Kochi-Kodaikanal-Thekkady: Suggestions Please

NutsNBolts · 8th April 2010, 12:59

Fellow BHPians

I plan to take a holiday in mid May. So far I have two places in mind. Kodaikanal and Thekkady. How are the weather conditions? I have been to Munnar last month, so don't want to re-visit. About route:

I plan to to go to Kodai first. Maps My India shows two possible routes:

Blue route via Palakkad- Pollachi-Palani-Kodai.
Red Route via Muvathupuzha-Theni-Periyakulam-Batalagundu-Kodai.

Any suggestions regarding destinations, road conditions and places to stay? Looking forward to replies from my spirited mates.

ampere · 8th April 2010, 13:30

I guess the Theni route is the better option.
Any reasons as to why you want to take the other route?

aargee · 8th April 2010, 13:57

You may want to route via MVPA (Muvattupuzha), (roads are breeze from EKM to Kothamangalam) however you need to be checking the routes from Munnar towards Kodai. Ampere is right that if you take Thrissur route you may land up driving almost double the distance just by looking at the map. Even I'm puzzled if you've something in mind for the other route?

ranjitp1 · 8th April 2010, 14:46

Quote:

Originally Posted by NutsNBolts

Fellow BHPians

I plan to take a holiday in mid May. So far I have two places in mind. Kodaikanal and Thekkady. How are the weather conditions?

Thekkady is going to be piping hot in May,and plus the boat ride as far as I know is still suspended after the accident etc,might be a good idea to recheck before you firm up your plans.

Quote:

Originally Posted by NutsNBolts

I plan to to go to Kodai first.

This would be an easier and more scenic route.

Muvathupuzha-Theni-Periyakulam-Batalagundu-Kodai.

Make your booking early @ Kodai so that you get the better places to stay.

At Thekkady,Elephant Court is a good place to stay (albeit expensive)if you do intend on staying in Thekkady.

ampere · 8th April 2010, 14:49

Quote:

Originally Posted by aargee

You may want to route via MVPA (Muvattupuzha), (roads are breeze from EKM to Kothamangalam) however you need to be checking the routes from Munnar towards Kodai. Ampere is right that if you take Thrissur route you may land up driving almost double the distance just by looking at the map. Even I'm puzzled if you've something in mind for the other route?

Going through Munnar one will need to drive through Ghats. This can be avoided if you go via Kottayam.

NutsNBolts · 8th April 2010, 15:02

Quote:

Originally Posted by ampere

I guess the Theni route is the better option.
Any reasons as to why you want to take the other route?

Somebody who has done this route recently was of the view that Batalagunda-Kodai stretch is not in good shape where as Palani-Kodai is good road. I know the distance is almost double. So if anyone knows the current conditions, please do reply.

Quote:

Originally Posted by aargee

You may want to route via MVPA (Muvattupuzha), (roads are breeze from EKM to Kothamangalam) however you need to be checking the routes from Munnar towards Kodai. Ampere is right that if you take Thrissur route you may land up driving almost double the distance just by looking at the map. Even I'm puzzled if you've something in mind for the other route?

Quote:

Originally Posted by ampere

Going through Munnar one will need to drive through Ghats. This can be avoided if you go via Kottayam.

Last month I had gone to Munnar via Muvattupuzha. In Munnar I had enquired about the Munnar-Kodai route, but it seems the road is not in good condition and you need special permissions.

Quote:

Originally Posted by ranjitp1

Thekkady is going to be piping hot in May,and plus the boat ride as far as I know is still suspended after the accident etc,might be a good idea to recheck before you firm up your plans.

This would be an easier and more scenic route.

Muvathupuzha-Theni-Periyakulam-Batalagundu-Kodai.

Will have to check on boat ride. If that is not available, going to Thekkady will be wasted. Any other spot if Thekkady is out?

mjothi · 8th April 2010, 16:07

Quote:

Originally Posted by NutsNBolts

Will have to check on boat ride. If that is not available, going to Thekkady will be wasted. Any other spot if Thekkady is out?

Boat ride is still not opened. If you plan Thekkady with boating in mind, then please start planing different place.

This is the info from my friend who visited to Thekkady before a week or so.

ampere · 8th April 2010, 16:26

Thekkaddy will also be hot. But you can plan as it would be on your way and you should be able to get a good resort with chilled out rooms.

NutsNBolts · 9th April 2010, 09:35

I think the major attraction is Thekkady is the early morning boat ride where you get to see some wildlife. If anyone else has any different information, please share.

Looks like I will have to stick to a 3day trip to kodai or a combine Munnar-Kodai trip instead of thekkady. Idea is to get away from chip-chipa heat of Kochi.

vasoo · 9th April 2010, 10:07

You can actually visit both places in one trip. See the map below. My cousin did this route last year from Ernakulam and then he came back through Munnar.

kiku007 · 9th April 2010, 10:38

Quote:

Originally Posted by NutsNBolts

In Munnar I had enquired about the Munnar-Kodai route, but it seems the road is not in good condition and you need special permissions.

+1. We can't take our vehicles through the Munnar-Kodai road (If we can call than one

)

Read here,

http://www.team-bhp.com/forum/travel...-photos-2.html

Vattavada is the last point until which proper roads are available in the Munnar – Kodaikanal stretch
It is possible to reach Kodaikanal from here provided

Forest Dept permission is obtained
Forest Dept guide is engaged
4X4 Jeep services are engaged

If this road is laid properly then it's claimed that it would be the highest motarable road south of Himalayas
Forest Dept is not giving clearance for the road project sighting the damages it could do to the forest life. I agree.

ampere · 9th April 2010, 11:45

Its better to do Kodai first and go via Theni as Vasoo mentioned. Else you end up driving through the Ghats four times.

bijuks · 9th April 2010, 22:16

In my opinion, the best option or you would be to take the following:

1. Kochi - Muvattupuzha - Kothamangalam - Adimali - Munnar
2. Munnar - Marayoor - Udumalpettai - Palani - Kodai
3. Kodai - Theni - Kambam - KambamMettu - Kattappana - Idukki - Thodupuzha - Muvattupuzha - Kochi

good scenic route throughout.

