Thursday, March 24, 2016
Road Trip - Bangalore to Udupi via Kunigal, Channarayapatana, Hassan, Sakleshpur, Mangalore
Travelled on 5 Mar 2016.
This is just an extension of Mangalore trip. You can read about the Mangalore trip here
From Mangalore around 50 kms to Udupi. There is one toll which costs Rs 45 for four wheeler, single trip. Double trip costs 70. While going to Udupi, don't miss to visit Udupi Sri Krishna temple, which is nice place to visit. Most part of this stretch is four lane. On the way to Udupi, there are some excellent beaches are there. If you have time, you can just relax in these beaches. Some of the beaches in the route are Kapu, Sasihthlu, Panambur (almost everytime, I used to go to Panambur, excellent one) & others.
Saturday, January 9, 2016
Road Trip - Bangalore to Mekedaatu - Sangam - One day trip
Travelled on 3 Jan 2015.
Nice place for one day trip. Around 100 kms from Bangalore. Take NICE road and exit through Kanakapura road. After the exit from NICE road, it will take around 30 kms to Kanakapura. Once you reach Kanakapura, take left from second roundabout and go straight for another 30 kms to reach Mekedatu. There is only one KSTDC restaurant and a pay and use restroom is there. It will be better if you take food along with you. If you are a lover of fish, you can see many stalls serving hot fishes. Take care of your stomach. Water is not so deep and we can walk and cross the river. This won't be the case if you are travelling on a rainy season.
The condition of road is good, only issue is not much width is there. But traffic is very less and you can cruise along. Along the way from Kanakapura to Mekedatu, there are some Halli (village) are there, slow down and safe drive.
Nice place for one day trip. Around 100 kms from Bangalore. Take NICE road and exit through Kanakapura road. After the exit from NICE road, it will take around 30 kms to Kanakapura. Once you reach Kanakapura, take left from second roundabout and go straight for another 30 kms to reach Mekedatu. There is only one KSTDC restaurant and a pay and use restroom is there. It will be better if you take food along with you. If you are a lover of fish, you can see many stalls serving hot fishes. Take care of your stomach. Water is not so deep and we can walk and cross the river. This won't be the case if you are travelling on a rainy season.
The condition of road is good, only issue is not much width is there. But traffic is very less and you can cruise along. Along the way from Kanakapura to Mekedatu, there are some Halli (village) are there, slow down and safe drive.
 |
| On the way to Mekedatu from Kanakapura |
Tuesday, December 29, 2015
Road Trip - Bangalore to Nellore - via Kolar, Chittor, Tirupathi, Naidupeta
Travelled on 20 Dec 2015.
This is just an extension of Tirupathi trip.
For Tirupathi, from Chandragiri, you have to take left. But if you go straight, you will pass through Srikalahasthi town, then towards Naidupeta. From Naidupeta, take left and enter into NH 5 (Chennai - Guntur highway)
From Naidupeta, there are two toll plazas
Toll - 35
Toll - 25
(Single trip for four wheeler)
This is just an extension of Tirupathi trip.
For Tirupathi, from Chandragiri, you have to take left. But if you go straight, you will pass through Srikalahasthi town, then towards Naidupeta. From Naidupeta, take left and enter into NH 5 (Chennai - Guntur highway)
From Naidupeta, there are two toll plazas
Toll - 35
Toll - 25
(Single trip for four wheeler)
Monday, November 23, 2015
Road Trip - Bangalore to Chidambaram via Salem, Veppur, Virudachalam
Travelled on 08 Oct 2015.
Route
Electronic city - Hosur - Krishnagiri - Salem - 80km through Salem-Chennai highway, then take right - then 100 kms through Veppur, Virudachalam bypass - Bhuvanagiri - Chidambaram
Toll
Attibele - Rs. 25
Krishnagiri - Rs. 60
Thoppur (before climbing down ghat road) - Rs. 86
Omallur, Salem (Just before Periyar University) - Rs. 69
Toll - 47
Toll - 49
From Salem, go straight on three roundabouts. After crossing third roundabout, you can see a overbridge go over the bridge and again go straight on the bridge, there is a deviation to right, which takes you to Madurai.
In the Salem-Chennai highway, there are unexpected two lanes are there, be careful with that. After few kilometres in two lane again four lane starts. 2 or 3 places are like this, be careful with two lane road in between.
There are two toll booth (both around Rs. 50) in the 80km stretch of Chennai highway, after around 2 kilometres from second toll booth you have to take the service road, go under the bridge and take right to Veppur, Virudachalam, Bhuvanagiri, Chidambaram stretch. The 100 kms after deviating from Salem-Chennai highway is in bad condition. Drive carefully through this.
Safe Drive !!!
