Bangalore - Mysore - Ooty - Kodai - Madurai - Diwali 2008

vk0123

Hi All,
We are a group of 4 families (each with 3-7 year old kids) planned visit with the following:

1. reach bangalore rail station 23rd oct morn

2. Sterling Ooty Fernhill - 25th morning upto 28th morning booked.

3. Sterling Kodai Lakeview - 28th morning upto 1st Nov morning.

4. Take train to Mumbai from Madurai at 6 pm on 1st Nov morning.

Above schedule is fixed.

Below schedule is tentative. Request inputs from you all for improvement:

1. 23rd - Sight seeing bangalore - Night stay at Bangalore (budget hotel wanted).

2. 24th - Reach Mysore - Palace + Vrindavan Garden - Night stay at Mysore. (budget hotel wanted).

3. 25th Morning - Start from Mysore - Need inputs whether to cover Bandipur Jungle and then reach Ooty. If so, give more details if someone has visited Bandipur.

4. Yet to decide whether
(a) Take two toyota qualis or
(b) Take 15-20 seater bus
for entire journey.

5. Inputs from you all who have visited above places will be appreciated on other items like (a) places to visit (b) feedback on resorts booked (c) any change in itenary (d) good restaurants in these locations (gujarati food if any)(e) famous items to be purchased.

Thanks.

regards,
vk0123

pmvelu

Welcome to IM VK !

Thought of sharing What I know in this subject!.

1) 15- 20 seater bus might be economical and more spacious !

2) In Mysore, If you are in budget, you could try out "Hotel Dasprakash" [ Very old & even room Boys are around 60 Years] , Standard , just very near to "Devaraja urs road " [ You could consider this road as Downtown /Shopping Street / MG road of Mysore]. For Family , this hotel might be a better one and the "Veg Restaurant" here is a preferred one EVEN with locals

3) Hope you might know this already. If you start from ooty on 28th Morning around 8 am [ In Mini bus / Qualis ] , you could reach Kodaikanal on the same day by minimum 3 pm [ You could plan acordingly . 6 to 7 Hours travel time atleast]

4) Yes, on 25th Morning, you could visi Bandipur very much on your way and proceed to ooty as Bandipur exactly lies in Mysore-ooty road only. You could start by 5 am from mysore and you could reach Bandipur by 7 am and try out the forest Safari [Safari timings 6 - 9 am and 3 - 6 pm ] and each safari will be around 1 Hour and you could very well continue to ooty via the Short Cut [ Near Teppakadu / Masinagudi ] .

Mysore - Bandipur ---> 70 kms
Bandipur - Mudumalai ---> 10 kms
Mudumalai - ooty [Via Short steeeeeep road and you will pass thru Masinagudi] --> 37 kms
Mudumalai - ooty [Via Excellent Highway and you will pass thru picturesque Gudalur , Pykara and there are several view points on this road] ---> 62 kms

5) In Ooty, try out "Hotel Saravanas"[ For best South indian food] in Charring cross road [ Downtown / Shopping Area of ooty] and just opposite to this hotel you have Gujarati Hotel.!

6) In Ooty, You could buy "HomeMade chocolates" which are really worth !

Please post if you have any queries & I did visited all of these places quite few times !

Hope this helps
Velu

vk0123

Thanks a ton Velu. Its a fantastic thought piece of advice. I will keep in mind. We are still working out schedules. I will definitely come back to you for further info.

pmvelu

No Problem VK !... Yes, if you need more info on anything on this circuit , Please post !...

Happy Planning !!

arijitchaki

I'm also planning a trip like so -

Bangalore - 1 day
Mysore - 2 days
Wellington - 3 days

I will have access to a car at each place. Could you suggest places I can visit at each of these places?

Thanks

snonymous

From Wellington you can go to the Upper Bhavani - Lakkidi reservoir area which is pristine and very densely forested with almost guaranteed chances of spotting typical Nilgiri region wildlife. Hardly anybody ever comes there and you will have the entire wilderness to yourself. Believe me, it is magical up there. From Wellington, I think you would have to go on the road leading upto Coonoor and take the left turn towards Manjur, from Manjur the road goes to U. Bhavani. If you check locally at Wellington, there may be a short cut from Wellington itself to some point on the Coonoor-Manjur road. If you leave Wellington early enough, even by 7am, you can do it as a comfortable day trip with enough time spent in the UB area.

