Road Trips from Bangalore 7 - God's Own Country aka Kerala & more....

This is an another comfortable road trip from Bangalore. Being road-trippers, we love the freedom road trips provide to stop, look and explore.

We have been sharing details about lovely road trips one can do from Bangalore in this blog exploring heritage, western ghats, wild life, beaches etc....... These drives, cover not more than 300 KMs in a day on an average. The plan is to cover for a week extendable for another two days.

This is the seventh in the series. Inspiring you to explore Kerala, this road trip covers the lovely hills of Munnar, serene backwaters of Alleppey/Kumarakkom, pristine beaches at Varkala, the sights of Fort Kochi and temples in Kanyakumari and Madurai. 

Take a look, plan and go!

We are back with one more lovely road trip. This time to "God's own country" aka Kerala and a bit of Southern Tamil Nadu. We have been to this small little, lovely state many times and it continues to mesmerise us. We thought of making it easier for you to explore with this comfortable itinerary. Since this is a road trip, we strongly suggest that you should keep at least 5 days at your disposal to do justice. Though we have planned this road trip to cover ten days, you can always tweak it and plan to your needs.

Kerala or God's own country. Winter is the best season to be here. It is time explore exotic Kerala! ( Please click on the pictures to see them in original size )

The Circuit

Bangalore - Munnar - Kochi - Kumarakkom/Alleppey - Varkala/Kollam - Trivandrum - Kanyakumari - Madurai - Bangalore

For detailed Google map Link, please click on this.

Route Map of the circuit

Here is the itinerary.

Day 1 - Bangalore - Munnar

Distance - 539 KMs

Road condition - Excellent except for few patches on the Ghat road

Route - Bangalore - Salem - Karur - Dindigul - Theni - Bodinayakkannur - Munnar

Route   - http://tinyurl.com/k86t4gj

Beautiful vistas on the Ghat section from Bodinayakannur

Leave early say 6 AM. This will help you to overcome traffic snarls at Hosur. You can have breakfast either in Salem city or in Adyar Anand Bhavan after Toppur on the right side of the road. After Dindigul, the road becomes two lane. At Dindigul, you can pack the famous Biryani of Thalappakatti and eat it on the road side on the ghat section enjoying lovely scenery. After Bodinayakannur, you will climb the ghat. Not many hairpin bends. Easily manageable. Stop and enjoy Chinnakanal waterfalls on the way. You should reach Munnar by 4 PM after photo sessions! Check out these posts on this blog

Munnar in Monsoon 1 - Going gaga over Ghats!

Munnar in Monsoon 2 - Mesmerised @ First Sight!

Rest and relax in your hotel/resort for the night.

Day 2 - Explore Munnar - Two Lakes and Top Station

Distance - 140 KMs ( Return journey)

Road Condition - Excellent

Route - http://tinyurl.com/mzyjwbv

Kundala Lake, Munnar

After breakfast, drive towards top Station. It is a lovely drive. Click pictures for keeps sake at "Photo Point", visit the floriculture centre, Echo point and Indo-Swiss dairy on the way. Enjoy boating in Mattupatty and Kundala lakes. Get mesmerised at the beauty of Top Station. You can either carry your packed lunch or have Maggi/egg in Top Station. On the way back stop over at Kannan Devan Tea Store in town to buy tea and spices. For more details check out this post on this blog.

Munnar in Monsoon 3 - Two lakes and stunning Top Station!

Day 3 - Explore Munnar - Eravikulam National Park, Marayoor sandal wood farm and Chinar Wild Life Sanctuary

Distance - 100 KMs (Return journey)

Road Condition - Excellent

Route - http://tinyurl.com/mk4q5n2

A Stream on the way to Eravikulam 

We would recommend you to leave early after an early breakfast to be there when the park opens at 8 AM. Else, one can also come back and have breakfast depending on how far is your hotel from the park. Go for the guided tour of the park. If you are keen on trekking, there are different trails in the park and need to contact the park authorities. After park, drive towards Marayoor and Chinar Wild life sanctuary. Enjoy the breathtaking scenery on the way. Visit the lovely tea museum run by Kannan Devan Plantations and also Chinar wild Life sanctuary.

