[menonrajesh]

Originally Posted by vasoo

I think there should be some designated safe areas where we can get our feet wet, at least!.

RiverOak villas has a private opening to the river where you can swim. Ofcourse this would be away from the falls. I have stayed at this place a couple of times and they got a beautiful lawn facing the river and will arrange food there- a barbeque sort of - on prior notice.

[naveen.raju]

You can actually try an option of driving into the forest from Athirapally towards Tamil Nadu (End point is a Dam - dont remember the name of the place). Entry is restricted after 6PM. Roads might be pretty bad, but some awesome route through the forest. You can try this too.

[hvkumar]

Originally Posted by naveen.raju

You can actually try an option of driving into the forest from Athirapally towards Tamil Nadu (End point is a Dam - dont remember the name of the place). Entry is restricted after 6PM. Roads might be pretty bad, but some awesome route through the forest. You can try this too.

The distance to Valparai from Athirapalli via Sholayar Dam and Malakkiparai is 70 kms. The road is closed between 8 pm and 6 am from teh check post at Peringalkuthu Dam which is around 10 kms further from Athirapalli. The journey to Valparai will take around 2-3 hours.

[laluks]

Raj, sorry am a bit late in posting these days. Too much to look into

Originally Posted by hvkumar

The best route from Bangalore to Arthirapalli is via Salem (NH7) till Avinashi (NH47). Turn off at Avinashi, and go via Tiruppur and Palladam to Pollachi. From Pollachi, go via Valparai to Athirapalli.

You can return the other way. Athirapalli-Chalakudy-Trissur-Palakkad-Coimbatore-Salem.

Distance comparisons:

Bangalore-Salem 200 kms-Avinashi 110-Tiruppur 10-Palladam 15-POllachi 50-Valparai 65-Athirapalli 80, totalling 530

Athirapalli-Chalakudy 35-Trissur 20-Palakkad 50-Coimbatore 40-Avinashi 40-Salem 110-Bangalore 200, totalling 495

Originally Posted by brraj

@hvkumar - Thanks a lot for the info.
When travelogue guru has fixed the route for us then this should be the route.

HVK has given the best routes possible. I'd put in a suggestion Drive till Valparai on Day 1. Stay there and laze out. If you leave early lets say by 3AM, you can be at valparai by 11:30AM, without a sweat. Roads are good till here.

As promised this is the details of the hotel I called at Valaparai. It is Green Hills. Did not stay there, so cannot comment on it. Deluxe room was told to be 935Rs, which can accomodate a family as I inferred, and rooms were also available in Rs650 range. Phone number is 04253 - 222 262. It's in State bank road at valaparai town.


My timings on the last drive was
Time --- KM ----- Place
02:30 -- 000.0 -- Home
03:50 -- 094.7 -- Krishnagiri Toll gate
04:35 -- 160.9 -- Toll Gate
05:10 -- 198.8 -- Toll Gate
05:25 -- 212.0 -- Salem
06:30 -- 299.7 -- Toll Gate
07:30 -- 355.0 -- L&T BP start
07:40 -- 375.8 -- Left turn to Pollachi
08:30 -- 415.2 -- Pollachi (Around 6 hours from BLR)
Break
13:45 -- 415.2 -- Pollachi
14:30 -- 442.0 -- Aliyar Dam
Break
14:50 -- 442.0 -- Aliyar Dam
15:00 -- 444.0 -- Check Post to Valparai
16:30 -- 484.0 -- Valparai Town
So I have taken around 2 hours from Pollachi. I stopped all arund to click

The drive to the falls was like
16:30 -- 484.0 -- Valparai Town
17:00 -- 500.0 -- Exit Checkpost
17:15 -- 506.0 -- Sholayar Dam
17:30 -- 509.0 -- Last TN checkpost
17:35 -- 512.0 -- Malakkapara CP, entry to Kerala. Forest Starts.
19:10 -- 562.0 -- Vazhachal CP, Forest limit ends.
So consider 2.5 hours from Valparai till Vazhachal and Athirampally is near from here.