If you can manage permission, you can enter the Mukurthi NP from UB and go further to Bangi Thappal and Sispara overlooking the Silent Valley of Kerala.

subabu2002

hi,

here my suggestion,

if you all have stuff,
on the way to kodaikanal from ooty,visit`ISHA YOGA CENTRE`around 30kms from coimbatore. dont miss this place. very very worthy place to visit.for this you will need to start earlierly on 28th morning from ooty. even if you are young or old,you will love this place.

i stayed in sterling lakeview kodaikanal.location and surroundings is good.but not a very special place.

-suresh babu.

fake_empire

I am doing a similar route (in and around Nagarhole/Bandipur/Mudumalai/Ooty/Kotagiri/Kodaikanal,etc)
Am I right to be prepared for a fair amount of rain in mid-October?
Are the wildlife parks really worth it at this time? Guide books suggest otherwise.
And will the mountains and hills be hidden in clouds a lot of the time? Is the famed Ooty - Mettupalayam train journey going to be in a sea of cloud?
Not being pessimistic! Just might change plans a bit if not really a good time to be there.
Thanks heaps

pmvelu

Hi FE,


Mid-October, Possibility of rains will be very less in the said areas you are planning [ Especially Nilgiris[ooty,coonoor,Kothagiri,Gudalur] & Coorg [ Read Nagarahole]] but November + you could be assured of no rains !

I had been to Nagarahole till now around 10 times in past 1 year [Which makes a average of monthly once ]and only once I came back without sighting Anything [ That's February 2008]and yes, Drier months , the possibility of sighting animals is more but for Nagarahole especially you would see Deers / Elephants atleast in October [I am saying based on my experience but yes Animal Sighting is pure luck as we know]. And Many of the visitors think Jungle Lodges & Resorts , Karapura [ situated in the Southern end of Nagarahole] as "Proper Nagarahole" which is not a correct one. Yes, In Cicada Or JLR [ Karapura] ,the animal sightings will be BEST in Summer months as those resorts are located nearer to the back waters of kabini and naturally in Monsoon months , Animals might not go upto Kabini to have water and the forest Streams / Water bodies might be having water as such .

But in Nagarahole NP , as such , the animal sightings are more when we drive towards "Forest OFfice" itself in Non-Monsoon months and the probibility is more in "Forest Safari" during Monsoon Months. And Even more than the Animal Sightings , the drive within the NP [ 20 km+ ] itself is a lifetime experience [ This Experience we can't get in Bandipur,Mudumalai,Tholpetty,M uthanga as such] !

Hope this helps !

fake_empire

Thanks a lot pmvelu. Great advice. Maybe we'll make a day trip of it to Nagarhole, and not bother booking accomodation in/near the park. Maybe carry on to Ooty.

A few more questions:

Is it best to approach Nagarhole from Mysore or Madikeri?

What would be the best mode of transport from either place to get to Nagarhole for early morning visit? And how long would that take?

And is it possible to get to Ooty in good time, same day without being totally exhausted!?

THANKS!!

pmvelu

From Mysore, Nagarahole NP is 90 kms . Taxi is the best option. If you start from Mysore around 5 am , you could reach the Forest office at 7 am !. You could ask the "taxi Driver" to take HD Kote route which is more scenic and nice to reach Nagarahole NP.

From Madikeri , Nagarahole is 84 kms . Even though Nagarahole is in Coorg district , it's almost Equidistant from Mysore Or Madikeri ! . This Drive Might take around 3 hours !

If you could start from mysore around 5 am , Reach Nagarahole NP forest office by 7 am [Forest Safari timings is 6 - 9 am and 3 -6 pm]. You could get into the Second trip of forest Safari around 7.30 and the Safari itself will take around 1.15 to 1.30 hours !.

