Vellore Udupi Wayanad Trivandrum

paulprv · 28th March 2011, 20:58

Hi all, I am planning a summer trip with family. Proposed route is:

Vellore > Bangalore
Bangalore > Udupi... anyone know how the road via Sakleshpur is? Any alternate route?

Udupi > Kalpetta (Wayanad) ... any feedback on road condition

Kalpetta > Ponkunnam .., is it better to follow NH or take SH?

Ponkunnam > Ponnambi (near Trivandrum).I went that route recently, the road is good but winding and not too wide.

Ponnambi > Tirunelveli

Tirunelveli > Vellore - the route via Madurai, Trichy, Elavanasur, Tirukkoilur, Tiruvannamalai is good. Anyone taking that route is recommended.

I will be posting as detailed chronicle as possible with photos also once we start the trip.

Thanks

hvkumar · 28th March 2011, 21:44

Vellore-Bangalore is via Vaniyambadi, Krishnagiri & Hosur. Excellent roads.
To bypass Bangalore, you can take the NICE Road immediately after Electronic City - without taking the elevated road towards Bangalore city - and reach the other end which is NH4 or Tumkur Road.

Bangalore-Udupi, from the end of NICE Road is via Nelmangala (where you turn left to take NH48 or Mangalore road), Kunigal & Channarayapatna to Hassan. From Hassan, you have 2 options. First is to continue on NH48 via Sakleshpura and after descending Shiradi Ghat, you can go via either Mangalore (longer) or turn off and go via Dharmastala, Ujire & Karkala to Udupi. The second option is to turn off NH48 at Hassan and go via Belur, Chickmagalur, Mudigere, Kottegahara, Charmadi Ghat to Ujire and from thereon via Karkala. Both routes are in decent condition.

From Udupi to Kalpetta, you have 2 choices. One is to go on NH17 via Mangalore to Calicut via Kasargod & Kannur and then take the Wayanadu/Mysore road via Thamaraserry & Vytiri. The second option is to come from Udupi to Karkala, Dharmastala to Sakleshpura and from there connect to Somvarpet, Madikere, VIrajpet, Kutta & Manathavady to Kalpetta. The first is shorter, straightforward highway till Calicut. But the second is more complicated although it is very scenic and cuts through the heart of Coorg/Kodagu. Roads are mostly good, except for some bad sections in Virajpet-Kalpetta sector.

From Kalpetta to Ponkunnam, the idea route would be to reach Palakka or Trissur via Cherambadi, Meppadi, Nilambur, Manjeri, Pattambi (for Trissur)/Mannarkad (for Palakkad) and then from there via Angamali, Perumbavur, Muvattupuzha, Thodupuzha & Palai to Ponkunnam. Alternatively, you can return to Calicut and take NH17 to Kunnamkulam via Kuttipuram and then go via Trissur to Angamali. The second route is preferable although you will encounter lots of day traffic on KL roads.

From POnkunnam to Trivandrum, it is best to connect with MC Road at Changanaseery & go via Kottarakara & Adoor.

ampere · 28th March 2011, 21:56

Quote:

Originally Posted by paulprv

Hi all, I am planning a summer trip with family. Proposed route is:

Vellore > Bangalore
Bangalore > Udupi... anyone know how the road via Sakleshpur is? Any alternate route?

Udupi > Kalpetta (Wayanad) ... any feedback on road condition

Kalpetta > Ponkunnam .., is it better to follow NH or take SH?

Ponkunnam > Ponnambi (near Trivandrum).I went that route recently, the road is good but winding and not too wide.

Ponnambi > Tirunelveli

Tirunelveli > Vellore - the route via Madurai, Trichy, Elavanasur, Tirukkoilur, Tiruvannamalai is good. Anyone taking that route is recommended.

I will be posting as detailed chronicle as possible with photos also once we start the trip.

Thanks

- Vellore-BLR : Not to mention
- BLR-Udupi : Shiradi Ghats is good as of today.
Bangalore-Hassan-Sakleshpur-Uppinangadi-Belthangadi-Karkala-Udupi

- Udupi-Kalpetta : Only option is via NH17. Question is where to divert from NH17 to hit NH212. I am not too sure about that.