Monday, November 9, 2015
Road Trip - Bangalore to Mangalore via Kunigal, Channarayapatana, Hassan
Last travelled on 5 Mar 2016.
The route is,
Bangalore - NICE road - Nelamangala - Take left from Nelamangala by pass to Mangalore road - Kunigal - Channarayapatana - Hassan - Sakleshpur - Uppinangadi - Bantwal - Mangalore
Total distance - 380kms
Bangalore till Hassan is four lane road and the road is in good condition. You can race along the road. From Hassan it is two lane road. After Sakleshpur, ghat road begins. Its a pretty long ghat road, about 30 kms. Besides ghat road there is a water fall, its a pretty great experience. Some curves in the ghat road are very huge and dangerous, be careful with that. Also, there is a heavy truck traffic along the road. As Mangalore has lot of oil & gas refineries, you can find lot of bullet tankers on the road.
After ghat road ends (Gundya), if we go straight on NH 48 or NH 75 for around, 20 kilometres, then there are clear sign boards to take right for Dharmasthala.
There is two lane road at Channarayapatana by pass. After travelling in 4 lane, sudden two lane is a bit surprise. After few kilometres again four lane starts.
The toll I mentioned here is for four wheeler.
Just after Channarayapatana bypass you can see A2B(Adyar Anandha Bhavan) and on the other side of the road, you can see Kamat. We had a break at A2B, its pretty big and nice food.
The route is,
Bangalore - NICE road - Nelamangala - Take left from Nelamangala by pass to Mangalore road - Kunigal - Channarayapatana - Hassan - Sakleshpur - Uppinangadi - Bantwal - Mangalore
Total distance - 380kms
Bangalore till Hassan is four lane road and the road is in good condition. You can race along the road. From Hassan it is two lane road. After Sakleshpur, ghat road begins. Its a pretty long ghat road, about 30 kms. Besides ghat road there is a water fall, its a pretty great experience. Some curves in the ghat road are very huge and dangerous, be careful with that. Also, there is a heavy truck traffic along the road. As Mangalore has lot of oil & gas refineries, you can find lot of bullet tankers on the road.
 |
| Bullet tanker |
After ghat road ends (Gundya), if we go straight on NH 48 or NH 75 for around, 20 kilometres, then there are clear sign boards to take right for Dharmasthala.
There is two lane road at Channarayapatana by pass. After travelling in 4 lane, sudden two lane is a bit surprise. After few kilometres again four lane starts.
Toll Plaza Details
| Toll plaza | Rate |
|---|---|
| NICE road | Rs 155 |
| Nelamangala | Rs 20 (double 30) |
| Toll | Rs 41 (double 62) |
| Toll | Rs 41 (double 62) |
| Toll | Rs 40 |
| Toll | Rs 30 (double 55) |
| Toll (Bantwal) | Rs 20 (double 35) |
Restaurants
Just after Channarayapatana bypass you can see A2B(Adyar Anandha Bhavan) and on the other side of the road, you can see Kamat. We had a break at A2B, its pretty big and nice food.
 |
| A2B after Channarayapatana byepass |
Wednesday, August 26, 2015
Road Trip - Bangalore To Wynad
Travelled on 24 Jan 2016. Went through Route IV and returned through Route III
There are various routes are there from Bangalore to Wynad. Where you are heading to Wynad matters. If it is to Kalpetta, SultanBattery, Pulpally, Panamvaram, Pookode lake, Edakkal caves, Vythiri, Chundale then it is better to take Route I . If travelling to Tirunelly temple, Kuruvadweep, Manathavady then any route other than "Route I" you can opt.
Here, in all these routes there is no toll, but while entering into Nagarhole route(Route II), you have to enter details about vehicle and passengers. Also there is kanakapura, Malavalli, Gundlupet, Sultan Battery route is there. Take NICE road and exit through Kanakapura road and pass through Kanakapura, Malavalli, Gundlupet, then to Sultan Battery. Its a two lane road and till Kanakapura, heavy traffic you can expect. There are not many restaurants in this route. In Kanakapura and Malavalli, you can find a few.
Restaurants
Earlier there are not many restauarants are there in this route. But recently lot of new restaurants opened. Even A2B is opened recently. When coming from Mysore after Mandya and before Maddur you can see A2B. Then Hotel Empire, Kamat etc are there. In Mandya, you can see Hotel Amaravati. In Mysore Hotel Dasa Prakash is a good option. Then on Mysore - Gundlupet route you can see Hotel Kamat just after you cross Mysore city. Then in Gundlupet you can find CCD(Cafe Coffee Day).
Highway Robbery
There are reports of highway robbery in an around Hunsur mainly during night time (in Route IV). Now Hunsur police has nabbed the dacoits in a coveted operation, thumbs up to Hunsur Police.
