Bangalore to Thenmala Mini Bus on Rent
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Thenmala eco-tourism zone
The mini bus parks at the entry. Twenty people move together on the bridge and trails.
Parappar Dam
Boating in small batches if it is running. About an hour.
Palaruvi Falls
Short drive back towards Aryankavu. Keep two hours.
Distance
615 km
From Bangalore
Time
About 13.5 hr
Via Salem, Sankarankovil and Aryankavu
Starting from
₹ 48000
5 days, 1,500 km, 14 seater
Start
90 km
205 km
295 km
375 km
440 km
525 km
545 km
580 km
605 km
615 km
Two pickups at most
The mini bus starts at 4:30 am with two pickups at most, since a day of about 615 km leaves no slack. Bags go in the rear, and blankets help those who want to sleep through the dark hours. The bus crosses the Attibele toll into Tamil Nadu before dawn, and the driver carries the permit or pays at the border. Tea is at Krishnagiri. A group of more than 25 should look at a full size bus instead.
Tea
The mini bus makes a ten minute tea stop at Krishnagiri, about 90 km out. Breakfast waits for Salem, about two hours on. Krishnagiri's government museum on Gandhi Road, open since 1993, and the Jain tirth of Parshwa Padmavathi by the highway are stops for a slower day. Fish stalls ring the KRP dam about 10 km away. From the junction here, NH44 is the road south for the next 350 km.
Breakfast
The mini bus reaches Salem, about 205 km out, for a 30 minute breakfast at a large hotel on the bypass. Salem's settu, a street snack made with thattu vadai in versions with egg, raw mango or murukku, is something the group can try. Sankagiri fort, an ASI monument, is about 22 km away. The city is a big handloom centre, with silk and fabric under GI tags. The bus carries on south on NH44.
Drive through
The mini bus passes Karur, about 295 km out, without stopping. NH44 and NH67 meet here, and the town is known for its bus body builders and textile mills. Karur is low and hot, at about 101 m, with little rain, most of it in October and November. The Pasupatheeswarar temple is the main shrine of the town. Lunch is about 80 km ahead at Dindigul, roughly an hour and a half.
Lunch break
The mini bus reaches Dindigul, about 375 km out, for a 40 minute lunch. A rice meal is fastest for 20, and Dindigul biryani is there for those who want it. The town is a big leather centre and makes the Dindigul lock, GI tagged since 2019. The Kamarajar bus stand fills the town centre, so we stay on the outer road. Thirumangalam, past Madurai, is about 65 km on.
Leave the highway
The mini bus leaves NH44 at Thirumangalam, about 440 km out, and takes NH744 towards Kollam. Thirumangalam is about 18 km from Madurai, and Madurai airport is about 15 km away. The Patrakali Mariamman temple holds its 13 day Vaikasi festival in May and June, when the town sells paal ice, a milk ice. It is a hot, dry place at about 164 m. Rajapalayam is next, about 85 km on.
Through Cotton City
The mini bus passes Rajapalayam, about 525 km out, a town of spinning and weaving mills known as Cotton City. The Western Ghats are only about 12 km away here. Rajapalayam mangoes are known in season, and the town gave its name to a dog breed. Madurai airport is about 80 km back, and the afternoon heat is strong, so keep water at hand. The bus stops next at Sankarankovil, about 20 km on, for tea and the washroom.
Tea
The mini bus stops at Sankarankovil, about 545 km out, for fifteen minutes of tea. The Sankara Narayanasamy temple is the heart of the town, and its Aadi Thabasu festival is the big event of the year. About 4,000 powerlooms make towels and saris here. Devotees take puttrumann, ant hill sand from the temple, which is believed to cure illness. Tuticorin airport is about 95 km away. Tenkasi is about 35 km on.
Courtallam is close
The mini bus reaches Tenkasi, about 580 km out, with an optional hour. Courtallam is about 5 km away, and the group can decide here. The Kasi Viswanathar temple of 1467 stands beside the Seevalaperi tank, with a tall tower over the town. Tenkasi is on both the Tirunelveli and the Madurai roads to Kollam. Rain is about 1,194 mm a year, heaviest in October and November. The pass at Aryankavu is about 25 km ahead.