Enjoy the evening in your hotel/resort.

Day 4 - Munnar - Athirapally falls - Kochi 

Distance - 209 KMs (One way)
Road Condition - Excellent. Few KMs inside forest after Kalady is patchy.
Route http://tinyurl.com/lrc5sav

Cheeyapara falls

Check out after breakfast and drive to Kochi. This is a beautiful drive. Especially during or immediately after monsoon. You will find numerous water falls on the way. Enjoy the lovely vistas of Cheeyyapara, Vallara waterfalls. The road is winding and need to drive safely. On the way visit Kalady, the birthplace of Adi Shankaracharya which has a lovely temple on the banks of Pampa. reach Athirapally falls by afternoon. Have lunch at many restaurants around the falls and visit falls after lunch.

Athirapally Falls

The place is very well maintained and plastic free zone. Enjoy the beauty of falls and drive to your hotel/resort in Kochi. If possible reach Kochi before sunset and enjoy the excellent sunset with Chinese fishing nests in foreground. In the evening, if you are not tired, explore mouth watering sea food in fort area.

Enjoy the evening in your hotel/resort.

Day 5 - Kochi - Kumarakkom/Alleppey 

Distance - 58 KMs to Alleppey / 53 Kms to Kumarakkom ( One Way)

Road Condition - Excellent.

Route http://tinyurl.com/kfuy4ww and http://tinyurl.com/lxlc3cy

Sunset and Chinese fishing nets, Kochi

If you haven't been able to catch the sunset on the previous day, then get up and drive to the fort area. park your car and go for a morning walk. Enjoy the lovely vistas of Chinese fishing nets against the backdrop of sea. Comeback, have your breakfast or have breakfast in numerous little cafes in fort area. Walk around and visit the Synagogue and explore the antique stores. Visit the restored palace and depart for Kumarakom/Alleppey.

Reach Kumarakkom/Alleppey by lunch. After lunch go for a Cruise on house boat. You need to arrange this in advance by talking to your hotel. Enjoy the sunset cruise.

Enjoy the evening in your hotel/resort.

Day 6 - Explore Kumarakkom/Alleppey

Distance - Minimal

Road Condition - Not applicable

Route - Not Applicable

Houseboat on Vembanad lake, Kumarakkom

If staying in Kumarakkom, go for bird watching early in the morning. After breakfast go for a cruise on Vembanad lake.

If staying in alleppey, enjoy the beach in the morning and go for a cruise after breakfast.

Enjoy the evening in your hotel/resort.

Day 7 - Kumarakkom/Alleppey to Varkala 

Distance - 132 KMs from Kumarakkom / 118 KMs from Alleppey ( One Way)

Road Condition - Excellent.

Route http://tinyurl.com/n2u5egc and http://tinyurl.com/lkctpbg

Varkala beach

A lovely drive after breakfast will bring you to Varkala. Enjoy the beach. Just chill and relax. Enjoy the gorgeous sunset.

Enjoy the evening in your hotel/resort.

Day 8 - Varkala - Trivandrum - Kanyakumari 

Distance - 136 KMs (One way)

Road Condition - Excellent.

Route http://tinyurl.com/lojp3jn

Vivekananda rock memorial

Leave early and reach Trivandrum. Have breakfast in any of the restaurants in city and head straight to Padmanabhaswamy temple. Make sure you carry a Dhoti along. Change into Dhoti and visit the temple. After spending an hour in the temple, drive towards Kanyakumari. On the way, visit marvellous wooden palace at Padmanabhapuram. Reach Kanayakumari by afternoon. Check into your hotel, have a bite in any of the restaurants in town and straight away head to Vivekananda Rock memorial. Spend an hour on the island and when you return back visit the temple of Knayakumari. Go to the beach in the evening near Gandhi Manatap and enjoy the sunset.

