[ampere]

Originally Posted by ajitkumarlb

Rameshwaram - Ramanathapuram - Kizhakrai - Sikkal - Tuticorin - Tiruchendur - Kanyakumari

Not sure of the issue at Koodankulam. So you can also try:

Rameshwaram - Ramanathapuram - Kizhakrai - Sikkal - Tuticorin - Tirunelveli - KK

This would bypass Koodankulam.

[ajitkumarlb]

Originally Posted by ampere

Rameshwaram - Ramanathapuram - Kizhakrai - Sikkal - Tuticorin - Tirunelveli - KK

Rameshwaram - Ramanathapuram - follow ECR - Tuticorin - Tirunelveli - KK

This was the original route I had planned as a friend who had traveled via Tiruchendur a few months back was complaining of the road condition.

[ampere]

Originally Posted by ajitkumarlb

Rameshwaram - Ramanathapuram - follow ECR - Tuticorin - Tirunelveli - KK

This was the original route I had planned as a friend who had traveled via Tiruchendur a few months back was complaining of the road condition.

Since ECR would pass by Koodankulam, I was suggesting, it wold be good to head to Tirunelveli and take NH7.
That would be by-passing the problem.

[ajitkumarlb]

decided on this route...

Rameshwaram - Ramanathapuram - Kizhakrai - Sikkal - Tuticorin - Tirunelveli - KK

will let you all know how it goes tomorrow evening...

[NPV]

Originally Posted by ajitkumarlb

decided on this route...

Rameshwaram - Ramanathapuram - Kizhakrai - Sikkal - Tuticorin - Tirunelveli - KK

will let you all know how it goes tomorrow evening...

@ajit - This seems to be a straightforward route to avoid Koodankulam.

Looking forward to your update. Hope you've had a good vacation thus far. Drive Safe.

[ajitkumarlb]

NVP, its been going great till now and the highlight was yesterday's drive to dhanushkodi my first ever off road and use of 4x4 on my scorpio!

Heading out to KK in a few minutes now...

How did your trip go...

[ajitkumarlb]

Arrived in KK just in time for the sun set!

took this route:
Rameshwaram - Ramanathapuram - via ECR - Tuticorin - Tirunelveli - KK

Rameshwaram - Ramanathapuram: very good condition.

Entrance to ECR at Ramanathapuram for about 2 to 3 KM is OK road as the actual ECR is under construction, need to take a diversion - rest of the ECR road is fantastic! (only thing to watch out would be the villages - just need to slowdown in those stretches)

Tuticorin - Tirunelveli: road under construction, lot of diversions but manageable. lot of traffic on this road both ways.

about 7 Km in to this road is Capsi restaurant, good food, good place for kids to play. both veg & non-veg served (usually not my first choice as I am veg) but I don't mind going there again!

well what to say about the Tirunelveli - KK road. you need to drive it to know it, especially the windmill farm...

Thank you all for the help with the route!

[NPV]

Originally Posted by ajitkumarlb

How did your trip go...

My trip starts tomorrow, leaving to Madurai then to Kankyakumari and Rameshwaram. Thanks for your update on the Rameshwaram-Kanyakumari route.
So far during your entire trip did you hear or see any tension related to the dam or the nuclear plant issues ? Just wanted to get an idea of what to expect/be careful of.

[ajitkumarlb]

I have not directly witnessed anything (don't want to also ) on either of the issues (Lake or Nuclear Plant). However the news is widespread. The hotel guys say the business in KK is less due to the lake issue.

I was reading the news and seems like the issue is more on TN side 4 districts and not much on Kerela side. Dindigul & Madurai was impacted with protests yesterday (22nd).

25th I will be heading in to Kerela, if I can make it in safely I should be ok.

My initial plan was to comeback in to TN at Dindigul from Munnar and headback on NH7 for the road. I am now seriously considering heading upwards in Kerla. My return to BLR is on 30th hope things settles down by then...

You have a great & safe trip!

[ajitkumarlb]

Back safe and sound and needing sound sleep

I came through Theni entering TN from Munnar. (NH49)

Fantastic views across both sides of the border and the road condition as well. Due the lake issue less traffic which was good as well and just few private buses (TN side) and jeeps/autos (Kerela side) are helping people commute till the border and they swap.

The number plate is checked at every turn and especially while crossing the border... With my KA plate, I was not stopped anywhere but could see police posted everywhere and a tense faces all across especially on TN side.

