Trek to Kodachadri and Hidlumane Falls

 

Kodachadri had been on my mind for a very long time. After having kept it in my bucket list I couldn't go there for various reasons. So finally, the day came, I could make this trek happen in July 22-23. 

Almost every one of us booked our seat in Okha express which starts from Ernakulam Jn at 8.30 pm. I met few of the team members in Ernakulam Station itself.

Day 1

We reached Mangalore Station at around 4 am and proceeded to hotel for refresh. So, we got ready using the basic amenities provided by the hotel. After having rest for some time and a deserved hot tea, we started our journey in a Minibus. It was raining heavily throughout our journey.

Our first destination was Udupi temple. We had pit stop for breakfast.  There was heavy rain when we reached the temple. We had darshan of the Lord through a window with nine holes called the Navagraha Kitiki. After taking the blessings of Lord Krishna, I walked through the corridor. There is a Goshala (Cow Shed) inside the temple complex. Then I came out of the temple.

Udupi Temple

Next to the temple is Madhava Sarovar or pond. 

Madhava Sarovar

Then we headed for Mookambika Temple. There was a little relief from the rain when we reached the temple. I took a special darshan pass for Rs.100. After Darshan, I bought Ladu as prasadam.

Mookambika Temple

It was already 1 pm. After having lunch, we decided to visit Nagara Fort, and this is known as the last capital city of Keladi rulers. This fort was also called Bidanur or Bidnur earlier during the 16th century.

Nagara Fort

Walking to the top of the fort is also scenic and is worth visiting for all nature lovers. 

Nagara Fort

Out next destination was Savehaklu Dam. It was raining heavily when we reached the dam site. Our plan was a walk down near the reservoir. But due to rain we dropped our plan and proceeded to the homestay.

Savehaklu Dam

It was already 8 pm when we reached homestay. We dumped our backpacks in the rooms allotted. Had a delicious dinner.

Day 2

It rained heavily in the early morning. We walked through the jeep road from homestay till the check post. After taking permission, we entered into the wilderness of the forest and walked towards Hidlumane waterfalls which is 5 kms trek through forest.

After few hours trek through forest, we reached Hidlumane where we found a small house with a small shop, and they allowed us to have our packed breakfast and refresh. We met some other groups from there. From Hidlumane, the trek continued towards Hidlumane falls. We then crossed paddy fields and then the trek turned to forest. We walked through dense forest, crossed several water streams and some areas were little slippery. Before Hidlumane falls, there are other two waterfalls.

There was a huge rocky terrain ahead of us and ropes was installed to help trekkers to hike through slippery patch. The narrow path after the rock climb was a short trail that led to Hidlumane falls.

We climbed over a few boulders to get close to the falls. The waterflow was high and some other group members helped us to cross the falls. All our tiredness washed away when we crossed this beautiful waterfall.

Hidlumane falls

Further trek would cover 6 kms to reach Kodachadri Peak. After crossing falls, we continued our trek through forest and then grassland. Soon we reached the road. Walking with greenery and fresh wind makes life easier here. There were many jeeps waiting for the those who want to go to the top.

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We took halt there for some time and proceeded our trek through jeep track. which soon ended in front of Moola Mookambika Temple of Goddess Aadhi parashakthy.  The jeep service is only till here. One iron pillar of about 32 feet length is placed in front of this base temple, which is considered as the Trisula used by Goddess Mookambika to kill the demon Mookasura. It is considered to be around 2400 years old. 

Moola Mookambika Temple

Next part of the trek is from vehicle parking to Sarvajnapeetham. Rain god had already blessed, and we passed through beautiful landscapes. After two kms of hike, we reached a small place and a temple covered with fog where Adi Shankaracharya is believed to have meditated. We were covered by mist and unable to see any natural beauty around.  

Sarvajnapeetham

After spending some time, we started our descend. We would descend to homestay from peak in a jeep ride for a much-awaited late lunch. The ride gives you bumpy but adventurous off-roading experience.

