Cuddalore and around

airguitar · 26th January 2011, 21:32

All : I'm on a personal trip to Cuddalore. I have 4 days, 1 day of which is the personal stuff I'm going there for.. So I have 3 days to explore : around Cuddalore as well as places ( or detours ) on my way back.

1. What are the best hotels to stay at Cuddalore ? Or is Pondicherry a more preferred stay option ?

2. The route : Is it better to take the NH7->NH66 or NH7->NH68 via Salem ?

2. One of the days I plan to do Pichchavaram and the Silver Beach. Would this take a day ? Or can I add more to that day ?

3. No exploring of Pondicherry this time ( plan to do it later on ). I'm not planning on visiting any temples this time either ( again I have a longer plan for later on to do Pondicherry and temples around Chidambaram, so not this time )

4. What are other places can I do on my way back ? I prefer scenic spots and drive throughs. Are there places around the Kalrayan hills ? I'm OK going down south a little bit to visit places like Muthupet Lagoon, which my uncle recommends a lot.

First time to these parts, so please do not flame me for the number of questions

mgh · 26th January 2011, 21:59

Pondicherry has much better hotels. If all you are looking for is decent room and decent south indian food, i think there are a couple near the bus stand which should be ok.
you could think of Tranquebar and Velankani
You could also think of staying at the Kailash Beach resort midway between Cuddalore and Pondicherry.

ampere · 26th January 2011, 22:29

You would be better off doing an extra 150 km instead of taking NH66 or NH68.
Go via Chennai Highway.

Krisnhagiri-Kanchi (NH46) 4L
Kanchi-Chengelpet (SH)
Chengelpaet-Tindivanam (NH45) 4L
Tindivanam -Pondy (NH66) again 4L,
Pondy - Cuddalore (ECR)

Do NOT go via TV Malai or Attur, both are in pretty bad shape.

BLR to Cuddalore

Staying in Pondy is better. You also cannot stay in Pichavaram, but at Chidambaram. As said earlier Tranquebar is an awesome. Look at Bunglaow on the beach.

airguitar · 26th January 2011, 22:53

Thank you, guys. Also re the ECR stretch between Cuddalore and Pondicherry : is that safe for a family drive late in the night e.g. 9 PM or 10 PM ?

Anything else we need to be aware of ?

shekaran · 27th January 2011, 09:39

the stretch between pondicherry and cuddalore is safe all around 24 hours bcoz of heavy traffic, lots of colleges, 3 medical colleges, hospitals etc.,. so no worries.
bangalore to kanchipuram - chengelpet - tindivanam - pondy - cuddalore would be the best motorable route, as all are 4 lanes. its extra 50kms but well worth when you consider the time saved plus the beating your car takes. even suvs struggle in between krishnagiri-tiruvannamalai routes, so pls avoid if running with family, as even a puncture can be a headache in this road.
pitchavaram is 40kms from cuddalore, tranquebar is 85kms, and pondicherry is 23kms before cuddalore, having lots of shopping, variety of cuisines, beach, auroville etc.,.
one day you can spend in pitchavaram, another going to-fro tranquebar, even paying visits to nearby (lots of) navagraha temples, and 3rd day will be a tight schedule for pondicherry. so my advice is 1 day pitchavaram, 2 days around tranquebar and velankanni.

Best Regards.

Seagull76 · 27th January 2011, 09:58

One more route ( ECR route )

Bengaluru, Karnataka to Cuddalore, Tamil Nadu - Google Maps

Krisnhagiri-Kanchi (NH46) 4L
Kanchi-Chengelpet (SH - 2L) - 36kms
Chengelpet- Thirukazhukundram (SH - 2L ) - 26kms
Anupuram -Pondy (ECR) ,
Pondy - Cuddalore (ECR)

Fauji · 28th January 2011, 17:14

Why dont you also make it to Chidambaram if you have time? It is just around 40 KMS and you will be able to see the oustanding temple of Nataraja.

Try and cover with a good hat if you are boating in Pichavaram mangrove forets. It will be quite hot during day.