My advice is to drive next day drive to Athirapally, chill out and drive back. The 50KM through the forest is little patchy, that's it. Four laning is happening from Chalakudy to Palghat, so expect some traffic and deviations. Coimbatore to Bangalore is a no brainer, around 5 hours of drive.

More details at
http://www.team-bhp.com/forum/travel...-valparai.html

Originally Posted by brraj

Having civic which can munch miles, 500kms is nothing.

Agreed 100%

Originally Posted by Lukeskywalker

Very tempting, will speak to the home minister and apply for neccessary permissions, also need labour minister's ok for this.

Hari - make it. That's one hell of a place

[vasanthn21]

I have a confirmation. It is a confirmed NO :( Something came up!

[HappyWheels]

@Hari: Do try to make it. I hope all ministers are ok.

Confirmed Entries
==================
- brraj - i10
- raj.barcode - Elantra
- rocky - Xylo
- chikku - zen
- HappyWheels + Junior - Safari

[brraj]

Just now booked 2 rooms in Riverok villas.

People who want to book can directly book using this link
RIVEROK VILLAS Athirappally, Athirappally Hotels, Kerala Hotels, Indian Hotels, Hotel accommodation in Athirappally

[naveen.raju]

Originally Posted by brraj

Just now booked 2 rooms in Riverok villas.

People who want to book can directly book using this link
RIVEROK VILLAS Athirappally, Athirappally Hotels, Kerala Hotels, Indian Hotels, Hotel accommodation in Athirappally

Raj. You guys are tempting me into this.
I might make it for the meet.

[brraj]

Originally Posted by menonrajesh

RiverOak villas has a private opening to the river where you can swim. Ofcourse this would be away from the falls. I have stayed at this place a couple of times and they got a beautiful lawn facing the river and will arrange food there- a barbeque sort of - on prior notice.

Thanks for the info, will arrange for barbeque aswell .

Originally Posted by naveen.raju

You can actually try an option of driving into the forest from Athirapally towards Tamil Nadu (End point is a Dam - dont remember the name of the place). Entry is restricted after 6PM. Roads might be pretty bad, but some awesome route through the forest. You can try this too.

I understand it would be scenic driving through forest but if roads are bad then dont think people would opt for this road.

Originally Posted by naveen.raju

Raj. You guys are tempting me into this.
I might make it for the meet.

Great, Goahead and book the rooms for yourself with cochin members.

@laluks - Thanks, will keep a printout of those details.

Comfirmed Entries
=============
- brraj - i10
- raj.barcode - Elantra
- rocky - Xylo
- chikku - zen
- HappyWheels + Junior - safari

Tentative
=======
- nnandi ???
- eagle_f1
- Hurrycane12 - baleno
- Lukeskywalker - optra

Add on to the list guys.

[HappyWheels]

Have just send across an booking inquiry with RiverOak.

Maybe we should have negotiated for a group discount.

Originally Posted by brraj

...- Lukeskywalker - optra ...

[brraj]

Originally Posted by HappyWheels

Maybe we should have negotiated for a group discount.

I enquired about group discount but they are not ready to give.

...- Lukeskywalker - optra ...

Last when i spoke to hari he told that his safari was not around so thought he might come in his petrol optra.

Originally Posted by hvkumar

The best route from Bangalore to Arthirapalli is via Salem (NH7) till Avinashi (NH47). Turn off at Avinashi, and go via Tiruppur and Palladam to Pollachi. From Pollachi, go via Valparai to Athirapalli.

I have travelled on this route up to Sholiyar Dam. How is the road condition from there to Athirapalli? Can we travel in our Fiat Linea on this road?

[laluks]

Originally Posted by J.Ravi

I have travelled on this route up to Sholiyar Dam. How is the road condition from there to Athirapalli? Can we travel in our Fiat Linea on this road?

Last May was not an issue. After the rains I dont know, generally should be ok, it was patchy but not potholed.

[hvkumar]

The Athirapalli-Valparai is good for any car. But check before you go, the road did crack up last year. Please note to travel only between 6 am and 8 pm, and watch out for wildlife on the narrow road. No facillities or villages en route.

[HappyWheels]

2 rooms booked.

Not touching on the route, but can we have a fix on the early start at least by 5am? Is this fine by all?