[coolclouds]

Originally Posted by ampere

Why CBE for Return? Trichy-Dindigul (Or Karur) - Dharapuram-Pollachi-Alathur-Trichur-Kochi.

Had a pickup and drop at Coimbatore.

How is the present condition of Trichy-Dindigul road?

[ampere]

Originally Posted by coolclouds

Had a pickup and drop at Coimbatore.

How is the present condition of Trichy-Dindigul road?

Trichy Dindigul is a brilliant 4-lane ! So nothing to worry there.

[cLJ]

I am planning trip to Velankanni by mid-March with my family (wife and 3 kids) and I need advice. Departure from Thrissur.

I checked the google maps and mapmyindia for routes and both shows different routes, as follows:

Mapmy india: Thrissur-Palakkad-Coimbatore-Kangeyam-Karur-Trichy-Thanjavur-Needamangalam-Velankanni

Google: Thrissur-Vadakkencherry-Nenmara-Pollachi-Dharapuram-Aravakurichi-Karur-Trichy-Thanjavyr-Needamangalam-Velankanni

Which is the fastest and safest routes or any other suggestion (I know there is a road through Pollachi-Palani-Dindigul-Trichy, but I don't know the condition of this route). Thanks

[ampere]

Originally Posted by cLJ

Google: Thrissur-Vadakkencherry-Nenmara-Pollachi-Dharapuram-Aravakurichi-Karur-Trichy-Thanjavyr-Needamangalam-Velankanni

A modified version of what Google suggests:

Trichur-Vadakkencherry-Kollengode-Pollachi-Dharapuram-Oddanchatram-Dindigul-Trichy-Tanjore (bypass)-Thiruthuraipoondi-Velankanni.

This is about 20km more, but you get 4-lane from Dindigul.

[cLJ]

Originally Posted by ampere

A modified version of what Google suggests:

Trichur-Vadakkencherry-Kollengode-Pollachi-Dharapuram-Oddanchatram-Dindigul-Trichy-Tanjore (bypass)-Thiruthuraipoondi-Velankanni.

This is about 20km more, but you get 4-lane from Dindigul.

Is the road from Tanjore (bypass)-Thiruthuraipoondi-Velankanni 4-lane highway or the regular 2-line?

[M35]

Originally Posted by cLJ

Is the road from Tanjore (bypass)-Thiruthuraipoondi-Velankanni 4-lane highway or the regular 2-line?

It's 2-lane. The route via Mannargudi -Thiruthuraipoondi is not in good shape.
The other and better option being: Thanjavur - Thiruvarur- Velankanni
This has been newly re-laid and EXCELLENT.


Earlier, have done Velankanni multiple times via Karur and also Dindigul. As @Ampere said already, the route via Dindigul route gives you excellent 4-lane [ Dindigul-Trichy-Thanjavur] and then take the 90km odd stretch via Thiruvarur up to Velankanni. The entire route should be stress- free be it 4-Lane or 2-Lane.

P.S: Just did Velankanni a couple of weeks ago. Took the Thirupuraipoondi route to Velankanni and returned via Thiruvarur.

[ampere]

Originally Posted by M35

It's 2-lane. The route via Mannargudi -Thiruthuraipoondi is not in good shape.The other and better option being: Thanjavur - Thiruvarur- Velankanni. This has been newly re-laid and EXCELLENT.

Thats news !

So you mean NH67 has been relaid all the way till Velankanni? In other words the whole of Tanjore-Thiruvarur-Nagapattnam stretch is good? If yes, then no need to go via Mannargudi-Thiruthuraipoondi.

[KL07]

Hi friends,
I am planning to go to Vellankani from Cochin in late August. I plan to leave Cochin early morning. I needed help regarding which route I must take. Also,I heard that the roads after Trichy are in bad shape. Can someone help me with the best possible route. I was also thinking of driving to other destinations near Vellankani. Are there any other places to see near Vellankani within 100km radius.