Enjoy the evening in your hotel/resort. Or walk around the streets for shopping of local handicrafts.

Day 9 - Kanyakumari - Madurai 

Distance - 244 KMs (One way)

Road Condition - Excellent.

Route http://tinyurl.com/ny9yl87

Meenakshi temple, Madurai

Get up early to enjoy the gorgeous sunrise. Have breakfast and drive to Madurai. Reach Madurai by lunch. After lunch and rest visit the mammoth temple of Goddess Meenakshi. If you still have time visit the palace of Tirumala Nayaka. In the evening, go around and enjoy the delicacies of Madurai. Check out details here.

Tasty delights of Madurai

Day 10 - Madurai - Bangalore

Distance - 435 KMs (One way)

Road Condition - Excellent.

Route http://tinyurl.com/k2atrfv

Leave Madurai around 7 AM. Have breakfast and lunch on the way and reach Bangalore by 4 PM.

Stay Options

You will be spoilt by the choices in all the places. You have some gorgeous places to stay and also options suiting all budgets. You can check these options on on line through Cleartrip or Agoda or Bookings.com

Travel Tips

a) There are many extensions possible on this trip if you have more days to spare. Here are few

i) Extension to Thekkady from Munnar and then onwards to Kumarakkom

ii) Extension to Vagamon and then onwards to Kochi

iii) Extension to Kodaikanal from Madurai and then onwards to Bangalore.

b) The first day drive is little longer. But excellent road till Dindigul helps. If you feel the distance is long, then drive to Dindigul on day 1. Stay in any of the lovely homes stays on outskirts of Dindigul and then proceed to Munnar the next day.

c) If you can spare an additional day in Munnar, you will be able to drive up to Kollakkumalai tea Estate - the highest tea estate in the world.

d) If you are a trekker, keep few days for trekking in Eravikulam National park. Vagamon also has lovely trekking trails.

e) If you are a birder, then you should take some time out to visit lovely bird sanctuary at Tattekad. This is on the way to Kochi from Munnar.

f) Choose either Kumarakkom or Alleppey as both are known for backwater cruises.

g) There are options for staying overnight in your houseboat or just do a day trip.

h) We intentionally left out Kovalam which gets crowded. If you want to enjoy the beach at Kovalam, then skip Varkala.

i) If you are not a beach person then opt to stay on Ashtamudi lake near Kollam. You can enjoy serene landscape and also go for boat cruise on the lake.

i) Expect heavy crowds on holidays/long weekends.

j) If interested in exploring the history of Kochi, join Kochi heritage walk. For more details check this website.

Kochi heritage walks

k) Kochi has some nice antique shops. But you have to bargain hard.

Aren't you interested in looking at other six road trips from Bangalore? Please click on the link below

6 Exciting Road Trips from Bangalore!

Useful Links

a) Eravikulam National Park - http://eravikulam.org/eco-tourism/

b) Sri Padmanabhaswamy temple, Traivandrum - http://sreepadmanabhaswamytemple.org/

c) Padmanabhapuram Palace - https://www.keralatourism.org/destination/padmanabhapuram-palace/244

d) Fort Kochi - https://www.keralatourism.org/destination/fort-kochi/422/

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A list of Exciting Road Trips from Bangalore!

A list of Road Trips from Bangalore with all details like route map, places to see and stay? Yes, as road trippers we love to drive to destinations. We love the freedom road trips provide to stop, look and explore.You might have already read these posts on this blog separately. With long weekends of Dasara and Diwali coming in next few weeks, we thought of putting all of them in one basket so that it will be easy for readers.