If time permits, you could make a Stay at " iruppu Falls" [ There are many a homestays / Plantation stays in this area --Scenic and 17 kms from Nagarahole] OR in Kutta [8 kms from Nagarahole NP ]and continue your journey to ooty the next day morning.

And if you want to make it ooty on the same day also, it's possible but might be a tiresome journey and From Nagarahole NP ,ooty is around 200 kms [which might take around 5- 6 hours]

Hope this helps.

fake_empire

Top stuff. Thanks so much

pmvelu

Have a Fantastic Trip and post us your experiences

vk0123

Dear Velu / Babu,

After having read numerous posts of you both, I am addressing this post to you in specific since I am sure you will be able to give me sound advice. Inputs from rest of you experienced people are most welcome.

THE BIG CHANGE : Unlike my earlier plan of 4 families going, now it is only my family of 4.

Queries :

1. Indica is offered to me at Rs. 5 per km totalling for 10 days to approx. Rs. 15000 ( min 250 km per day) start : Bangalore Drop : Madurai(inclusive of drivers allowance + state tax).While an exclusive car will definitely make entire journey smooth. I am trying to check whether if I take piecemeal transport will I be able to save heavily on costs and still have a good journey.

Can you advise me which public transports can help me reduce my cost without much compromise on comfort.
Oct 23 - Bangalore night stay
Oct 24 - Bangalore to Mysore - night stay at Mysore
Oct 25 - Early morning to Bandipur and then to Ooty
Oct 26 & Oct 27 - In Ooty
Oct 28 - Ooty to Kodai
Oct 29, 30 & 31 - Kodai
Nov 1 - Kodai to Madurai

I am still trying for a car with lesser budget but unable to. I have heard ambassador still runs in this area with lesser costs. Any idea about costs ?

1. I am lost on making my agenda for first 3 days viz. Bangalore, Mysore, Bandipur and reaching Ooty before Oct 25 evening latest.

Can you guide me. We do not have any great requirement for Bangalore and hence can reduce the time if required.

Mysore - Planning to cover Palace, garden and Mysore zoo (zoo since I have young kids - but only if you advise - I hope zoo visit and Bandipur will not be similar).

Can you help me prepare agenda for these 3 days.

2. Ooty - Paragliding -Can you share your experience, if you have, whether this service is well managed in Ooty.

3. Enroute Ooty to Kodai - I am planning to add Black Thunder Water Park - Your advise please whether it will make a good mix to the experience and then can I still reach Kodai the same day safely.

4. Kodai - I have kept 3 full days. Your advise on activities please.

Thanks.

pmvelu

My Comments inline in Bold VK

Queries :

1. Indica is offered to me at Rs. 5 per km totalling for 10 days to approx. Rs. 15000 ( min 250 km per day) start : Bangalore Drop : Madurai(inclusive of drivers allowance + state tax).While an exclusive car will definitely make entire journey smooth. I am trying to check whether if I take piecemeal transport will I be able to save heavily on costs and still have a good journey.

5 Rs / Km looks Cheap only and I am not sure on Rental cars as such and Yes Ambassador plies very much in these areas.

Can you advise me which public transports can help me reduce my cost without much compromise on comfort.
Oct 23 - Bangalore night stay

If you are just planning to halt in Bangalore for taking rest , you could re-consider that and continue Straight to mysore [This is just 3 hours in Excellent Road ] .If at all if you are reaching bangalore between 04:00 am until 17:00 Hrs , You could try out straight to Mysore. If you are going to take bus, From Bangalore JN Railway station, just walk straight and you will be lead to a Sub-way and once you get out of this sub-way you will be in Bangalore Bus stand [ Locally called as Majestic / And inside the subway, this will be referred as "Kempegowda Bus stand"].

Oct 24 - Bangalore to Mysore - night stay at Mysore

Answered above. Even if you want to explore places on the way, you could very well Come to mysore first and join a tour package or Hire a cab and visit Shrirangapatna & Ranganathittu BS [Both are almost 12 kms and 18 kms from Mysore] and hence No need for Cab as such for BNG - MYS Circuit

Oct 25 - Early morning to Bandipur and then to Ooty

Please refer My post #2 Point No:4 below and same holds good. Cab is the best to cover this !