It was indeed a memorable trek with a 17-member enthusiastic team. When we met at Mangalore station on 22nd morning, we were strangers. But when we said goodbye in the same station after two days, all of us had become good friends.  This was the biggest takeaway from this trip.

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Areeckal Waterfalls

Two weeks back, when I went for the Chimmini trek, I missed the Choorathala Waterfall and a bath beneath it since there were no rains. However, since then the State witnessed heavy rains. I was looking for a one-day outing with family, and so decided to visit Areekal Waterfalls, near Kochi.

We set out from Kochi in the early hours of the morning, fully prepared and thrilled by the journey ahead. The distance to Areekal from Kochi is about 40 km and takes around one hour to reach. And of course, I could have a joy ride in my new car with an amazing view of nature and rubber estates on both sides of the road.

There were two entrances to reach the waterfalls. If you are selecting first entrance through Top Station , you have to descend around 100 steps to reach the base. I took the second route , through View Point , to reach the place. Entry fee is Rs.20 per head. There were heavy rush in the spot. When I asked to the lady in the counter about the daily  rush, she replied that there were days when two thousand tourists visited the place.

We were already listening to the rhythm of the waterfalls as we were getting closer. A concrete footpath with metal fencing conveniently led to the falls. When I reached the place, I saw the beautiful view of the 100 feet waterfalls cascading down with layers and layers.

I clicked as much to get the full view of the falls. It is pleasant to stand down the falls by watching nature at its best  as the water falls and water sprays all around.

Then was  the time for bath. The was a small pond formed beneath the falls. I jumped into the pond without changing my dress and moved towards the falls. The water was cold. One of my friends helped me to climb a little above the falls and we sat and enjoyed the falls.

After spending enough time, I came out of the falls. There was a small shop selling tea and snacks. I had tea and snacks, well deserved especially after a long bath under the waterfalls. There are changing rooms to change your clothing.

Spent some time to see the beauty of nature and listen to the music of water and store those wonderful scenery in mind.

A well-deserved weekend outing with family.

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One day Chimmini Trek, Thrissur

It was almost an year since I went for a trek.  So, when I was free for a day, I planned a trek to  Chimmini Forest.

At 6.30 a.m. we boarded the van from Kochi. When each one of us boarded from different locations, some of them tried to greet others and introduced themself. It was drizzling outside which made our travel more enjoyable on the Ernakulam-Thrissur National Highway. After Amballur, we diverted to Palapilly Road. I craned my neck out of the Van to get a closer look at the rubber trees on both sides of the road.

We reached Chimminy check post at around 9'o clock. Entry ticket is Rs.20/- per person.

Chimminy Wildlife Sanctuary Sanctuary  is situated in Thrissur District and is close to Nelliampathy and shares a part of it with Peechi Wildlife Sanctuary and Parambikulam Sanctuary.

After breakfast, we started our trek. Two forest officials also accompanied us. This is a 5 km trek which can be covered within 3 hours. It was indeed a beautiful experience, walking with a 19-member enthusiastic and energetic team.

We had frequent stops for photography and rest. The sanctuary in itself was picturesque with a variety of flora and fauna along the way.

After few kilometers of trek, we reached Choorathala. Since monsoon is yet to arrive, there were no waterfalls, which disappointed us. But we managed to overcome that with some entertainment which lasted for around half an hour.

After few kilometers from Choorathala, we came out of the forest. We could see the reservoir of Chimmini Dam and mountains and forests around it. We walked through the reservoir area and reached starting point of the trek. Dormitory facility is available near Forest office.

After lunch and rest for some time, it was time to coracle ride popularly known as Kottavanji ride, in the dam reservoir. Since this is an Ecotourism Centre, there was a heavy rush of   tourists. A 20-minute ride for four persons cost Rs.400/-. 

We, four persons each in a coracle, started our ride in 30 ft deep water with life jackets. It was a beautiful experience with coracle ride in the dam reservoir, enjoying the backdrop of majestic hills and nature all around.

