Planning the First Trip to Wayanad... - Team-BHP

mjothi · 8th December 2007, 15:41

First, my sincere thanks to the team-bhp and members.
I already got good information from the thread by Samurai...[A weekend on the top of a tree]. I am planning to start from Bangalore on 25th morning. Plan is as follows,
1. Visit Sulthan Bathery & falls on the way to Kalpeta.
2. Stay in Kalpeta.
3. Next day visit Pookot late, chembra peak etc.
4. Stay in Panamaram [Entee veedu]
5. Next afternoon start to bangalore

I am planing to take the same route [Bangalore-Mysore-Nanjangoodu-Gundlupet-Sultan Batherey-Kalpetta] mentioned by Samurai. But I would like to about the condition of the roads. I am driving on my Zen. If some friends who have recently traveled this strech can update me on the condition of the raod, it would be great.

I am very excited since this would be my first long distance for a vacation trip.

Any inputs, advices etc I would be more than happy to take it.

Thanks friends.
MJ

condor · 8th December 2007, 23:16

Pls do a search for the places you want to go. Sultan Battery etc were discussed recently. You could continue the discussion on any of the old threads - helps to find information in same thread when we search again, instead of having to go through multiple threads.

One thread for Wayanad:
http://www.team-bhp.com/forum/travel...n-country.html

Su-47 · 8th December 2007, 23:53

Quick comments:

Quote:

Originally Posted by mjothi

1. Visit Sulthan Bathery & falls on the way to Kalpeta.

If you are referring to Meenmutty falls and you are going there first time, it might be a good idea to take a guide. It is not trivial to climb down and locate the falls. Moreover, the climb back to base wouldn't be easy unless you have some decent stamina. It is also advisable to carry some drinking water... I could go on, but I guess you got the drift.

Quote:

Originally Posted by mjothi

2. Stay in Kalpeta.

Do book in advance, or you might not find a decent place to stay. Kalpetta is full of Bangaloreans over weekends.

Quote:

Originally Posted by mjothi

But I would like to about the condition of the roads. I am driving on my Zen.

You would do well by being careful on the gundulpet-national-forest section in Karnataka. There are some BIG potholes and unmarked speed-breakers there. After that, the surface is good and the road has nice curves that you will enjoy in your Zen.

Just for reference, my description of the road condition is based on my experience during last week of November-07.

mjothi · 9th December 2007, 09:54

I have booked for both days in Entee Veedu.
Since I am with my 1yr old daugther, I think i may need to skip those meenumutty falls. Let me see.
Tks for the updates on roads.

csentil · 10th December 2007, 01:27

Chembra peak is not something that you can climb with a 1 yr old kid. Its pretty steep. Same goes with Edakkal Caves.

You can go to Suchipura Falls, which is a nice place. However you will have to walk downhill of about a km and walk the same distance back.

Please search for the various threads on road conditions. Bangalore - Gundulpet is good. Gundulpet to Wayanad forest section is bad. Once you enter Kerala the roads are awesome.

rajshenoy · 10th December 2007, 17:58

Hi MJ

Seeing your requirements, it looks like a family sort of trip with small kids..Wayanad is a heaven for trekkers but not sure about kids..

I went to wayanad last month and stayed in vythiri resort which is also just 4 kms from the pookot lake...

i felt the resort is worth staying.. especially the ambience and sorroundings.. you dont have to go anywhere else..

About the road conditions, well.. only the stretch between gundlupet and bandipur is bad(manageable though) just watch out for those big holes..which can break your back..

overall, it was a great drive..

Su-47 · 10th December 2007, 19:29

Quote:

Originally Posted by rajshenoy

I went to wayanad last month and stayed in vythiri resort which is also just 4 kms from the pookot lake...

Hey, I was there in the last week of Nov. We could've held a mini-meet there...

Quote:

Originally Posted by rajshenoy

overall, it was a great drive..

How did you like the road from NH212 to the resort? Hehehe

mjothi · 10th December 2007, 20:37

Yes. Its a family trip. I am more interested to visit those place and view those green beauty. May be driving through the tea/coffe estates, and lakes. These falls and caves are just an option. Just in case we can make it happen.

I got similar feedback for the Entee Veedu in Panamara area. So, booked in there. As you said, I may even end up just exploring those near by places and inside the resort. So, no stress just relax in a place far away from home...

Cheers!!!
MJ

Quote:

Originally Posted by rajshenoy

Hi MJ

Seeing your requirements, it looks like a family sort of trip with small kids..Wayanad is a heaven for trekkers but not sure about kids..

I went to wayanad last month and stayed in vythiri resort which is also just 4 kms from the pookot lake...

i felt the resort is worth staying.. especially the ambience and sorroundings.. you dont have to go anywhere else..

About the road conditions, well.. only the stretch between gundlupet and bandipur is bad(manageable though) just watch out for those big holes..which can break your back..

overall, it was a great drive..

akroy · 11th December 2007, 07:30

Quote:

Originally Posted by rajshenoy

About the road conditions, well.. only the stretch between gundlupet and bandipur is bad(manageable though) just watch out for those big holes..which can break your back..

overall, it was a great drive..

He will not take the bandipur route to go to Wayanad. He will continue right from Gundlupet. Bad stretch comes after Gundlupet towards bandipur.

Abhi

Su-47 · 11th December 2007, 09:56

Abhi, I think he meant the Gundulpet-Muthunga forest road. Off late, even that is bad. When I went in May it was good, this time it had some *serious* potholes.

mogambo · 11th December 2007, 11:25

Quote:

Originally Posted by Su-47

Abhi, I think he meant the Gundulpet-Muthunga forest road. Off late, even that is bad. When I went in May it was good, this time it had some *serious* potholes.