YaeJay · 30th January 2011, 01:22

Pondicherry to cuddalore, Drive very cautiously, has the highest number of self sacrificing lunatics on motorized two wheels. I always plan my trip down that road so that I cross this bit before they wake up. Gets worse once the 'shops' open up. Pondy folks know to hold it, not the same with cuddalore. Drive safe!

airguitar · 30th January 2011, 19:18

Thank you guys. I'd probably finalize my plan sometime this week. Best.

gautom · 20th December 2011, 15:21

Guys, planning a BLR-CLE (Not sure if I can use this acronym for Bangalore to Cuddalore) in the in the new year. I have gone though this thread, and gained confidence that I will be able to maneuver my good 'ol Alto on these roads. Passenger list consists of the Princess (5 years) Her Highness, and yours truly.

Quote:

Originally Posted by airguitar

Thank you guys. I'd probably finalize my plan sometime this week. Best.

airguitar, were you able to complete your trip earlier this year? can you please share your experience in CLR? How is the place? Do they have some goof hotels there? (I am not talking about some Star category, but some decent ones!) Did you stay in Pondy or in Cuddalore?

Looking forward for some help on this.

airguitar · 23rd December 2011, 22:09

Hey, apologies, just seeing this, hope this information isn't too late.

Yes I did complete that trip.

Didn't take a chance : stayed at Ginger, Pondicherry. Honestly, didn't even try looking for a hotel in Cuddalore - though someone mentioned Suriyapriya hotel, but decided to stay put at Pondicherry.

Took the Kanchipuram - Thirukkazhukkundram - ECR route. Pondicherry - Cuddalore : the 2-wheeler traffic is very very high.

26th January 2011, 21:32	#1
airguitar BHPian Join Date: Sep 2010 Location: Bangalore Posts: 696 Thanked: 2,057 Times View My Garage	Cuddalore and around All : I'm on a personal trip to Cuddalore. I have 4 days, 1 day of which is the personal stuff I'm going there for.. So I have 3 days to explore : around Cuddalore as well as places ( or detours ) on my way back. 1. What are the best hotels to stay at Cuddalore ? Or is Pondicherry a more preferred stay option ? 2. The route : Is it better to take the NH7->NH66 or NH7->NH68 via Salem ? 2. One of the days I plan to do Pichchavaram and the Silver Beach. Would this take a day ? Or can I add more to that day ? 3. No exploring of Pondicherry this time ( plan to do it later on ). I'm not planning on visiting any temples this time either ( again I have a longer plan for later on to do Pondicherry and temples around Chidambaram, so not this time ) 4. What are other places can I do on my way back ? I prefer scenic spots and drive throughs. Are there places around the Kalrayan hills ? I'm OK going down south a little bit to visit places like Muthupet Lagoon, which my uncle recommends a lot. First time to these parts, so please do not flame me for the number of questions
	() Thanks

26th January 2011, 21:59	#2
mgh BHPian Join Date: Jun 2010 Location: Bangalore Posts: 396 Thanked: 40 Times	Re: Cuddalore and around Pondicherry has much better hotels. If all you are looking for is decent room and decent south indian food, i think there are a couple near the bus stand which should be ok. you could think of Tranquebar and Velankani You could also think of staying at the Kailash Beach resort midway between Cuddalore and Pondicherry.
	() Thanks

26th January 2011, 22:29	#3
ampere Team-BHP Support Join Date: Sep 2009 Location: Bangalore Posts: 17,945 Thanked: 12,929 Times View My Garage	Re: Cuddalore and around You would be better off doing an extra 150 km instead of taking NH66 or NH68. Go via Chennai Highway. Krisnhagiri-Kanchi (NH46) 4L Kanchi-Chengelpet (SH) Chengelpaet-Tindivanam (NH45) 4L Tindivanam -Pondy (NH66) again 4L, Pondy - Cuddalore (ECR) Do NOT go via TV Malai or Attur, both are in pretty bad shape. BLR to Cuddalore Staying in Pondy is better. You also cannot stay in Pichavaram, but at Chidambaram. As said earlier Tranquebar is an awesome. Look at Bunglaow on the beach. Last edited by ampere : 26th January 2011 at 22:33.
	() Thanks

