[rameshnanda]

Originally Posted by sunith007

Planning to drive via Pollachi . Called up and reserved at Nivethas.
Any feedback on Walayar motels in Palakkad. If I am able to go fast, I might think of stopping over at Palakkad instead...

If you are looking at 5 hour drive from Bangalore for a break, I don't think that Palakkad will be viable. Even Coimbatore is also an agressive target but can be managed in 5.30 hrs. If you are late for any reason and couldn't proceed much, plan to stay at Perundurai itself (Hotel Chennys).

[bejoy]

Originally Posted by NPV

If I remember correctly Walayar Motels is at Walayar, not Palakkad. This would be almost 20-25 Km before Palakkad.

It is located in Kanjikode, 7kms before Palakkad. Used to be our regular stop for lunch. Very courteous staff and good facilities.

[hvkumar]

Originally Posted by sunith007

Planning to drive via Pollachi . Called up and reserved at Nivethas.
Any feedback on Walayar motels in Palakkad. If I am able to go fast, I might think of stopping over at Palakkad instead...

Originally Posted by NPV

If I remember correctly Walayar Motels is at Walayar, not Palakkad. This would be almost 20-25 Km before Palakkad.
I would suggest you stay at Sri Chakra which is at the junction where the NH47 curves to the left to go towards Alathur/Trichur (going straight will take you inside Palakkad town).

Yes, Walayar Motels is at Walayar, right at the check post, one of the most miserable locations to stay at. You will be lucky if you are able to turn into the resort, considering the number of truck pile-ups around it!

Hotel Sr Chakra is conveniently located right at the point where the NH47 bypass of Palakkad starts towards Trissur, and is a good hotel. If you go straight into Palakkad town, you also have Hotel Indraprastha.

[bejoy]

Originally Posted by hvkumar

Yes, Walayar Motels is at Walayar, right at the check post, one of the most miserable locations to stay at. You will be lucky if you are able to turn into the resort, considering the number of truck pile-ups around it!

I guess there is some confusion.. IIRC, the hotel that is right next to the checkpost is Hotel Aaram. (formerly KTDC). Walayar Motels, is at Kanjikode (West) around 7kms before Palakkad byepass turning. This hotel/resort is on the left (while coming towards Palakkad) and there is a Mosque on the right side and it is not out-rightly visible from the road, as the road is elevated in the area.
I have pointed it out on this map: http://goo.gl/maps/ub9JG

I did Blr-Guruvauyr on 20th and took Selam-Avinashi-Palakkad-Ottapalam-Pattambi-Kunnamkulam route. Roads are good most of the way, though lost some time around Avinashi-Coimbatore stretch. Roads near the border is bad. Walayar - Palakkad is patched up and can maintain good speed. Stayed at Gokulam Sabari, in Guruvayur, that is at walkable distance from the temple (around 100mts from the rear gate of the hotel ). Would rate the hotel very good as the rooms were clean and has a good restaurant.

[sunith007]

Just returned from my trip to Guruvayur.

Onward - Took the route Hosur-Salem-Perundurai-Tiruppur-Palladam-Pollachi (stayed for overnight) - Wadakkenchery-Pazhayannur-Vadakkancheri-Kecheri-Guruvayur.
Excellent roads all the way. I was told about the road work between Avinashi and Walayar. Hence took the above route. Took a bit extra time, due to the small towns in kerala (and also going thru Tiruppur).
Stoppages - Petrol at Hosur
Lunch at Salem - Saravana Bhavan (near Vaigundam , right on the highway).
Stayed at Nivethas Inn in Pollachi. Would rate it as moderate. A/C was very noisy and lift was not working.

In GVR- stayed at Vyshakh. 2500 Rs for a double room (A/C). Overpriced. Only good thing is its very close to the East Nada.

Return Trip - Wanted to check the Walayar option. Hence took the different route. Guruvayur-Kunnumkulam-Pattambi-Ottappalam-Palakkad-Walayar-CBE Bypass-Avinashi-Salem-Hosur-BLR
Many detours and delays between Avinashi and CBE. I think I would wait at least an year before taking this route again.
Stayed at Salem Travellers Inn for the night. Brand new place. 1280 Rs for a double accomodation (with free breakfast). Very neat and good food as well.

