Munnar, Kemmangundi or Chickmagalur for a 3 days trip?

praz · 22nd February 2011, 08:58

Guys, me and my friends (around 5-6 guys) are planning to go on a trip towards the end of March. The place should be cool and there should be good accomodation available. We have narrowed down to three places : Munnar, Kemmangundi and Chickmagalur. I need to select one of these three places.

As I have never been to these places, I would like you guys to help me out by answering a few questions using the template below :

Place : <Name of the place>

1. Is March a good time to visit this place?
2. Other places of interest around this area
3. Accomodations/hotels/homestays (should allow bachelors

) to check out
4. Route from Chennai & Bangalore

Extra info on these places are most welcome.

Samurai · 22nd February 2011, 09:15

You want to do all 3 within 3 days?

Kemmangundi is usually part of Chikmagalur trip. But Munnar is easily 550kms away from Chikmagalur. I suggest you pick between Munnar or CKM, you can't do both in 3 days and enjoy too.

praz · 22nd February 2011, 09:19

Quote:

Originally Posted by Samurai

You want to do all 3 within 3 days?

Kemmangundi is usually part of Chikmagalur trip. But Munnar is easily 550kms away from Chikmagalur. I suggest you pick between Munnar or CKM, you can't do both in 3 days and enjoy too.

I need to decide on one of the three places. I have edited my post to clarify this. Thanks for pointing this out.

sushrutha · 22nd February 2011, 11:47

Quote:

Originally Posted by praz

Place :

CHIKMAGALUR/KEMMANGUNDI

Quote:

1. Is March a good time to visit this place?.

Yes. It's slighlty cold during night, In summer heat is not too much either.

Quote:

2. Other places of interest around this area.

Nearby POI are Bababudangiri, Mullaingiri, Mutthodi forest, Kallathigiri, hebbe falls, Lakya dam - Lakkavalli backwaters

Quote:

3. Accomodations/hotels/homestays (should allow bachelors

) to check out.

Hotels in CKM - The Serai, Taj Getaway, Planter's court, Benaka Residency, Hotel Rajmahal, Hotel Soundarya etc..(In the Descending order of Tariff/day)
Check the following link for homestays in CKM
Getaway :: homestayinchikmagalur :: Stay in Style
I don't have much idea abt homestays in Kemmangundi, but ther's one GOVT maintained Lodge -hotel accomodation on Kemmangundi hills, it's a decent lodge.

Quote:

4. Route from Chennai & Bangalore
Extra info on these places are most welcome.

Chennai - Krishnagiri -Hosur - Electronic City- NICE Road - Nelamangala - Kunigal - Hassan-Belur-Chikmagalur.
Chikmagalur - Kaimara - Lingadalli- Kallathipura-Kemmangundi.

shankar.balan · 22nd February 2011, 12:03

If you have only 3 days - including travel time, you would be better advised to hit Chikmagalur as you can reach in 6 hours or so.
Munnar involves atleast 8-9 hours driving which doesnt give you too much time to enjoy the place per se.
If I were faced with this choice, I would decide on Chikmagalur only for this reason.

Fauji · 22nd February 2011, 15:37

Why don't you look at the option of visiting Malnad by making Tirthahalli as a base? It is least explored and has everything - Piligrimage, Heritage, mountains, waterfalls, Wild life etc. It is a comfortable drive of 6 hours - shorter than Pondy

- from Bangalore and there are good options to stay. The road between Bangalore and Shivamogga is good.

Take a look at my travelogue

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

praz · 25th February 2011, 08:33

Guys, thanks a lot for your inputs. We have finalized Chickmagalur-Kemmangundi-Thirthahalli. I have one more query.
Is it ok to take our own small cars (Ritz Vdi & Punto MJD) or do you need an SUV in these areas?

sushrutha · 25th February 2011, 10:37

Quote:

Originally Posted by praz

Guys, thanks a lot for your inputs. We have finalized Chickmagalur-Kemmangundi-Thirthahalli. I have one more query.
Is it ok to take our own small cars (Ritz Vdi & Punto MJD) or do you need an SUV in these areas?

