Periyar-Munnar-Chinnar--KODAGU REGION: Madikeri and Bylakkupe - Hampi - Goa

india is in me

Hi IMs,

My itinerary actually begins in Trivandrum and then I'm planning on going to Varkala, Kollam...doing the houseboat thing... then over Periyar for the Tiger Trail. It is from here that my title itinerary begins:

Periyar -Munnar - Chinnar --KODAGU REGION: Madikeri, Dubare Forest and Bylakkupe - Hampi - Goa


I have 5 weeks to do all of this... Nov 19 - Dec 26... before I fly out of Goa to Kolkata from where I am going to an ashram in rural Jharkhand. I am going to be in India for 4-ish months in total and this will be my introduction to the south... I have only ever been to the northern parts before. In the south I am looking to experience as much of nature, peace and tranquility as I possibly can... while of course throwing in a small taste of the 'beach' life (i.e. Varkala and hopefully Agonda in Goa).

I am intending to go on the Periyar Tiger Trek... NOT to see tigers actually, but just to go on a well organised trek through jungle and to be able to spend time overnight under the stars - I LOVE camping, and wildlife in general. I will be just happy to be there... I know tiger sights are slim and honestly would go to MP if I had my heart set on only a tiger.

Anyway, from Periyar I want to go to Munnar for a few days... Top Station and Tea plantations etc etc.. it looks to be stunning.

Here's where I need you help:

I want to go to Chinnar Wildlife Reserve because I like the idea of a more 'untouched' wildlife area and have heard of the tree houses which are SUCH an attraction to me... The idea of being able to sleep in the tree tops, spending 4-5 days doing treks, relaxing seeing some wildlife and cultural places (are there caves or something?)... getting to know the place and learning from the guides is what I'm looking for........

Has anyone stayed at Chinnar before? Can anyone advise me about the treehouses? I have emailed the wildlife park a few times and received no response... some personal insights would be wonderful. Thoughts?

NExt.. is the hard part. Due to time constraints (I HATE cramming and taking the 'snap and dash' aproach to travel.. I am not a tourist.. but a traveller...)and my desire to enjoy nature and culture in the area..... AND.. after much research I have decided that I next want to go to the Kodagu region....

I am particularly interested in Madikeri and Bylakkupe for their proximity to the tibetan refugee communities and the local Kodava communities... also the Dubare forest elephant rehab centre looks like a lovely opportunity to interact with elephants in a positive sense..

So. Thoughts on HOW to get from Chinnar to Madikeri?

Here are mine:

a) Bus from Chinnar to Pollachi. Train from Pollachi to Kunnar. (Possible interests in Kunnar?). Bus from Kunnar to Madikeri.

b) Same as above except train from Pollachi to Mangalore. Then bus from Mangalore to Madikeri.

c) Bus to from Chinnar to Pollachi. Train from Pollachi to Ooty. Bus from Oooty to Mysore. Bus Mysore to Madikeri.

d) Bus from Chinnar to Pollachi. Train to Mysore. Bus to Madikeri.


While d seems to be the simplest route.. I intend to go to Hampi AFTER so I was hoping not to make a circuit but to come in form one way and go through another.

I really have no idea....... ANY suggesitons would be so much appreciated... It's a bit of an akward part of the trip so it seems.. but the journey for me is always as much apart of it as the destination. It's India.. afterall

From there my trip returns to the tourist trail... but form what I've read and heard.. Hampi (where I hope to spend about 5 days) is a remarkable place... and..... well... perhaps I've been 'sucked in' to going to Goa, but I can't seem to create an 'introductory' itinerary to south-west-India without going..

Nevertheless it seems I'm taking a gentle option and hoping to stay in Agona which..according to my research should be quiet-er than the rest? I like to be able to CHOOSE when I am in the action/party... not to be stuck in it all the time. That said, I'll be there for a week over Christmas so I guess it'll be peak season.

New years will be most likely spent on the ashram with old friends..... SOOOOOOOO looking forward to it. Shanti time.


Thanks for those of you have endured this epic post... and even more appreciation to anyone who can suggest some travel routes for me.

Dhanyavaad.

mridula

I know only one small thing that Mysore to Madikeri is sensible.

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Mridula

Travel Tales from India

abracax

You lost me along the way, but I can tell you there are direct buses from both Ooty and Coimbatore to Madikeri. Takes about six hours on a good day.