Oct 26 & Oct 27 - In Ooty

Fine . And there are 2 options. If you are on budget, you could join 2 Different packages for those 2 days from any of the tour operators [ Best one is Try out Hotel Tamilnadu, Charring Cross ,Ooty..Their package is economical and nice].

If you want privacy [There is no big difference between hiring a Cab and joining the Package deals ] as the places are same and nothing Much out-of the place you could visit as almost all the places are covered in the package itself.. Please take a call.

I would Say, 1 Day for ooty trip & 1 Day for Coonoor Trip. If you hire a car, you could make it Wellington /Upper Bhavani as specified by Snonymous !


I am still trying for a car with lesser budget but unable to. I have heard ambassador still runs in this area with lesser costs. Any idea about costs ?

1. I am lost on making my agenda for first 3 days viz. Bangalore, Mysore, Bandipur and reaching Ooty before Oct 25 evening latest.

Can you guide me. We do not have any great requirement for Bangalore and hence can reduce the time if required.

Mysore - Planning to cover Palace, garden and Mysore zoo (zoo since I have young kids - but only if you advise - I hope zoo visit and Bandipur will not be similar).

For first 2 Days in Mysore:-

Day 1:-

You Could get an auto to Palace [ 2.5 Hours to cover] followed by a Visit to Zoo [Again take an auto and it's just 15 to 20 Rs only] --> Mysore Zoo is good and this has nothing do with a Sanctuary like Bandipur and your kids will enjoy this zoo rather than the actual Sanctuary As it's 100% Guaranteed to see birds / animals and I am telling from my experience too as I myself a big fan of Nagarahole but my kid always prefer Zoo.. It's worth a visit followed by visit to Karanji Lake . It's 14 Rs in Auto [Minimum Charge] and there you could spend 2.5 to 3 Hours with ease. In the evening you could visit KRS Dam / Brindavan Gardens [ This is best beteen 17:00 Hrs to 20:00 Hrs]

Day 2 :-

You could get into the Package tour with any of the oprators for Shrirangapatna / Ranganathittu Bird Sanctuary . This will take 3/4 th of a Day. On Evening , you could go to City bus stand and board a Volvo A/C bus to Chamundi Hills for Views of Mysore/ Nice Climate / and Main Reason is Chamundeeswari temple .. This temple will be closed in between 18:30 to 19:30 Hrs in post-lunch !. You could try to reach the top by5pm , have a Relaxed time and then visit the temple and come back and have a Shopping Visit to Devaraja urs road and You could try out "Bombay Tiffany's annexe in Urs road for best Chat & North indian Sweets and also for the best Badam Milk [ Hot / Cold in Mysore ] !

2. Ooty - Paragliding -Can you share your experience, if you have, whether this service is well managed in Ooty.

I don't have any personal experience with this.

3. Enroute Ooty to Kodai - I am planning to add Black Thunder Water Park - Your advise please whether it will make a good mix to the experience and then can I still reach Kodai the same day safely.

Ooty to Mettupalaiyam in Toy Train Followed by Black Thunder Visit will make a Day. May be you could Stay in Mettupalaiyam or board Coimbatore Bus and have a Stay in Coimbatore and resume your journey next day [May be early morning] to Kodaikanal . I would Say Trying to Get from ooty to Kodai Hills on the same Day will be tiresome only and you could decide based on the comfort level of kids .

4. Kodai - I have kept 3 full days. Your advise on activities please.

In Kodai, As usual you could join any of the tour packages operated by the Private operators [Tamilnadu Tourism does not offer local tour here] Or hire a Cab [Absolutely no need for cab as such for Kodai Local Tour]

In Kodaikanal I visited only normal tourist places only till now like Lake , Cokkers Walk etc [Which you will see in any kodaikanal based sites].

5. Kodaikanal to Madurai

You could board direct bus to Madurai and it's Hourly once and Economical and no specific need for Cab as such

Hope it helps & Please post If you need more info !