[figo_united]

planning a drive down south during the long weekend at the end of this month.
Kanyakumari and Rameshwaram are the two main places we are planning to visit.
But I feel it might be a bit too tight for 4 days.
Plan is to leave from Mysore on early saturday morning, and return to Mysore by tuesday night.

I am somewhat aware of this route from my bike trip in 2 years ago.
http://www.team-bhp.com/forum/travel...some-trip.html

The plan I was exploring as of now was:

Mysore to Rameshwaram on saturday.[550km]
Leave Rameshwaram after lunch and reach kanyakumari on Sunday[300km]
Leave kanyakumari early evening and reach madurai on monday[250km]
Madurai to Mysore on tuesday[400km]

But it looks too packed!

Please suggest any alternative itenerary to cover Madurai, Rameshwaram and Kanyakumari(and any other places enroute).

Thanks.

[Harshavarthan]

Originally Posted by figo_united

planning a drive down south during the long weekend at the end of this month.

The plan I was exploring as of now was:

Mysore to Rameshwaram on saturday.[550km]
Leave Rameshwaram after lunch and reach kanyakumari on Sunday[300km]
Leave kanyakumari early evening and reach madurai on monday[250km]
Madurai to Mysore on tuesday[400km]
But it looks too packed!

First day drive is a little tough. Next three days will be easy. South of Dindigul, roads are good but i'm not sure about Mysore - Dindigul Section.

[ampere]

Back on the road @figo?

Mysore Chamarajanagar Sathyamangalam Annur Avinashi Palladam Dharapuram Odanchathram Dindigul.

That I think should be the best route to Dindigul. If you start early morning you should be able to cover all the way up to Rameshwaram. This I am saying knowing your capacity! If you reach Rameshwaram saturdsy evening, sunday evening should be KK. Stay overnight at Madurai on monday and return back to Mysore on tuesday by the same route which I suggested for Mysore Dindigul.

Have a safe drive and all the best.

---
Here is another option for Rameshwaram which would by-pass Madurai also.

Mysore-Chamarajanagar-Annur-Avinashi-Palladam-Dharapuram-Odanchathram-Dindigul-Nattam-Melur-Ilayangudi-Paramagudi-Ramnad-Rameshwaram

This way you also save going around Madurai. Distances are same, but you might save time with lower in the Dindigul-Melur-Paramagudi section and also better roads compared to Madurai-Paramagudi.


Mysore to Rameshwaram

[figo_united]

Originally Posted by ampere

Back on the road @figo?

Oh yes, desperate to be

Originally Posted by ampere

Mysore Chamarajanagar Sathyamangalam Annur Avinashi Palladam Dharapuram Odanchathram Dindigul.

That I think should be the best route to Dindigul. If you start early morning you should be able to cover all the way up to Rameshwaram. This I am saying knowing your capacity! If you reach Rameshwaram saturdsy evening, sunday evening should be KK. Stay overnight at Madurai on monday and return back to Mysore on tuesday by the same route which I suggested for Mysore Dindigul.

Have a safe drive and all the best.

---
Here is another option for Rameshwaram which would by-pass Madurai also.

Mysore-Chamarajanagar-Annur-Avinashi-Palladam-Dharapuram-Odanchathram-Dindigul-Nattam-Melur-Ilayangudi-Paramagudi-Ramnad-Rameshwaram

This way you also save going around Madurai. Distances are same, but you might save time with lower in the Dindigul-Melur-Paramagudi section and also better roads compared to Madurai-Paramagudi.


Mysore to Rameshwaram

Thanks a lot ampere. Will chalk out an itinerary based on the route you suggested. Any interesting places enroute rameshwaram where I can stop for a quick break?
Planning to visit palani on the way back from madurai to mysore.
Have booked for accommodation at the udupi mutt at Rameshwaram.

[ravib]

Originally Posted by figo_united

Oh yes, desperate to be



Thanks a lot ampere. Will chalk out an itinerary based on the route you suggested. Any interesting places enroute rameshwaram where I can stop for a quick break?
Planning to visit palani on the way back from madurai to mysore.
Have booked for accommodation at the udupi mutt at Rameshwaram.

Nice to see u back on roads

Near Rameswaram, you can see Thirupullani temple, Devi pattanam & Sethu karai which are few kms deviations from Madurai - Rameswaram main road. But it will take couple of hours in each place. See if you have time.

-Ravi