Team-BHP - Bangalore to Munnar : Route Queries

Quote:

Originally Posted by su48 (Post 3664108)

We are planning to do Bangalore - Munnar in the first week of April. In this thread folks have mentioned a lot of different routes. Bit confused after seeing all these routes. We have booked accommodation in Club Mahindra. Which would be the best route to take? Our ride would be Hyundai Verna with 4 adults and 3 kids. Thanks in advance!

Since your destination is Club Mahindra it is closer to Chinnakanal, the other side of Munnar town. Hence, following route will get you there directly without touching Munnar town:
Bangalore to Dindigul on NH7-Batlagundu-Theni-Bodi-Chinnakanal

NH7 is excellent and Dindigul-Batlandundu-Theni should also be good, not too sure about Bodi-Chinnakanal, but I don't expect that to be bad.

Quote:

Originally Posted by su48 (Post 3664108)

In addiction to what NPV said, be careful after you get on to Kodai ghat road at Batlagundu. The bus drivers are pretty rash and its a long hill drive.

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Originally Posted by ampere (Post 3666809)

In addiction to what NPV said, be careful after you get on to Kodai ghat road at Batlagundu. The bus drivers are pretty rash and its a long hill drive.

Why Kodai Ghat Road at all :Shockked:
From Batlagundu, he just needs to proceed towards Theni, not Kodai.

Quote:

Originally Posted by ampere (Post 3666809)

In addiction to what NPV said, be careful after you get on to Kodai ghat road at Batlagundu. The bus drivers are pretty rash and its a long hill drive.

Quote:

Originally Posted by NPV (Post 3667148)

Why Kodai Ghat Road at all :Shockked:
From Batlagundu, he just needs to proceed towards Theni, not Kodai.

Oops! Some how it registered to me as Kodai and not Munnar. Sorry and thanks for the find!

Quote:

Originally Posted by NPV (Post 3609284)

You can take the route via Theni (Bangalore-Dindigul on the NH 7 in great condition) to reach Chinnakanal directly. From there Munnar town is about 20Km and can take about an hour to reach.
Route:Bangalore-Dindigul-Batlagundu-Theni-Bodi-Chinnakanal-Munnar

The other approach will take you directly to Munnar town - this is via Marayoor.
Route:Bangalore-Udumalaipet-Chinnar-Marayoor-Munnar
Bangalore-Udumalaipet can be done via Bangalore-Salem-Perundurai-Kangeyam-Dharapuram-Udumalaipet

Out of the 2 routes mentioned which one has less ghat section ? I can take the longer route if it has less ghat section.

Thanks for the guidance.

Quote:

Originally Posted by pgupta (Post 3668290)

Out of the 2 routes mentioned which one has less ghat section ? I can take the longer route if it has less ghat section.

Bodi-Munnar is 64 km Udumalpettai-Munnar side is about 70 odd km. So nothing really to choose distance-wise. The time take is also similar, took 4 hrs either way with lot of photo stops.

What are you concerned about, ghat driving or time taken for ghat driving?

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Originally Posted by narayans80 (Post 3668427)

.

What are you concerned about, ghat driving or time taken for ghat driving?

I am concerned about the long distance from Bangalore and hence wanted to take the shorter ghat section if that's possible. Overall trying to minimize the time as much as possible. Planning to start by 5 am and keep about 1 hour in total for breaks. What time normally I should expect to reach ?

I think overall Theni option may have lesser ghats. Its about 90km from Udumalpet to Munnar. Not a difficult road to drive but the sheer length of road and the winding roads can take a toll on your fatigue.

But still this section needs to be done to enjoy the beauty rather than just be done with it.

So I would suggest while going take the Theni road and while coming back take the Udumalpet road and drive leisurely till Udumalpet.

Another point to note: As earlier mentioned by many: If the resort is in Chinnakanal, then Theni option default makes sense as Chinnakanal is 22km from Munnar towards Theni. So one drives that much less.

