Bangalore to Thenmala Tempo Traveller
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Thenmala eco-tourism zone
Bridge, trails and the evening show. Children enjoy it; half a day.
Parappar Dam
A boat ride if open. Close to the eco-tourism area.
Palaruvi Falls
Back towards Aryankavu. Keep two hours.
Distance
615 km
From Bangalore
Time
About 12.5 hr
Via Salem, Sankarankovil and Aryankavu
Starting from
₹ 36000
5 days, 1,500 km, 12 seater
Start
90 km
205 km
295 km
375 km
440 km
525 km
545 km
580 km
605 km
615 km
Pickup from home
The tempo traveller starts at 4:30 am, because Thenmala is a long day of about 615 km and the forest pass is best crossed before dark. Keep the pickups to one or two close points. Children can sleep through the first hours if pillows and blankets are at hand. Load the bags the night before if the building allows, so the van gets away on time. The Attibele toll and the border come about 32 km out. The first halt, for tea, is at Krishnagiri, about 90 km out.
Tea
At about 90 km the van pulls in at Krishnagiri for tea and the washroom, about ten minutes. It is still early, so breakfast is kept for Salem. The KRP dam, about 10 km off, and the Avathanapatti lake park, about 5 km away, are children's stops for the return day. Arcot makkan peda, the town's sweet, is a treat for later. The van stays on NH44, the long highway south.
Breakfast
At about 205 km the family breakfasts at Salem, 25 minutes near the bypass. Biryani and chicken varuval, the town's favourites, are for later in the day. Salem's sago, sold as javvarisi, and its mangoes in season are good things to buy on the way home. Kurumbapatti zoo, about 12 km from the bus stand, can wait for another trip with the children. The van keeps to NH44 south towards Karur.
Drive through
At about 295 km the van passes Karur. The town builds bus bodies for much of India and runs spinning mills and dyeing units for its textile trade. Nerur village nearby has the Sadasiva Brahmendral Adhishtanam and a Kashi Vishwanatha temple. Karur sits in the rain shadow of the Ghats, with October the wettest month. Trichy airport is about 78 km away. Dindigul, for lunch, is about 80 km on.
Lunch
At about 375 km the family has lunch at Dindigul, about forty minutes. For children, rice with sambar and rasam is the easy plate; the adults may want the famous biryani. Oranges, pineapple and guava from the nearby hills are sold in season at the big vegetable market. Chinnalapatti, about 11 km off, weaves silk sarees. The van keeps to the highway, away from the busy centre. Next the van runs past Madurai to Thirumangalam, about 65 km.
Past Madurai
At about 440 km the van rounds Madurai and reaches Thirumangalam, where the Kollam road, NH744, leaves NH44. Madurai airport is about 15 km away. The town sits at about 164 m and is hot, with highs near 39 C. Its Patrakali Mariamman temple, built in 1852, holds a 13 day Vaikasi festival with daily processions. The van keeps going on the narrower but quieter road, and Rajapalayam is about 85 km ahead.
Mango town
At about 525 km the van passes Rajapalayam on NH744, at the foot of the Western Ghats. The town is known for its mangoes, its cotton mills and the Rajapalayam dog breed. Chatrapatti nearby makes surgical cotton gauze. The climate is semi arid, around 20 to 37 C, so keep the water bottles full. Madurai airport is about 80 km back. In mango season, stalls line the roadside. Tea is at Sankarankovil, about 20 km on.
Tea and washrooms
At about 545 km the group stops at Sankarankovil for tea and washrooms, fifteen minutes. The town stands at the junction of SH41 and SH76, around the Sankara Narayanasamy temple, known for its Aadi Thabasu festival. Nearly 4,000 powerlooms here make terry towels and cotton saris, an easy buy for the family. Some devotees take a little ant hill sand from the temple as a blessing. Tuticorin airport is about 95 km away. Tenkasi is about 35 km on.
