[ampere]

Originally Posted by avimal

There are 2 ways to reach Arcot. using NH7 via Krishnagiri or using NH4 via Kolar. It seems NH4 one is shorter by few miles. Which one will be a better choice in terms of ride and time both?

Border and state agitation items not withstanding, if you stay at Whitefield/KR Puram etc, NH4 is better (also given the condition on NH7 from Bangalore-Hosur-Krishnagiri). But not sure about these blockages on the highways near Palamaner/Chitoor etc.

Another option can also be :

Mulbagal-Palamaner-Gudiyattam-Vellore-Arcot (But again subjected to AP border issues).

[chikkars]

I am planning to do this trip next week:

Blore - Tiruvannamalai - Tirukovilur - Chidambaram - Pondi - Mahabalipuram - Chennai - Kanchi - Golden temple - Bangalore

Google shows this as the route - http://goo.gl/maps/6ttFj

Kindly let me know if this is also the best route?

Many thanks in advance!

[dass]

Originally Posted by hrman

I'm planning to drive down to Pondy from Bangalore this Dussera weekend. Route planned is:
BLR -> Krishnagiri -> Vellore -> Arcot (cross river bed) -> Cheyyar (bypass) -> Vandavasi (bypass) -> Thindivanam (college bypass) -> Pondicherry.

Is there any way we can program this route on google maps and follow it? How reiable is Google maps for this route?
I am not so good when it comes to directions and wanted a reliable method to reach..

There is a detailed route plan earlier in the thread by Raveesh. I followed the directions and we did not miss a turn. This along with google maps made sure all the turns were acurate. I am sure you can use it too, as I myself am not very good with directions but did not face any issues.

[ampere]

Originally Posted by chikkars

I am planning to do this trip next week:

Blore - Tiruvannamalai - Tirukovilur - Chidambaram - Pondi - Mahabalipuram - Chennai - Kanchi - Golden temple - Bangalore

Google shows this as the route - http://goo.gl/maps/6ttFj

Kindly let me know if this is also the best route?

Many thanks in advance!

Here is what you should do :
Route Link


Bangalore-Tiruvannamalai :

Bangalore-Hosur-Krishnagiri-Karimangalam (22 on NH7 towards Dharmapuri)- Morappur-Harur-Tiruvannamalai.

Tiruvannamalai-Thirukkovilur : Straight road. No confusions there

Thirukkovilur-Chidambaram:
Thirukkovilur-Ulundurpet-Vridhachalam-Sethiyarthope-Bhuvanagari-Chidambaram

Chidambaram-Pondi-Mahabalipuram-Chennai : ECR

Chennai-Vellore-Bangalore : No need to mention.

[chikkars]

Originally Posted by ampere

Here is what you should do :

Thank you ampere!

How is the road condition from Karimangalam to Tiruvannamalai, and further on till Chidambaram? Is this one straightforward route, or should I be looking for any deviations?

Would this be a wrong place to also ask for suggestions about good budget hotels in Chidambaram and Pondy?

[ampere]

Originally Posted by chikkars

Thank you ampere!

How is the road condition from Karimangalam to Tiruvannamalai, and further on till Chidambaram? Is this one straightforward route, or should I be looking for any deviations?

The road till Tiruvannamalai is very good. I have myself driven till Harur and enjoyed the 2-lane.

The road beyond is good and rough at some places. @templehof mentions its a bit desolate. But based on the NH66 condition I think it still makes sense to take this option.

TV Malai-Thirukkovilur : I dont know the latest condition. Also you need to ask in TV Malai for directions to this road.

Would this be a wrong place to also ask for suggestions about good budget hotels in Chidambaram and Pondy?

That depends on your budget. There are some places in Pondy.

[chikkars]

Originally Posted by ampere

That depends on your budget. There are some places in Pondy.

Thanks again. I will post the question about the accommodation in the appropriate thread.

[yatin]

Originally Posted by aithal303

Hi Ampere and All
I am driving to Pondy tomorrow and in perusing this thread, I saw that everyone was hitting TV Malai, even after taking the Karimangalam-Harur road. There is another road which is a state highway between Harur and Thirukkovilur via Perungolathur. From Thirukkovilur, one can connect to Villupuram and reach Pondy. I was wondering whether anyone had tried this road. The distance also amounts to only around 340 KMS.