My Skoda Laura clocked 14 kmpl F/E, for the entire trip.

Wanted to explore the Mettur-Bhavani route.. Maybe next time.

[SR-71]

Hi, Am planning to go to guruvayur next week. How about the stretch between chengapalli toll post and avinashi. Is it fine to take this route ?

Following are the options
(a) Bangalore - Salem - Avinashi - Coimbatore - Pallakad - Shoranur - Guruvayur
(b) Bangalore - Salem - Avinashi - Palladam - Pollachi - Alathur - Wadakancherry - Guruvayur
(c) Bangalore - Salem - Uthukulli - Tirupur - Palladam - Pollachi - Alathur - Wadakencherry - Guruvayur
(d) Bangalore - Salem - Perundurai - Kangayem - Palladam - Pollachi - Alathur - Wadakencherry - Guruvayur

I did route (c) 6 months back; good roads but traffic in avinashi town and avinashi - palladam strech can get to you. If the chengapalli toll post to avinashi road is done and if avianashi - palladam route is manageable, I would prefer this to avoid tirrupur & tirrupur - palladam route. Any advise here ?

[ampere]

Originally Posted by SR-71

(d) Bangalore - Salem - Perundurai - Kangayem - Palladam - Pollachi - Alathur - Wadakencherry - Guruvayur

Option d is the best. Get off the GQ at Perundurai and go via Kangeyam-Palladam-Pollachi-Alathur. That according to me is the most stress free drive option.

[coolclouds]

Originally Posted by SR-71

Hi, Am planning to go to guruvayur next week. How about the stretch between chengapalli toll post and avinashi. Is it fine to take this route ?

Following are the options
(a) Bangalore - Salem - Avinashi - Coimbatore - Pallakad - Shoranur - Guruvayur
(b) Bangalore - Salem - Avinashi - Palladam - Pollachi - Alathur - Wadakancherry - Guruvayur
(c) Bangalore - Salem - Uthukulli - Tirupur - Palladam - Pollachi - Alathur - Wadakencherry - Guruvayur
(d) Bangalore - Salem - Perundurai - Kangayem - Palladam - Pollachi - Alathur - Wadakencherry - Guruvayur

I did route (c) 6 months back; good roads but traffic in avinashi town and avinashi - palladam strech can get to you. If the chengapalli toll post to avinashi road is done and if avianashi - palladam route is manageable, I would prefer this to avoid tirrupur & tirrupur - palladam route. Any advise here ?

I did Pattambi-Shornur-Palakkad-Coimbatore route yesterday. Walayar area is patched up and doable.

[SR-71]

People, need your advise in sorting out a small confusion on the Pollachi - Guruvayur sector. Google maps show a couple of them

(a) Pollachi - Pudunagaram - Koduvayur - Alathaur - Pazhanur - Wadakenchery - Kecheri - Guruvayur (as in the following link - http://goo.gl/maps/n0ceP)

(b) Pollachi - Kollengode - Alathur (rest is same). This is joining alathur via Kollengeode Kunnisery road.

Can the route experts please clarify which one is the right one to take (am more interested in better road conditions than anything else)

[ampere]

Originally Posted by SR-71

(b) Pollachi - Kollengode - Alathur (rest is same). This is joining alathur via Kollengeode Kunnisery road.

Kollengode option is the standard. At Kollengode do make sure you dont get onto the road to Vadakkancherry (the one on GQ)

[ranjitp1]

Originally Posted by SR-71

People, need your advise in sorting out a small confusion on the Pollachi - Guruvayur sector. Google maps show a couple of them

(a) Pollachi - Pudunagaram - Koduvayur - Alathaur - Pazhanur - Wadakenchery - Kecheri - Guruvayur (as in the following link - http://goo.gl/maps/n0ceP)

(b) Pollachi - Kollengode - Alathur (rest is same). This is joining alathur via Kollengeode Kunnisery road.

