Bangalore to Thenmala Bus for Groups
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Thenmala eco-tourism zone
The bus parks at the entry. Split fifty people into two batches for the bridge and trails. Half a day.
Parappar Dam
Near the eco-tourism zone. Boats take small batches, so plan an hour or two for a big group.
Palaruvi Falls
Back towards Aryankavu. The bus parks at the entry. Keep two hours.
Distance
615 km
From Bangalore
Time
About 15.5 hr
Via Salem, Sankarankovil and Aryankavu
Starting from
₹ 66000
5 days, 1,500 km, 27 seater
Start
90 km
205 km
295 km
375 km
440 km
525 km
545 km
580 km
605 km
615 km
Early start, one point
The bus loads at 4:30 am at one point with room for a coach, and leaves once the coordinator has counted every head. Bags go in the hold. The plan for a full bus is two days: today about 440 km to a night halt at Thirumangalam near Madurai, tomorrow the last 175 km through Tenkasi and the Aryankavu pass. Hosur Road and the Attibele toll are quiet at this hour. Tea is the first halt.
Early tea
Tea for the bus is at Krishnagiri, about 90 km out, fifteen minutes at a highway hotel with enough toilets for a group, and the coordinator sends people in two batches. Breakfast waits for Salem. Rocky hills surround the town; Rayakottai lies about 32 km west and Adhiyamankottai about 45 km south, neither on today's road. NH42 leaves here for Madanapalle, while the bus continues south on NH44 for the long plains run.
Breakfast stop
Breakfast for the group is at a big hotel on the Salem bypass, about 205 km out, with 40 minutes allowed. Salem trades in sago from tapioca, in mangoes and in handloom cloth, and its silk carries a GI tag. Yercaud is about 30 km up the Shevaroy hills, a trip for another time. The bus stays on NH44, past the turn where the Coimbatore road leaves, and heads for Karur.
Drive through
Through Karur, about 295 km out, the bus keeps rolling. The town's coach builders make bus bodies for operators across the country, and spinning mills and dyeing units run its textile trade. Karur sits low, at about 101 m, and its rain mostly comes in October and November. The Kashi Vishwanatha temple at nearby Nerur is a quiet halt on another day. The road ahead is straight and busy with lorries, so the driver keeps a steady pace to the lunch stop at Dindigul.
Lunch
Lunch for the bus group is at Dindigul, about 375 km out, about 45 minutes. We order ahead so rice meals and the famous biryani are ready when the bus pulls in. The fort on the rock by the city dates from 1605. Dindigul has the largest vegetable market in Tamil Nadu. The bus keeps to the highway, as the village roads around are narrow. Thirumangalam, the night halt, is about 65 km on.
Night halt near Madurai
Thirumangalam, about 440 km out, is the night halt. Madurai is only about 20 km away, and since NH744 for Kollam starts right here, tomorrow begins on the correct road. Book a hotel with coach parking, or stay in Madurai city if the group wants the big temple. In May and June the town's Patrakali Mariamman temple, built in 1852, runs its Vaikasi festival for thirteen days. The bus rolls out early the next morning.
Cotton town
On the second morning the bus passes Rajapalayam, about 525 km out, on the Madurai to Kollam highway. Spinning and weaving mills give it the name Cotton City, and Chatrapatti nearby makes surgical gauze. The Western Ghats rise about 12 km away. Rajapalayam's mangoes and its dog breed are its other claims to fame. The climate is semi arid, about 20 to 37 C. Sankarankovil is about 20 km on.
Tea break
A twenty minute tea break comes at Sankarankovil, about 545 km out. The town grew round the Sankara Narayanar temple, with its three shrines to Sankareswarar, Gomathi Amman and Sankaranarayanar. Crowds peak at the Adi Thabasu festival, so check the date. The powerloom trade, close to 4,000 looms, turns out towels and cotton saris. SH41 and SH76 meet in town, and the bus parks on the highway side. Tenkasi is about 35 km on.
