[darkbull]

Hello All,

With the new year in sight and most of overseas location being expensive, we are planning this trip during the period from 25th December - 1 or 2 Jan.

I have prepared a rough schedule of this overall program

25-Dec - Bangalore to Chennai - 2 days stay only for shopping and small areas in and around Chennai

27-Dec- Chennai to Pondicherry - 2 days of stay. 1 day for Annai Ashram and 1 day for Vaitheaswaran Kovil and back to Pondicherry

29-Dec - Puducherry to Madurai - (?? days of stay). This is the place where we are yet to decide on what all places to cover and what all can we do.

31-Dec - Madurai to Ooty - If the number of days at Madurai is going to be just 2 days, we might spend 31st and 1st in Ooty.

2nd Jan- Ooty to Bangalore

The trip passengers are likely to be a big car (Ertiga VDI) with Race Dynamics Dual Channel kit (to aid in steep climbs) and a small family of self, wife and a daughter 6 years old.

We have never done such a long road trip and hence the planning of the roads, halts and hotels are all being planned. While most of the road is a plain road, my only concern is the Madurai Ooty stretch. Any inputs from the community is always appreciated.

Other places which we can include in this itineary are also welcome. Since we are on a road trip, additional places means additional knowledge.

[ampere]

Originally Posted by darkbull

25-Dec - Bangalore to Chennai - 2 days stay only for shopping and small areas in and around Chennai

Nothing new here. See Bangalore-Chennai route thread. All questions answered for you.

27-Dec- Chennai to Pondicherry - 2 days of stay. 1 day for Annai Ashram and 1 day for Vaitheaswaran Kovil and back to Pondicherry

Does not make sense to go to Vaitheeshwaran Kovil and come back to Pondicherry. May be then on the second day, visit Vaitheeshwaran kovil and head to Trichy and stay there.

Pondicherry-Cuddalore-Chidambaram-Sirkazhi-Vaitheeshwaran Kovil.


Vaitheeshwaran Kovil-Mayavaram-Kumakonam-Tanjore-Trichy.

29-Dec - Puducherry to Madurai - (?? days of stay). This is the place where we are yet to decide on what all places to cover and what all can we do.

So this becomes Trrichy-Madurai, an easy 4-lane.

31-Dec - Madurai to Ooty - If the number of days at Madurai is going to be just 2 days, we might spend 31st and 1st in Ooty.

Madurai-Arvakurichy (or go up to Karur) - Kangeyam- Tiruppur-Avinashi-Annur-Mettupalayam-Ooty,

2nd Jan- Ooty to Bangalore

Another stand route for about 5-6 hours with breaks.

We have never done such a long road trip and hence the planning of the roads, halts and hotels are all being planned. While most of the road is a plain road, my only concern is the Madurai Ooty stretch. Any inputs from the community is always appreciated.

Dont look as a long trip. Each section, is a well know one. The only place where you expect traffic is from Pondicherry-Vaithesshwaram Kovil and beyond to Trichy.

[Grand Drive]

Originally Posted by darkbull

25-Dec - Bangalore to Chennai - 2 days stay only for shopping and small areas in and around Chennai

If your intention to visit Chennai purely for shopping, consider staying around T. Nagar (Pondy Bazaar / G. N. Chetty Road).

Originally Posted by darkbull

27-Dec- Chennai to Pondicherry - 2 days of stay. 1 day for Annai Ashram and 1 day for Vaitheaswaran Kovil and back to Pondicherry

It doesn't make sense to travel back to Pondicherry. Instead, you can continue your journey towards Madurai from Vaitheeswaran Kovil. You can visit more temples around Kumbakonam / Thanjavur enroute if you want to and plan Trichy for your night halt instead of Pondicherry.

Originally Posted by darkbull

29-Dec - Puducherry to Madurai - (?? days of stay). This is the place where we are yet to decide on what all places to cover and what all can we do.

Meenakshi Amman Temple, Alagar Kovil, Thiruparankundram, Pazhamudircholai and Athisayam Theme Park are some of the places you can consider in Madurai.

Originally Posted by darkbull

31-Dec - Madurai to Ooty - If the number of days at Madurai is going to be just 2 days, we might spend 31st and 1st in Ooty.

2nd Jan- Ooty to Bangalore

Any specific reason to select Ooty? May I suggest you Kodaikanal instead of Ooty? Kodaikanal has lots of sightseeing places compared to Ooty and near to Madurai.