Quote:

Originally Posted by ampere (Post 3668479)

Thanks Ampere. Plan now final while going it will be Theni and while coming back it will be Udumalpet.
Can I expect to reach by 3 pm if I start by 5 am from bangalore ?

Quote:

Originally Posted by pgupta (Post 3668481)

Thanks Ampere. Plan now final while going it will be Theni and while coming back it will be Udumalpet.
Can I expect to reach by 3 pm if I start by 5 am from bangalore ?

Should be possible. 5AM start means, 8AM at Salem, (200km) (4-lane)
Salem- Dindigul is about 2 to 2.5 hours (180km) (4-lane)
Dindigul-Theni : 80km 2-lane road (About 1.5 hours max)
Theni-Munnar : 50 to Chinnakanal and 70 to Munnar. (60-70 minutes for Chinnakanal).

Would definitely say that a 4AM start would be better. That gives more option to drive at leisure if you want to.

Quote:

Originally Posted by ampere (Post 3668487)

Should be possible. 5AM start means, 8AM at Salem, (200km) (4-lane)

Salem- Dindigul is about 2 to 2.5 hours (180km) (4-lane)

Dindigul-Theni : 80km 2-lane road (About 1.5 hours max)

Theni-Munnar : 50 to Chinnakanal and 70 to Munnar. (60-70 minutes for Chinnakanal).

Would definitely say that a 4AM start would be better. That gives more option to drive at leisure if you want to.

Thank you so much Ampere for the detailed info. The last leg Theni to Munnar is what am unsure about. Not sure if I can cover that in 2 hours. Then the total time would be 9 hours without breaks.

Quote:

Originally Posted by ampere (Post 3668487)

Thanks ampere for the detailed info! Extremely useful. Planning to take the Theni route for the onward journey and Udumalaipettai on my way back. Thanks!

Update on road condition and time taken.I did Bangalore-Munnar last weekend.

Onward journey:
Bangalore-Salem-Perundurai-Kangayam-Dharapuram-Udumalpet-Marayoor-Munnar
Till Perundurai very good roads,after that till udumalpet it is SH but good surface.nothing to complain.Roads in Udumalpet town are all dug up(1km or so).After that forest sections are patchy and narrow.It is difficult to give way for bigger vehicles in some of the sections.But again nothing to complain and drive is enjoyable.
Started at 5 45 am from Bellandur,reached Udumalpet around 12 and reached Munnar at 4 15 pm. (with food breaks and photo shoots)

Return:
Munnar-Devikulam-Chinnakanal-Theni-Batlagundu-Dindigul-Salem-Bangalore
Till chinnakanal roads are good with breathtaking views
Chinnakanal to NH 49 has potholes here and there especially near chinnakanal.narrow in some stretches but hardly any traffic.The ghat section has got a fresh layer of tarmac and widened also.till Dindigul again excellent roads. some patchy sections when you approach the towns.After that again till Bangalore it is all excellent roads.
started at 8am from Munnar, reached Dindigul around 11 45 and bangalore around 5 15pm.

Quote:

Originally Posted by sayoojl (Post 3671977)

Onward journey:
Bangalore-Salem-Perundurai-Kangayam-Dharapuram-Udumalpet-Marayoor-Munnar

Now instead you can do : Bangalore-Salem-Avinashi bypass - Mangalam - Palladam - Udumalpet. Can be much faster because you get 4-lane till Avinashi and you dont need to pass through towns. Palladam is easy to pass.

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The ghat section has got a fresh layer of tarmac and widened also.

Good to note this

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Originally Posted by ampere (Post 3671997)

yeah that is what google suggested. I had posted on "All Roads to Kerala" thread as to which route to take(Avinashi-Mangalam or Kangayam-Dharapuram). I got a suggestion to take the latter one and hence i took it.Most of the towns enroute were easy to pass except Udumalpet due to construction works.will try this route next time :)