Courtallam detour
At about 580 km the van reaches Tenkasi, where many families take the optional hour for Courtallam, about 5 km away. In town, the Kasi Viswanathar temple from 1467, beside the Seevalaperi tank, has a carved tower worth a short visit. Tenkasi is on both the Tirunelveli and Madurai roads to Kollam. It gets about 1,194 mm of rain a year, most in October and November, so carry umbrellas then. The Kerala border at Aryankavu is about 25 km on.
Forest pass
At about 605 km the van crosses the Aryankavu pass into Kerala, through the gap in the Ghats known as the Schencottah gap. The driver shows the papers at the check post, and nobody needs to get down. The pass is under 300 m high, and the old Kollam to Sengottai railway runs alongside, with two stations at Aryankavu. Children may spot a train on the line. Thenmala is about 10 km on.
Resort drop
The van reaches Thenmala about 12.5 hours after leaving home. Resorts and homestays lie along NH744 and the forest roads around it, and the van stops at the gate of most. Thenmala's honey is the local product to take home. The town is small and quiet, so ask the stay about dinner timings before you arrive, especially with children. Thiruvananthapuram is about 69 km away, and the driver stays near your resort for the days of the trip.
Taking the family to Thenmala and the falls, 10 to 15 of you? On this page is the Bangalore to Thenmala Tempo Traveller trip, stop by stop, with fares. A tempo traveller keeps everyone together and stops when the children need it. Book a tempo traveller on rent in Bangalore with Tejas Tours & Travels.
Route | One way | Thenmala and back | Time by tempo traveller |
|---|---|---|---|
Bangalore to Thenmala via Salem, Sankarankovil and Aryankavu | About 615 km | About 1,230 km | About 12.5 hr with stops |
It is about 615 km to Thenmala. A family trip with a night on the way is 5 days, billed 1500 km. Tolls, parking, GST and the Tamil Nadu and Kerala permits at actual. Fuel and driver sit inside the tempo traveller rate, and the driver gets a daily allowance on the bill. Ask for AC or non-AC when you book the tempo traveller, since the rate is different for each.
Vehicle | Rate per km | 5 days, 1,500 km | 6 days, 1,800 km | 7 days, 2,100 km |
|---|---|---|---|---|
₹28 | ₹45,000 | ₹54,000 | ₹63,000 | |
₹24 | ₹38,500 | ₹46,200 | ₹53,900 | |
₹24 | ₹38,500 | ₹46,200 | ₹53,900 | |
₹30 | ₹48,000 | ₹57,600 | ₹67,200 | |
₹32 | ₹51,000 | ₹61,200 | ₹71,400 | |
₹34 | ₹54,500 | ₹65,400 | ₹76,300 | |
₹34 | ₹54,500 | ₹65,400 | ₹76,300 |
Totals are the km fare plus the day driver allowance. Extra: night driver allowance (₹500 to ₹700 a night, by size), tolls, parking and GST. Shared by 20, 6 days in the 20 Seater Tempo Traveller is about ₹3,270 a person.
Up to 12 people: 12 seater tempo traveller. 13 to 17: 17 seater tempo traveller. 18 to 20: 20 seater tempo traveller.
Elders who want a softer ride can take the Bangalore to Thenmala Urbania. More than 20 people? The Bangalore to Thenmala mini bus fits them.
Cancellation: no charge more than 72 hours before pickup; see the cancellation policy for the rest.