- Waynad-Ponkunnam : Again NH212 to Calicut and NH17 all the way to Cochin and then to Kottayam and to Ponkunnam. (Dense traffic on this route though)

- Not sure about Ponnambi.
- Route back to Madurai is via the Nh220 Kanjirapalli or NH208 via Tenkassi.
- Do you want to go to Tiruvannamalai? If yes then the better option is to drive all the way till Tindivanam via NH45 and turn. Or to the point where the Thirukkoilur-Panruti SH cuts NH45 (Not sure where it is though).

ajithbr · 28th March 2011, 22:24

Quote:

Originally Posted by ampere

-

- Udupi-Kalpetta : Only option is via NH17. Question is where to divert from NH17 to hit NH212. I am not too sure about that.

No doubt on that - Take left at Quilandi (Koyilandi) to move towards Balussery/Thamarassery. Any other alternate route is a good gamble not worth it !

prasad14 · 28th March 2011, 22:32

Quote:

Originally Posted by ampere

-

- Udupi-Kalpetta : Only option is via NH17. Question is where to divert from NH17 to hit NH212. I am not too sure about that.

PaulPRV: Sounds like a very exciting trip.

Apart from the route HVK sir mentioned, you could try:
Udupi-Mangalore-Kasargod (NH17)-Panathur-Bhagamandala-Madikeri-Virajpet-Kutta-Manathavady-Kalpetta.

Heavy traffic on NH17 and near lonely and adventurous road till Bhagamandala. Decent roads from Bhagamandala. The advantage of this road is that you could visit Talacauvery (abt 8kms from Bhagamandala), the birth place of Cauvery and surrounding places.

Prasad

BaCkSeAtDrIVeR · 28th March 2011, 23:21

HVK has spoken. ;-D

If you have the patience, and the time, take the 2nd option on Udupi - Waynad stretch.

Regard the Wynad - Angamaly sector, I suggest you take the Pattambi > Shornur > Wadakkancherry (not the one on NH 47) > Thrissur > (NH 47) > Ankamany (turn left for MC road).

You can avoid the mad traffic on NH 17 and Kunnumkulam - Trichur road.

Quote:

Udupi-Kalpetta : Only option is via NH17. Question is where to divert from NH17 to hit NH212. I am not too sure about that.

(Playing the devil's advocate - also see HVK's suggestion)

How about turning left just before Payyannur?

Peringome > Cherupuzha > Alakode/Sreekantapuram > Iritty > Kottiyoor > Boystown > Mananthavady (not sure if you need to touch mananthavady) > Kalpetta.

Actually, you can turn off NH 17 to reach Peringome from Kasargod district itself; not sure where. There is a bus route (overnight service from Kottayam to some place in Kasargod).

narayans80 · 29th March 2011, 00:12

Unless you are planning anything on the way through Trichy, Tiruvannamalai, you can take the NH7 to Krishnagiri and NH46 back home. Its not that long compared to the route via Trichy, Tiruvannamalai and it is hassle free, except the fact that you pay more tolls

kala · 29th March 2011, 00:54

Udupi-Kalpetta : Going via Calicut will be very roundabout. The route that BackseatDriver suggested would probably be much shorter, but I think turning off NH17 at Taliparamba and going via Iritti-Boystown-Mananthavadi would probably be the easier alternative and about the same distance. (Not sure about the condition of the Taliparamba-Iritti route, but if that's known to be bad, one could take the Kannur-Mattannur-Iritti route instead since recent reports say that road is in excellent condition now, but then it'd add about 15-20 kms to the distance).

Kalpetta-Ponkunnam : I'd suggest going via Thamarassery (Turn left from NH212 here) - Areecode - Manjeri, and to get on to NH47 from there somehow. (The straightforward route is via Perunthalmanna-Pattambi-Shoranur-Trichur, but since there have been some reports that say the road via Pattambi is bad, one needs to search for the best alternative that connects Manjeri to NH47 - Kottakkal-Kuttippuram-Edappal-Kunnamkulam-Trichur is an option which is known to be good, but slightly longer).

