On a cold Saturday morning, I started my drive from Shoranur to Pathiripala. The journey to the Silent Valley National Park had begun. I had already discussed with Mr.Anil to join with him to Mukkali from his house at Pathiripala. To reach Pathiripala at the crack of dawn, I started at 5 am. We started off from Pathiripala at around 6.00 am and our route was Kongad-Mannarkad-Mukkali. The road was bad and less traffic. After Mannarkad, we took a small break. Since we had to drive through ghat road, we restricted our break to only 10 minutes. It was the first time I was travelling in this route.
The drive winds through ghat road and hair pin curves. Our drive ended at parking area of Silent Valley National Park Information Centre, Mukkali at around 8 am. After breakfast, we, a gang of 20, started from Mukkali to Panthamthodu camp site in a mini bus at around 9 am. Our guide Mr.Ameen showed us the final tribal settlement on the way.
 |
| Final tribal settlement on the way to Silent Valley |
It was around 11 am, when we reached Panthamthodu camp, a single storey building beside a stream. It was a 13 km journey through the forest and it was quite an off-road experience. There was no power connection to the camp site and it was fully dependent upon solar energy..
Dumping my luggaage, I had straight dashed off for a Kattan Chai (black tea). Our first activity was a Jeep safari through the reserve forest till Sairandri watch tower. The road is unpaved and terrain making the ride very bumpy. We passed through an Arch gate and from this place onwards, the core zone of the Silent Valley National Park starts. The majestic Arch forms an object of great beauty in the midst of the forest.
The sanctuary in itself was picturesque with a variety of flora and fauna along the way. We crossed many water falls on the way.
We were lucky to see so many species of colorful butterflies. It covers 10 kms from the camp site to the watchtower.
 |
| Watch Tower |
The Silent Valley is called "Sairandhrivanam" by locals. You will get panoramic view of the entire valley from the top of watch tower. You can watch the river Kunthipuzha which runs like a silver line below.
 |
| view of river Kunthipuzha from the top of watch tower |
Then trek down to dam site on the Kunthipuzha, which is 1.5 kms away from the watch tower. I walked most part of the way till we reached Kunthipuzha , crossing small streams, or rather beside larger streams.
The river is characterised by its crystal clear water. Our walk ended near to the broken metal suspension bridge. Kunthipuzha , a picturesque stream, making its way under verdant banks, sheltered by trees that dipped their boughs into the murmuring waters. The river with its green colored water looked beautiful.
We were lucky to spot few lion tailed macaque's on the way.
Meanwhile, it started raining. We reached back to the campsite at around 4 pm and had lunch. It was fresh, homely food with a decent selection of vegetarian food
We gathered on the upper floor of the building at 7 pm with tea and snacks - Ada. Everything served was hot and fresh. There was knowledge session by Mr.Ameen and Mr.Akhil, fun filled activities and talks. It was a great get together, a time to relax and get to know new members.
By 10 pm, our dinner was ready. The staff were so friendly and they served us hot vegetarian food. Mr. Ameen said that 4 hour sleep in Silent Valley would freshen us and that all of us would wake up at 5 am. We could hear the sound of stream flowing nearby. I drifted off to sleep.
By 10 pm, our dinner was ready. The staff were so friendly and they served us hot vegetarian food. Mr. Ameen said that 4 hour sleep in Silent Valley would freshen us and that all of us would wake up at 5 am. We could hear the sound of stream flowing nearby. I drifted off to sleep.
Day 2
We woke up at 5 am justifying the words of Mr. Ameen last day. I had my tea. What a glorious morning to be alive. Had a morning walk till 250 year old mango tree known as grandmother tree. We could hear the cripping of birds on the way. Had breakfast at 7.30 am.
PARUVAKULAM TREK
With the hopes of good weather, a group of 20 enthusiasts, who were not scared to have leech bite, headed to unexplored terrain of Silent valley. Each of us along with guides was ready to conquer the challenges of terrain and make spectacular memories along the way.
Started our trek at around 8 am. First few kms walk was through jeep road. Then deviated to forest path. We crossed coffee plantations which is run by a trust. Then a steep hike through thick forest.
It was all very scenic and I enjoyed every minute. We passed through many waterfalls on the way. In the middle of our walk, we sat on a rock for a rest. Then we reached an open area. We could see the hills coverd grass lands. We reached the top of the moutain.
We sat on the top of the mountain. We could see peaks in different heights and shola forests in between. Overhanging the green meadows and the dark woods and pinnacles with multiple color trees made the whole area beautiful. Soon a fine mist covered the whole area. I took several photographs and could not wait to see how they turned out after being developed.
We started back through different route. It started raining. We walked through the thick forest and there was little light. We saw an elephant dung on the way. Suddenly our guide asked us to keep silent. There was one single elephant standing few meters away and our peace and tranquillity shattered. We walked fast in silence. We crossed so many streams on the way and found leeches in water.
It was around 3 pm, when we reached back to the camp and freshened up. Again, we were served tasty lunch with variety of foods. All were ready for a review at 4'o clock. We bid goodbye to the camp site at around 5.30 pm.
When we reached back to Mukkali, Park authorites gave a gift - a honey bottle - to each of us. Our return route was Mukkali-Mannarkad-Ambalappara-Pathiripala. When I drove my car to Shoranur through darkness, scenes from the trip raced through my mind. A two day camping at Silent Valley had been an escape from the never ending complications of daily life
It was all very scenic and I enjoyed every minute. We passed through many waterfalls on the way. In the middle of our walk, we sat on a rock for a rest. Then we reached an open area. We could see the hills coverd grass lands. We reached the top of the moutain.
We sat on the top of the mountain. We could see peaks in different heights and shola forests in between. Overhanging the green meadows and the dark woods and pinnacles with multiple color trees made the whole area beautiful. Soon a fine mist covered the whole area. I took several photographs and could not wait to see how they turned out after being developed.
We started back through different route. It started raining. We walked through the thick forest and there was little light. We saw an elephant dung on the way. Suddenly our guide asked us to keep silent. There was one single elephant standing few meters away and our peace and tranquillity shattered. We walked fast in silence. We crossed so many streams on the way and found leeches in water.
It was around 3 pm, when we reached back to the camp and freshened up. Again, we were served tasty lunch with variety of foods. All were ready for a review at 4'o clock. We bid goodbye to the camp site at around 5.30 pm.
When we reached back to Mukkali, Park authorites gave a gift - a honey bottle - to each of us. Our return route was Mukkali-Mannarkad-Ambalappara-Pathiripala. When I drove my car to Shoranur through darkness, scenes from the trip raced through my mind. A two day camping at Silent Valley had been an escape from the never ending complications of daily life