We are sharing here details about 6 exciting road trips from Bangalore exploring heritage, western ghats, wild life, beaches etc.......  in this post. These drives, cover not more than 300 KMs in a day. The plan is to cover for a week extendable for another two days. It also provide you option to just plan for as many number of days you wish to.

Here we go....

Exciting road trip from Bangalore 1 - Karnataka Heritage trails

Awesome setting of Bhootnath temple in Badami

This will provide you an opportunity to explore rich architectural and sculptural heritage of Karnataka. It covers the UNESCO World heritage sites of Hampi and Pattadakal. 

Click on the link below for full details

Karnataka Heritage Trails

Exciting road trip from Bangalore 2 - Magical Malnad

Jog Falls in Monsoon

Malnad is mesmerising. It is a road trippers dream. You drive over winding roads enjoying the lovely vistas of rolling hills with cascades, rivers and everything a road tripper can expect of.

Click on the link below for full details

Magical Malnad

Exciting road trip from Bangalore 3 - Tryst with Pondicherry and Tamil Nadu

Rajagopuram of Brihadeeswara temple, Thanjavur

A combination of cultures - French and Tamil. Great architectural heritage. Lovely temples. Pristine beaches. Can you ask for more?

Click on the link below for full details

Tryst with Pondicherry and Tamil Nadu

Exciting road trip from Bangalore 4 - Karavali and Koffee Kombo!

Baindur Beach

The title is a give away. Yes, this is again a road tripper's delight. Winding hills, mesmerising landscapes, pristine beaches and ancient heritage spots. 

Click on the link below for full details

Karavali and Koffee Kombo

Exciting road trip from Bangalore 5 - Hill Holiday in Coorg, Wayanad and Ooty

Do you want to enjoy is some of the prettiest places in South India? Here is your chance to drive to three hill stations in South India.

Click on the link below for full details

Hill Holiday in Coorg, Wayanad and Ooty

Exciting road trip from Bangalore 6 - Exploring Uttara Kannada

Magod falls, Yellapur

This is the unexplored region. A road tripper's paradise. Lovely roads with awesome landscape. Best of the beaches one can chill out in. Time to explore the unexplored.

Click on the link below for full details

Exploring Uttara Kannada

Exciting Road Trips from Bangalore 7 - God's Own Country aka Kerala and more.....

Kundala Lake, Munnar

Inspiring you to explore Kerala, this road trip covers the lovely hills of Munnar, serene backwaters of Alleppey/Kumarakkom, pristine beaches at Varkala, the sights of Fort Kochi and temples in Kanyakumari and Madurai. 

Click on this link below for more details

God's Own country and more.....

So what are you waiting for? Get set. Get your car ready and go for one of these drives. Let us know your story.

Here is another list for road trips to explore Indian Monsoon in Western Ghats.

12 Road Trips to Experience monsoon in Western Ghats!

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We hope this post was interesting, useful and you enjoyed reading it. If yes, please share it among your friends by clicking the buttons on sidebar. Our idea is to share the experiences. Thank you.

Exciting Road Trips from Bangalore 6 - Exploring Uttara Kannada

This is a comfortable road trip from Bangalore. Being road-trippers, we love the freedom road trips provide to stop, look and explore.

We will be sharing details about 6 lovely road trips from Bangalore in this blog exploring heritage, western ghats, wild life, beaches etc....... These drives, cover not more than 300 KMs in a day. The plan is to cover for a week extendable for another two days. 

This is the sixth in the series.

This time it is a drive to explore the uncharted areas of fabulous Uttara Kannada district in Karnataka in South India.

Read on.......

This is an another gem of a road trip. 

