[sumannandy]

We are planning for a drive this week to Kodaikanal, Munnar and Waynad.

Bangalore to Kodaikanal and Waynad to Bangalore would be the standard routes. But what is the best option for

1. Kodaikanal to Kalpetta
- Google map shows Palani - Palakkad- Mannarkad - Manjeri-Mokkram-Kalpetta
- Palani - Palakkad- Charplassary - Manjeri-Mokkram-Kalpetta
- Kodaikanal - Coimbatore - Ooty - kalpetta

In case we decide to go through Munnar, what would be the best option for Munnar to Waynad?

Instead of going to Waynad, we would be willing to go to any other nearby places where we could enjoy backwaters. Please suggest.

Road condition and safety would be of great concern to us. I do not like to drive on bad roads. Also I would be traveling with family and girls, so safety would be a big concern for us.

Thanks in advance.

[KarthikK]

Originally Posted by sumannandy

Instead of going to Waynad, we would be willing to go to any other nearby places where we could enjoy backwaters. Please suggest.

Alleppey backwaters are close to Cochin (around 60-70 km). This would be something you could try out. Houseboat packages are pretty popular in Alleppey. Kumarakom is another option.

[ampere]

Kodai-Waynad

There are two main options. One via Kerala and the other via Ooty. Both have good and bad points. Kerala route would be denser, while Ooty route is through ghats.


Ooty Option:

Kodai-Palani-Dharapuram-Avinashi-Annur-Mettupalayam-Ooty-Gudalur-Meppadi-Kelpetta


Kodaikanal, Tamil Nadu to Kalpetta, Kerala - Google Maps


Kerala Option

Kodai-Palani-Udumalpet-Palakkad-Mannarkad-Melatoor-Manjeri-Unnikulam(NH212)-Kalpetta.


Kodaikanal, Tamil Nadu to Kalpetta, Kerala - Google Maps

But I am NOT sure which is route option from Manjeri to hit NH212. Others can comment on the same.


From Munnar

Munnar-Adimali-Kothamangalam - Muvattupuzha (NH49) - Angamaly (Via MC Road) - Trichur - Kunnakulam (via Guruvayur road/Choondal)-Kuttipuram (on to NH17) - Kozikode by-pass on the NH212 to Kalpetta.

Munnar to Kalpetta via NH49, MC Road, NH47, NH17 and NH212

Folks can comment on the road conditions.

[kala]

Originally Posted by ampere

But I am NOT sure which is route option from Manjeri to hit NH212. Others can comment on the same.

The standard route from Manjeri to Kalpetta is via Areecode - Mukkam - Thamarassery and NH212 from there to Kalpetta. The Manjeri-Thamarassery stretch was known to be in decent shape when I heard last. Not sure of the ghat section between Thamarassery and Kalpetta, a few of the hairpin bends were still unrepaired when I travelled that way last (during New year time). But doable on a Sedan.

Originally Posted by ampere

From Munnar

Munnar-Adimali-Kothamangalam - Muvattupuzha (NH49) - Angamaly (Via MC Road) - Trichur - Kunnakulam (via Guruvayur road/Choondal)-Kuttipuram (on to NH17) - Kozikode by-pass on the NH212 to Kalpetta.

Folks can comment on the road conditions.

Interestingly Google Maps says Munnar to Kalpetta is shorter via Pollachi-Palakkad-Manjeri (by about 13 kms or so) though it claims it is likely to take 12 minutes longer. But I have a feeling this route might actually be faster too since the NH47-NH17-NH212 route has heavy traffic almost all the time compared to the Munnar-Udumalpet-Pollachi-Palakkad-Manjeri-Thamarassery route. (GM's timing estimates are generally quite a bit off anyway)

[ampere]

Originally Posted by kala

Interestingly Google Maps says Munnar to Kalpetta is shorter via Pollachi-Palakkad-Manjeri (by about 13 kms or so) though it claims it is likely to take 12 minutes longer. But I have a feeling this route might actually be faster too since the NH47-NH17-NH212 route has heavy traffic almost all the time compared to the Munnar-Udumalpet-Pollachi-Palakkad-Manjeri-Thamarassery route. (GM's timing estimates are generally quite a bit off anyway)

Perfectly valid point. But why I did not recommend that route was because one has to add 3 hours of Ghat driving from Munnar to Udumalpet (90Km), along with rest of the stressful driving and then add to it the ghats near Waynad.

If one is willing to take that, its definitely a good option.

[hvkumar]

If going from Kodai to Kalpetta, I would prefer the route via Palani, Pollachi, Palakkad & Manjeri. However, please check if the Kodai-Palani road is OK (it was closed for major repairs sometime ago). Pollachi-Palakkad road is good and you can bypass Palakkad town to get to Palakkad Junction and the Calicut road to go to Mannarkad.

From Manjeri, I would love to go via Nilambur to Naduvattam, Cherambai & Meppadi, that being a very scenic route.

If going from Munnar, the route via Udumalaipet (and from thereon the routes outlined via Pollachi) are better, since all routes through KL will mean facing heavy traffic by day.