Ceers
Harsha

Where is Perungolathur!? I drove to Pondy recently, went to Harur quite comfortably & nobody in Harur could direct me to Perungolathur. It was evening & I wasn't sure I wanted to take the TVM route at that time; I doubled back & went via Salem-Cuddalore toll roads to the outskirts of South Pondy.

[vrvarier]

Hi,

I'm planning to take NH-4 for my trip to Mahabalipuram and Pondicherry.

1. How is this route: KR Puram-Kolar-Mulbagal-Chittor-Sriperumbudur-Maha. I travelled till chittoor earlier this year, and it was very good.
2. From chittoor should I make it via kanchi & chengalpettu?
3. Any good veg restaurants after woody's kolar? That may be too early for BF.
4. Any good veg hotels in Maha for lunch?
5. Any personal experience with Nalla resort in Pondy?

I'm seeing @ampere is the man for this region. Please jump in sir.

[ampere]

Originally Posted by vrvarier

Hi,

I'm planning to take NH-4 for my trip to Mahabalipuram and Pondicherry.

1. How is this route: KR Puram-Kolar-Mulbagal-Chittor-Sriperumbudur-Maha. I travelled till chittoor earlier this year, and it was very good.
2. From chittoor should I make it via kanchi & chengalpettu?
3. Any good veg restaurants after woody's kolar? That may be too early for BF.
4. Any good veg hotels in Maha for lunch?
5. Any personal experience with Nalla resort in Pondy?

I'm seeing @ampere is the man for this region. Please jump in sir.

First things first. Please make sure, there are no road blocks due to agitation. Because of that you may have to go via Hosur/Krishnagiri.

As regards about the route :

Chittoor-Ranipet-Kanchi-Chengalpet-Maha.

Hotels on the way :
You can see 2-3 Coffee days at Kolar/Chitoor and Nandi A1 plaza etc.
I also remembers seeing one Athithi veg hotel near Palamaner. Dont know how good it is.

At Mahabalipuram, you can splurge at GRT !

[vrvarier]

Originally Posted by ampere

First things first. Please make sure, there are no road blocks due to agitation. Because of that you may have to go via Hosur/Krishnagiri.

Oops! Never thought about it. Did you hear anyhing of that sorts? I have taken this Krishnagiri route many times, and do not have the patience to do it again.

Originally Posted by ampere

As regards about the route :
Chittoor-Ranipet-Kanchi-Chengalpet-Maha.

Is avoiding kanchi, worth the trouble? Heard that wading through it is troublesome.

Originally Posted by ampere

At Mahabalipuram, you can splurge at GRT !

Nope. That would be too extravagent. Anything of the woody's standards?

thanks.

[ampere]

Originally Posted by vrvarier

Oops! Never thought about it. Did you hear anyhing of that sorts? I have taken this Krishnagiri route many times, and do not have the patience to do it again.

I think you may need to cross border before 5/6AM. A couple of instances where guys had to re-route themselves.

Is avoiding kanchi, worth the trouble? Heard that wading through it is troublesome.

Is there an option? I am not aware of any.

[dass]

Originally Posted by chikkars

Thank you ampere!

How is the road condition from Karimangalam to Tiruvannamalai, and further on till Chidambaram? Is this one straightforward route, or should I be looking for any deviations?

Would this be a wrong place to also ask for suggestions about good budget hotels in Chidambaram and Pondy?

At pondy, I stayed at a place called Abhi krisha hotel. good A/C rooms, but its a veg only hotel and food is average. However, it is closer to the city centre and hence quite a few options to eat out.

[vinukm]

Hello Friends,

Planning for a weekend in Pondy starting tomorrow morning from Bangalore. Last year when I traveled via Tiruvannamalai and had a tough Time.

Please suggest whether the route Via Arcot, Cheyyar and vandavasi is better or Via Karimangalam, Harur is better.

[ampere]

Originally Posted by vinukm

Please suggest whether the route Via Arcot, Cheyyar and vandavasi is better or Via Karimangalam, Harur is better.

Take the Arcot route. The one via Harur would still take you to only Tiruvannamalai. You tackle bad roads from there to Tindivanam. Instead take the option via Arcot.