Can spent time at both Munnar and Kodai

During the return through Idukki - Visit the Arch Dam, Cheruthoni Dam and Kulamavu dam - They are majestic ones.

ampere · 10th April 2010, 08:50

Quote:

Originally Posted by bijuks

Can spent time at both Munnar and Kodai

Nutsbolt mentioned that he had been to Munnar last month and hence did not want to go there, but to Kodai directly. Else your plan is the perfect one !

NutsNBolts · 10th April 2010, 16:19

Thanks for the inputs guys.

@Kiku. Went through your travelogue. Really informative.
@ampere, thanks for valuable suggestions.
@vasoo, route you have mentioned is ideal, but in mid May, I believe Thekkady is going to be sweltering hot.
@bijuks, as of now, I have plans only for kodai and thekkady.

I had earlier planned for 2N/3D halts at both places. Now I think I will be better off to have a 3N/4D trip to Kodai alone. Main idea is to laze around and get awy from the heat in Kochi.

8th April 2010, 12:59	#1
NutsNBolts BHPian Join Date: Jul 2009 Location: Jammu Posts: 817 Thanked: 41 Times View My Garage	Kochi-Kodaikanal-Thekkady: Suggestions Please Fellow BHPians I plan to take a holiday in mid May. So far I have two places in mind. Kodaikanal and Thekkady. How are the weather conditions? I have been to Munnar last month, so don't want to re-visit. About route: I plan to to go to Kodai first. Maps My India shows two possible routes: Blue route via Palakkad- Pollachi-Palani-Kodai. Red Route via Muvathupuzha-Theni-Periyakulam-Batalagundu-Kodai. Any suggestions regarding destinations, road conditions and places to stay? Looking forward to replies from my spirited mates. Attached Images
	() Thanks

8th April 2010, 13:30	#2
ampere Team-BHP Support Join Date: Sep 2009 Location: Bangalore Posts: 17,945 Thanked: 12,928 Times View My Garage	I guess the Theni route is the better option. Any reasons as to why you want to take the other route?
	() Thanks

8th April 2010, 13:57	#3
aargee Senior - BHPian Join Date: Jan 2010 Location: TSTN Posts: 6,236 Thanked: 9,637 Times	You may want to route via MVPA (Muvattupuzha), (roads are breeze from EKM to Kothamangalam) however you need to be checking the routes from Munnar towards Kodai. Ampere is right that if you take Thrissur route you may land up driving almost double the distance just by looking at the map. Even I'm puzzled if you've something in mind for the other route? Last edited by aargee : 8th April 2010 at 13:59.
	() Thanks

8th April 2010, 16:26	#8
ampere Team-BHP Support Join Date: Sep 2009 Location: Bangalore Posts: 17,945 Thanked: 12,928 Times View My Garage	Thekkaddy will also be hot. But you can plan as it would be on your way and you should be able to get a good resort with chilled out rooms.
	() Thanks

9th April 2010, 09:35	#9
NutsNBolts BHPian Join Date: Jul 2009 Location: Jammu Posts: 817 Thanked: 41 Times View My Garage	I think the major attraction is Thekkady is the early morning boat ride where you get to see some wildlife. If anyone else has any different information, please share. Looks like I will have to stick to a 3day trip to kodai or a combine Munnar-Kodai trip instead of thekkady. Idea is to get away from chip-chipa heat of Kochi.
	() Thanks

9th April 2010, 10:07	#10
vasoo Senior - BHPian Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: Memphis TN Posts: 1,039 Thanked: 246 Times View My Garage	You can actually visit both places in one trip. See the map below. My cousin did this route last year from Ernakulam and then he came back through Munnar. Attached Thumbnails
	() Thanks

9th April 2010, 11:45	#12
ampere Team-BHP Support Join Date: Sep 2009 Location: Bangalore Posts: 17,945 Thanked: 12,928 Times View My Garage	Its better to do Kodai first and go via Theni as Vasoo mentioned. Else you end up driving through the Ghats four times.
	() Thanks

9th April 2010, 22:16	#13
bijuks BHPian Join Date: Apr 2008 Location: Bangalore Posts: 215 Thanked: 109 Times	In my opinion, the best option or you would be to take the following: 1. Kochi - Muvattupuzha - Kothamangalam - Adimali - Munnar 2. Munnar - Marayoor - Udumalpettai - Palani - Kodai 3. Kodai - Theni - Kambam - KambamMettu - Kattappana - Idukki - Thodupuzha - Muvattupuzha - Kochi good scenic route throughout. Can spent time at both Munnar and Kodai During the return through Idukki - Visit the Arch Dam, Cheruthoni Dam and Kulamavu dam - They are majestic ones.
	() Thanks

10th April 2010, 16:19	#15
NutsNBolts BHPian Join Date: Jul 2009 Location: Jammu Posts: 817 Thanked: 41 Times View My Garage	Thanks for the inputs guys. @Kiku. Went through your travelogue. Really informative. @ampere, thanks for valuable suggestions. @vasoo, route you have mentioned is ideal, but in mid May, I believe Thekkady is going to be sweltering hot. @bijuks, as of now, I have plans only for kodai and thekkady. I had earlier planned for 2N/3D halts at both places. Now I think I will be better off to have a 3N/4D trip to Kodai alone. Main idea is to laze around and get awy from the heat in Kochi.
	() Thanks