A combination of forest, waterfalls and beaches. It is still unexplored. A great drive through western ghats with some awesome views of the mountains and valleys. An opportunity to taste the cuisine of Konkan both vegetarian and Non Vegetarian.......especially the sea food. Let us hop on and see what is in store for us as we drive in Uttara Kannada district of Karnataka

Here is the circuit :-

Bangalore - Chitradurga - Dandeli - Karwar - Sirsi - Yellapur - Bangalore

Google Map of Circuit

Day 1 - Friday - Bangalore - Chitradurga

Distance - 210 KMs 

Road condition - Excellent

This is for those who don't want to drive all the way to Dandeli on day 1. This will also give an opportunity to see the amazing fort of Chitradurga early in the morning the next day. 

Leave after office and reach Chitradurga for Dinner.

Day 2 -Saturday - Chitradurga to Dandeli via Hubli, Dharwad and Haliyal 

Distance - 290 KMs

Road condition - Excellent till Dharwad. After that rough patch for 50 KMs. No cause to worry.

Get up early and visit the beautiful fort of Chitradurga. Early morning is the best time climb the fort when sun is still mild.

Fort @ Chitradurga

After visiting the fort, have a good breakfast of Butter Masala Dose in Mahalaxmi Bhavan which is close to the entrance of the fort.

Depart for Dandeli.

Take a nice walk along the river in the evening.

...........and quiet flows the Kali

Day 3 - Sunday - Explore Dandeli

Distance - 70 KMs

Road Conditions - Road condition is generally good. It is always better to ask the locals when you travel on interior roads depending upon season

Get up early to the bird calls. You may be lucky to hear the strange call of Hornbill. Freshen up and be ready for a safari in Dandeli forests on the banks of River Kali. You will have an opportunity to see wild animals like Indian Guar, elephants and if you are lucky the cats - Leopard and Tiger. Most importantly, this is a birders paradise. Make sure you enjoy birding. 

Rich canopy of trees in Dandeli forest

Hornbill - Pride of Dandeli

After breakfast you have an option to go for a rafting on Kali river or to take out your car - with packed lunch - to see lime stone caves at Kavala, Syntheri rocks, Kali valley view from Sykes point, Ulavi Shiva Temple visit Shiroli peak for a lovely sun set.

Sykes Point

Syntheri Rocks

Day 4 - Monday - Dandeli - Karwar

Distance - 110 KMs

Road condition - Good. Curvy road.

After Breakfast, drive through the Kali river valley of Western ghats. Enjoy beautiful vistas and on the way stop over at Sykes point and Anshi water falls. You can visit Kadra reservoir as well.

Kali river valley 

Backwaters of Kadra dam

Anshi water Falls

Reach Karwar for lunch.

After lunch and rest enjoy the beach, witness glorious sunset in the evening.

Day 5 - Tuesday - Explore Karwar

Distance - 30 KMs

Road condition - Excellent

Get up early in the morning and drive to Kali bridge for a lovely sunrise. If you are staying In Devbagh then you can watch the sunrise from the beach itself.

After breakfast, go for boating on the backwaters of Kali river.

Visit the War ship museum on Karwar beach. This is a fascinating place which gives you a glimpse how tough the life in Navy is. Kids will love it too.

Just do nothing and freak out on the gorgeous beach through the day and watch glorious sunset over Arabian Sea.

Sunrise over Kali bridge

Devbagh beach

Houseboats on Kali estuary

Warship Museum on Karwar beach

Lovely sunset in Karwar as seen from Devbagh

Day 6 - Wednesday - Karwar - Sirsi via Gokarna and Kumta

Distance - 145 KMs

Road Condition - Excellent till Kumta. Good and Curvy road after Kumta.

After early breakfast, drive to Gokarna. Visit the temple and OM beach. Drive down to Sirsi for lunch.

Lunch and rest done, drive down to fascinating sight of Sahasra Linga on Shalmala river.  Visit the famous Marikamba temple in town in the evening. 

OM Beach - Gokarna

Marikamba, goddess of Sirsi

Day 7 - Thursday - Explore Sirsi

Distance - 60 KMs

Road condition - Generally good. Check with locals based on season.

