[binand]

Originally Posted by suviswan

We are travelling from Bangalore to Wayanad this weekend. We booked at Petals resort. What's the best route for this? I will be driving a self drive rental car and it needs a permit to enter Kerala. Where is the RTO in the route to take the permit?

Would have been nice if you had provided the address of the resort. Anyway I looked it up - it is on the Kalpetta-Tharuvana road. So the best route from Bangalore would be: Bangalore > Mysore > Gundlupet > Sulthan Bathery > Kalpetta > Petals Resort.

The interstate border is between Gundlepet-Sulthan Bathery. The KL-side checkposts are mostly at a place called Muthanga which is about 6 km from the river that separates the two states (ie, from the "Welcome to Kerala" boards). You will find checkposts in order sales tax (disused), forest, RTO and excise. The RTO one is particularly easy to locate because it is where all commercial vehicles have to report - and they operate a boom barrier too.

An interceptor is usually stationed between here and Sulthan Bathery town to "remind" those drivers who miss the checkpost.

[gadadhar]

My kins stayed in a placed called "Doctors Plantation stay" in Thirunelly. This is a reasonably priced homestay at forest fringes owned by a gentleman who is a Doctor by profession. Recommended for folks looking for a forest experience at a reasonable price with no luxury. Place is suitable for families and even larger group and is listed on Airbnb.

[BayB]

Suggestions needed - what should be our preferred route from Bangalore South (RR Nagar) to Vythiri Resort? How is the condition of the road in general? Considering that we are in post monsoon time, i am not expecting the roads to be terrific but i hope they are not terrible. Please suggest if we should avoid any specific stretch of road.

[pms]

Originally Posted by BayB

Suggestions needed - what should be our preferred route from Bangalore South (RR Nagar) to Vythiri Resort? How is the condition of the road in general? Considering that we are in post monsoon time, i am not expecting the roads to be terrific but i hope they are not terrible. Please suggest if we should avoid any specific stretch of road.

Sorry, just now noticed it was a month old post, hope you must have traveled and returned safely :-)

I traveled to Mananthavady last Thursday and returned this weekend after a 3 night vacation. Route I took was BLR(Near Old Airport)-Mysore-Hampapura-HD Kote-Antharasanthe-Bavali-Kattikulam-Mananthavady.

You can use the same route and extend: Mananthavady-Panamaram-Kalpetta-Vythiri.

Roads are good throughout barring some 10Kms within the forest section before Bavali with potholes and narrow width. You will have to drive little carefully in this section especially if its a sedan. I drove in a Honda City and with usual care it was a very smooth drive.

BLR-MYS as usual lots of roadwork and heavy traffic, can beat that a bit if you plan to start early morning around 5 or 5:30AM.

[BayB]

Originally Posted by pms

Sorry, just now noticed it was a month old post, hope you must have traveled and returned safely :-)

I traveled to Mananthavady last Thursday and returned this weekend after a 3 night vacation. Route I took was BLR(Near Old Airport)-Mysore-Hampapura-HD Kote-Antharasanthe-Bavali-Kattikulam-Mananthavady.

You can use the same route and extend: Mananthavady-Panamaram-Kalpetta-Vythiri.

Roads are good throughout barring some 10Kms within the forest section before Bavali with potholes and narrow width. You will have to drive little carefully in this section especially if its a sedan. I drove in a Honda City and with usual care it was a very smooth drive.

BLR-MYS as usual lots of roadwork and heavy traffic, can beat that a bit if you plan to start early morning around 5 or 5:30AM.

Thanks for your reply. Yes, my trip is completed and it was a fabulous trip. Fortunately, my family and I are all safe. For my onward journey I used the Mysore road as I started early morning and didnt expect much traffic on Mysore road. For my return journey I took the Kanakapura road (avoiding the Mysore road completely) via Harohalli, Malavalli, Halagur, Sathanpur, Kanakapura. I have to say this section of the route was much better than Mysore road. Especially from Marase to Kanakapura it's great, from Kanakapura to Bangalore road is okay but very crowded.

[vigneshnr]

Hi, I'm planning a trip to Wayanad in a day. Should I take the Bangalore - Mysore route or should I take the kanakapura route. Or the partial Mysore road route. All three mentioned below.

I'm seeing lots of old mentions regarding Kanakapura road condition. Is it recommended ?

Route 1 : Bangalore → Channapatna → Srirangapatna → Mysore → Kattikulam → Wayanad

Route 2 : Bangalore → Kanakapura → Kollegal → Chamarajanagar → Gundlupet → Wayanad

Route 3 : Bangalore → Channapatna → Malavalli → Somanathapura → Gundlupet→ Bandipur → Wayanad

[Rajeevraj]

Originally Posted by vigneshnr

Hi, I'm planning a trip to Wayanad in a day. Should I take the Bangalore - Mysore route or should I take the kanakapura route. Or the partial Mysore road route. All three mentioned below.

I'm seeing lots of old mentions regarding Kanakapura road condition. Is it recommended ?

Route 1 : Bangalore → Channapatna → Srirangapatna → Mysore → Kattikulam → Wayanad

Route 2 : Bangalore → Kanakapura → Kollegal → Chamarajanagar → Gundlupet → Wayanad

Route 3 : Bangalore → Channapatna → Malavalli → Somanathapura → Gundlupet→ Bandipur → Wayanad

Where exactly are you starting from and where are you headed to in Wayanad. That also plays a role in the route. The Kanakpura route you mentioned is not exactly the one that is recommended. It is Kanakpura-Malavalli-Bannur-Mysore-Gundlepet. Bangalore Kanakpura is now relaid and smooth. Rest of the route is also good.