Which way is this? Does it come on Gundlupet - Sultanbathery route or Gundlupet - Nilambur route???

rajshenoy · 11th December 2007, 11:30

Quote:

Originally Posted by Su-47

Abhi, I think he meant the Gundulpet-Muthunga forest road. Off late, even that is bad. When I went in May it was good, this time it had some *serious* potholes.

Yup, i meant that

And btw, i had been there on Nov 3rd.. so perhaps we may not have met

And the last 3 kms to the resort, well...my wife was almost shouting saying lets go back.. i dont want to stay in such a sad place which doesnt even have a proper road...

and when we reached.......she was like

rajshenoy · 11th December 2007, 11:34

Quote:

Originally Posted by mjothi

Yes. Its a family trip. I am more interested to visit those place and view those green beauty. May be driving through the tea/coffe estates, and lakes. These falls and caves are just an option. Just in case we can make it happen.

I got similar feedback for the Entee Veedu in Panamara area. So, booked in there. As you said, I may even end up just exploring those near by places and inside the resort. So, no stress just relax in a place far away from home...

Cheers!!!
MJ

Yes, when you are with ur family.. just think of relaxing, and drive through the tea estates

perhaps you can drive till some guest house in the foot of Chembra peak and enjoy that view(lots of tea estates on the way)

and pookot lake, you can try those boats its worth it..

And if you still have time, try those body massages..may be expensive, but it will make your stay even more relaxing

rajshenoy · 11th December 2007, 11:35

Quote:

Originally Posted by Su-47

How did you like the road from NH212 to the resort? Hehehe

The photo that i have put up in my avatar is taken on that road only

mjothi · 11th December 2007, 12:11

Ok, one place is confirmed - Pookate lake

Also, i heard that we can drive till half-way to Chembra peak and enjoy those beautiful view from there. is it? How far we can go up in the car?

MJ

Quote:

Originally Posted by rajshenoy

Yes, when you are with ur family.. just think of relaxing, and drive through the tea estates

perhaps you can drive till some guest house in the foot of Chembra peak and enjoy that view(lots of tea estates on the way)

and pookot lake, you can try those boats its worth it..

And if you still have time, try those body massages..may be expensive, but it will make your stay even more relaxing

8th December 2007, 15:41	#1 (permalink)
mjothi Senior - BHPian Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: Bangalore Posts: 2,150 View My Garage	Planning the First Trip to Wayanad... First, my sincere thanks to the team-bhp and members. I already got good information from the thread by Samurai...[A weekend on the top of a tree]. I am planning to start from Bangalore on 25th morning. Plan is as follows, 1. Visit Sulthan Bathery & falls on the way to Kalpeta. 2. Stay in Kalpeta. 3. Next day visit Pookot late, chembra peak etc. 4. Stay in Panamaram [Entee veedu] 5. Next afternoon start to bangalore I am planing to take the same route [Bangalore-Mysore-Nanjangoodu-Gundlupet-Sultan Batherey-Kalpetta] mentioned by Samurai. But I would like to about the condition of the roads. I am driving on my Zen. If some friends who have recently traveled this strech can update me on the condition of the raod, it would be great. I am very excited since this would be my first long distance for a vacation trip. Any inputs, advices etc I would be more than happy to take it. Thanks friends. MJ

8th December 2007, 23:16	#2 (permalink)
condor Distinguished - BHPian Join Date: Jun 2006 Location: BLR : the Speed Breaker City Posts: 2,979 View My Garage	Pls do a search for the places you want to go. Sultan Battery etc were discussed recently. You could continue the discussion on any of the old threads - helps to find information in same thread when we search again, instead of having to go through multiple threads. One thread for Wayanad: http://www.team-bhp.com/forum/travel...n-country.html __________________ Life is Analog. Digital is an approximation.

10th December 2007, 01:27	#5 (permalink)
csentil Senior - BHPian Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: Bangalore Posts: 1,117 View My Garage	Chembra peak is not something that you can climb with a 1 yr old kid. Its pretty steep. Same goes with Edakkal Caves. You can go to Suchipura Falls, which is a nice place. However you will have to walk downhill of about a km and walk the same distance back. Please search for the various threads on road conditions. Bangalore - Gundulpet is good. Gundulpet to Wayanad forest section is bad. Once you enter Kerala the roads are awesome. __________________ Everyone is born right-handed, only the gifted overcome it. This is my car and I have my wife's permission to say so.

10th December 2007, 17:58	#6 (permalink)
rajshenoy BHPian Join Date: Apr 2006 Location: bangalore Posts: 374	Hi MJ Seeing your requirements, it looks like a family sort of trip with small kids..Wayanad is a heaven for trekkers but not sure about kids.. I went to wayanad last month and stayed in vythiri resort which is also just 4 kms from the pookot lake... i felt the resort is worth staying.. especially the ambience and sorroundings.. you dont have to go anywhere else.. About the road conditions, well.. only the stretch between gundlupet and bandipur is bad(manageable though) just watch out for those big holes..which can break your back.. overall, it was a great drive.. __________________

11th December 2007, 09:56	#10 (permalink)
Su-47 BHPian Join Date: Aug 2006 Location: Bangalore Posts: 488	Abhi, I think he meant the Gundulpet-Muthunga forest road. Off late, even that is bad. When I went in May it was good, this time it had some serious potholes. __________________ I thought this is a free world! Outta here...

9th December 2007, 09:54	#4 (permalink)
mjothi Senior - BHPian Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: Bangalore Posts: 2,150 View My Garage	I have booked for both days in Entee Veedu. Since I am with my 1yr old daugther, I think i may need to skip those meenumutty falls. Let me see. Tks for the updates on roads.

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