[hvkumar]

Originally Posted by downsouth

Sir,

For the route you suggested
Kovalam >Changanaserry >Kanjirapalli >Kuttikanam >Puliyanmala >Munnar

I was looking up route from Kovalam to Changaserry, seems like they are multiple options for example, should I head straight and go via Kayankulam which is NH66 Or take right at Kollam to join MC Road Kottarakkara.

Can you please provide me the route to reach Changanaserry. Google Maps is not the best of friends when plotting the route.

Thanks

Here is the route plotted on Google Earth:
Munnar, Kerala, India to Kovalam, Kerala, India - Google Maps

I have routed you through TVM bypass, Venjaramaood (not KOllam), Kottarakara, Changanaserry, Kanjirapalli, Kuttikanam, Puliyanmala & Poopara to Munnar

[deepclutch]

Another Option to Reach Munnar from Trivandrum :

Trivandrum-Punalur-Pala-Thodupuzha-Vengallur-Oonnukal-Adimaly-Munnar Route. I travelled only through areas near to Thodupuzha in Vengallur-Oonnukal-Neriamangalam(NH49) Highway and it was rubberized road IIRC. will be 15-20kms less than other routes.

This Route will be a option if You are choosing Punalur-Muvattupuzha Eastern Highway to Reach Thodupuzha. This will be a pure Hill Route, right from Punalur till Munnar.

[itwasntme]

Bumping up an old thread.

Need advice on Madurai to Kovalam for early May. Google Maps suggesting NH7 via Kovilpatti, Tirunelveli, bypassing Nagercoil (NH45, NH180 & rejoining at Marthandam) totalling 316 km and roughly 5 hours. Is this achievable? Plan is to reach Kovalam by lunchtime, and hence will have pretty heavy traffic throughout.

GMaps also shows a 284 km (6 hours!) route via Tirumangalam, Rajapalayam and Pudur.

Further, good roads is my top priority; scenic views can wait till Kovalam :-)

[ampere]

Originally Posted by itwasntme

Further, good roads is my top priority; scenic views can wait till Kovalam :-)

Defiinitely NH7 is a better option. But as every one mentions beyond Nagercoil would slow you down. But it still is worth going through this route.

[itwasntme]

Originally Posted by ampere

Defiinitely NH7 is a better option. But as every one mentions beyond Nagercoil would slow you down. But it still is worth going through this route.

Thanks, ampere: GMaps also suggests a bypass route (NH45, 180, 90 etc.) to avoid Nagercoil altogether and which reconnects to the Nagercoil-Trivandrum road at Marthandanam.

Is this route worth taking or simply keep on NH7, drive into Nagercoil through road signage and follow the route out to Trivandrum again?

[ampere]

Originally Posted by itwasntme

Is this route worth taking or simply keep on NH7, drive into Nagercoil through road signage and follow the route out to Trivandrum again?

The main Nagercoil-TVM itself has quite heavy traffic. So any way progress would be slow.

Ref :
http://www.team-bhp.com/forum/route-...ml#post3034258

[hvkumar]

Originally Posted by itwasntme

Thanks, ampere: GMaps also suggests a bypass route (NH45, 180, 90 etc.) to avoid Nagercoil altogether and which reconnects to the Nagercoil-Trivandrum road at Marthandanam.

Is this route worth taking or simply keep on NH7, drive into Nagercoil through road signage and follow the route out to Trivandrum again?

Stick to the route via Nagercoil.
Traffic will be high during daytime, best taken early morning before 830 am or after 830 pm in the evening.
Passing Nagercoil town is not an issue, there are clear signages for Trivandrum.
To get to KOvalam, you can turn off at Balaramapuram & go direct to Kovalam via Vizhinjam without having to go all the way to Trivandrum.

[Sanjubose]

Guys, planning for a trip Bangalore ->Madurai -> Kovalam -> Poovar -> Varkala beach in last week of March. Staying over at each place for a day. Is there any better route for Madurai-> Kovalam and back to Bangalore. Would it be unbearable weather at these places in another week?

[ampere]

Originally Posted by Sanjubose

Is there any better route for Madurai-> Kovalam and back to Bangalore. Would it be unbearable weather at these places in another week?

Its the standard 4-lane on the NH7. Bad traffic after you turn on NH47 towards Nagercoil.

[hamster]

Regarding the weather, heard from my parents last week that the summer is already at its peak there. You can imagine if Bangalore's heat is hovering around 35c, would be defeintely hotter out there. Adding the humidity, be prepared to sweat it out.
As ampere pointed out its great roads till Nagercoil.
From Nagercoil, the madness, bad roads starts.
Since your destination is Poovar/Kovalam, you better branch out of the NH47 at Kaliyakavilai(TN-KL border).
The road branchs out on your left. For your convenience, you will hit a checkpost and post that there would be a church on your right. From there on slow down and look for the branch out sign boards.
The road is butter smooth, two laned, and a bit curvy. So hence be a bit careful. Avoid speeds more than 60kmph.

In this road, Poovar comes first and then Kovalam.

Have a safe trip.