Pass into Kerala
The mini bus crosses into Kerala at Aryankavu, about 605 km out, in the low Schencottah gap, under 300 m high. The driver clears the check post while the group stays seated. The road through the pass is NH744, with bends but no steep climb, and the Kollam to Sengottai railway runs alongside. Aryankavu is about 36 km from Punalur and 22 km from Tenkasi. Thenmala is about 10 km further.
Stay drop
The mini bus reaches Thenmala about 13.5 hours after the early start. Stays for a group of 20 lie along NH744 and the forest roads; the bus parks on the main road if a lane is narrow. Thenmala is about 14 km from the Tamil Nadu border, 66 km from Kollam and 69 km from Thiruvananthapuram. The local honey is the buy. Dinner in a small forest town comes early, so confirm the time with the stay.
Going to Thenmala and Courtallam with 15 to 25 friends? Here is our Bangalore to Thenmala Mini Bus plan, with the halts and the fare for each size. A mini bus handles the ghat easily and fits a long weekend of bags. Book a mini bus on rent in Bangalore with Tejas Tours & Travels.
Route | One way | Thenmala and back | Time by mini bus |
|---|---|---|---|
Bangalore to Thenmala via Salem, Sankarankovil and Aryankavu | About 615 km | About 1,230 km | About 13.5 hr with stops |
About 615 km each way. With a night halt going and coming, we bill 5 days and 1500 km. Palaruvi and Courtallam fit in that. Tolls, parking, GST and two state permits are added at actual. The per km rate covers fuel and the driver, with the driver allowance on top for each day. Mini buses come in AC and non-AC, so tell us which one when you ask for the quote.
Vehicle | Rate per km | 5 days, 1,500 km | 6 days, 1,800 km | 7 days, 2,100 km |
|---|---|---|---|---|
₹32 | ₹51,000 | ₹61,200 | ₹71,400 | |
₹32 | ₹51,000 | ₹61,200 | ₹71,400 | |
₹34 | ₹54,500 | ₹65,400 | ₹76,300 | |
₹34 | ₹54,500 | ₹65,400 | ₹76,300 | |
₹34 | ₹54,500 | ₹65,400 | ₹76,300 | |
₹36 | ₹57,500 | ₹69,000 | ₹80,500 | |
₹46 | ₹73,000 | ₹87,600 | ₹102,200 | |
₹36 | ₹57,500 | ₹69,000 | ₹80,500 |
Totals are the km fare plus the day driver allowance. Extra: night driver allowance (₹600 to ₹800 a night, by size), tolls, parking and GST. Shared by 25, 6 days in the 25 Seater Mini Bus is about ₹2,760 a person.
Up to 20: 20 seater mini bus. 21: 21 seater mini bus. 22 to 25: 25 seater mini bus. On a five day trip, one size up gives room for bags.
More than 25 people? The Bangalore to Thenmala bus takes them. A family of twelve can look at the Bangalore to Thenmala tempo traveller.
Cancellation: no charge more than 72 hours before pickup; see the cancellation policy for the rest.
14 Seater Mini Bus A/C 2/1
NORMALAC14 Seats
₹50,070 ₹60,505
+ ₹8905 (Taxes & Charges)
15 Seater Mini Bus A/C 2/1
NORMALAC15 Seats
₹50,070 ₹60,505
+ ₹8905 (Taxes & Charges)
16 Seater Mini bus A/C 2/1
LUXURYAC16 Seats
₹50,070 ₹60,505
+ ₹8905 (Taxes & Charges)
18 Seater Mini Bus A/C
NORMALAC18 Seats
₹53,080 ₹64,128
+ ₹9428 (Taxes & Charges)
19 Seater Mini Bus A/C 2/2
NORMALAC19 Seats
₹53,080 ₹64,128
+ ₹9428 (Taxes & Charges)
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20 seater mini bus A/C 2/2
NORMALAC20 Seats
₹53,080 ₹64,128
+ ₹9428 (Taxes & Charges)
21 Seater Mini Bus A/C
NORMALAC21 Seats
₹53,080 ₹64,128
+ ₹9428 (Taxes & Charges)
22 Seater Mini Bus A/C 2/2
NORMALAC22 Seats
₹55,990 ₹67,652
+ ₹9952 (Taxes & Charges)
25 Seater Mini Bus A/C 2/2
NORMALAC25 Seats
₹55,990 ₹67,652
+ ₹9952 (Taxes & Charges)
12 Seater Mini Bus Executive A/C 2/1
LUXURYAC12 Seats
₹50,070 ₹60,505
+ ₹8905 (Taxes & Charges)
Mini Bus 13 Seater Executive A/C 2/1
LUXURYAC13 Seats
₹50,070 ₹60,505
+ ₹8905 (Taxes & Charges)
14 Seater Mini bus Exucutive A/C Executiv 2/2