26th January 2011, 22:53	#4
airguitar BHPian Join Date: Sep 2010 Location: Bangalore Posts: 696 Thanked: 2,057 Times View My Garage	Re: Cuddalore and around Thank you, guys. Also re the ECR stretch between Cuddalore and Pondicherry : is that safe for a family drive late in the night e.g. 9 PM or 10 PM ? Anything else we need to be aware of ?
	() Thanks

27th January 2011, 09:39	#5
shekaran BHPian Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: Puducherry Posts: 245 Thanked: 77 Times View My Garage	Re: Cuddalore and around the stretch between pondicherry and cuddalore is safe all around 24 hours bcoz of heavy traffic, lots of colleges, 3 medical colleges, hospitals etc.,. so no worries. bangalore to kanchipuram - chengelpet - tindivanam - pondy - cuddalore would be the best motorable route, as all are 4 lanes. its extra 50kms but well worth when you consider the time saved plus the beating your car takes. even suvs struggle in between krishnagiri-tiruvannamalai routes, so pls avoid if running with family, as even a puncture can be a headache in this road. pitchavaram is 40kms from cuddalore, tranquebar is 85kms, and pondicherry is 23kms before cuddalore, having lots of shopping, variety of cuisines, beach, auroville etc.,. one day you can spend in pitchavaram, another going to-fro tranquebar, even paying visits to nearby (lots of) navagraha temples, and 3rd day will be a tight schedule for pondicherry. so my advice is 1 day pitchavaram, 2 days around tranquebar and velankanni. Best Regards. Last edited by shekaran : 27th January 2011 at 09:41. Reason: spell check
	() Thanks

27th January 2011, 09:58	#6
Seagull76 BHPian Join Date: Aug 2009 Location: Bangalore Posts: 73 Thanked: 65 Times	Re: Cuddalore and around One more route ( ECR route ) Bengaluru, Karnataka to Cuddalore, Tamil Nadu - Google Maps Krisnhagiri-Kanchi (NH46) 4L Kanchi-Chengelpet (SH - 2L) - 36kms Chengelpet- Thirukazhukundram (SH - 2L ) - 26kms Anupuram -Pondy (ECR) , Pondy - Cuddalore (ECR)
	() Thanks

28th January 2011, 17:14	#7
Fauji Senior - BHPian Join Date: Nov 2010 Location: Bangalore Posts: 1,471 Thanked: 994 Times	Re: Cuddalore and around Why dont you also make it to Chidambaram if you have time? It is just around 40 KMS and you will be able to see the oustanding temple of Nataraja. Try and cover with a good hat if you are boating in Pichavaram mangrove forets. It will be quite hot during day.
	() Thanks

30th January 2011, 01:22	#8
YaeJay BHPian Join Date: Apr 2009 Location: . Posts: 489 Thanked: 131 Times	Re: Cuddalore and around Pondicherry to cuddalore, Drive very cautiously, has the highest number of self sacrificing lunatics on motorized two wheels. I always plan my trip down that road so that I cross this bit before they wake up. Gets worse once the 'shops' open up. Pondy folks know to hold it, not the same with cuddalore. Drive safe!
	() Thanks

30th January 2011, 19:18	#9
airguitar BHPian Join Date: Sep 2010 Location: Bangalore Posts: 696 Thanked: 2,057 Times View My Garage	Re: Cuddalore and around Thank you guys. I'd probably finalize my plan sometime this week. Best.
	() Thanks

23rd December 2011, 22:09	#11
airguitar BHPian Join Date: Sep 2010 Location: Bangalore Posts: 696 Thanked: 2,057 Times View My Garage	Re: Cuddalore and around Hey, apologies, just seeing this, hope this information isn't too late. Yes I did complete that trip. Didn't take a chance : stayed at Ginger, Pondicherry. Honestly, didn't even try looking for a hotel in Cuddalore - though someone mentioned Suriyapriya hotel, but decided to stay put at Pondicherry. Took the Kanchipuram - Thirukkazhukkundram - ECR route. Pondicherry - Cuddalore : the 2-wheeler traffic is very very high.
	() Thanks