I wouldn't recommend taking NH17 to go south from Kunnamkulam since your destination is Ponkunnam (it would have been good if one were travelling to Cochin). In this case Trichur-Angamali (Turn off NH47 to MC Road here)-Moovattupuzha-Thodupuzha-Pala-Ponkunnam would be the best.

ampere · 29th March 2011, 07:32

About Udupi-Kalpetta, only reason I did not mention about the route via Mysore-Coorg is because its lots ghat section compared to the one via Nh17 (Please correct me if I am wrong here). If you are fine by it, then as HVK said, its the most scenic drive.

I agree with HVK, @BackSeatDriver and @Kala about the Waynad-Ponkunnam sector. Some how I had registered as Cochin and hence thought NH17 would be the best option.

If its anywhere near Pala/Kottayam region, MC road is the best acess instead of NH17. Now to hit MC road, its always good to divert via Angamaly on NH47. I think most of the 4L work is completed on Trichur-Ernakulam sectors (lot of diversions though). The only issue in this case then is how to by-pass the dense Kunnankulam-Guruvayur-Trichur sector.

So either one can come via Nilambur or via Kuttipuram. Personally I would also prefer Nilambur as others have mentioned and then via Shornur/Wadakkancherry to by-pass Kunnankulam and hit NH47 (as Backseatdriver mentioned).

BaCkSeAtDrIVeR · 29th March 2011, 20:24

I can assure that at least Ottapalam <> shornur <> Wadakkancherry <> Trichur is very good.

28th March 2011, 20:58	#1
paulprv Newbie Join Date: Mar 2010 Location: Vellore Posts: 16 Thanked: 3 Times	Vellore Udupi Wayanad Trivandrum Hi all, I am planning a summer trip with family. Proposed route is: Vellore > Bangalore Bangalore > Udupi... anyone know how the road via Sakleshpur is? Any alternate route? Udupi > Kalpetta (Wayanad) ... any feedback on road condition Kalpetta > Ponkunnam .., is it better to follow NH or take SH? Ponkunnam > Ponnambi (near Trivandrum).I went that route recently, the road is good but winding and not too wide. Ponnambi > Tirunelveli Tirunelveli > Vellore - the route via Madurai, Trichy, Elavanasur, Tirukkoilur, Tiruvannamalai is good. Anyone taking that route is recommended. I will be posting as detailed chronicle as possible with photos also once we start the trip. Thanks
	() Thanks

28th March 2011, 21:44	#2
hvkumar Senior - BHPian Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: Mumbai Posts: 7,368 Thanked: 3,467 Times	Re: Vellore Udupi Wayanad Trivandrum Vellore-Bangalore is via Vaniyambadi, Krishnagiri & Hosur. Excellent roads. To bypass Bangalore, you can take the NICE Road immediately after Electronic City - without taking the elevated road towards Bangalore city - and reach the other end which is NH4 or Tumkur Road. Bangalore-Udupi, from the end of NICE Road is via Nelmangala (where you turn left to take NH48 or Mangalore road), Kunigal & Channarayapatna to Hassan. From Hassan, you have 2 options. First is to continue on NH48 via Sakleshpura and after descending Shiradi Ghat, you can go via either Mangalore (longer) or turn off and go via Dharmastala, Ujire & Karkala to Udupi. The second option is to turn off NH48 at Hassan and go via Belur, Chickmagalur, Mudigere, Kottegahara, Charmadi Ghat to Ujire and from thereon via Karkala. Both routes are in decent condition. From Udupi to Kalpetta, you have 2 choices. One is to go on NH17 via Mangalore to Calicut via Kasargod & Kannur and then take the Wayanadu/Mysore road via Thamaraserry & Vytiri. The second option is to come from Udupi to Karkala, Dharmastala to Sakleshpura and from there connect to Somvarpet, Madikere, VIrajpet, Kutta & Manathavady to Kalpetta. The first is shorter, straightforward highway till Calicut. But the second is more complicated although it is very scenic and cuts through the heart of Coorg/Kodagu. Roads are mostly good, except for some bad sections in Virajpet-Kalpetta sector. From Kalpetta to Ponkunnam, the idea route would be to reach Palakka or Trissur via Cherambadi, Meppadi, Nilambur, Manjeri, Pattambi (for Trissur)/Mannarkad (for Palakkad) and then from there via Angamali, Perumbavur, Muvattupuzha, Thodupuzha & Palai to Ponkunnam. Alternatively, you can return to Calicut and take NH17 to Kunnamkulam via Kuttipuram and then go via Trissur to Angamali. The second route is preferable although you will encounter lots of day traffic on KL roads. From POnkunnam to Trivandrum, it is best to connect with MC Road at Changanaseery & go via Kottarakara & Adoor.
	() Thanks