Can the route experts please clarify which one is the right one to take (am more interested in better road conditions than anything else)

From pollachi take the pollachi-Meenkarai-govindapuram-Kollengode-pallasana-kunissery-alathur-pazhayannur-wadakancheri-kecheri-gvr route.If lost,ask anyone in pollachi to direct you to the Govindapuram route.At kollengode remember not to follow directions towards guruvayur,thrissur etc as that would take you via NH47.Instead take the road to alathur

[SR-71]

Originally Posted by ranjitp1

From pollachi take the pollachi-Meenkarai-govindapuram-Kollengode-pallasana-kunissery-alathur-pazhayannur-wadakancheri-kecheri-gvr route.If lost,ask anyone in pollachi to direct you to the Govindapuram route.At kollengode remember not to follow directions towards guruvayur,thrissur etc as that would take you via NH47.Instead take the road to alathur

Thanks for the detailed route explanation. While trying to input the route map, my Garmin GPS wont find kunnisery alathur road it seems. It keeps diverting me via vadakencherry (in NH47 as ampere had warned). I will try harder or, I have to manually do a diverion at kollingode. Really appreciate help from you guys. Team-BHP rocks !

[ranjitp1]

Originally Posted by SR-71

my Garmin GPS wont find kunnisery alathur road it seems. It keeps diverting me via vadakencherry (in NH47 as ampere had warned).

I am assuming you are coming via Palladam.Coming from Palladam,stay on SH19 till the end of the road,at the dead end,take a right,you would find Pollachi BS to your left.At the junction beside the BS,take a left and go towards Zamin Uthukuli-Govindapuram. get onto the Zamin Uthukuli-Meenkara road and keep on the road till Kollengode.The only point you might get confused is at an old railway gate,keep leftish straight at the railway gate(in the direction of Guruvayur,Kochi as indicated in the signboard).The right road goes towards Palakkad. About 700mts-1km after Kollengode town,you would encounter a temple in the middle of the road with a signboard indicating distances to GVR,Thrissur,Cochin onto your left fork.Take the right fork and go onwards towards Pallasana-Pallavoor-Kunhisserry-Alathur.From the temple to Alathur is 20kms.

http://goo.gl/maps/AwXpj

If you try plotting these places on your GPS,it should show you the correct route.

Pollachi Bustand
Zamin Uthukuli
Meenkara
Kollengode
Pallasana
Pallavoor
Kunhisserry
Alathur Bus-Stand

You could check out the famous Banana Chips from SNR-a must not miss thing on your route.

[ampere]

Originally Posted by SR-71

Thanks for the detailed route explanation. While trying to input the route map, my Garmin GPS wont find kunnisery alathur road it seems. It keeps diverting me via vadakencherry (in NH47 as ampere had warned). I will try harder or, I have to manually do a diverion at kollingode. Really appreciate help from you guys. Team-BHP rocks !

Which maps are you using? If its MMI, I can confirm that the Koolegode-Alathur SH is marked.

[SR-71]

I did Bangalore - Guruvayur over the weekend and here is an short trip report.

Onwards, I did the following :

Bangalore - Perundurai - Kangeyam - Palladam - Pollachi - Kollengode - Alathur - Pazhanur - Vadakencherry - Kecheri - Guruvayur.

Roads for the most part were awesome. The only small niggle was the Perundurai - Kangeyam strech where there are some rough patches but nothing one has to worry too much about. On the return strech, I had a slight deviation. I follwed the same route in reverse and after Kangeyam, instead of going to Perundarai and then getting on to NH47, I took left on the road to Uthukulli and reached NH47. The roads is almost a complete bliss until you reach Krishnagiri after which its a nightmare with constructions going on. So here is my suggestions for people driving to Guruvayur. Go all the way till chengapalli. At chengapalli do not take the flyover but go down and take a left towards Uthukulli and drive to Kangayam. After Kangeyam take right towards Palladam and then left towards Pollachi and then follow the Alathur - Pazhanur strech. The entire drive was stress free.

Bangalore - Chengapalli (NH47 till here) - Uthukulli (4Km off NH47) - Kangeyam - Palladam - Pollachi - Kollengode - Alathur - Pazhanur - Vadakencherry - Kecheri - Guruvayur.

Thanks to fellow BHPians for their valuable suggestions.