Rainy-Season Tour Expedition: Exploring Spectacular Kerala and Tamil Nadu Monsoon Landscapes with Honda
In the heart of Kerala, a group of automotive enthusiasts embarked on an exciting journey as part of the Honda Drive To Discover 13. Over four days, they explored the brand's wide range of vehicles while taking in the stunning beauty of this southern Indian state.
The first day's drive, from Kochi to Athirapally, covered a distance of over 60 km. The route was dotted with lush greenery and ended at the breathtaking Athirapally Falls, also known as the 'Baahubali Falls'. Along the way, the City sedan, equipped with a CVT, handled broken roads without issue, while the Amaze Automatic was praised for its ride quality and overall performance, including space, comfort, and refinement.
The second day's drive was initially planned with the new Amaze manual, but a change of plan saw the group head from Athirapally to Munnar, a distance of 130 km. The Amaze proved its mettle on Kerala's narrow, winding roads, managing tight hairpins and broken patches with ease. The Elevate, with its 1.5-litre i-VTEC engine, offered slick shifts and impressive high-speed stability, making it a joy to drive on these challenging routes.
The third day's drive was from Munnar to Kodaikanal, a distance of 180 km. The journey took the group through Tamil Nadu and climbed towards Kodaikanal, passing through tea plantations and offering panoramic views. The Honda Amaze was used on this day, handling local buses, tourist vehicles, and the narrow roads during the ascent to Kodaikanal.
The fourth day's drive was in the Honda Elevate, from Kodaikanal to Coimbatore, a distance of 170 km. The Elevate's manual gearbox offered smooth shifts, and the SUV was impressive with its high-speed stability. The drive reminded the author of the scenic beauty of Kerala, reinforcing its reputation.
Throughout the journey, the participants experienced some of Kerala's most scenic roads, including the Gap Road, known for its tea plantations and panoramic views. They also drove on the Kochi to Athirapilly to Munnar route, a monsoon trail through Kerala’s Western Ghats, and the Wayanad–Coorg–Kabini loop, a romantic and lush green route connecting Kerala and Karnataka hill and forest destinations.
When it comes to choosing the right car for these scenic drives, the Honda Amaze (manual transmission) and Honda City (CVT variant) stand out. The Amaze, with its high ground clearance, comfortable ride, precise steering, compact size, and smooth revving 1.2L i-VTEC petrol engine, is well-suited for Kerala’s narrow, winding, and sometimes broken roads, especially in monsoon conditions. The City, on the other hand, impresses on longer, steep climbs with its effortless driving experience, comfort, and good dynamics for smooth and scenic hill drives.
In summary, scenic Kerala roads favor vehicles that balance ride comfort, handling in narrow/curvy conditions, and reliability. Both the Honda Amaze and Honda City have proven to be well-suited choices for such drives, with the Amaze better suited for tighter, rugged stretches and the City providing refinement on long, smooth ascents.
The journey ended on a high note, with the last night spent in Kodaikanal, complete with a round of games, specifically dumb charades, among the crew. The Honda Drive To Discover 13 was indeed a perfect opportunity to experience the brand's wide range and explore a new part of the country.
[1] National Highway 66 (NH 66) - https://www.keralatourism.org/destinations/beaches/goa-to-kochi-via-national-highway-66/ [2] Kochi to Athirapilly to Munnar route - https://www.keralatourism.org/destinations/waterfalls/athirapally-waterfalls/ [3] Bangalore to Vagamon - https://www.keralatourism.org/destinations/hill-stations/vagamon/ [4] Wayanad–Coorg–Kabini loop - https://www.keralatourism.org/destinations/hill-stations/wayanad/ [5] Gap Road - https://www.keralatourism.org/destinations/hill-stations/kodaikanal/
The Honda Amaze and Honda City, with their exceptional performance and suitability for various road conditions, are ideal for a lifestyle that includes travel in Kerala's picturesque landscapes. On a future trip, one might consider extending their exploration beyond Kerala's Western Ghats, perhaps venturing along National Highway 66 or embarking on the Bangalore to Vagamon or Wayanad–Coorg–Kabini loops, all the while appreciating the comfort and reliability these Honda vehicles offer, even while navigating the winding Gap Road in Kodaikanal.