Ritz and Punto should be fine.
But make sure from Chikmagalur you take the route via Kaimara -Arasinaguppe -Lingadahalli - Kallathipura to Kemmangundi.
By any chance if you take this route CKM-Kaimara-Atthigundi-Kemmangundi, this is in very bad shape, it's broken all the way from Attigundi - Kemmangundi. But this is one THE BEST SCENIC Route I have encountered.

ampere · 25th February 2011, 10:38

Is should be very easy for Punto/Ritz.
Should not be a problem at all as per me.

jkrishnakj · 25th February 2011, 10:47

Kemmangundi should be good in march. Its not more than 5 hours drive from Bangalore.

You can book the rooms at the Govt Horticulture Dept Guest House. They have different types of rooms. The tariff is good and the rooms are neat.

Samurai · 25th February 2011, 11:04

Quote:

Originally Posted by sushrutha

By any chance if you take this route CKM-Kaimara-Atthigundi-Kemmangundi, this is in very bad shape, it's broken all the way from Attigundi - Kemmangundi. But this is one THE BEST SCENIC Route I have encountered.

You really want him to miss this road?

Some views from this road:

http://www.team-bhp.com/forum/travel...ml#post1117952

Besides, to go to Mullaiangiri, he has to take this route. Some shots that route too: http://www.team-bhp.com/forum/travel...lur-belur.html

Also, Belur is barely 20kms away from CKM.

sushrutha · 25th February 2011, 12:01

Quote:

Originally Posted by Samurai

You really want him to miss this road?

Well Samurai San, As I have mentioned earlier in my post, It's one the MOST SCENIC ROAD I have encontered, it definetely is.

I had taken an I20 last time in this broken stretch, it was really pain to drive without scraping the underbelly of the car. Thank god nothing of that sort happened.
But for a newbie who is not used to this type of OFF ROAD Driving, it's damn difficult to drive a car/sedan without scraping anything of the car. Moreover the road is too narrow, edgy too, giving way will be difficult for drivers who have mostly driven in City/Highway. One mistake .... and certainly you know where the vehicle will land.
Moreover the road is very much deserted, not many vehicles ply on this road, no phone network either in some places...
But the good thing about this road was it gas getting repaired in someparts, but definetely not in the BHADRA WILDLIFE limits.

Quote:

http://www.team-bhp.com/forum/travel...ml#post1117952

More the number of times I see your pics, it just gives me goosebumps.. Read the travelogue for the second time.. still can't get hangover of the pics, Just Amazing.

Newpunter · 25th February 2011, 12:09

For 3 days, I think you can also include Shravanabelgola, Belur and Halebidu in your trip, if you are interested in ancient architecture. These temples are not to be missed.
For lunch enroute, you could look at Hoysala Village Resort on the Hassan-Belur route. The route is mostly decent and you can easily manage it in a Punto or Ritz. I did it in a Punto and managed never to scrape the bottom throughout the trip

.

prabhuferrari · 25th February 2011, 12:49

Quote:

Originally Posted by Samurai

You really want him to miss this road?

Some views from this road:

http://www.team-bhp.com/forum/travel...ml#post1117952

Besides, to go to Mullaiangiri, he has to take this route. Some shots that route too: http://www.team-bhp.com/forum/travel...lur-belur.html

Also, Belur is barely 20kms away from CKM.

Will I be able to go in this route via Maruti Esteem?

Your pictures are too tempting, but don't want to damage my car for the same.

Anandg · 25th February 2011, 12:54

Is it safe to drive in night on these route? Just asking so as to save daytime.

22nd February 2011, 08:58	#1
praz BHPian Join Date: Jan 2010 Location: Bangalore<->Chennai Posts: 99 Thanked: 9 Times	Munnar, Kemmangundi or Chickmagalur for a 3 days trip? Guys, me and my friends (around 5-6 guys) are planning to go on a trip towards the end of March. The place should be cool and there should be good accomodation available. We have narrowed down to three places : Munnar, Kemmangundi and Chickmagalur. I need to select one of these three places. As I have never been to these places, I would like you guys to help me out by answering a few questions using the template below : Place : <Name of the place> 1. Is March a good time to visit this place? 2. Other places of interest around this area 3. Accomodations/hotels/homestays (should allow bachelors ) to check out 4. Route from Chennai & Bangalore Extra info on these places are most welcome. Last edited by praz : 22nd February 2011 at 09:20.
	() Thanks

