[mail4ajo]

Guys, I have never considered an off location meet. But this sounds interesting to me. I have driven and ridden through some of these roads. So it gives me an urge to join you.

I wont have a car, I need to piggyback if someone is willing. Please give me atleast 7-8 days notice on the dates. I certainly want to meet you guys especially Zak, Steer (heard lots from Joz), Nikki, Ram etc

Originally Posted by mail4ajo

Guys, I have never considered an off location meet. But this sounds interesting to me. I have driven and ridden through some of these roads. So it gives me an urge to join you.

what?? never done an off location meet? sacrilegious!
join us, and all will be forgiven.

Originally Posted by mail4ajo

I wont have a car, I need to piggyback if someone is willing. Please give me atleast 7-8 days notice on the dates. I certainly want to meet you guys especially Zak, Steer (heard lots from Joz), Nikki, Ram etc

so far we have only 3 guys needing rides. still plenty of place left. should not be a problem.
the dates are already decided. 14th and 15th june

@quicksilver- call me anytime.
@ everyone else, please give suggestions on where we should be camping on the night of the 14th.

also,if its an overnighter, the route is not finalised

[CaliforniaKnight]

what roads are we planning to? or isnt there one?
Things like halt or overnight stay?? Where??
I would also like to join this one as i am going to be there anyways.

[speedzak]

Carmelia haven is a good place to stay if Idukki is the destination.
More places near Vagamon etc are also viable. Lots of places near Vandanmedu is also good for camping.

Since no one has replied to my query about the route, I have take the liberty to chalk out the one below.

Ekm- thodupuzha - kulamavu- cheruthoni- kallarkutty-vandanamedu- munnar
with the camp being at vandanamedu or munnar itself.

and munnar-devikulam-thekkady the next day.

what about thekkady-cochin on the return?do we retrace our steps? or do we find a new route?

Questions to all

1.is this route too long?(it is'nt long for me)
2.how long is it roughly?
3.is the route correct?
4.any suggestions on hotels to stay? I need a name before I can call and reserve.
5.any alternate routes?

[hvkumar]

Originally Posted by rippergeo

Since no one has replied to my query about the route, I have take the liberty to chalk out the one below.

Ekm- thodupuzha - kulamavu- cheruthoni- kallarkutty-vandanamedu- munnar
with the camp being at vandanamedu or munnar itself.

and munnar-devikulam-thekkady the next day.

what about thekkady-cochin on the return?do we retrace our steps? or do we find a new route?

Questions to all

1.is this route too long?(it is'nt long for me)
2.how long is it roughly?
3.is the route correct?
4.any suggestions on hotels to stay? I need a name before I can call and reserve.
5.any alternate routes?

No idea about the Kulamavu-Vandanmedu route, but promises to be good. I know the Idukki Dam-Kattapana-Vandanamedu route, which I had discussed in this forum 2 days ago (Drive to Idukki head, I think).

Carmelia Haven at Vandanamedu is supposed to be a nice place. Lots of places in and around this area too, no idea how many of them have survived the recent demolition drives!

Thekkady-Kochi is on the KK Road (Kumili-Kottayam Road), via Vandiperiar, Kuikanam, Peeremede, Mundakayam. Go all the way to Kotttayam or turn off at Ponkunnam and go via Palai, Thodupuzha back to Ernakulam.

This is a beauttiful route, and if it rains hard, a fantastic experience. Good enough a drive for me to think of driving down from Bombay to join ou all - wish I could!!

[hvkumar]

http://www.team-bhp.com/forum/travel...g-roads-3.html

Here is the link for the discussion on tthe Idukki-Munnar route

[CaliforniaKnight]

is kumarakom somewhere in between?

[hvkumar]

Originally Posted by CaliforniaKnight

is kumarakom somewhere in between?

On your return, if you take the road from Thekkady to Kottayam, you can detour to Kumarakom (15 kms from Kottayam), and return to Ernakulam from there.

Looking for a piece of info here - is the road from Kumarakom to Chertala complete - a bridge was under construction?

[Steeroid]

Originally Posted by hvkumar

Looking for a piece of info here - is the road from Kumarakom to Chertala complete - a bridge was under construction?

I dont know which bridge you are talking about, but we normally travel to Kumarakom thru Cherthala and not thru Kottayam. Takes about 20-25 mins from Cochin to Cherthala, and the road via the Bund is good even if a bit narrow.

[hvkumar]

Originally Posted by Steeroid

I dont know which bridge you are talking about, but we normally travel to Kumarakom thru Cherthala and not thru Kottayam. Takes about 20-25 mins from Cochin to Cherthala, and the road via the Bund is good even if a bit narrow.

Exactly, that is the route I am talking of. There is a bridge that was built a few years ago. Earlier, one had to come from Kottayam.

Thanks for the info - do the know the exact place you have to turn off NH47? Do you have to go into Chertala town?

[Steeroid]

Originally Posted by hvkumar

Thanks for the info - do the know the exact place you have to turn off NH47? Do you have to go into Chertala town?

Turn left into Cherthala exactly where the 4-lane currently ends. To be precise, turn left at the Karthiayini Bar. Yes you need to go through a part of CHTLA town.

[Steeroid]

Originally Posted by rippergeo

what about thekkady-cochin on the return?do we retrace our steps? or do we find a new route?

ANSWER:

Originally Posted by hvkumar

Thekkady-Kochi is on the KK Road (Kumili-Kottayam Road), via Vandiperiar, Kuikanam, Peeremede, Mundakayam. Go all the way to Kotttayam or turn off at Ponkunnam and go via Palai, Thodupuzha back to Ernakulam.

Turn off at Ponkunnam and go via Palai, Thodupuzha. Alternatively do Ponkunnam - Kuruvilangad via Uzhavoor and get back into the EKM - Kottayam route. Excellent roads thru Rubber estates.



Questions to all

1.is this route too long?(it is'nt long for me)

No it isnt.

2.how long is it roughly?

Who cares? Just D R I V E.

3.is the route correct?

Seems to be correct.

4.any suggestions on hotels to stay? I need a name before I can call and reserve.

Camelia Haven has been suggested. Their rack rates are on the higher side:

Carmelia Haven Thekkady/Kumily, Thekkady/Kumily Hotels, Kerala Hotels, Indian Hotels, Hotel accommodation in Thekkady/Kumily

5.any alternate routes?

Sounds good enough for me. Hopefully it will rain HARD.

[mansidea]

Carmelia haven will be ideal, if we plan to spend time there & also bit off route if we are planning to do ekm-thekkady-Munnar - ekm.

How about..

Day 1: EKM - thodupuzha - Kulamavu - Idukki - Kattappana - Elappara - Kuttikkanam - thekkady. Over night stay

Day 2: Thekkady - puliyanmala - nedumkandam - Kattappana - Munnar - adimaly - EKM.

This will be 2 full days drive.

[nikkibike]

Originally Posted by mail4ajo

Guys, I have never considered an off location meet. But this sounds interesting to me. I have driven and ridden through some of these roads. So it gives me an urge to join you.

I wont have a car, I need to piggyback if someone is willing. Please give me atleast 7-8 days notice on the dates. I certainly want to meet you guys especially Zak, Steer (heard lots from Joz), Nikki, Ram etc

ALWAYS welcome! and do seriously think bout 'shifting to kochi' incase if you plan to meet us during the "D R I V E"!!! he heee.... its so much of fun!!