[ampere]

Originally Posted by sbraj

I had taken this route a year back and found the Guruvayoor - Pattambi - Nilambur stretch to be bumpy, with lots of patch work. Because of that, when I drove again last month, inquired at the local shops near Guruvayoor temple. Popular opinion was to avoid this stretch and take the Thrissur - Coimbatore stretch.

Guruvayoor - Coimbatore - Bangalore took driving time of 8 hours approximately, starting at 0445 hours.

How is the condition of Guruvayoor - Pattambi - Nilambur stretch now?

It is very nice. I drove through this stretch Dec first week, last year. Kunnankulam to Perinthalmanna via Pattambi is OK. I would not say NH quality, but very much drivable. I could maintain speeds from 60-80. Speeds are restrictive due to the curvy nature of the roads and not due to traffic. (Not that I drive faster than this!)

In fact after Perinthalmanna the road improves all the more; very fresh all through Melatoor, Nilambur till Nadugani ghats. I felt like it was recently tarred.
The road goes bad only in the Ghat sections.

[sbraj]

Originally Posted by ampere

It is very nice. I drove through this stretch Dec first week, last year.

Did you drive from Guruvayoor to Bangalore? How much drive time did it take? And what time did you start from Guruvayoor?

I am considering both the options.

Option 1: BLR -> Salem -> Coimbatore -> Palakkad -> Thrissur -> GVR
Option 2: BLR -> Mysore -> Gudalur -> Nilambur -> Pattambi -> GVR

I felt that NH7-NH47 (option 1) was much easier to drive, albeit with higher traffic, lesser scenery. This was a stretch were, in spite of me driving at high speed (I mean 100-120 KMPH), my 3 year old son did not find it uncomfortable. Whereas the option 2 is twisty roads making my son uncomfortable and throwing up. But, of course, option 2 is more scenic with less traffic.

When I had to go to Kozhikode, I preferred the Nilambur route over Kalpetta due to the traffic. After Nilambur, one can take Manjeri -> Kozhikode. Roads were good.

[ampere]

Originally Posted by sbraj

Did you drive from Guruvayoor to Bangalore? How much drive time did it take? And what time did you start from Guruvayoor?

I am considering both the options.

Option 1: BLR -> Salem -> Coimbatore -> Palakkad -> Thrissur -> GVR
Option 2: BLR -> Mysore -> Gudalur -> Nilambur -> Pattambi -> GVR

I felt that NH7-NH47 (option 1) was much easier to drive, albeit with higher traffic, lesser scenery. This was a stretch were, in spite of me driving at high speed (I mean 100-120 KMPH), my 3 year old son did not find it uncomfortable. Whereas the option 2 is twisty roads making my son uncomfortable and throwing up. But, of course, option 2 is more scenic with less traffic.

When I had to go to Kozhikode, I preferred the Nilambur route over Kalpetta due to the traffic. After Nilambur, one can take Manjeri -> Kozhikode. Roads were good.

If that is the case you can take the NH7/NH47 combine. I wanted to come to Mysore and thats why I took that road. I also wanted to try a new stretch. I started at 9.30 AM from Guruvayur and was in Mysore by about 5. This was with many small-breaks and an hour break for lunch at Bandipur. It took this long, because I dont do more than 80-100 and also roads dont allow.

[Spitfire]

Originally Posted by sbraj

Option 1: BLR -> Salem -> Coimbatore -> Palakkad -> Thrissur -> GVR

I did this route but in reverse to BLR. Left at 1630 hours from GVR and reached home at 0130 hours.

I drive at 90-100 kmph max.

[rki2007]

Hi guys i am planning to travel to Guruvayur this month. I am aware of the road conditions of the strech Blr- Hosur-Salem-Erode-Coimbatore-Pallakd-Thrichur- Guruvayur but i am not aware of the road conditions and travel safety for the below mentioned route. please anyone can update the existing conditions

BLR -> Mysore -> Gudalur -> Nilambur -> Pattambi -> Guruvayur

[ampere]

Originally Posted by rki2007

Hi guys i am planning to travel to Guruvayur this month. I am aware of the road conditions of the strech Blr- Hosur-Salem-Erode-Coimbatore-Pallakd-Thrichur- Guruvayur but i am not aware of the road conditions and travel safety for the below mentioned route. please anyone can update the existing conditions

BLR -> Mysore -> Gudalur -> Nilambur -> Pattambi -> Guruvayur

Safety wise I guess there are no issues. But after Bandipur, you wont get a decent hotel. There is a KTDC at Nilambur, I am told (good for Non Veg, I think).