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12 Seater Tempo Traveller A/C 2/1
LUXURYAC12 Seats
₹38,330 ₹46,309
+ ₹6809 (Taxes & Charges)
8 Seater Tempo Traveller Executive A/C 1/1
LUXURYAC8 Seats
₹47,160 ₹56,981
+ ₹8381 (Taxes & Charges)
9 Seater Tempo Traveller Executive A/C 1/1
LUXURYAC9 Seats
₹44,250 ₹53,457
+ ₹7857 (Taxes & Charges)
10 Seater Tempo Traveller Executive A/C 1/1
LUXURYAC10 Seats
₹44,250 ₹53,457
+ ₹7857 (Taxes & Charges)
13 Seater Tempo Traveller Luxury A/C 2/1
LUXURYAC13 Seats
₹47,160 ₹56,981
+ ₹8381 (Taxes & Charges)
14 Seater Tempo Traveller Luxury A/C 2/1
NORMALAC14 Seats
₹50,070 ₹60,505
+ ₹8905 (Taxes & Charges)
15 Seater Tempo Traveller Luxury A/C 2/2
NORMALAC15 Seats
₹50,070 ₹60,505
+ ₹8905 (Taxes & Charges)
16 Seater Tempo Traveller A/C 2/2
LUXURYAC16 Seats
₹50,070 ₹60,505
+ ₹8905 (Taxes & Charges)
17 Seater Tempo Traveller A/C 2/1
LUXURYAC17 Seats
₹53,080 ₹64,128
+ ₹9428 (Taxes & Charges)
18 Seater Tempo Traveller A/C 2/1
LUXURYAC18 Seats
₹53,080 ₹64,128
+ ₹9428 (Taxes & Charges)
20 Seater Tempo Traveller A/C 2/2
NORMALAC20 Seats
₹54,700
+ ₹9720 (Taxes & Charges)
Bangalore to Shirdi
I had an excellent experience with Teja Travel. The vehicle was clean, comfortable, and very well maintained. The driver was polite, punctual, and knew the routes perfectly, which made our trip smooth and enjoyable. Their service was professional from start to finish, and the pricing was also very reasonable. I would definitely recommend them to anyone looking for reliable travel vehicle services. 👍
Chaitanya K
13/10/2025 Shirdi
5/5
Bangalore to Kerala
I am Anil Nair from Souparnika Holidays Kochin Kerala. I have 2 booking for my guests in December 2025. My guests are happy with this hotel. Thanks to the entire team One Toyota etios and one traveler booked. I think they arranged cab from out side but guest happy Second vehicle is 9 seat traveler. Driver Mr Viswantha and Lakshmi supported me for complete the 8 days package. Thanks Viswa & Lakshmi.
Anil Nair
6/9/2025 Kerala
5/5
Bangalore to Mysore
Thanks a ton to Shashikala ji for booking my tempo traveller. She has cooperated from very first day and guided us through out. Secondly i thank our tempo driver Mr. Manju who was very down to earth person and co-operated with us during our whole trip. His driving skills are perfect. I wish you good luck and thank you both from bottom of my heart !!!
Arpit Gupta
6/6/2026 Mysore
5/5
Bangalore to Ooty
We had a very good experience with the traveler we booked through Tejas travels. The vehicle was clean and comfortable, and our driver was polite, cooperative, and professional throughout the trip. The entire journey was smooth and hassle-free — everything went as planned without any delays or issues. Highly recommended for anyone looking for a reliable and comfortable travel experience!
Preetika Rattan
12/10/2025 Ooty
5/5
One way it is about 615 km: NH44 by Krishnagiri, Salem, Karur and Dindigul to Thirumangalam near Madurai, then NH744 by Rajapalayam, Sankarankovil, Tenkasi and the Aryankavu pass. The round trip is about 1,230 km. A tempo traveller takes about 12.5 hours with breakfast, lunch and tea, starting at 4:30 am.
5 days, 1500 km at ₹24/km: ₹36,000. Driver allowance ₹2,500 for the trip. Tolls, permits and GST extra.
The 17 seater. All sizes are on tempo traveller on rent in Bangalore.
Yes, on the way down or back. It adds a few hours.
Yes, near your stay, for all five days.
At ₹34/km, ₹51,000 for 1500 km.
June to February. The southwest monsoon from June fills the hills and streams around Thenmala, while Tenkasi's own rain peaks in October and November. March to May is hot on the long plains run from Salem to Rajapalayam, which tires children. December and January are the most comfortable months for the drive.
One medium suitcase per family and a day bag each fit in the rear of the tempo traveller. Five days in a forest town means rain covers, a light jacket for the evenings and closed shoes for trails. Keep a small bag at the seat with snacks, water and medicines for the long first day.
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