Thanks

[PrasannaDhana]

Roads from Trichy to Vailanganni are no way bad.

Trichy- Thanjavur is a 4 lane highway. Thanjavur-Thiruvarur - Nagapattinam -Vailankanni route is a windy road, lots of dangerous curves and narrow lanes, but a driver's pleasure!! Safe journey!!

[ampere]

Originally Posted by KL07

Can someone help me with the best possible route. I was also thinking of driving to other destinations near Vellankani. Are there any other places to see near Vellankani within 100km radius.

I have moved your post to the appropriate thread. Please see the prior posts and you should get all your answers. There are many who visit Velankanni from KL and hence this thread is decently updated.

To answer in a nutshell: High level route:

Cochin- (Kottayam or Pala) - Kanjirapally - Theni - Dindigul - Trichy - Tanjore - Tiruthuraipoondi - Velankanni

[Renjith_Mani]

Originally Posted by KL07

Hi friends,
I am planning to go to Vellankani from Cochin in late August. I plan to leave Cochin early morning. I needed help regarding which route I must take. Also,I heard that the roads after Trichy are in bad shape. Can someone help me with the best possible route. I was also thinking of driving to other destinations near Vellankani. Are there any other places to see near Vellankani within 100km radius.

Thanks

The route I am about to suggest is not going to be the fastest. But it will be better travel experience.
Kochi - Vazhachal (Check Post)- Valparai - Pollachi - Dharapuram - Thiruchirapalli - Thanjavur - Velankanni.

The roads through the Athirapally forests is very scenic and not much crowded. Those are not much wide though and you cannot drive very fast. Trust me you would not want to drive fast.
The Vazhachal Check post opens only at 6 AM so no need to leave Kochi before 5 AM. Most roads in Tamil Nadu are very good, there is a bit of bad patch around Pollachi.

Enjoy your trip.

[Mohan Mathew A]

Originally Posted by KL07

Hi friends,
I am planning to go to Vellankani from Cochin in late August. I plan to leave Cochin early morning.

Thanks

A 5 a.m. start from kochi means you will conveniently reach Velankanni before sunset with moderate speeds with a couple of stops for breakfast and lunch

[KL07]

Thank you for the information friends. For the return leg, I was thinking of leaving Vellankani in the morning to visit the Thirunallar Temple and later proceed to Kodaikanal for the night. Which would be the best route for my return leg : Vellankani-Thirunallar-Kodaikanal.

Thanks

[KL07]

Hi friends,

I am leaving for Vellankani next week. I am planning to take the Ernakulam-Palakkad-Pollachi-Trichy-Thiruvarur-Nagapattinam-Vellankani route for my onward journey. Is this the best option available?

For the return leg, I was thinking of leaving Vellankani in the morning to visit the Thirunallar Temple and later proceed to Kodaikanal for the night. Which would be the best route for my return leg : Vellankani-Thirunallar-Kodaikanal.

From Kodaikanal, I am planning to take the Cumbum-Theni-Kumily route to Cochin.

Please advise.

Thanks.

[ampere]

Originally Posted by KL07

I am leaving for Vellankani next week. I am planning to take the Ernakulam-Palakkad-Pollachi-Trichy-Thiruvarur-Nagapattinam-Vellankani route for my onward journey. Is this the best option available?

Instead you should do:

Ernakulam-Trichur-Vadakkenchery-Kollengode-Pollachi. From Pollachi there are more than one options.

Pollachi-Dharapuram-Arvakurichi-Karur-Musiri-Trichy and there on. Or you can do: Pollachi-Dharapuram-Oddanchatram-Dindigul-Trichy. (The second option gets you 4-lane from Dindigul).

For the return leg, I was thinking of leaving Vellankani in the morning to visit the Thirunallar Temple and later proceed to Kodaikanal for the night. Which would be the best route for my return leg : Vellankani-Thirunallar-Kodaikanal.
From Kodaikanal, I am planning to take the Cumbum-Theni-Kumily route to Cochin.

Looks good.