[glovins2004]

Drive to misty mountains - Yercaud



It's coming late but thought of sharing. Pandemic kept all confined to four walls for several months and the chances of leisure trips and overnight stays were bleak. I was eagerly waiting to feel the turbo kick-in of my German companion once again, more than the destination.

This holiday season along with no e-pass restrictions for interstate travel made long drives possible once again. As Corona still lingering around, we restricted travel distance which can be covered with in 5 to 6 hours and just a night stay will be a safer option, so shortlisted Yercaud for the Joy ride.

We have been to Yercaud few years back but visiting any hill station during winter is a mesmerizing experiment, so another visit isn’t a bad idea.

My trusty companion VENTO TDI 1.6 was recently services with 120K on the Odo, so no major prep work except regular nitrogen fill with 35Psi for all tires, not sure whether it's good for traction control but rolls smoothly.





We booked one-night stay at Hotel Grand Palace, it’s a decent and safe place to stay especially with family. Staffs were friendly and food was good, nice view as well.



Fun day – Dec 22nd
We were supposed to leave by 6am but cold weather delayed our start. However, traffic was thin, and it was a breeze until we reached Murugan Idli shop at Krishnagiri for breakfast. It's a good place for pitstop with decent rest rooms.



View towards the Highway



Side view from Murugan Ildi



We resumed our journey around 10:00am from Krishnagiri, however, there were heavy trunks all through the way until Salem delaying our progress. I remember driving down south many years back, we can maintain constant good speed on this stretch but not sure whether it’s the time of day, I felt traffic was on the higher side due to Trucks.

Finally reached the Hotel around 2pm, post check in we went straight for lunch. Fish curry served in Coconut shell with rice, I literally drank the curry.

This is the dine out area with nice view of the Hills



I would rather call it a resort tour than the visit to Yercaud. As, it’s just a one-night stay, we roamed in and around the resort and did not venture out.

Myself with Oneplus at the backyard of the resort. I’ll let the picture do rest of the talking.

[glovins2004]

Lets continue the tour



Crystal blue pool was tempting but it’s already cold outside, so its only a treat to my eyes.















No photo session is complete without my buddy







Front view from the resort

















We took a stroll down the road to a tea shop, may be around 400 meters from the resort. It’s a bliss to be surrounded by nature in the cold weather

















Awesome Christmas decoration with lights welcomed us on our way back from tea shop.

[glovins2004]

Mesmerizing hills in the night







Day 2
I woke up around 6am and could see mist all around the hills. Just took my jacket to enjoy the nature at its best. Let’s walk around, shall we




















Felt like venturing into deep woods

















Hey buddy, Glad to see you, hope you enjoyed the cold night.





Took a stroll down the road for a hot tea, it was awesome.













Amazing god’s creation, look at its texture and color

[glovins2004]

Can’t resist keep looking at this adorable creation





On my way back to the resort



Sometimes tiny little things bring immense joy where money can’t buy, I might just keep looking at these flowers.



I wish to have a wall climbing creeper back home in Bangalore, it’s a stress buster

























Wow, who clothed you green, awesome.

[glovins2004]

It's time to go home as it’s just a one-night stay. Started to descend post breakfast around 11AM but we lost one hour due to wrong navigation, however It took us through some of the scenic routes around Yercaud and finally on the right path towards Salem.



I’m a big fan of Selvi mess at Salem but post corona it’s too early for lunch, so we procced towards Bangalore and stopped at Sai Sangeet near Dharmapuri, it’s a good place with awesome food and decent rest rooms.



VW TDI taking well deserved rest before its final sprint towards home







Finally reached home by evening. It was like a Jail break for us after being confined within four walls for several months. I relished every inch of the road and looking forward for the next drive with my German companion.

Hope you might have enjoyed the picture’s, drive safe and stay safe.

[Aditya]

Thread moved out from the Assembly Line. Thanks for sharing!

[AKSarkar1]

Being a fellow Vento owner myself I can only imagine how much fun it must be taking such a car up to the mountains! Also kudos to you for keeping your Vento in a MINT condition even after all these years!

[gaurav.kokra]

I was looking more at your Vento's pictures rather than the other photography.

Would love to read the ownership report of your car.

Truly in todays time, I couldn't find a car that could match the dynamics and performance of the 1.6 TDI.

I too have the same colour. Attaching a picture (not to hijack your thread)

[glovins2004]

Originally Posted by gaurav.kokra

Truly in todays time, I couldn't find a car that could match the dynamics and performance of the 1.6 TDI.

Originally Posted by AKSarkar1

Being a fellow Vento owner myself I can only imagine how much fun it must be taking such a car up to the mountains!

Thanks a lot, AkSarkar1, Gaurav. Glad to hear you drive the same beast. Absolutely, amazing driving dynamics and it got the best of both worlds “performance and efficiency”. Once I got 27.1 Kmpl but that was with a lite foot around 2100 rpm. However, on an average no less than 22+ Kmpl on highway runs.

Your Vento looks awesome, I fell for its striking German stance and performance, but efficiency was a bonus. I’ll do an ownership review shortly.

[thiagar]

Mesmerizing 'Yercaud' as always. Thank you so much for sharing lovely pictures from your quick getaway.

When you get a chance to visit Yercaud the next time, you may try the 32 KM loop road. Please ignore if done already.

Brings back lovely memories of my drives to Yercaud. The climate is so pleasant and unique irrespective of the season.

Sharing couple of photos of my Ciaz - Shot at the 32 KM loop road.

[tejus]

Originally Posted by glovins2004

Fun day – Dec 22nd
We were supposed to leave by 6am but cold weather delayed our start. However, traffic was thin, and it was a breeze until we reached Murugan Idli shop at Krishnagiri for breakfast. It's a good place for pitstop with decent rest rooms.

Originally Posted by glovins2004

I’m a big fan of Selvi mess at Salem but post corona it’s too early for lunch, so we procced towards Bangalore and stopped at Sai Sangeet near Dharmapuri, it’s a good place with awesome food and decent rest rooms

Thank you for these rest stop tips! We're doing an impromptu road trip to Yercaud from Bangalore this weekend. The plan is to start early enough to reach Murugal Idli Shop at their opening time. We're not sure what our return time would be, but will keep the Salem reco in mind.

The weather doesn't look to be as nice now at it was in December, based on your pictures. Regardless, we're hoping the mountain air will still be a nice change even if the mountains aren't misty

Incidentally we are also headed there in two VW twins; a Polo and a Rapid TSI. This will be my first ghat climb in the TSI, looking forward to testing out that gem. Will post a travelogue entry myself once we're back

[JohnnyBoss]

Originally Posted by thiagar

When you get a chance to visit Yercaud the next time, you may try the 32 KM loop road. Please ignore if done already.

What is special with the 32km loop road? And where it leads to?

[pjbiju]

Originally Posted by JohnnyBoss

What is special with the 32km loop road? And where it leads to?

It is the road that starts from the main lake and goes towards Nagalur and comes back to the lake via Manjakuttai or vice versa. The starting point is the same junction. It is a very scenic road looping through the coffee estates with sparse traffic. The road is narrow but it should not be an issue. There are different view points and places of attraction along the route like the Manjakuttai View Point, Shevaroy Temple etc.