Reference:
https://www.facebook.com/RepairHunsurGonikoppalRoad/posts/699302463536306:0
http://www.deccanherald.com/content/494330/gang-seven-highway-dacoits-arrested.html
Photos
Bavali Bridge
From here on it is Kerala state
The famous Y junction, when you go along through the kattikulam in the tholpetty route, after few kilometers, you can see this famous Y junction. Also you can also find famous "neyyappam" (Ghee appam) shop in the junction.
Kattikulam junction
There are various routes are there from Bangalore to Wynad. Where you are heading to Wynad matters. If it is to Kalpetta, SultanBattery, Pulpally, Panamvaram, Pookode lake, Edakkal caves, Vythiri, Chundale then it is better to take Route I . If travelling to Tirunelly temple, Kuruvadweep, Manathavady then any route other than "Route I" you can opt.
Route Options
| Route | Via |
|---|---|
| Route I | Bangalore - Mysore - Nanjangud - Gundlupet - Sulthan Bathery - Kalpetta (Closing time - 9 p.m - 6 a.m) |
| Route II | Bangalore - Srirangapatna - Hunsur - Nagarhole - Kutta - Tholpetty - Kattikulam - Manathavady (Closing time - 6 p.m - 6 a.m) |
| Route III | Bangalore - Mysore - H.D. Kote - Antharasanthe - Bavali - Kattikulam - Manathavady (Closing time - 6 p.m - 6 a.m) (For me, this is the best route in day time, condition of road is decent as well as shortest route. Use Mysore bypass road (outer ring road) and check for sign boards for HD Kote). |
| Route IV | Bangalore - Srirangapatna - Hunsur - Gonikoppa - Kutta - Tholpetty - Kattikulam - Manathavady (This route is open 24x7. All other routes are closed at night with different timing) |
Restaurants
Earlier there are not many restauarants are there in this route. But recently lot of new restaurants opened. Even A2B is opened recently. When coming from Mysore after Mandya and before Maddur you can see A2B. Then Hotel Empire, Kamat etc are there. In Mandya, you can see Hotel Amaravati. In Mysore Hotel Dasa Prakash is a good option. Then on Mysore - Gundlupet route you can see Hotel Kamat just after you cross Mysore city. Then in Gundlupet you can find CCD(Cafe Coffee Day).
Highway Robbery
There are reports of highway robbery in an around Hunsur mainly during night time (in Route IV). Now Hunsur police has nabbed the dacoits in a coveted operation, thumbs up to Hunsur Police.
Reference:
https://www.facebook.com/RepairHunsurGonikoppalRoad/posts/699302463536306:0
http://www.deccanherald.com/content/494330/gang-seven-highway-dacoits-arrested.html
Photos
Bavali Bridge
From here on it is Kerala state
The famous Y junction, when you go along through the kattikulam in the tholpetty route, after few kilometers, you can see this famous Y junction. Also you can also find famous "neyyappam" (Ghee appam) shop in the junction.
Kattikulam junction
Road Trip - Bangalore to Cochin via Salem Coimbatore
One of the most travelled route. Last travelled on 20 Jul 2016.
Recent Update Now almost the entire stretch from Bangalore to Cochin is four lane except few kilometres between Vadakkencherry and Mannuthy which includes Kuthiran ghat road and L&T Coimbatore bypass. Also four lane work is going on from Walayar to Coimbatore L&T toll road. Toll price increased from Rs. 80 to Rs. 85 for single trip and Rs. 120 to Rs. 125 for multiple for the recently opened toll between Neelambur and Avinashi
Route -
Route I used to take is,
Electronic City - Hosur - Krishnagiri - Dharmapuri - Thoppur - Salem - Coimbatore Bypass (Neelambur) - Palakkad Bypass (Chandra Nagar) - Thrissur Bypass (Mannuthy) - Cochin
Another alternative route -
Electronic City - Hosur - Krishnagiri - Dharmapuri - Thoppur - Mettur - Bhavani - Coimbatore Bypass - Palakkad (Chandra nagar) - Thrissur Bypass (Mannuthy) - Cochin
[ Pros :
You can save around 30 kms by travelling in this route. Not only this, also can skip two tolls (Rs. 69 & Rs. 54). Also if travelling in day time, nice view on both side of the road.
Cons :
It is a two lane road. You can't speed in this route]
Total toll now costs around 584 rupees. All are one side toll for four wheeler.