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tbontbtitq (Shakespeare's password)

pmvelu

Hi,

My Comments inline.

Q: From Chinnar to Madikeri :-

A :-

Option 1 [Shortest route by bus][ Approximately end-to-end it will take nearer to 12 hours just in Travelling time]:-


From Chinnar, get bus to Pollachi . From Pollachi Get bus to Coimbatore [ Bus frequency is too good]. From Coimbatore, get bus to Mysore [ Buses are available hourly once in Day time and it's 5 1/2 hours travel time]. From Mysore, buses are there to Madikeri every 1/2 an hour [All Kinds of buses including Volvo A/C and it's 3 Hours travel time].

Pros :-

1. Highly Scenic from Munnar / Chinnar to Pollachi
2.Nice Scenery for around 35 kms in Coimbatore - Mysore route with the "Dimbham Ghat Section enroute"

Cons:-

1. It will be very very tiresome as in Munnar - Coimbatore circuit & Coimbatore- Mysore circuit, All Day time buses are just plain 3 + 2 No Push-back Seats




Option 2:- [ Comfort ]

1. Get from Chinnar /Munnar to Coimbatore . From Coimbatore Jn ,get train to Mangalore Jn. From there, get an auto to KSRTC Bus stand [ 35 INR approximately] .From this bus stand, you have buses to Madikeri 1/2 an hour once in Day time including Volvo A/c , Luxury buses to normal Buses !

Pros:- Comfort
Cons:- Atleast 150 Km + extra travel but for the comfort of train, I think we can afford that extra travel

Option 2a:- [Comfort & More Connected route]

1. Get to Ernakulam Jn from Munnar /Chinnar and get a train to MAngalore Jn. Follow Option 2 from Mangalore onwards

Pros:- Comfort . Bus Frequency is much much better in Munnar - Ernakulam /Cochin circuit when compared to Munnar / Chinnar - Coimbatore Circuit


Option 3:- [Costly Cab option]

Cab will take the most shortest route of Chinnar-Pollachi-Sathy-Nanjangudu-HD Kote-Hunsur-Madikeri but still this is a "Too-Much-of-a-travel" with multiple Ghat sections in this route !!


My Suggestion would be :-

From Munnar/ Chinnar,get to coimbatore and From Coimbatore,get a bus to Mysore and TAKE A BREAK in Mysore and may be you could continue towards Madikeri the next day [ As Tibetan Settlements are 80 kms from Mysore on Mysore - Madikeri Highway OR 45 kms from Madikeri [ Mysore- Madikeri totally it's 129 kms Distance]


Hope this helps.
Velu

india is in me

Thanks so much for the replies, I really appreciate your help.

Velu your pros/cons are a simple way to assess the options.

I am now also thinking of throwing in Wayanand wildlife sanctuary too... instead of Perriyar (cause it just seems so touristy).. so I will keep all you've said in mind as I reshape my itineray again.

thanks :-)

india is in me

Hi guys, since you were so helpful last time, I have a new set of questions for you.. any help would be much appreciated:

-How often/how much/how long etc is the bus from Chinnar to Pollachi?


I am thinking now of going to Wayanad W/S after Chinnar. I want lots of wildlife time... NOT specifically to go wildlife spotting, but just to be around nature, walk, etc etc.

-What is a good way to get from Chinnar to Wayanad?

I was thinking:
Bus: Chinnar-Pollachi
Train: Pollachi-Ooty
Bus: Ooty-Kalpetta

-Any suggestions? I am on a budget, not TOO tight, but a budget nonetheless. I'd like to steer clear of hiring drivers. Also, I am in no rush, so scenic routes suit where possible.

-Does anyone know duration/cost/frequency of busses from Ooty to Kalpetta?



Thanks to all

pmvelu

From Chinnar to Kalpetta :-

You may try:-

Chinnar to Pollachi [ bus]
Pollachi to Coimbatore [ bus]
Coimbatore to Calicut Jn [ Train]
Calicut to Kalpetta [ bus]

And If you could post your itenary for South india , I may share my views on the same as Munnar/periyar/Wayanad are more or less alike [ I mean of the same Genre with Nature / Scenery] and now if you add Ooty too it's going to be only Hill stations visit !

Even though there are 2 buses from ooty to Calicut Via Wayanad , it will take around 4 Hours from ooty to Kalpetta and the buses are normal 3 * 2 with No Push backs but this Stretch will be highly scenic with nice weather !

Velu