Courtallam turn
Up to 90 minutes at Tenkasi, about 580 km out, are optional. Courtallam is about 5 km away, the reason most groups take the break. The Kasi Viswanathar temple was raised in 1467 beside the Seevalaperi tank, with a towering gateway, a short walk for those who prefer it. Rain here totals about 1,194 mm in a year, mostly in October and November. Thoothukudi airport is about 91 km away. The border pass at Aryankavu is the next point.
Ghat into Kerala
Aryankavu, about 605 km out, is the pass into Kerala, a low gap under 300 m. The driver clears the check post while students stay seated. NH744 bends here, and a full bus takes each turn slowly. A railway line from Kollam to Sengottai threads the same gap, with two stations at Aryankavu. The place is also one of the pilgrim stops of the Sabarimala legend. Thenmala, the end of the drive, is about 10 km on.
Drop at the stay
After about 15.5 hours of driving over two days, the bus pulls into Thenmala. Choose a stay on NH744 that a coach can reach, since the forest lanes are narrow. From here Kollam is about 66 km and Thiruvananthapuram about 69 km, handy for groups ending the trip by train or plane. Honey from the forest is the local buy. The driver stays with the bus near the group's stay for the days of the trip.
Planning an eco-tourism trip to Thenmala for a college or a company, 30 to 50 people? This is our Bangalore to Thenmala Bus page, covering the road, parking at stops and fares by seat count. One bus keeps the group together through two states and the ghat road. Book a bus on rent in Bangalore with Tejas Tours & Travels.
Route | One way | Thenmala and back | Time by bus |
|---|---|---|---|
Bangalore to Thenmala via Salem, Sankarankovil and Aryankavu | About 615 km | About 1,230 km | About 15.5 hr with stops |
Thenmala is about 615 km away. A bus needs a night on the road each way, so we plan 5 days and bill 1500 km. That also covers Palaruvi and Courtallam. Tolls, parking, GST and the Tamil Nadu and Kerala permits for a tourist bus are extra at actual. Volvo and BharatBenz on request, 400 km a day. The per km rate already pays for diesel and driver; the driver's day allowance is extra. Pick an AC or a non-AC coach; that choice sets the rate.
Vehicle | Rate per km | 5 days, 1,500 km | 6 days, 1,800 km | 7 days, 2,100 km |
|---|---|---|---|---|
₹44 | ₹69,500 | ₹83,400 | ₹97,300 | |
₹44 | ₹69,500 | ₹83,400 | ₹97,300 | |
₹44 | ₹69,500 | ₹83,400 | ₹97,300 | |
₹60 | ₹95,000 | ₹114,000 | ₹133,000 | |
₹60 | ₹95,000 | ₹114,000 | ₹133,000 | |
₹65 | ₹102,500 | ₹123,000 | ₹143,500 | |
₹54 | ₹86,000 | ₹103,200 | ₹120,400 | |
₹54 | ₹86,000 | ₹103,200 | ₹120,400 |
Totals are the km fare plus the day driver allowance. Extra: night driver allowance (₹700 to ₹1,000 a night, by size), tolls, parking and GST. Shared by 50, 6 days in the 50 Seater Bus is about ₹2,060 a person.
Up to 30 people: 30 seater bus. 31 to 40: 40 seater bus. 41 to 50: 50 seater bus. Five days of bags take space, so keep a few seats spare.
Group under 25? The Bangalore to Thenmala mini bus costs less. Five or six of you? See the Bangalore to Thenmala cab.
Cancellation: no charge more than 72 hours before pickup; see the cancellation policy for the rest.