The first option is the existing highway. Apart from the bypasses of the town's a lot of the new stretches are open. So if you are traveling during a non peak time, this route is also ok.

[W@SIM]

Originally Posted by vigneshnr

Hi, I'm planning a trip to Wayanad in a day. Should I take the Bangalore - Mysore route or should I take the kanakapura route. Or the partial Mysore road route. All three mentioned below.

I'm seeing lots of old mentions regarding Kanakapura road condition. Is it recommended ?

Route 1 : Bangalore → Channapatna → Srirangapatna → Mysore → Kattikulam → Wayanad

Route 2 : Bangalore → Kanakapura → Kollegal → Chamarajanagar → Gundlupet → Wayanad

Route 3 : Bangalore → Channapatna → Malavalli → Somanathapura → Gundlupet→ Bandipur → Wayanad

whats your destination in Wayanad District?

[vigneshnr]

Originally Posted by Rajeevraj

Where exactly are you starting from and where are you headed to in Wayanad.
The first option is the existing highway. Apart from the bypasses of the town's a lot of the new stretches are open. So if you are traveling during a non peak time, this route is also ok.

Originally Posted by W@SIM

whats your destination in Wayanad District?

Hi, I will be starting from South Bangalore / Bommanahallli. I would be exiting via Bannerghatta road - NICE road.

Destination is Thariyode, towards Vythiri I suppose.

I will be starting early in the day (non-peak hours). Also intend to do some slow driving thru the forest area to experience the wild and spot few

[binand]

Originally Posted by vigneshnr

Destination is Thariyode, towards Vythiri I suppose.

Thariyode is accessed via Kalpetta-Mananthavady road.

In terms of road quality you should go via Gundlupet-Bathery-Kalpetta outskirts-turn towards Mananthavady. But this being a busy national highway wildlife-spotting is a very low-probability event. The Mysore-Mananthavady road is less busy and spotting is more common.

[W@SIM]

Originally Posted by vigneshnr

Hi, I will be starting from South Bangalore / Bommanahallli. I would be exiting via Bannerghatta road - NICE road.

Destination is Thariyode, towards Vythiri I suppose.

I will be starting early in the day (non-peak hours). Also intend to do some slow driving thru the forest area to experience the wild and spot few

i am also from the same area(Begur to be precise).. If you have time then i will ask to go via hunsur - kutta-kattikulam-manathavady to enjoy wild life. Maybe book the safari as well at nagarhole. Gmaps says 20mins more and 9kms short.

[fast_elegance]

I am travelling to Wayanad this weekend and my destination is Mount Xanadu Resorts near Cheengeri hills. I am planning to go via Nagarahole reserve i.e. Hunsur - Kutta - Mananthavady. Any updates on the road condition?

The other option is Nanjangud - Gundlupete - Bathery, this route is about 20kms shorter and I will reach destination almost an hour earlier. Again, looking for updates on road condition.

I am not in a hurry to reach the destination as the check-in time is 2PM and I plan to start before 6AM. Looking for a scenic and relaxed drive.

[sumukha]

Nanjangud - Gundlupet- Bathery road is excellent, but for 33 road humps on karnataka side of the forest. Need to drive slowely and avoid the temptation of pressing the peddle. You may find wild elephants if you are lucky. Plenty of deers crossing the road and please be careful.I drive in this road once a month as I shuttle between my properties in Mysore and Pulpally in Wayanad.

[binand]

Originally Posted by fast_elegance

I am planning to go via Nagarahole reserve i.e. Hunsur - Kutta - Mananthavady. Any updates on the road condition?

The other option is Nanjangud - Gundlupete - Bathery, this route is about 20kms shorter and I will reach destination almost an hour earlier.

I would recommend the latter route - shorter as you point out, plus it has better quality roads. This is a national highway till Kolagapara and a well-maintained one at that. The only downside is that this route is a very high-traffic one, being the one that connects the two economic centres of Mysore and Calicut.

Most resorts don't mind you turning up earlier than your check-in time; just that your room / cottage might not be ready early enough. Talk to them about your options. A 6 AM start from Bangalore will see you at the resort by 12 noon perhaps; so a bit of freshening up plus lunch will see you just in time for taking your rooms.

[fast_elegance]

Originally Posted by sumukha

Nanjangud - Gundlupet- Bathery road is excellent, but for 33 road humps on karnataka side of the forest. Need to drive slowely and avoid the temptation of pressing the peddle. You may find wild elephants if you are lucky. Plenty of deers crossing the road and please be careful.

Originally Posted by binand

I would recommend the latter route - shorter as you point out, plus it has better quality roads. This is a national highway till Kolagapara and a well-maintained one at that. The only downside is that this route is a very high-traffic one, being the one that connects the two economic centres of Mysore and Calicut.

Most resorts don't mind you turning up earlier than your check-in time

Thank you for the recommendations here. I was thinking of Nagarhole route for higher spotting of wild life. I will now stick to the faster bandipur route and might take the Nagarhole during my return. How is the road condition on Nagarhole route. Is it comfortable for a sedan?

I will also check with the resort about early check-in if possible. Thank you again.