Route map: From Calicut to Bangalore in two different routes | Forest, Ghats Roads to Bangalore from Kerala | Thamarassery, Bandipur, Mudumali, Vazhikkadavu, Gundlupet, Mysuru

To Bangalore

This was the other trip in my cute black Dezire on last Friday morning. It was a sudden decision by me to go to bangalore. I searched in the Google map for the distance and travel routes and its around 370 Kms. So for a company I called my friend in Kannur. He is very interested in travels that I know. So I expected a positive reply. As per my expectation he was ready for the trip and he shows interest to drive through Ghats. So I went to the Calicut New Bus Stand to pick him and we started from there by 11.30 am. Our plan is to reach Bangalore by night 7. After a 20 min when reached Karanthur we filled the diesel tank with 22 L. It was enough for one side journey to Bangalore from Calicut. He took the driving seat for the trip and normally I like co driver seat than the driving seat. We were chosen NH766 to the Mysuru through Thamarassery Ghats. This was the third Ghats road I am choosing to cross Kerala border to Karnataka and first time through Thamarassery.

Because of Week end day (Friday) traffic was little bit more in this route. After 50 minutes we entered to the Thamarassery and on the way you can find Thusharagiry Waterfalls just 6 Kms from the Highway. It was a superb place for trekking and a bath. Around 35 Kms are there from Calicut to Thamarassery. Then to Adivaram, where the famous Thamarassery Ghat roads starting. Thamarassery Ghats were famous through the Malayalam film "Vellanakalude Nadu". Many of you are remembering the dialogs by Pappu in it. And we started the Ghats road. The thermometer in the vehicle showing 24 degree C at noon time. It is reducing when we going up to the top portion of the Ghats. So I just opened the windows for a while. 

Many photo spots are available in this time. So better take a stop here in the spots and take a look to the down portion. It will be amazing. Many trucks and Buses were there when we started the Ghats road and it was risky to travel through this way more than a 40 Kms Speed in Car. The Ghats road is for 20 Kms but it took around 50 minutes to cover. The Ghats road is ending at Vythiri and there we took a small break. Then we started to Sulthan bathery and was our next targeted stop. In between we got confused to pass through the city. At that time GPS helped us to cover all complicated routes/ doubts in the path. Vythiri to Sulthan Bathery is around 36 Kms and will take around 30 min travel.

The next stage of travel was through Muthanga Wild life Santuary and Bandipur national Park which are sanctuaries for Gaur, Chital, Elephants, Tigers, Indian leopards and other threatened species. These two are also the favourite spots for tourists. We took food from the Muthanga check post stop. There are some small hotels are availabe. Kappa, Meals, Fish fry, Omlet, Biriyani were available at that time and was tasty. The roads before the border (Kerala side) were ok but after that it was excellent. But many small humps will be there in a short distance to avoid over speed through the forest area. On the way we saw a group of elephants, monkeys near to the way and were unexpected. So if you are lucky you can spot some wild animals here. But remember the whole area is plastic free zone. Don’t put any plastic wastes inside the forest. And parking in the forest is also risky. So you can find many instructional boards in this area. Guards available in the check post will remember you about this. The traffic in this area was very less by afternoon time.

And now we are reaching the Bandipur Check post by evening. Just remember it will be opened for Morning 6 AM to Night 9 PM. Except these timing you cannot cross the check post. So the trips through this area should be well planned. No other nearby bypass road is available. The travel through the Bandipur National Park was mind fresh in comparatively slow speed. The next point was Gundlupet and then Mysuru for us. Mysuru is famous for Palace, St. Philominas Church and Chamundeswari Temple. The traffic in the city was too high in the evening. We used outer ring roads to pass the city traffic. Here we are leaving NH 766 and entered to NH 17 to Bangalore. 



Just follow the course of the road. From Mysuru to Bangalore we relaxed when driving. It was 4 line highways and the road is in good condition. By night 8 pm we reached the Bangalore and take rest for the next day meeting and return journey.


Note: High Way Speed for a LMV is 70 Kms/Hr

Return Journey to Calicut

We started our return journey after the works in Bangalore by 2.00 pm. The way to Mysuru is NH17 where we took the journey. This time we took the straight road from the Gundlupet to take the route through Gudallur (not through city) and Mudumalai Natioanal Park. If we are choosing this route we are passing through Tamil Nadu to reach the Kerala Boarder. The travel through the forest area was very interesting and we can expect many wild animals in this region and we met some. The condition of the road in some areas is not good. So be careful while driving.

 
The path is going to Vazhikkadavu Ghat Road. This was the next hot driving spot in our journey. The roads are very dangerous than Thamarassery Ghat Road and the width of the road is also smaller than the Thamarassery. Vazhikkadavu Ghat Road contains many U, L turns which is risky in driving and the dream route for drivers those who enjoying the adventurous routes. Also you can expect more Heavy Motor vehicles in this road. Thus by nigh 10.30 pm we reached Calicut after a long journey. Then for a hard sleep.

Mudumalai National Park View

Vazhikkadavu Ghats Road

Note: Both routes have around same distance but the easiest path is through Thamarassery Ghat.
Notice: This time, because of some technical problems my camera was in dead mode. So Here I uploaded pictures from 3rd party sites including wikipedia. So if you feel the pictures are copy righted for you, then please inform me through mail. I will remove it with in a limited time. Thanks to the Actual up loaders of the pictures