Bangalore - Kodai - Madurai - Kanyakumari (NH7 Lifeline)

MX6 · 29th March 2010, 18:03

Quote:

Originally Posted by Rajesh K R

I will keep in mind the Modern cafe and look out for the policeman. Any good hotels you have in mind in Batlagundu for breakfast ?

thanks again for all the info..

There used to be an excellent hotel in Batlagundu called Meenakshi Bhavan. Not sure whether it's still there.

If you reach Madurai for breakfast, go to Aarthy. It's a good place. Lunch at modern cafe. Park at the railway station parking lot.

NH7 has amazing signages. No need to stop and ask anyone. Even blind men can navigate easily I guess.

Rajesh K R · 30th March 2010, 10:19

Thanks Ampere, MX6, J.Ravi, Pramod for all the help.

I think i am now all set to embark on the Kodai trip. Will definitely post details and photos of the same upon my return.

MX6 · 30th March 2010, 17:48

Quote:

Originally Posted by Rajesh K R

Thanks Ampere, MX6, J.Ravi, Pramod for all the help.

I think i am now all set to embark on the Kodai trip. Will definitely post details and photos of the same upon my return.

All the best Rajesh. we are looking forward to your part of the stories.

pramod · 30th March 2010, 18:03

Quote:

Originally Posted by MX6

All the best Rajesh. we are looking forward to your part of the stories.

I am sure you would see some rain at Kodai

It has been cloudy all across the western ghats last day or 2.

It was blowing cool breeze yest night in Bangalore too.

Rajesh K R · 31st March 2010, 11:43

Quote:

Originally Posted by pramod

I am sure you would see some rain at Kodai

It has been cloudy all across the western ghats last day or 2.

It was blowing cool breeze yest night in Bangalore too.

We also are hoping that weather stays cool and comfortable. Met office predicts showers for friday and moderate climate for saturday in Kodai.

kaushik_s · 1st April 2010, 14:01

This travelog going to help a lot of people who are planning for Kodai/KK. When I did KK last year it took me close to 12 hours as the road was not complete. And now it seems can be easily done in 9-10hrs.
BTW, about Kodai Hotels, do I need to book in advance if I go on a long holiday like tomorrow's one? Or there are plenty of places to stay irrespective of the long holiday? As it's bit far than Ooty from Bangalore, I expect the crowd will be less. Or am I totally wrong in my assumption?

ampere · 1st April 2010, 14:04

Quote:

Originally Posted by kaushik_s

This travelog going to help a lot of people who are planning for Kodai/KK. When I
BTW, about Kodai Hotels, do I need to book in advance if I go on a long holiday like tomorrow's one? Or there are plenty of places to stay irrespective of the long holiday? As it's bit far than Ooty from Bangalore, I expect the crowd will be less. Or am I totally wrong in my assumption?

Its always better to book in advance for places which are "tourist-heavy".
Kodai is definitely one of them and on top of it, this is summer!

You forget the folks from TN.

pramod · 1st April 2010, 15:53

Quote:

Originally Posted by ampere

Its always better to book in advance for places which are "tourist-heavy".
You forget the folks from TN.

There arent a whole lot of lodges as in Ooty. Kodai has a handful of them. Add to that a few resorts.

So it definitely requires advance booking. I saw a lot of Maharastrians and Gujarathis who had come down all the way to Kodai !! Mostly HoneyMooners.

kaushik_s · 1st April 2010, 21:06

Thanks Pramod and Ampere, will keep that in mind when I plan a travel. BTW, how much have you paid for the hotel you stayed? Do you have any contact no? I went there a long time back(7-8 years) and that time not many people were there so we got a nice deal for half the price. It was around October/November time-frame.

pramod · 1st April 2010, 23:16

Hotel Bala 11/49, Wood Wille Road,
Opp. Central bus Stand, Kodaikanal, Tamil Nadu - 624101, India.
For Reservation please contact:
Tel: +91 0484 402 8153
Fax 0484 236 4485
Email: hotelbala@hotelstamilnadu.com

I paid Offseason rates of 1000 + 12.5% tax per night per Deluxe room.

ampere · 2nd April 2010, 09:30

Stayed at Villa Retreat some three years back. The place is next to Coaker's walk, with amazing views.

Kodaikanal Villa Retreat, Hotel in Kodaikanal

Rajesh K R · 4th April 2010, 14:18

Hi Pramod, MX6, ampere,

Regret to inform that due to some urgent official committments had to cancel my Kodai trip at the last minute. I am feeling very bad and down for the same as i missed out on a great long drive oppurtunity.

Planning to make up for the above loss. Thinking of going on a monsoon trip to Munnar sometime in July end / Aug 1st week.

Thanks for all the effort you guys took in helping me plan my trip which in the end proved to be a non-starter.

Will again seek your help at the time when i plan for my Munnar trip.

pramod · 5th April 2010, 00:05

Quote:

Originally Posted by Rajesh K R

had to cancel my Kodai trip at the last minute. I am feeling very bad and down for the same as i missed out on a great long drive oppurtunity.

Neednt Regret about this atall. We are born to travel

You know what. I was supposed to be busy this weekend and dint plan for anything at all. Somehow, on Friday, i happened to be at Hirekolale lake on the Mutthodi road after chickmagaloor. Watched Robin Uttappa smash the bowlers, in Tiptur Busstand hotel along with a bunch of KSRTC drivers.Thats how trips happen for me.

