get a room in Kumarakom want to visit the bird sanctuary, so booked in Alleppy)
26 Dec: After birding head to Thekkady
27 Dec: Stay in Thekkady (hotelambadi.com booked)
28 Dec: Drive to Munnar
29 Dec: Day in Munnar (spicegardenresorts.com booked)
30 Dec: Drive back via Palani and join NH7 to Bangalore

All suggestion are welcome:
1. Hotel stay in Rameshwaram
2. Any places to visit on the way

[ajitkumarlb]

Rameshwaram Stya: I just booked hotel queen palace listed on this thread.

[ravib]

For those who are looking for hotel accommodation in Rameswaram, you can try the Hare Rama Hare Krishna hotel.

Hotel Hare Rama Hare Krishna

There is ample car parking space, just opposite to the hotel. We stayed there last year and we were happy with the hotel.

The rooms are pretty decent, not very hi-fi though, but there won't be any complaints.

For food, you need to eat outside, but should not be difficult.

-Ravi

[NPV]

Originally Posted by ajitkumarlb

@NPV: here we meet again!

I am doing the same route starting 18th on the return will be coming from Kerla (thekkady/munnar).

Here is my plan:
18 Dec: Drive to Yercaud (cover Mettur & hogenakkal)
19 Dec: Stay in yercaud (shevaroysgroup.com booked)
20 Dec: Drive to Madurai (What's on the way?) (Hotelmalaresidency.com booked)
21 Dec: Drive to Rameshwaram (What's on the ay?)
22 Dec: Stay in Rameshwaram (Hotel is the big question???)
23 Dec: Drive to KK (What's on the ay?)
24 Dec: Stay in KK (hotel tri sea booked)
25 Dec: Drive to Alleppy (Did not get a room in Kumarakom want to visit the bird sanctuary, so booked in Alleppy)
26 Dec: After birding head to Thekkady
27 Dec: Stay in Thekkady (hotelambadi.com booked)
28 Dec: Drive to Munnar
29 Dec: Day in Munnar (spicegardenresorts.com booked)
30 Dec: Drive back via Palani and join NH7 to Bangalore

All suggestion are welcome:
1. Hotel stay in Rameshwaram
2. Any places to visit on the way

@ajith - Nice plan, enjoy the long drive and have a good vacation

My initial thought was Poovar but could not get hotels due to the year end season so dropped the Kerala route from my plan (also skipping a function at Nedumangad which I had initially planned to attend).
My plan is (all hotels booked):
Dec 24- Blr-Madurai, stay at Hotel The Metropole
Dec 25- Madurai-KK, stay at Hotel SeaView
Dec 26- KK-Suchindram-Padmanabhapuram-KK (stay at Hotel SeaView)
Dec 27- KK-Rameshwaram, stay at Hotel Queen Palace
Dec 28-Rameshwaram-Blr (either via Madurai OR most likely Karaikudi-Dindigul)