[Bonemechanic]

Originally Posted by mykal shoemaker

Hi fellow TBHPians,

I'm planning a Bangalore - Shoranur trip on this saturday. I think there are poorams (Chinakkathur,mainly) during this period and Palakkad--Ottappalam stretch may have traffic blocks,diversions etc.

So, is it a good idea to take Mysore-Nadugani-Nilambur-Perinthalmanna route for a smooth ride? Anyone travelled recently on that route up-to Pattambi? Please share your feedback.

Panning to start by 6AM.

I just drove Perinthalmanna, Pattambi, Deshamangalam, Cheruthuruthi, Thrissur, and back. The return trip was via Cheruthurithi, Shoranur, Pattambi, and Perinthalmanna.
The Pulamanthole Bridge is open after repair work. The Shoranur Pattambi stretch has ongoing road construction work. Daytime drive, so traffic was heavy. Stuck at Koppam for almost 30 minutes.

From Vazhikkadav to Perinthalmanna, there are good roads but narrow,typical Kerala-type roads and traffic.

[JohnnyBoss]

Originally Posted by Bonemechanic

I just drove Perinthalmanna, Pattambi....

How is the road between Pattambi and Perinthalmanna? Heard it was in very bad shape for quite some time.

[Bonemechanic]

Originally Posted by JohnnyBoss

How is the road between Pattambi and Perinthalmanna? Heard it was in very bad shape for quite some time.

It is OK. Not many potholes,but not smooth. Expect much traffic during the day.

[sridhar24]

I'm planning Bangalore to Munnar trip very shortly, could anyone suggest me the best route.

When I lookup on Google maps it suggests 2 routes -
1. Bangalore - Salem - Dindigul - Theni - Poppara - Munnar
2. Bangalore - Salem - Avinashi - Gudimangalam - Marayoor - Gundumalai - Munnar.

Route 1 shows as slightly quicker though. I would appreciate any help and suggestions on best route to follow, road conditions et all.

[hsroy]

Originally Posted by sridhar24

I'm planning Bangalore to Munnar trip very shortly, could anyone suggest me the best route.

Two years back (April'22), I took option2 above on our way to Munnar and drove back via option 1.

Option2 gets slow after Avinashi with narrow roads and this time of the year(before start of monsoons) the drive through Chinnar Wildlife sanctuary was not great (it was dry, hot, not very scenic). It gets pleasant and beautiful only once you climb the heights closer to Munnar. You can consider taking it on your return journey, club it with Eravikulam wildlife sanctuary, cover some places around Marayoor.

Option 1 is just breath-takingly beautiful all the way from when you start the climb from Kothagudi Road junction. Its quicker, good roads, wide enough even with hairpin bends.

[sknair]

Hello,
Can anyone confirm if the Shell petrol pump at this address is open now and the operating hours? "NH 66, Kanjikuzhy, Mayithara, Mararikulam"
Are there any other Shell petrol pumps on the Palakkad-Kochi-Alapuzha highway?
Thanks

[Rajeevraj]

Originally Posted by sridhar24

I'm planning Bangalore to Munnar trip very shortly, could anyone suggest me the best route.
When I lookup on Google maps it suggests 2 routes -
1. Bangalore - Salem - Dindigul - Theni - Poppara - Munnar
2. Bangalore - Salem - Avinashi - Gudimangalam - Marayoor - Gundumalai - Munnar.

Take the first route. Fantastic roads all through and you get the chance to drive the famous Munnar 'Gap Road'. Salem-Dindigul is also a much better drive than Salem-Avinashi. I last drove May of 2023, but conditions would not have changed much.

[Rajgir]

Originally Posted by hsroy

Two years back (April'22), I took option2 above on our way to Munnar and drove back via option 1.

Option2 gets slow after Avinashi with narrow roads and this time of the year(before start of monsoons) the drive through Chinnar Wildlife sanctuary was not great (it was dry, hot, not very scenic). It gets pleasant and beautiful only once you climb the heights closer to Munnar. You can consider taking it on your return journey, club it with Eravikulam wildlife sanctuary, cover some places around Marayoor.

