[Waxeloquent]

End of September, plan to drive to Thekkady (Club Mahindra) from coimbatore. The route (shortest) shown by Google maps is Coimbatore - Palladam - Dharapuram - Oddanchatram-Chinnalapatti-Periyakulam-Theni-Cumbum-Kumily - Thekkady. I have been on this stretch till Cumbum in one of my trips to Munnar. 1) How is the road after Cumbum till Thekkady? 2) Are there hill/ghat sections between Cumbum and Thekkady? and 3) End of September, will it be still raining in this area in Kerala? Much appreciate all answers and any suggestions for places to visit around Thekkady and enroute, Cheers

[couswheels]

Originally Posted by Waxeloquent

End of September, plan to drive to Thekkady (Club Mahindra) from coimbatore. The route (shortest) shown by Google maps is Coimbatore - Palladam - Dharapuram - Oddanchatram-Chinnalapatti-Periyakulam-Theni-Cumbum-Kumily - Thekkady. I have been on this stretch till Cumbum in one of my trips to Munnar. 1) How is the road after Cumbum till Thekkady? 2) Are there hill/ghat sections between Cumbum and Thekkady?

Beyond Cumbum ghat sections are not steep towards Thekkady however be careful on the blind curves. The ghat section is not much compared to other hill stations. Unsure of the road conditions as I did Thekkady Pollachi in 2014.

[Ranger747]

Latest on Theni <> Kumbum <> Kumaly route to/from Kerala.

I took this route couple of days back to enter Tamil Nadu from Changanachery (in Kerala).

The main route, 183, from Kumaly to Kumbum ( or Cumbum on google map ) is closed due to damaged bridge on the way. Alternate route is to take Munnar - Kumaly road from Kumaly and turn to 'Kumbum-mettu' and then go down hill to hit Kumbum-Theni highway. Night driving should be avoided in this area. There are stretches of road that is in poor state. Also with heavy rains, visibility is poor after 3pm or so.
At the moment of writing this, driving to Munnar is not advised as per government alert.

Hope this helps. Drive safe.

[Ranger747]

Any one has updated info on this route? I plan to take it in a weeks time.

Theni <> Kumbum <> Kumaly <> Changanachery

appreciate any feedback!

cheers!

[avira_tk]

Originally Posted by Ranger747

Any one has updated info on this route? I plan to take it in a weeks time.

Theni <> Kumbum <> Kumaly <> Changanachery

appreciate any feedback!

cheers!

Did Bangalore Vagamon a week ago, so upto Kuttikanam, no problem with the roads. Did the whole trip in 9 hours.

[kala]

Originally Posted by Ranger747

Any one has updated info on this route? I plan to take it in a weeks time.

Theni <> Kumbum <> Kumaly <> Changanachery

Roads are good all through except for a small 200 meter diversion about 5 kms before Theni. Expect slow traffic is in most towns along the way like Periyakulam, Theni, Cumbum, Chinnamanur, Uthamapalayam etc. Surprisingly there was very little traffic on Kerala roads when I travelled last week - probably because it was around noon. Managed to cover Kumily to Kottayam in slightly under 2.5 hours.

[Ranger747]

Thanks avira_tk and kala. Onwards, I ended up taking Salem <> Coimbatore <> Cochin route. But planning to take Kumali route for return. Will update on the condition later.

Cheers!

[Ranger747]

Took this route a day back. Overall no problems were encountered except a small blockage on the Ghat section due to a fallen tree branch. Passing Ponkunnam town proved tricky due to an accident. Most of the road surface is in good condition. I'd advice caution taking this route in the month of June/July due to oncoming monsoon season. Even without the monsoon starting, it was raining in the hills this time. Preferably drive in the morning with daylight and less chance of rain ( till monsoon starts )

cheers

[sunil8089]

Planning to have a trip from Kottayam to Chennai via Kumali >Theni> Dindugal>Thrichi>Chennai along with my family. Can someone suggest
1. the latest condition of the roads, especially between Kumali and Dindugal
2. Descent and neat hotels for breakfast and lunch... (veg / non veg)

[cn.vishnu]

Originally Posted by sunil8089

Planning to have a trip from Kottayam to Chennai via Kumali >Theni> Dindugal>Thrichi>Chennai along with my family. Can someone suggest
1. the latest condition of the roads, especially between Kumali and Dindugal
2. Descent and neat hotels for breakfast and lunch... (veg / non veg)

Hi Sunil,

Did you take this trip? If so could you share the road conditions and other details please.

Thanks in advance.

[locusjag]

Originally Posted by cn.vishnu

Hi Sunil,

Did you take this trip? If so could you share the road conditions and other details please.

Thanks in advance.

I did a trip to Theni and back in 3rd week of December.

The road from Theni to Trichy via Batlagundu bypass is slow at first with heavy Sabarimala traffic and the Kodaikanal crowd on a median-less 4 lane highway. Once you're well past Batlagundu and on the way to Dindigul, you'll find yourself on a vast 6 lane highway with a flat median and excellent all-round visibility. There are no plants on the median and since the road is only 2 years old (so I'm told), there aren't that many encroachments on either side nor much of crossing traffic. That road will take you all the way into Trichy very quickly. I remember paying one toll which cost a bomb (by NH standards), around Rs.150 if I remember correctly.

[guru_max]

Originally Posted by locusjag

I did a trip to Theni and back in 3rd week of December.

The road from Theni to Trichy via Batlagundu bypass is slow at first with heavy Sabarimala traffic and the Kodaikanal crowd on a median-less 4 lane highway. Once you're well past Batlagundu and on the way to Dindigul, you'll find yourself on a vast 6 lane highway with a flat median and excellent all-round visibility. There are no plants on the median and since the road is only 2 years old (so I'm told), there aren't that many encroachments on either side nor much of crossing traffic. That road will take you all the way into Trichy very quickly. I remember paying one toll which cost a bomb (by NH standards), around Rs.150 if I remember correctly.

What is the road that you mention in the bolded part. Have not come across any 6 lane roads in this part of TN.

[locusjag]

Originally Posted by guru_max

What is the road that you mention in the bolded part. Have not come across any 6 lane roads in this part of TN.

My mantra is Gmaps-namaha; sorry I don't remember the name of the road. Perhaps my memory fails me and it was a 4 lane road only. But it was so plain and completely barren on all sides with visibility spanning hundreds of meters that I felt 100% comfortable at high speeds.

[Bibin]

Did this stretch Kumily- Madurai and while coming back took Trichy- Dindigul- Kumily recently (2 weeks ago) and it was in good condition. Not much potholes but commendable traffic all the way due to Sabarimala.

Early morning drive is the best as you won't hit much traffic and it's a big pleasure driving the stretch, however if it's post 10AM you will feel the heat for sure.

Happy motoring!

[Sk8r]

Folks, bumping up this old thread for you views on road condition between "Thoparamkudy" and "Theni". Thanks in advance