[BaCkSeAtDrIVeR]

Well - there is the "current condition of roads to kerala" thread. I guess the gurus are hanging out there.

[SafeDrive]

Originally Posted by aa_asif

Bangalore-Salem-Namkkal-Karur-Dindigul-Theni-Kambam-Gudalur-Kuttikanam-Kanjirapally-Erattupetta

I can vouch for the raods upto Kambam. Beyond that if you are planning to go via Kumli, the roads are good - do not know of the other route.

[SafeDrive]

Originally Posted by amitoj

Guys, i am planning a trip to Kottayam next month.
How long is the drive from Bangalore to Kottayam (time as well as kms)? Are the roads any good?

I would say around 8 t 9 hrs. As I live in Chennai I normally do it from there. If you do have the time and are on vacation, try the more scenic route via Theni/Kambam. It might actually work out better as I hear that the state of NH47 right now is not very good.

[joecherian]

Bangalore Kottayam can take you anywhere between 11-13 hours depending on your driving style. Best route would be NH7 till dindigul and then deviate towards Kumily-Kanjirappally-Kottayam. Even though the distance might be slightly more, (20-40 kms) , roads are better compared to NH47. Best part is traffic is not that dense in this route, not to forget the beautiful drive through the ghats.

[amitoj]

Thanks guys.
If i were to break the journey with a night halt, what would be the best place to do so?

[SafeDrive]

Originally Posted by amitoj

Thanks guys.
If i were to break the journey with a night halt, what would be the best place to do so?

I would say Kumli/Thekkady, but then you're almost there . Thekkady is a nice place to halt and see around. If not there, then probably Madurai would be a nice place. This again depends on your preferance. I prefer to stay in larger cities even if it is a litttle out of the way (Madurai) as the choice/class/comfort of accomodation is more. You could even try Dindigul.

[ampere]

Originally Posted by joecherian

Bangalore Kottayam can take you anywhere between 11-13 hours depending on your driving style. Best route would be NH7 till dindigul and then deviate towards Kumily-Kanjirappally-Kottayam. Even though the distance might be slightly more, (20-40 kms) , roads are better compared to NH47. Best part is traffic is not that dense in this route, not to forget the beautiful drive through the ghats.

OR here is another option: Drive to Madurai. Take a break. Next day visit the temple and drive to Theni and continue to Kottayam. Madurai should take about 6-7 hours max. Hence you can also start late in day after you finish your work in BLR for the day.

Madurai-Theni route (NH49) is pretty decent.

[sbkumar]

Originally Posted by amitoj

Thanks guys.
If i were to break the journey with a night halt, what would be the best place to do so?

Karur would be approximate mid point. I have seen a Hotel Residency there, so assume there would be couple more good hotels. If you want to have a relaxed drive the next day, you can go up toTheni and halt. I have stayed in Theni and it has a couple of good hotels too.

[amitoj]

Thanks for the suggestions guys, but alas, it seems we will be taking the train this time around.

[avkurian]

Hi,

Doing some route hunting on G-Maps from Kottayam to Bangalore, and came across this one route that is a fair amount through forests and mountains. It's as follows:

Kottayam-Pala-Munnar-Udumalaipettai-Erode-Salem-BLR

Anyone with any experience on this route? Vehicle is a Scorpio, travellers are a small family with child, and one primary driver.

Look forward to your inputs

[ampere]

Originally Posted by avkurian

Kottayam-Pala-Munnar-Udumalaipettai-Erode-Salem-BLR

Be ready to budget at least 3-4 hours for the Adimali-Munnar-Udumalpet
section. That is the main time consuming section. Hope you are OK with that.

[coolclouds]

I think, its better to go via Kottayam-Muvattupuzha-Kothamangalam-Adimaly-Munnar.

Remaining route is discussed here

The route should be narrow and scenic.

[avkurian]

That amount of time should be ok.. Hope to do it early in the morning. How is the stretch from Udumalaipettai to Erode/Bhavani? Is it state highway or just inner roads?

[ampere]

Originally Posted by avkurian

That amount of time should be ok.. Hope to do it early in the morning. How is the stretch from Udumalaipettai to Erode/Bhavani? Is it state highway or just inner roads?

Udumalpet-Dharapuram-Kangeyam-Perundurai is a beautiful SH. No problems what so over. Its at Perundurai where you get back onto 4-lane.

[kala]

Originally Posted by ampere

Be ready to budget at least 3-4 hours for the Adimali-Munnar-Udumalpet
section. That is the main time consuming section. Hope you are OK with that.

The last time I travelled that way (mid November), it took me about 6 hours to cover the 180 kms from Udumalpet to Muvattupuzha (inclusive of a half an hour lunch break). The road inside the Chinnar WLS was full of potholes - so had to traverse it at absolutely crawling pace. Even the Munnar-Adimali-Kothamangalam section had potholes off and on and pretty heavy traffic (I covered it during the day). The combination of narrow curvy roads and heavy traffic makes overtaking nearly impossible and that was the main reason why the average speed achieved on that trip was so low.

Not sure if any of those sections have been relaid now, but if it isn't I'd think that going via Kodai Rd- Theni-Cumbum-Kumily would probably be faster.