Through Mettur route
Thoppur-Bhavani through mettur route is 80kms. The first stretch from Thoppur to Mettur is bad stretch and the distance is 40kms. The next 40kms from Mettur to Bhavani is comparatively good stretch two lane road but has lot of speed breakers. For me the 80km stretch from Thoppur to Bhavni took 105 minutes. (Travelled on 21 OCT 2015)
Restaurants
If you are starting from Bangalore, then after around 30 kms from Hosur, you can see McDonald's & CCD (Cafe Coffee Day) besides). If you go further around 10 kms A2B (Adyar Anandha Bhavan). and Saravana Bhavan. Just before you climb down to Thoppur, you can see A2B on the other side of the road.
Around 5-10 kms from Salem, you can see A2B and go further around 20 kms from salem you can see Saravan Bhavan. After second L&T toll gate in Coimbatore bypass you will reach a junction, just around 20 meters to your left, you can see another Saravan Bhavan. Then In Chandranagar (Palakkad) there is Aryas (Restroom and food are not that great but ok). Now a new A2B opened in Perundurai. (Earlier it was Aryaas)
Walayar
When you are travelling in this route, you can't miss Walayar. Walayar is the entry point to Kerala state, which has RTO check post, sales tax check post side by side. So of course traffic jam is quite common here. If you get to know about traffic jam in Walayar by enquiring with truck or taxi drivers, you can choose alternative route through Velavanthavalam. You have to take left from K.K. Chavady (after Sona Bakery).
Safe Journey
Recent Update Now almost the entire stretch from Bangalore to Cochin is four lane except few kilometres between Vadakkencherry and Mannuthy which includes Kuthiran ghat road and L&T Coimbatore bypass. Also four lane work is going on from Walayar to Coimbatore L&T toll road. Toll price increased from Rs. 80 to Rs. 85 for single trip and Rs. 120 to Rs. 125 for multiple for the recently opened toll between Neelambur and Avinashi
Route -
Route I used to take is,
Electronic City - Hosur - Krishnagiri - Dharmapuri - Thoppur - Salem - Coimbatore Bypass (Neelambur) - Palakkad Bypass (Chandra Nagar) - Thrissur Bypass (Mannuthy) - Cochin
Another alternative route -
Electronic City - Hosur - Krishnagiri - Dharmapuri - Thoppur - Mettur - Bhavani - Coimbatore Bypass - Palakkad (Chandra nagar) - Thrissur Bypass (Mannuthy) - Cochin
[ Pros :
You can save around 30 kms by travelling in this route. Not only this, also can skip two tolls (Rs. 69 & Rs. 54). Also if travelling in day time, nice view on both side of the road.
Cons :
It is a two lane road. You can't speed in this route]
Toll Plaza Details
| Toll plaza | Rate |
|---|---|
| Attibele | Rs 25 |
| Krishnagiri | Rs 60 |
| Thoppur | Rs 86 |
| Omalur | Rs 69 |
| Kumarapalayam (After Hotel Saravan Bhavan) | Rs 54 |
| Before Avinashi | Rs 49 |
| After Avinashi (Updated the toll prices from April 2016, Rs. 80 to Rs. 85) | Rs 85 |
| Coimbatore by pass (Neelambur) (L&T) | Rs 31 (same toll slip for six toll booths) |
| Walayar | Rs 55 |
| Thrissur | Rs 65 |
Total toll now costs around 584 rupees. All are one side toll for four wheeler.
Through Mettur route
Thoppur-Bhavani through mettur route is 80kms. The first stretch from Thoppur to Mettur is bad stretch and the distance is 40kms. The next 40kms from Mettur to Bhavani is comparatively good stretch two lane road but has lot of speed breakers. For me the 80km stretch from Thoppur to Bhavni took 105 minutes. (Travelled on 21 OCT 2015)
Restaurants
If you are starting from Bangalore, then after around 30 kms from Hosur, you can see McDonald's & CCD (Cafe Coffee Day) besides). If you go further around 10 kms A2B (Adyar Anandha Bhavan). and Saravana Bhavan. Just before you climb down to Thoppur, you can see A2B on the other side of the road.
Around 5-10 kms from Salem, you can see A2B and go further around 20 kms from salem you can see Saravan Bhavan. After second L&T toll gate in Coimbatore bypass you will reach a junction, just around 20 meters to your left, you can see another Saravan Bhavan. Then In Chandranagar (Palakkad) there is Aryas (Restroom and food are not that great but ok). Now a new A2B opened in Perundurai. (Earlier it was Aryaas)
Walayar
When you are travelling in this route, you can't miss Walayar. Walayar is the entry point to Kerala state, which has RTO check post, sales tax check post side by side. So of course traffic jam is quite common here. If you get to know about traffic jam in Walayar by enquiring with truck or taxi drivers, you can choose alternative route through Velavanthavalam. You have to take left from K.K. Chavady (after Sona Bakery).
Safe Journey
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