Had been to Bheemeshwari, parked the car on the river side, played in the cauvery for 2 hours and returned back ... this was last weekend

My advice is -- Give trip a surprise, before it surprises you

Will again seek your help at the time when i plan for my Munnar trip.

Munnar trip -- Help guide is here --

http://www.team-bhp.com/forum/travel...ay-trip-5.html

MX6 · 5th April 2010, 00:27

No worries there pal. Make up for the lapse by planning a kodai trip after your munnar trip.
I had a very eventful weekend driving over 4 - 5 ghat sections. Don't know when I'd get time to unfold that story. The story of katraj ghats, satara ghats, amba ghats, ghats on NH17 between ratnagiri and chiplun, raigad ghats (Both ways) and varandha ghat.
I'd become a "ghatiya" insaan

over the weekend.
check out the query I've raised in route query section under title chiplun to pune for a sneak peek.

ampere · 5th April 2010, 06:05

No issues Rajesh. But one thing I found out after visiting Munnar, is that it stands out against rest of the hill stations. Absolutely enchanting in rains. Club it with more places for a 10 day kind of vacation and you have nothing to repent!

30th March 2010, 10:19	#92
Rajesh K R BHPian Join Date: Mar 2010 Location: Bangalore Posts: 393 Thanked: 95 Times	Thanks Ampere, MX6, J.Ravi, Pramod for all the help. I think i am now all set to embark on the Kodai trip. Will definitely post details and photos of the same upon my return.
	() Thanks

1st April 2010, 14:01	#96
kaushik_s Senior - BHPian Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: Bangalore Posts: 1,088 Thanked: 164 Times View My Garage	This travelog going to help a lot of people who are planning for Kodai/KK. When I did KK last year it took me close to 12 hours as the road was not complete. And now it seems can be easily done in 9-10hrs. BTW, about Kodai Hotels, do I need to book in advance if I go on a long holiday like tomorrow's one? Or there are plenty of places to stay irrespective of the long holiday? As it's bit far than Ooty from Bangalore, I expect the crowd will be less. Or am I totally wrong in my assumption?
	() Thanks

1st April 2010, 21:06	#99
kaushik_s Senior - BHPian Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: Bangalore Posts: 1,088 Thanked: 164 Times View My Garage	Thanks Pramod and Ampere, will keep that in mind when I plan a travel. BTW, how much have you paid for the hotel you stayed? Do you have any contact no? I went there a long time back(7-8 years) and that time not many people were there so we got a nice deal for half the price. It was around October/November time-frame.
	() Thanks

1st April 2010, 23:16	#100
pramod BHPian Join Date: May 2008 Location: Bangalore Posts: 480 Thanked: 323 Times View My Garage	Hotel Bala 11/49, Wood Wille Road, Opp. Central bus Stand, Kodaikanal, Tamil Nadu - 624101, India. For Reservation please contact: Tel: +91 0484 402 8153 Fax 0484 236 4485 Email: hotelbala@hotelstamilnadu.com I paid Offseason rates of 1000 + 12.5% tax per night per Deluxe room.
	() Thanks

2nd April 2010, 09:30	#101
ampere Team-BHP Support Join Date: Sep 2009 Location: Bangalore Posts: 17,948 Thanked: 12,935 Times View My Garage	Stayed at Villa Retreat some three years back. The place is next to Coaker's walk, with amazing views. Kodaikanal Villa Retreat, Hotel in Kodaikanal
	() Thanks

4th April 2010, 14:18	#102
Rajesh K R BHPian Join Date: Mar 2010 Location: Bangalore Posts: 393 Thanked: 95 Times	Hi Pramod, MX6, ampere, Regret to inform that due to some urgent official committments had to cancel my Kodai trip at the last minute. I am feeling very bad and down for the same as i missed out on a great long drive oppurtunity. Planning to make up for the above loss. Thinking of going on a monsoon trip to Munnar sometime in July end / Aug 1st week. Thanks for all the effort you guys took in helping me plan my trip which in the end proved to be a non-starter. Will again seek your help at the time when i plan for my Munnar trip.
	() Thanks

5th April 2010, 00:27	#104
MX6 Senior - BHPian Join Date: Oct 2009 Location: City of seven islands. Posts: 2,877 Thanked: 231 Times	No worries there pal. Make up for the lapse by planning a kodai trip after your munnar trip. I had a very eventful weekend driving over 4 - 5 ghat sections. Don't know when I'd get time to unfold that story. The story of katraj ghats, satara ghats, amba ghats, ghats on NH17 between ratnagiri and chiplun, raigad ghats (Both ways) and varandha ghat. I'd become a "ghatiya" insaan over the weekend. check out the query I've raised in route query section under title chiplun to pune for a sneak peek.
	() Thanks

5th April 2010, 06:05	#105
ampere Team-BHP Support Join Date: Sep 2009 Location: Bangalore Posts: 17,948 Thanked: 12,935 Times View My Garage	No issues Rajesh. But one thing I found out after visiting Munnar, is that it stands out against rest of the hill stations. Absolutely enchanting in rains. Club it with more places for a 10 day kind of vacation and you have nothing to repent!
	() Thanks