Mumbai to Yercaud and back. What are travel options?

Question

I am planning to travel from Mumbai to Yercaud in first week for June along with family. What are the best and cheapest options available?

I am planning to catch Coimbatore exp to Salem Jn (reaching at 3 AM) and coming back by plane from Comibatore (morning 10:15 AM flight).

Does this plan has some problem?

Reaching Salem at 3 AM, will this be problem? Will I get taxi / cab / state transport bus? After all is it safe to travel from Salem to Yercaud at 3 AM ?

Answer 1

Yercaud is in the state of Tamil Nadu in Southern India.

Reach Salem and then it is 30 kms uphill. Salem is around 220kms by road from Bangalore on the Bangalore - Chennai Highway. More specifically it is on NH-7, which is a part of the golden quadrilateral.

Train options:

1013 COIMBATORE EXP AVL LTT 22.30 SA 03.00 28.30

6331 TRIVANDRAM EXP AVL CSTM 12.05 SA 15.50 27.45

6339 NAGARCOIL EXP AVL CSTM 12.05 SA 15.50 27.45

6381 KANYAKUMARI EXP AVL CSTM 15.45 SA 21.05 29.20

6613 COIMBATORE EXP AVL BSR 18.25 SA 22.45 28.20

From Salem onwards it is a smooth uphill road which has 20 hairpin bends. Look out for a large number of monkeys which sit near the road.

See

Yercaud Lake.

The first thing that attracts a visitor is the Yercaud lake. It is a picturesque pool surrounded by gardens and well wooded trees. Boating in cold water of the lake is enhancing as well as refreshing.

Botanical garden

Montfort school

This is a 90 year old Christian missionary school situated in lush green surroundings the oldest building in Yercaud is also within the school campus.

Shevrayon temple

This is an ancient Vishnu-Cauvery temple atop a hill. Its around 4 km away from the lake. Its also a good observation point.

Lady's Seat

This is an observation point from where you can get an amazing view of Salem city in the night.

Gent's Seat

Similar to the Lady's seat. Its at a slightly higher altitude.

Pagoda Point

This is another beautiful observation point. Gives a great view of the neighboring mountains and valleys.

Kiliyur Falls

The water from this waterfall overflows the Yercaud Lake fall 300 feet into the Kiliyur Valley. The best time to visit this place is immediately after the monsoons. The waterfall trial is 5 km round trip.

Answer 2

best is to take the flight to coimbatore from mumbai or express trains from mumbai to coimbatore &then travel by express buses or taxis  then on to yercaud which can also b reached by train from either salem or coimbatore. no problem at all to travel in the early morning ,3 a.m to yercaud from salem  by private&state transport buses or taxis operated by reputed authorised travel companies. only problem, u may need to take medication tablet to avoid travel sickness if travelling by road up &down the hairpin bends of hills of yercaud.it's wise to avoid early morning drive to coimbatore airport from yercaud but arrive coimbatore the previous night itself ,stay in a hotel &then go to airport the next morning.