Option 1 is just breath-takingly beautiful all the way from when you start the climb from Kothagudi Road junction. Its quicker, has good roads, wide enough even with hairpin bends.

I want to know if you drove in ICE or EV. I plan to visit Munnar via this route in my MZ ZS EV. I am having range anxiety and not sure my EV can reach Munnar after charging at Dindigul. Did you see any EV along the way between Theni and Munnar. It will be beneficial to me.

[hsroy]

Originally Posted by Rajgir

I want to know if you drove in ICE or EV.

I drove an ICE and I don't remember if I saw any EV. But you shouldn't rely on my experience two years back. EVs and charging Infra have grown a lot since. Pls check the appropriate forum.

[darklord]

Thalassery-Mahe Bypass opened to public for trial run:



https://www.mathrubhumi.com/news/ker...-run-1.9386166

[gadadhar]

We are driving to Nalliyampathy from Bangalore and thought of taking the Kozhinjanpara Chittur route to experience the Palakkad villages than sticking to the NH route through Alathur.

It will be good to know about the road situation in general though the ride is going to be the Fortuner.

Lunch option enroute will be helpful, preference is smaller shops that serves traditional Kerala non-veg food.

Plan it to take a 2-day break in Nelliyampathy while on the way to native and say Hello to the Hornbills. My last visit here was way back in 1996 in our good old Amby (had a brake failure on the way down!), things would have changed a lot since then and tips while there now is appreciated.

[ranjitp1]

Originally Posted by gadadhar

We are driving to Nalliyampathy from Bangalore and thought of taking the Kozhinjanpara Chittur route to experience the Palakkad villages than sticking to the NH route through Alathur.

It will be good to know about the road situation in general though the ride is going to be the Fortuner.

Lunch option enroute will be helpful, preference is smaller shops that serves traditional Kerala non-veg food.

Plan it to take a 2-day break in Nelliyampathy while on the way to native and say Hello to the Hornbills. My last visit here was way back in 1996 in our good old Amby (had a brake failure on the way down!), things would have changed a lot since then and tips while there now is appreciated.

Either Pollachi-Kozhinjampara-Chittur-Nemmara-Nelliyampathi or Pollachi-Meenakshipuram-Govindapuram CP-Kollengode-Nemmara-Nelliyampathi both are typical state roads,no problems as such.Good eating options are very limited once you leave Pollachi. Nandhanam is an option at Chittur,but very very ordinary place.

On Govindapuram road, Coco Lagoon is a good place.Paray Village county is the only other option at kollengode.

[gadadhar]

Originally Posted by ranjitp1

Either Pollachi-Kozhinjampara-Chittur-Nemmara-Nelliyampathi or Pollachi-Meenakshipuram-Govindapuram CP-Kollengode-Nemmara-Nelliyampathi both are typical state roads,no problems as such.Good eating options are very limited once you leave Pollachi. Nandhanam is an option at Chittur,but very very ordinary place.

Thanks, I was thinking of deviating from Ettimadai to Velanthavalam as shown in Maps assuming that to be better than Pollachi. Please share your thoughts

Thanks for the hotel suggestions, I just came across this place in Pothundi with decent reviews, but doesn't seems to the best place for local food

[ranjitp1]

Originally Posted by gadadhar

Thanks, I was thinking of deviating from Ettimadai to Velanthavalam as shown in Maps assuming that to be better than Pollachi. Please share your thoughts

Thanks for the hotel suggestions, I just came across this place in Pothundi with decent reviews, but doesn't seems to the best place for local food

Velanthavalam road is good-no problems, narrow though. There is no gain as such, going via this route though as opposed to going via Pollachi in my opinion

[ranjitp1]

Originally Posted by gadadhar

Thanks, I was thinking of deviating from Ettimadai to Velanthavalam as shown in Maps assuming that to be better than Pollachi. Please share your thoughts

Thanks for the hotel suggestions, I just came across this place in Pothundi with decent reviews, but doesn't seems to the best place for local food

If you want more details around Nelliyampathi,you can refer to the facebook group called Palakkad Trails which has lots of people from Nemmara,Palakkad,Chittur,Tatamangalam etc