Honda Journey Uncovers 13: Monsoon Expedition through Picturesque Kerala and Tamil Nadu
Exploring Kerala's Western Ghats: A Monsoon Adventure
Recently, a group of enthusiastic drivers embarked on a thrilling journey through Kerala's Western Ghats during the monsoon season. The route, from Kochi to Munnar, offered breathtaking views and challenging terrains that tested the mettle of the vehicles and the navigational skills of the drivers.
The first day's drive, approximately 60 km from Kochi to Athirapally, was a warm-up for the adventures ahead. The group chose the Honda City petrol automatic and the new Amaze manual for the journey. The drive included winding routes through the Ezhattumugham forest and alongside the Chalakudy River, culminating at the Athirapally Falls, also known as the 'Baahubali Falls'.
On the second day, the plan was to drive from Athirapally to Munnar, a distance of 130 km. However, a detour was taken towards the Charpa Waterfalls before setting off for Munnar. The drive was filled with local buses, tourist vehicles, and narrow roads, making the ascent to Kodaikanal a challenging but rewarding experience. Unfortunately, the group realised that their navigation was inactive after driving about 40 km into the forest. Despite this setback, they decided to turn back and enjoy the scenic beauty of the region.
A stop was made at the Thottapura View Point overlooking the Sholayar Dam during the second day's drive. Despite having no network beyond the Athirapally Waterfalls, the group managed to make it back safely to Kochi.
On the third day, the group chose the Honda Elevate for the drive to the Gap Road, known for its tea plantations and panoramic views. The manual gearbox in the Elevate offered slick shifts, and the SUV remained impressive with its high-speed stability, but had poor NVH levels at high speeds. The Elevate's 1.5-litre i-VTEC engine offered strong mid-range, allowing for easy maintenance of highway speeds.
The new Amaze Automatic was used during the third day's drive on the Gap Road. Despite not being the best choice for steep ascents, the CVT made the drive stress-free. The Amaze Automatic impressed as a well-packaged all-rounder, offering space, comfort, refinement, and quality.
When navigating Kerala's Western Ghats during the monsoon, careful car selection is crucial. Vehicles with good ground clearance, all-wheel drive (AWD) or four-wheel drive (4WD) systems, SUVs or crossover vehicles, cars equipped with good quality tires with deep treads, and features such as anti-lock braking system (ABS) and electronic stability control (ESC) are recommended for this drive. Low-clearance sedans should be avoided for the ups and downs of Western Ghats during monsoon; instead, opt for robust SUVs or crossovers.
Additional tips include starting early, avoiding night driving, and keeping emergency contacts handy. The recommended route for driving from Kochi to Munnar is via NH 85 and NH 183, roughly 130 kilometers taking about 4-5 hours. This route passes through Angamaly, Adimali, and then ascends through winding roads offering panoramic views of tea plantations and valleys near Munnar. Key scenic highlights en route include the Cheeyappara and Valara waterfalls, especially impressive during the monsoon season.
In summary, this route and vehicle choice balance scenic pleasure with practical safety considerations for monsoon travel in Kerala’s Western Ghats. The journey was filled with unexpected encounters, such as a relatively young elephant spotted on the highway during the first day's drive. Despite the challenges, the group returned with memories of a thrilling adventure through Kerala's breathtaking landscapes.
[1] [https://www.keralatourism.org/destination/cheeyappara-waterfall/] [2] [https://www.keralatourism.org/destination/valara-waterfall/] [3] [https://www.keralatourism.org/destination/kochi/] [4] [https://www.keralatourism.org/destination/munnar/]
Experiencing Kerala's Western Ghats during a monsoon adventure can be enriching, especially when incorporating travel and lifestyle choices that cater to the region's challenging terrains. The selection of automobiles like the Honda City, Amaze, and Elevate can offer an enjoyable ride along the picturesque routes from Kochi to Munnar, with the Honda Elevate and SUVs or crossovers being more suitable for the monsoon season.
Taking a detour to admire the scenic beauty of Charpa Waterfalls or stopping at the Thottapura View Point overlooking the Sholayar Dam can add to the overall travel lifestyle during this unforgettable journey through Kerala's breathtaking landscapes.
