Sunday, July 11, 2010

trip to munnar,topslip n parambikulam




hi all,
i am from chennai.we guys in our office planned a 3 day trip to munnar,topslip,parambikulam and valparai.since one of my friends dad is a retired forest officer we had an idea and reference to these places.we were planing for about 15 days before we took the trip.eventhough we planned so long we cant take a final conclusion till we started our trip.
On july 2nd friday night at 9.30 we started to udumalaipet from coyambedu bus stand by srm travels.we were a group of 8.actually we planned to go to coimbatore,but we made it to udumalai since munnar is about 3 hrs journey from there and we can save some time.also we arranged a car from udumalaipet for our trip.we reached udumailpet on saturday morning at 7.30.actually we could have been there at 5.30,because its the departure time for the bus we travelled.we boked a lodge for a day.we refreshed and had our breakfast in udumalaipet.the driver told us have enough food so that we wont be having our lunch,since we are going to travel in the hilly areas,we might get into the trouble of vomitting.
we started from udumalai at 9.30 and we reached munnar by around 1 'o' clock.it was such a nice travel in the hilly areas and the climate was awesome.the driver informed about the elephant crossing areas.but we didn see any.we had only limited time to spend in munnar since we had already booked room in udumalai d same nite.so we went straightly to the METTUPARAI DAM in munnar.then and there we clicked our cameras.we had a tea there.it was gud.next we went to some boating in a lake.from there we made to topsatation.there was away to go to a wildlife sanctuary,bcos of limited time we couldnt go there.we returned back from there.we buy some quality tea packets and home made chocolates that are being sold in munar.we returned back to udumalai by 6.30 in d evening.then we went to amaravathy dam.later we had our dinner and we stayed in d lodge we booked,its near bus stand.


on sunday we got up early at 5 and we made our trip to thirumoorthy falls.it was about 30 mins from udumalai.we took bath there..there wasnt so much water.we need to walk about a km we got down from our vehicle.we booked accomodation in topslip on sunday night.so we had to check in at topslip in d afternoon.on d way we went 2 monkeyfalls and had a bath.it was very nice.the water came in like bullets.it was so heavy and very fast.we enjoyed there.we started to topslip from there.this day also we didn had our lunch as we are going in a hilly area.we reached toplsip by 2.00 in d afternoon.we went to the room at topslip.we booked 2 rooms for 8 of us.there was no food in topslip unless u order for it.so we ordered for d night in d canteen.chappathy was only available there with some kuruma.there are safari being conducted by d topslip vehicles(buses).we booked for 4.45 safari.it was for about 1.30 hrs.our vehicle was only allowed upto the room we stayed.the safari went into the dense forest.we are told about the forest guides that the animals living there are elephants,tiger,wilddog,bison,deer,bear,monkeys.but we couldnt see anything.they took us to elephant feeding area where there are some elephants which are trained in d forest.the safari was over by 7 and we returned to our room.there was no light outside our room.we went to topslip only for night safari which will be offered on special allowance.but on d day we went we are not allowed for d safari.but luck came in d way of an officer,when we were having our dinner some forest officer need a vehicle to go down to the checkpost to pick someone,as they noted our vehicle they asked us and we were so excited and we wnet down.it was so thrill to drive in d dark in d dense forest.but we saw only bisons lying on d road.we came back to our room by 12 in d night.it was so cool and we slept.we wake up at 6 and in early morning we went to the office and booked for parambikulam safari which is about 4 kms from topslip.we were told that parambikulam is so dense than topslip.the office opened at 7 and we booked for d safari.there is 13 seats in a bus and it will make only if the full seats are filled .luckily another group of 6 booked along with us.we went to parambikulam at 9.there is a checkpost and canteen was also there.we had tea in d morning and we started our safari.it went upto 1 o clock in d afternoon,they took us to parambikulam dam,largest teak tree in asia,and some places.during our travel we were able to see only d wilddogs.we couldnt see any leopards or tiger.we had our breakfast at parambikulam in d mean time.the bus driver and d guide was so friendly,they gave us a lot of information about the dense forests and wildlife.


By 1 o clock we reached the parambikulam checkpost.our train from coimbatore to chennai is at 9.40pm.we had a plenty of time.so we planned to go for medium trekking for about 5 kms.the pay is 1200rs for 5 and 500 for extra each person.we will be given a guide.we started our trekking and we are informed about the leeches in d dense forest.we are adviced to wear half pant since its easy to find leeches,so that we can pick it up.the forest was so dense and we walked with very silence since we are advised to do so.till 3.oo pm we didn see anything but on d way we saw fresh elephant dung.we were going on our way.suddenly my guide stopped us and asked to go back.we sat beneath a tree as a single elephant was seen by our guide at a distance of 2 mtrs.we were thrilled and stunned wat to do next as we couldnt move forward or backward.the elephant didn see us as we were separated by a bamboo tree.we andthe guide waited for about 15 mins to let the elephant go but it didn moved from d place.so we decided to go back by another route and safely we reached the checkpost by 4pm.we were slightly disappointed that we couldnt see d elephant even its so close to us.some of my frnds were bitten by leeches and they had some loss of blood.we left topslip and went to covai from there we took d train to chennai.

my advice for those making a trip to these places is that have a week so that u can spend one day in munar,one day in valparai,three days in topslip and parambikulam,one day to adhirapally fall.my advise is don miss parambikulam and topslip,its such a nice place to visist.but once u planed to go there book accomodations in d wildlife based on your preference in advance so that u can get when u make the trip.the accomodation in parambikulam is costlier than in topslip.but the hospitality in parambikulam is d best wen compared to topslip.
the types of rooms are normal rooms,tree top house,tent and so on.we stayed in a normal room.the rent is 2000 for 2 rooms per day.we 8 of us stayed there.but in a tree top house only 3 can stay.we stayed in d entrance of topslip.there are room in d dense forests too,where u will be acompanied by forest guides.there wont be electricity but only solar power.but it wil be more adventurous.family,teen agers everyone can have fun there.but as far as trekking its advisable only for young guns.have fun once u go there


Thanks & Regards
A.KARTHIK GOPI.

want to know any details mail me at kargopikp@gmail.com.will upload the pics as soon as possible.