After early breakfast head to Yana. Visit Benne Hole and Unchalli falls and return to Sirsi for late lunch. After lunch and rest, head to Banavsi to visit ancient Madhukeshwara temple built by the earliest dynasties to rule Karnataka, Kadambas.

Rock formations @ Yana

Unchalli falls

Madhukeshwara temple @ Banavasi

Day 8 - Friday - Sirsi - Yellapur

Distance - 55 KMs

Road condition - Good

After breakfast leave for Yellapur. Reach Yellapur for lunch. After lunch and rest, go for boating in the river and visit calm and serene Kavadikere lake

Kavadikere Lake

Day 9 - Saturday - Explore Yellapur 

Distance - 50 KMs

Road condition - Generally good. Please check with local for latest update based on season.

Go for a jungle safari or birding tour before breakfast. Come back, have breakfast and then proceed to Sathodi falls. On the way visit Idagunji temple. Return for lunch.

Post lunch and rest, drive to Magod falls and then to Jenkallu gudda sunset point.

Sunset @ Jenkal

Magod falls

Return to hotel for night stay.

Day 10 - Sunday - Yellapur - Bangalore via Hubli and Chitradurga

Distance - 480 KMs

Road Condition - Excellent

Depart Yellapur after breakfast. 

Arrive in Bangalore late in the afternoon. 

Recommended Stay Options

Chitradurga - Naveen Residency or Aishwarya International.

Dandeli 

Old Magazine House by Jungle Lodges and resorts has old world charm of satying in a forest lodge. Excellent naturalists. Food will be good - like all JLL resorts - but not great.

Bison River Resort - Located next to river. Spacious rooms and well run. Good staff. Very good food. 

Hornbill River Resort - Another good option. Spacious and well managed rooms. Good staff. Very good food.

Karwar - The best place to stay in Karwar is Devbagh Beach resort by Jungle Lodges. Look at the same link given for Old Magazine house above Outstanding. If you don't get place here, look out for others like Great Outdoors resort, Estuary View Resort

Sirsi - Hotel Madhuvana is the best bet if you want to stay in city. We would advise you to stay in a nice home stay to enjoy the homely food and ambience. These are some good home stays to stay like  Bakula Homestay, Areca Valley stay, Bidara  Homestay or Ajjimane where you can experience the life style of Malnad. You can also try out rural tourism options in Banavasi. Take a look at this link here 

Banavasi Tourism

Yellapur - Banana County Resort is the best bet. Atithi is another home stay you can look at.

Travel Tips

a) The best season to explore Uttara Kannada is immediately after monsoons when it is green everywhere and water falls are a glorious sight. Except for monsoons - unless you love rains which has its own charm but be prepared for road blocks - any other time is good to explore Uttara Kannada. 

b) This is an easy road trip. The road conditions are generally good except for some interior roads. Drive safely, especially in the hills. The hill roads are curvy.

c) While driving in Uttara Kannada, don't be in a hurry. Stop and enjoy the roadside vignettes. The scenery is fabulous.

d) Carry binoculars and a good camera. 

e) Make sure you obey all safety rules while going for river rafting in Kali. Don't be adventurous in unknown waters.

f) Be prepared to walk. Carry a good trekking shoe with deep groves  This is needed when you trek to Yana and some of the water falls as the ground may be uneven and slippery.

g) Karwar and surroundings are beautiful. Make sure you take a boat ride on Kali river estuary. It is an enjoyable experience.

h) Savour the local food. Konkani food is delicious. 

i) Make sure your vehicle in in good condition and you carry maps and other required items for road trip. Here is a good link which tells you what to carry on a road trip.

j) While visiting Gokarna temple, make sure you don't fall into the trap of local priests who will offer packages. Gokarna itself need a full day to explore. If you want to do that you can extend  the trip by another day.

Hope you liked this post? Please share it with your friends if you find it will help them. If you need any help in planning a trip to Uttara Kannada, you are welcome to write @ poorna62@gmail.com