Please ignore all timings computed by GM - India is not USA!

[ampere]

Originally Posted by hvkumar

From Manjeri, I would love to go via Nilambur to Naduvattam, Cherambai & Meppadi, that being a very scenic route.

As HVK said, the route via Nilambur is very scenic, green and twisty. And another good thing about that route via Meppadi is traffic would less dense compared to NH212.

[kala]

Originally Posted by ampere

Perfectly valid point. But why I did not recommend that route was because one has to add 3 hours of Ghat driving from Munnar to Udumalpet (90Km), along with rest of the stressful driving and then add to it the ghats near Waynad.

Actually I've found driving on the Munnar-Marayoor-Udumalpet ghat section to be less stressful than the Munnar-Adimaly-Neriamangalam route in spite of the former being a narrower road (and probably slower too), may be because of the route being very scenic with not too much of traffic.

Originally Posted by ampere

As HVK said, the route via Nilambur is very scenic, green and twisty. And another good thing about that route via Meppadi is traffic would less dense compared to NH212.

Yes, the Nilambur-Vazhikkadavu-Nadugani-Meppadi-Kalpetta route is a pretty nice and scenic drive. But it would add about 35 kms to your distance and the Manjeri-Nilambur-Vazhikkadavu stretch (about 45 kms) has quite a bit of traffic - especially 2 and 3 wheelers because of the numerous small towns that it passes through. It can be quite frustrating to drive on that stretch during the day because the road is rather narrow, and overtaking opportunities limited.

[sumannandy]

Thank you all fo rthe information. I would probably take the Nilambur route.

Let me know if you have any update on on Kodai-Palani.

[balan]

Originally Posted by sumannandy

Thank you all fo rthe information. I would probably take the Nilambur route.

Let me know if you have any update on on Kodai-Palani.

Please note Kodaikanal - Palani route is still closed and you need to use the kodaikanal - batlagundu (Vatlagindu) Vadipatti Oddanchathiram to dharapuram or to palani route for your further travels.

The damage this time to the route is extensive and will remain closed through the april / may season as per locals opinion and may result in lesser flow of tourist traffic to Kodai.
Best regards
Bala

[hvkumar]

Originally Posted by balan

Please note Kodaikanal - Palani route is still closed and you need to use the kodaikanal - batlagundu (Vatlagindu) Vadipatti Oddanchathiram to dharapuram or to palani route for your further travels.

The damage this time to the route is extensive and will remain closed through the april / may season as per locals opinion and may result in lesser flow of tourist traffic to Kodai.
Best regards
Bala

That is what I had heard too, and mentioned before in this thread. Thanks for this update, bala.

[ampere]

Originally Posted by hvkumar

That is what I had heard too, and mentioned before in this thread. Thanks for this update, bala.

Then you need to come back to Dindigul via Batlagundu.
You should then take the NH209 all the way to Pollachi and continue as per what was discussed before.

[mallumowgli]

The route suggested by Kala seems to be the best. To reach Manjeri from Mannarkad, take the right diversion off NH212 at Kumaranputhur. Road is decent till Manjeri and for around 6 kms beyond Manjeri. From then on it is bliss - well paved twisties with good run off areas on the Areecode-Mukkam- Tamarassery stretch. Tamarassery-Kalpetta Ghat section has been patched up, I heard. No recent first hand experience

One small update on the by-pass suggested by HVK below

Originally Posted by hvkumar

Pollachi-Palakkad road is good and you can bypass Palakkad town to get to Palakkad Junction and the Calicut road to go to Mannarkad.

Half of the above By-pass is closed for repair and the balance half is totally broken. Hence it is advisable to go through Palakkad town (take right turn at Sultanpet Junction). You may add 5 minutes to max 20 minutes depending on the time of the day at Sultanpet junction - peak hours being 9:30am to 11:00am and then 4:00pm to 7:00pm

[gadadhar]

Originally Posted by sumannandy

Thank you all fo rthe information. I would probably take the Nilambur route.

Let me know if you have any update on on Kodai-Palani.

Kodai Palani route is not completely closed, my sister and family traveled this route on 3rd March uphill and on 5th March downhill. They were not aware of the road issues while selecting this route, they told that traffic was very scarce and work happening in some places with only small lane open for traffic.

[balan]

Originally Posted by gadadhar

Kodai Palani route is not completely closed, my sister and family traveled this route on 3rd March uphill and on 5th March downhill. They were not aware of the road issues while selecting this route, they told that traffic was very scarce and work happening in some places with only small lane open for traffic.

I was there on Feb 26 to Feb 28th and the locals advised me against taking that route as it was still not completed. Maybe they have started leaving small vehicles on that route. I will check up when I go there again in a couple of weeks

As for Going to Pollachi from Kodaikanal, please drive down to Batlagundu - Sembatti - Ottanchatram - Palani - Pollachi - ETC (I have never gone to pollachi so i am not familiar with that route)

I usualy drive to Mudumalai from Kodai and hence only familiar with the darapuram somanur annur metupalayam route
Best regards