LUXURYAC14 Seats
₹50,070 ₹60,505
+ ₹8905 (Taxes & Charges)
18 Seater Mini Bus A/C Executive 2/1
LUXURYAC18 Seats
₹61,810 ₹74,700
+ ₹11000 (Taxes & Charges)
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19 Seater Mini Bus A/C Executive 2/1
LUXURYAC19 Seats
₹61,810 ₹74,700
+ ₹11000 (Taxes & Charges)
20 Seater Mini Bus A/C Executive 2/1
LUXURYAC20 Seats
₹73,550 ₹88,895
+ ₹13095 (Taxes & Charges)
21 Seater Mini Bus A/C Executive 2/1
NORMALAC21 Seats
₹61,910 ₹74,800
+ ₹11000 (Taxes & Charges)
22 Seater Mini Bus A/C Executive 2/2
LUXURYAC22 Seats
₹70,640 ₹85,371
+ ₹12571 (Taxes & Charges)
24 Seater Mini Bus A/C Executive 2/1
LUXURYAC24 Seats
₹70,640 ₹85,371
+ ₹12571 (Taxes & Charges)
Travelled to Bangalore
I would like to thank Shashikala for helping me in booking our 21 seater mini bus She was with me coordinating and reassuring right from day 0 till the last minute I completely recommend Tejas Tours & Travels 21 seater executive mini bus was in excellent condition Driver Somanna was a professional driver, accommodating and kind hearted Thank you so much for making our trip a memorable one
Shubha Ranganath
21/04/2026 Bangalore
5/5
Bangalore to Coimbatore
Amazing experience with tejas tours and travels . Ranjini is very cooperative and guidance us in booking bus and connected with us in whole trip. Driver kartik is very cooperative . We plan for 6 days tour banglore mysore ooty coimbatore . Mini bus is good in condition and clean bus . Good experience . We all are happy 😊
Piyush bhoya
6/11/2025 mysore ooty coimbatore
5/5
Bangalore to Chikmagalur
Excellent service from Tejas travel, we had booked 25 seater mini bus for two days to visit Chikmagalur from Bangalore with family and kids, vehicle was good, neat and clean, driver Sandeep was excellent person with soft spoken and good attitude, we enjoyed the trip, Mr. Imran provided timely help and made our booking and vehicle arrangements easy and comfortable. Thanks Tejas Travels, Imran and Sandeep. Looking forward to utilize Tejas travel service again.
Mr Mohammed
6/11/2023 Chikmagalur
5/5
Travelled to Bangalore
Very well maintained vehicles, polite and cooperative staff, excellent service, worth recommending. We used their mini bus for 8 days. Our driver Nutan and our point of contact Laxmi were super supportive.
Abhas Patel
3/4/2024 Bangalore
5/5
From Bangalore, Thenmala is about 615 km; going and coming back makes about 1,230 km. The mini bus follows NH44 by Krishnagiri, Salem, Karur and Dindigul to Thirumangalam, then NH744 through Rajapalayam, Sankarankovil, Tenkasi and the Aryankavu pass. It needs about 13.5 hours with breakfast, lunch and two tea halts.
5 days, 1500 km at ₹36/km: ₹54,000. Driver allowance ₹700/day a day. Tolls, permits and GST extra.
It is about fourteen hours by mini bus. We suggest a night in Madurai.
The 20 seater. All sizes are on mini bus on rent in Bangalore.
After the monsoon starts, when the falls are full. Then it is also most crowded.
Yes. It is a national highway. Bends, but not steep.
From March to May the plains from Salem to Rajapalayam are hot, with Thirumangalam reaching about 39 C, so the mini bus covers most of that stretch before mid afternoon with the AC on. October and November bring rain to Tenkasi and the pass. December to February is the coolest time for the drive.
Yes, if the day is paced. We halt for tea, breakfast, lunch and tea again, and the optional hour at Tenkasi gives elders a rest off the bus. Seat them near the front, where the ride is steadier, and keep their medicines and a shawl at hand. The pass into Kerala is low, so there is no steep climb.
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