29 Seater Bus A/C 2/2
NORMALAC29 Seats
₹67,630 ₹81,747
+ ₹12047 (Taxes & Charges)
30 Seater Bus A/C 2/2
NORMALAC30 Seats
₹67,630 ₹81,747
+ ₹12047 (Taxes & Charges)
32 Seater Bus A/C 2/2
NORMALAC32 Seats
₹67,630 ₹81,747
+ ₹12047 (Taxes & Charges)
33 Seater Bus A/C 2/2
NORMALAC33 Seats
₹67,630 ₹81,747
+ ₹12047 (Taxes & Charges)
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40 Seater Bus A/C 2/2
LUXURYAC40 Seats
₹91,210 ₹1,10,238
+ ₹16238 (Taxes & Charges)
45 Seater Bus A/c 2/2
LUXURYAC45 Seats
₹98,485 ₹1,19,047
+ ₹17547 (Taxes & Charges)
49 Seater Bus A/C 2/3
NORMALAC49 Seats
₹82,480 ₹99,666
+ ₹14666 (Taxes & Charges)
50 Seater Bus A/C 2/3
NORMALAC50 Seats
₹82,480 ₹99,666
+ ₹14666 (Taxes & Charges)
27 Seater Bus A/C 2/1
LUXURYAC27 Seats
₹67,630 ₹81,747
+ ₹12047 (Taxes & Charges)
30 seater bus A/C Executive 2/2
LUXURYAC30 Seats
₹73,450 ₹88,795
+ ₹13095 (Taxes & Charges)
45 Seater Benz Bus A/C 2/2
LUXURYAC45 Seats
₹1,05,760 ₹1,27,857
+ ₹18857 (Taxes & Charges)
Volvo Bus A/C 2/2
LUXURYAC45 Seats
₹1,06,000
+ ₹18900 (Taxes & Charges)
Travelled to Bangalore
We had a great experience with this travel agent while arranging a bus for our team outing. The response was quick and professional, and all our requirements were handled smoothly. The bus arrived on time, was neat and clean, and the journey was very comfortable. Special thanks to Mahantesh, who was the coordinator and supported us with all last-minute changes. The overall coordination was excellent, which made our trip hassle-free. Highly recommended for group travel arrangement.
Sagar Bamashetti
11/9/2025 Bangalore
5/5
Travelled to Bangalore
Sharing a quick note of appreciation for the bus arranged through Tejes Travel for our team outing. The 40-seater bus was very comfortable, clean, and well maintained, which made the journey smooth and enjoyable for everyone. The driver was punctual, polite, and cooperative, and the overall coordination from the Tejes Travel team was very good.
Saroj Gupta
6/11/2025 Bangalore
5/5
Travelled to Bangalore
I had booked to go to a resort on a day trip with senior citizens too.. Ms. Revathi was so good arranging a very good, comfortable bus. Which came in time. Driver was also very polite.. Thanks a lot ms. Revathi and Tejas tours and travels.
Somaasunder Ks
2/6/2025 Bangalore
5/5
Travelled to Bangalore
Lead Consultantancy, we had booked the bus from Tejas Tours and Travels. The experience was great. 1. Good Customer service 2. Soft spoken driver 3. Clean seats and Good AC They were professional, great experience. Overall we support and recommend.
Ramesh Thirugnanam
13/10/2024 Bangalore
5/5
The road to Thenmala is about 615 km each way, around 1,230 km in all: NH44 by Krishnagiri, Salem, Karur and Dindigul to Thirumangalam, then NH744 by Rajapalayam, Sankarankovil, Tenkasi and the Aryankavu pass. A full bus needs about 15.5 hours of driving, split with a night at Thirumangalam near Madurai.
5 days, 1500 km at ₹60/km: ₹90,000. Driver allowance ₹1,000/day a day. Tolls, permits and GST extra.
Madurai on the way down. Coming back, Madurai or Dindigul, as the group likes.
Yes. It is a national highway with bends. The driver takes it slow.
The 50 seater. All sizes are on bus on rent in Bangalore.
At ₹54/km, ₹81,000 for 1500 km, plus ₹1,000/day a day allowance.
June to February. The monsoon months green the forest around Thenmala, and October and November bring Tenkasi's heaviest rain, so plan rain gear then. March to May is very hot on the plains from Salem to Rajapalayam, which makes the first day hard for a full bus. December and January are the most comfortable.
Each student needs a day bag with water, a rain jacket, closed shoes for trails and a torch. Big bags stay in the hold, and an overnight kit in the day bag saves unloading at Thirumangalam. Teachers keep the name list and ID cards together, as forest entry and the stay both ask for the head count.
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