Chennai - Dindigul - Theni - Cumbum - Kumily - Thekkady - Anaimalai

[cous wheels]

Did Chennai - Thekkady trip on 22Aug and Thekkady - Anaimalai on 23Aug

Route taken:

Chennai - Trichy - Dindigul - Kodai Road- Nilakottai - Batlagundu - Periyakulam - Theni - Bodi - Cumbum - Kumily - Thekkady

From Chennai just before you take right to Kodai Road Junction, it is a 4 lane road. Took 4hours to reach Trichy and just above 1 hour to reach Kodai road Junction from Trichy as the traffic was minimal in this route. From Kodai Road Junction till Thekkady it took me 3.5 hours, a distance of about 125 kms. 2 lane roads from Kodai Road Junction till Batlagundu are good. Beyond Batlagundu roads start deteriorating. There are large craters in this stretch till you cross Cumbum. The roads are good and wide when you touch by-pass however when you get into town limits, the roads become horrible. Very difficult to drive

Thekkady - Kumily - Cumbum - Bodi - Theni - Periyakulam - Batlagundu - Oddanchathiram - Palani - Udumalpet - Pollachi - Anaimalai.

Completely 2 lane roads. From Thekkady till Batlagundu it took me 3 hours. Took a left at Batlagundu towards Dindigul - Oddanchathiram road which was in excellent condition. Oddanchathiram - Palani roads are wide however occasional patched up roads. Beyond Palani till Anaimalai roads are excellent. No tolls in this route. There is a toll Plaza coming up in Batlagundu - Dindigul 2 lane road.

 

[mgobinathbe]

Nice route cous_wheels
How is Thekkady now, did you spot any animals during boating?. as am planned to do a trip there during my next trip to my home town (Madurai) during Sep 12-15.
Please post pictures from your trip.

 

[cous wheels]

It was raining and could not spot much animals during boating. Otherwise, the climate was pleasant.