Road conditions: I think Pattambi-Perinthalmanna section was not good due to the monsoon (send a PM to Ramsnavy. He did this stretch and was not happy with it)

I did it last Dec and then it was beautiful. May not be the same today.

[cool_dube]

Originally Posted by ampere

Safety wise I guess there are no issues. But after Bandipur, you wont get a decent hotel. There is a KTDC at Nilambur, I am told (good for Non Veg, I think).

Road conditions: I think Pattambi-Perinthalmanna section was not good due to the monsoon (send a PM to Ramsnavy. He did this stretch and was not happy with it)

I did it last Dec and then it was beautiful. May not be the same today.

Thanks for the details ampere.

All - latest updates on this section would be appreciated. I am going this way in a couple of weeks!!

[ampere]

You can also check with BigZero. Here is local Nilambur expert!
But having driven through that place and after seeing those snaps, I am really biased for that route.

But yes; road conditions are more important.

[cool_dube]

Originally Posted by ampere

You can also check with BigZero. Here is local Nilambur expert! But having driven through that place and after seeing those snaps, I am really biased for that route. But yes; road conditions are more important.

I got in touch with BigZero and MudMover and they are helping me out to whatever extent they can. Infact, MM is taking this route a day before I am and has promised to provide the latest updates. However, that might be too late for me to replan, if at all needed. I am keeping two other options open (a) Via Calicut and (b) Via Salem - Coimbatore - Thrissur.

[ampere]

Originally Posted by cool_dube

I got in touch with BigZero and MudMover and they are helping me out to whatever extent they can. Infact, MM is taking this route a day before I am and has promised to provide the latest updates. However, that might be too late for me to replan, if at all needed. I am keeping two other options open (a) Via Calicut and (b) Via Salem - Coimbatore - Thrissur.

Is it not that going via Calicut would be long drawn? In that case you might as well the Salem route. At least Till CBE you are super fast.

[cool_dube]

Originally Posted by ampere

Is it not that going via Calicut would be long drawn? In that case you might as well the Salem route. At least Till CBE you are super fast.

Correct - that is why taking the Calicut route is the last option. I was inclined towards the CBE/TSR option but then reading the horrid stories about this stretch, I would rather stick to my original route viz. Nilambur - P'manna - Guruvayur. My Safari would prefer bad roads over bad traffic anyday

[ampere]

Originally Posted by cool_dube

Correct - that is why taking the Calicut route is the last option. I was inclined towards the CBE/TSR option but then reading the horrid stories about this stretch, I would rather stick to my original route viz. Nilambur - P'manna - Guruvayur. My Safari would prefer bad roads over bad traffic anyday

If you are on a Safari, then I WOULD recommend the Nilambur route. You should not miss it for the scenery!
What say you all folks?


My only crib when I went through that stretch was, since I was the lone driver and wife & kid were sleeping I could not stop at many places and take snaps!

[vasoo]

Went through parts of this route this weekend. Road from Wandoor to Pattambi is in shambles in most places. Otherwise it should be decent.

[sbraj]

Advantage of Salem route is that you can be assured of good roads till Walayar checkpost. That way, decent travel time can be maintained.

Keep in mind that Nilambur route is two laned without dividers, lots of S curves. This can send the rear passengers, especially kids with a habit of throwing up, into a tizzy.

If time is not a constraint, then Nilambur route is the way to go. Beautiful vistas, especially during rainy season.

[mallumowgli]

The best and shortest route from Palakkad to Guruvayur is Palakkad - Ottappalam-Pattambi-Guruvayur. However, beware - there is road work going on between Kulappully (few Kms beyond Ottappalam) till Pattambi and the traffic has been diverted through Shoranur to Pattambi. So not sure of the traffic condition this week

My cousin had taken this route last month while going back from Guruvayur to Bangalore and vouches that this is the best route to take all the way to Bangalore

As sbraj said, roads are good from Bangalore till Walayar checkpost. But I would say, it turns brilliant on the Palakkad - Ottappalam 35 km stretch. One of the best roads I've driven in.

The Walayar Palakkad stretch is also good - no gremlins!