29th March 2011, 00:12	#7
narayans80 Senior - BHPian Join Date: Aug 2010 Location: Madras Posts: 3,487 Thanked: 5,268 Times	Re: Vellore Udupi Wayanad Trivandrum Unless you are planning anything on the way through Trichy, Tiruvannamalai, you can take the NH7 to Krishnagiri and NH46 back home. Its not that long compared to the route via Trichy, Tiruvannamalai and it is hassle free, except the fact that you pay more tolls
	() Thanks

29th March 2011, 00:54	#8
kala Senior - BHPian Join Date: Oct 2008 Location: Bangalore Posts: 1,127 Thanked: 639 Times	Re: Vellore Udupi Wayanad Trivandrum Udupi-Kalpetta : Going via Calicut will be very roundabout. The route that BackseatDriver suggested would probably be much shorter, but I think turning off NH17 at Taliparamba and going via Iritti-Boystown-Mananthavadi would probably be the easier alternative and about the same distance. (Not sure about the condition of the Taliparamba-Iritti route, but if that's known to be bad, one could take the Kannur-Mattannur-Iritti route instead since recent reports say that road is in excellent condition now, but then it'd add about 15-20 kms to the distance). Kalpetta-Ponkunnam : I'd suggest going via Thamarassery (Turn left from NH212 here) - Areecode - Manjeri, and to get on to NH47 from there somehow. (The straightforward route is via Perunthalmanna-Pattambi-Shoranur-Trichur, but since there have been some reports that say the road via Pattambi is bad, one needs to search for the best alternative that connects Manjeri to NH47 - Kottakkal-Kuttippuram-Edappal-Kunnamkulam-Trichur is an option which is known to be good, but slightly longer). I wouldn't recommend taking NH17 to go south from Kunnamkulam since your destination is Ponkunnam (it would have been good if one were travelling to Cochin). In this case Trichur-Angamali (Turn off NH47 to MC Road here)-Moovattupuzha-Thodupuzha-Pala-Ponkunnam would be the best.
	() Thanks

29th March 2011, 07:32	#9
ampere Team-BHP Support Join Date: Sep 2009 Location: Bangalore Posts: 18,342 Thanked: 13,648 Times View My Garage	Re: Vellore Udupi Wayanad Trivandrum About Udupi-Kalpetta, only reason I did not mention about the route via Mysore-Coorg is because its lots ghat section compared to the one via Nh17 (Please correct me if I am wrong here). If you are fine by it, then as HVK said, its the most scenic drive. I agree with HVK, @BackSeatDriver and @Kala about the Waynad-Ponkunnam sector. Some how I had registered as Cochin and hence thought NH17 would be the best option. If its anywhere near Pala/Kottayam region, MC road is the best acess instead of NH17. Now to hit MC road, its always good to divert via Angamaly on NH47. I think most of the 4L work is completed on Trichur-Ernakulam sectors (lot of diversions though). The only issue in this case then is how to by-pass the dense Kunnankulam-Guruvayur-Trichur sector. So either one can come via Nilambur or via Kuttipuram. Personally I would also prefer Nilambur as others have mentioned and then via Shornur/Wadakkancherry to by-pass Kunnankulam and hit NH47 (as Backseatdriver mentioned).
	() Thanks

29th March 2011, 20:24	#10
BaCkSeAtDrIVeR Senior - BHPian Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: Kochi Posts: 2,540 Thanked: 758 Times	Re: Vellore Udupi Wayanad Trivandrum I can assure that at least Ottapalam <> shornur <> Wadakkancherry <> Trichur is very good.
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