[asethi]

Guys, next weekend I'm planning Bangalore - Munnar - Kumarakom - Bangalore. I know the route till Munnar, but Munnar to Kumarakom is unknown to me. Can you please guide me which is the best route to follow?

[asethi]

Also would it be safe to travel midnight on the Bhavani - Mettur - Thoppur route, or should I just follow the Salem route?
Actually I plan to cover the route back from Kumarakom overnight.

[hvkumar]

From Munnar, the route is as follows:
Take NH49 (Kochi road) from Munnar
Goa via Adimali (29 kms)-Neriamangalam (30) to Kothamangalam (18)
At Kothamangalam, turn left (straight goes to Perumbavoor), and go via Muvattupuzha (13) to Kottayam (56) From Kottayam it is 15 kms to Kumarakom.
That totals 160 kms, which can be covered in under 4 hours. Since there are many villages en route, you cannot make high speeds.

All roads are safe, including the Bhavani route, and you can do it at night without any trouble.

[anilagdr]

From Kumarakom you can reach Vytilla via Vaikom or via Cherthala and thereafter continue your journey to Thrissur and beyond on the NH.

[hvkumar]

Originally Posted by anilagdr

From Kumarakom you can reach Vytilla via Vaikom or via Cherthala and thereafter continue your journey to Thrissur and beyond on the NH.

You can also NH47 at Angamali by coming from KUmarakom via Kottayam, Muvattupuzha, Perumbavoor and Kalady, which will be short and avoid the city/ bypass traffic of Ernakulam/ Kochi.

[toms_2191]

Munnar- kattapana-kuttikanam-kanjirapally-kottayam-kumarakom is another possible, scenic and better road. you will love the journy!!!

[gadadhar]

Originally Posted by asethi

Also would it be safe to travel midnight on the Bhavani - Mettur - Thoppur route, or should I just follow the Salem route?
Actually I plan to cover the route back from Kumarakom overnight.

It will be better to go via Salem during night, now most of the 4 laning work is complete..

[gadadhar]

Is the Unnukal --> Thodupuzha route good while going to Kottayam from Munnar? I have never taken this road, so the BHPians in that area, please advise

[deepclutch]

Munnar- kumarakam route can be also done via munnar-kothamangalam-muvattupuzha-thiruvankulam-kureekad-vaikom-kumarakam route which will come around 162kms.it is the faster route albeit 2kms more than other routes.seems many tourist operators prefer this route.

Another route is:
Muvattupuzha-Piravom-Vaikom-Kumarakom which comes around 67+90=157kms(approximately) or Muvattupuzha-Piravom-Kaduthuruthi(which I don't know much).

roads are not good.

The best route is the first one via thiruvankulam in NH49 which links to Thrippunithura-Vaikom Road.

@gadadhar:Unnukal-Thodupuzha route is good for touching Pala town .but otherwise kothamangalam-kottayam route via MC Road is better.

[asethi]

Thanks for all your replies guys! I'm all set to leave this Saturday, and will update you as soon as I'm back!

[BenjiRoss]

I would like to check with present road conditions and monsoons what my best option is from Munnar to Kumarakom. I will be leaving around 10 AM.
Lots of options from google maps. I'd like a safe drive down and good roads as much as possible.
It looks like I will need 4-5 hours for this drive.

[ampere]

Originally Posted by BenjiRoss

It looks like I will need 4-5 hours for this drive.

Yes its about 4-5 hours of drive.

Munnar-Adimali-Kothanmangalam-Muvattupuzha-Thiruvankulam (Thrippunithura)-Vaikom-Kumarakom.

Route Link

- Please see in the link, how to avoid Thrippunithura railway station station
- The above is what I think is the best option. But please let others also comment.

[BenjiRoss]

I drove from Munnar to Kumarakom about 4 weeks ago, but have no idea what route I took!! Just followed Google Maps. Drive was 4-5 hours with rains and a lunch stop.I dont remember any stretches that were particularly bad. I remember a turnoff to Kumarakom which was quite pot-holed.

Leaving Munnar: Munnar Kochi Road

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=X_CwxC-9Y4A

Somewhere along the way with a light drizzle:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Bs8u_Y9T59w