22nd February 2011, 09:15	#2
Samurai Team-BHP Support Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: Bangalore/Udupi Posts: 25,948 Thanked: 47,262 Times View My Garage	Re: Munnar, Kemmangundi or Chickmagalur for a 3 days trip? You want to do all 3 within 3 days? Kemmangundi is usually part of Chikmagalur trip. But Munnar is easily 550kms away from Chikmagalur. I suggest you pick between Munnar or CKM, you can't do both in 3 days and enjoy too.
	() Thanks

22nd February 2011, 12:03	#5
shankar.balan Senior - BHPian Join Date: Apr 2008 Location: Bangalore Posts: 11,400 Thanked: 23,684 Times View My Garage	Re: Munnar, Kemmangundi or Chickmagalur for a 3 days trip? If you have only 3 days - including travel time, you would be better advised to hit Chikmagalur as you can reach in 6 hours or so. Munnar involves atleast 8-9 hours driving which doesnt give you too much time to enjoy the place per se. If I were faced with this choice, I would decide on Chikmagalur only for this reason.
	() Thanks

22nd February 2011, 15:37	#6
Fauji Senior - BHPian Join Date: Nov 2010 Location: Bangalore Posts: 1,471 Thanked: 994 Times	Re: Munnar, Kemmangundi or Chickmagalur for a 3 days trip? Why don't you look at the option of visiting Malnad by making Tirthahalli as a base? It is least explored and has everything - Piligrimage, Heritage, mountains, waterfalls, Wild life etc. It is a comfortable drive of 6 hours - shorter than Pondy - from Bangalore and there are good options to stay. The road between Bangalore and Shivamogga is good. Take a look at my travelogue http://www.team-bhp.com/forum/travel...-monsoons.html
	() Thanks

25th February 2011, 08:33	#7
praz BHPian Join Date: Jan 2010 Location: Bangalore<->Chennai Posts: 99 Thanked: 9 Times	Re: Munnar, Kemmangundi or Chickmagalur for a 3 days trip? Guys, thanks a lot for your inputs. We have finalized Chickmagalur-Kemmangundi-Thirthahalli. I have one more query. Is it ok to take our own small cars (Ritz Vdi & Punto MJD) or do you need an SUV in these areas?
	() Thanks

25th February 2011, 10:38	#9
ampere Team-BHP Support Join Date: Sep 2009 Location: Bangalore Posts: 18,139 Thanked: 13,282 Times View My Garage	Re: Munnar, Kemmangundi or Chickmagalur for a 3 days trip? Is should be very easy for Punto/Ritz. Should not be a problem at all as per me.
	() Thanks

25th February 2011, 10:47	#10
jkrishnakj Senior - BHPian Join Date: Apr 2010 Location: Bangalore Posts: 1,684 Thanked: 4,378 Times Infractions: 0/1 (5)	Re: Munnar, Kemmangundi or Chickmagalur for a 3 days trip? Kemmangundi should be good in march. Its not more than 5 hours drive from Bangalore. You can book the rooms at the Govt Horticulture Dept Guest House. They have different types of rooms. The tariff is good and the rooms are neat.
	() Thanks

25th February 2011, 12:09	#13
Newpunter BHPian Join Date: May 2010 Location: Bangalore Posts: 747 Thanked: 336 Times	Re: Munnar, Kemmangundi or Chickmagalur for a 3 days trip? For 3 days, I think you can also include Shravanabelgola, Belur and Halebidu in your trip, if you are interested in ancient architecture. These temples are not to be missed. For lunch enroute, you could look at Hoysala Village Resort on the Hassan-Belur route. The route is mostly decent and you can easily manage it in a Punto or Ritz. I did it in a Punto and managed never to scrape the bottom throughout the trip .
	() Thanks

25th February 2011, 12:54	#15
Anandg BHPian Join Date: Mar 2010 Location: Bangalore Posts: 324 Thanked: 47 Times	Re: Munnar, Kemmangundi or Chickmagalur for a 3 days trip? Is it safe to drive in night on these route? Just asking so as to save daytime.
	() Thanks