[ampere]

Originally Posted by krishnathanthri

Did you pass via Mysore?
Whats the rent in Sherlock?

Krishna

Yes went through Mysore. First stop was Gundlupet CCD.
Rent is about 3.8K with taxes. This includes only breakfast.

As Ranjit mentioned, ask for rooms with the Garden view. Some of them directly open in dining hall, which is not good.

[s3va]

Originally Posted by ampere

Just came back from Ooty. Stayed at Sherlock. Over all very nice experience. Few niggles here and there. But yes, its worth the stay and views from the place was just amazing.

Shiva, you should re-plan once again!

Food at the place is costly. For that I would recommend a place called "Dhaba Express" right next to hotel Ooty Gate. Serves very decent North Indian food. Though he also serves, non-veg. You cannot walk to these places from Sherlock. You need to take your car.

I just came across this post. Damn, I am so stuck with personal commitments and travel that I cant even think of a trip in the near. But definitely Ooty is on the radar. Thanks Ampere.

My planning was so extensive from the extent to which I had been in touch with various folks here on the thread, it was like I had virtually visited Ooty and had an experience staying at Sherlock.

Please post some pics Ampere !

[ampere]

Siva,

Here are some of the sherlock snaps. The first one is the view from the hotel.

[maximus.]

Sherlock really has wonderful views.

Can anyone provide an update road conditions to Ooty from bangalore.

[ampere]

Originally Posted by maximus.

Sherlock really has wonderful views.

Can anyone provide an update road conditions to Ooty from bangalore.

Pretty standard. No issues except for the Nanjangud stretch, which is OK for 50Kmph kind of speeds. Not sure of the Masinagudi stretch with the rain.

[raghu230506]

Guys,

We are planning Ooty and Conoor this weekend (few would join from Hyd), checked whether, there are possible thunder storms. But how bad it is?

Do you guys suggest this for this weekend or better to plan Munnar?

Cheers
Raghu

[ranjitp1]

Munnar does not look like an exciting option either as its currently raining in parts of kerala.Ooty would be a better bet,but be ready for a wet trip as there is a huge depression beginning to form over the Bay of Bengal and is moving inwards

[mykal shoemaker]

Originally Posted by ampere

Pretty standard. No issues except for the Nanjangud stretch, which is OK for 50Kmph kind of speeds. Not sure of the Masinagudi stretch with the rain.

Anyone got any updates on the Masinagudi stretch.
I'm planning another trip through this road, probably tomorrow.

I hope other than the Nanjangud stretch all are ok.

There is no heavy rain reports either.

[mykal shoemaker]

Update:-

I did a trip to Ooty through both these roads,ie, upwards through Mysore-Masinagudi-Ooty and downwards through Gudallur.

Both roads are good. The masinagudi stretch is narrow road compared to the National Highway.But roads are in good condition.

But it is not advisable in this thick fog conditions,as the 36 hair pin curves were fully covered with dense fog and visibility was very very low(at 12:30-1PM day time,So early mornings and evenings will be more scary).Unless you have good fog lamps, its better to stick to the NH.

[ampere]

Originally Posted by mykal shoemaker

Update:-

I did a trip to Ooty through both these roads,ie, upwards through Mysore-Masinagudi-Ooty and downwards through Gudallur.

Both roads are good. The masinagudi stretch is narrow road compared to the National Highway.But roads are in good condition.

But it is not advisable in this thick fog conditions,as the 36 hair pin curves were fully covered with dense fog and visibility was very very low(at 12:30-1PM day time,So early mornings and evenings will be more scary).Unless you have good fog lamps, its better to stick to the NH.

How was the weather in Ooty? Was it raining?


Fog at noon sounds, really low visibility!
But nonetheless, you must have had fun!

[mykal shoemaker]

Originally Posted by ampere

How was the weather in Ooty? Was it raining?


Fog at noon sounds, really low visibility!
But nonetheless, you must have had fun!

It was drizzling once in a while and partly cloudy - a great opportunity for fog to have their full fun. .

Yes.I went there specifically for the Nilgiri mountain railways.I did an Ooty-Mettuppalayam loooooooooooong journey.

A travelogue will come soon,once I sort all the pics.

[motomaverick]

Wondering which route to take for a night drive to Coonoor from Bangalore. Starting time somewhere around 9pm from Blore.

I heard that Bandipur is closed at night. So how do the night buses' reach Ooty or Coonoor? Coz for Gudalur route also we need to pass through Bandipur.

[gopal.prabhu1]

Masinagudi / Kalhatty is not as scary as it's made out to be here - if you're in the correct gear (remember, same gear to come down as you used to go up), it is not an issue at all.

And yes, drive a little slower when there is fog.

Otherwise, this route remains excellent. Mysuru - Nanjanagudu is a roadlayer's delight!

[motomaverick]

Originally Posted by gopal.prabhu1

Masinagudi / Kalhatty is not as scary as it's made out to be here - if you're in the correct gear (remember, same gear to come down as you used to go up), it is not an issue at all.

And yes, drive a little slower when there is fog.

Otherwise, this route remains excellent. Mysuru - Nanjanagudu is a roadlayer's delight!

Agree to that. However, does Bandipur allow private vehicular traffic post 6pm? How do these buses from Mysore or Bangalore go to reach Ooty early morning?

[ajithbr]

Originally Posted by motomaverick

Agree to that. However, does Bandipur allow private vehicular traffic post 6pm? How do these buses from Mysore or Bangalore go to reach Ooty early morning?

Bandipur route is closed from 9 PM to 6 AM.

A few govt buses are allowed in this route even when closed for private traffic.

If you have to reach Ooty in the morning starting late from Bangalore, the best plan will be calculating backwards for an optimal timing drive.
Time from which Bandipur forest entry is allowed = 6 AM
Distance to Bandipur forest gate from Bangalore = Around 225 kms
Approx driving time to Bandipur forest gate = 4 hours + a few breaks
Driving time from Bandipur forest gate to Ooty = Approx 2 hours
So, plan to reach Ooty by 8 AM after crossing Bandipur forest gate around 6 AM. Start around midnight from Bangalore and drive slowly with a couple of breaks in between.

This is just an alternative only