It was indeed a beautiful day with trek, coracle ride, photography sessions and songs. Million thanks to the team who made the trip a memorable one.

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Trip to Munnar

Every year during the first quarter, I visit Munnar and each time I choose different places around Munnar.  But this time, the main reason for travelling to Munnar is a long drive in my new Honda Amaze CVT and get familiarized with the gap road and narrow roads between the tea estates. And of course, breathe some fresh air and have some good food with scenic view.

As usual, we started from Kochi and the drive was pleasant. We stopped at Adimali for a while, had our tea and snacks. We had booked our room in the Munnar city area. Since, we didn't plan much about the places to see in Munnar this time, we thought it was better to ask the hotel lobby about the places to nearby to visit.

After having lunch and rest for some, we went to the KDHP outlet. We purchased tea in different flavors, chocolates and couple of other items for our family, back home . There is a beautiful garden on the premises of the old railway station which is on the banks of the Muthirapuzha river.

A little further through Munnar Madurai National Highway, is the Govt Botanical Garden. We spent some quality time there. Enjoyed the spectacular garden which houses around 150 varieties of flowering plants and an open theatre.

Night was so cold. Next day, after breakfast, we visited the century old C.S.I. Christ Church which is in the middle of Munnar town. This Church is famous for its religious and historic significance and its gothic style of architecture. Its main attraction is the construction in traditional architecture style with rocks.

We decided to drive till top station.  Both sides of the road were very scenic, and I really enjoyed it. Since it was Sunday, there was a huge crowd in tourist spots like Photo point and Kundala Dam. I stopped my car, when I saw a roadside vegetable vendor. He was selling fresh beetroots, carrots etc., directly plucked from the farm.

On our way back, we visited the market and purchased some fresh vegetables. We then headed straight to Kochi without making a major stop except for a little rest and tea break. 

These two days were pretty relaxing, full of a lot more of driving and enjoying nature.

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A Day in Paniyeli Poru

Entrance to Panieli Poru rapids

I was looking for a one-day outing with family, and so decided to visit Panieli Poru, which is 35 kms from Aluva. We set out from Kochi in the early hours of the morning, fully prepared and thrilled by the journey ahead. 

After parking your vehicle in the parking area, you must take a ticket from the Forest office counter. And we walked around 1.5 kms through the riverside pathway and reached  the main river area.

Pathway to Panieli Poru rapids

You can walk across a bamboo bridge, take a dip in the shallow waters or sit near the waterfalls and enjoy the cool breeze and mist. The water is crystal clear and clean.

The name ‘Paniyeli Poru’ may sound intriguing. “Poru” in Malayalam means “battle,” referring to the fierce way the river crashes against the rocks, creating  a bottleneck pressure that results in a small waterfall like formation.  

We further walked through the river. It was a great feeling to sit on the rocks and enjoy the falls. The river here is not for swimming as the undercurrents can be strong. But it’s perfect for sitting on the rocks and enjoying a quiet picnic place. One should be careful of the slippery rocks and the strong currents, especially during monsoon season.

 During the walk, you can see tree houses on the way. 

There are benches all over the walkway which offer a handy spot to sit and relax while listening to the soothing sounds of nature and watching the mesmerizing views of the waterfall. 

While returning we had lunch from one of the hotels before reaching entrance. You can bring your food and water. There are few shops selling snacks  also. 

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A Day in Abhayaranyam Ecotourism

Abhayaranyam, an ideal weekend getaway from Ernakulam is situated near Kaprikad at Kunnathukadu Taluk in Ernakulam district, Kerala State.

Entry fee is Rs.50/-. An ecotourism shop functions near the main entry gage of the mini zoo which sells sandalwood oil and honey etc. The canopy walkway offers plenty of shade and you can walk around the park within 2 hours with a few stops along the way.

The walkway sections are divided by several themes like bamboo forest, butterfly building, mini zoo etc.  There are benches all over the walkway which offer a handy spot to rest. During the walk, you can see tree houses on the way.

 

Deer and Sambar Park are another attraction here. Hundreds of Deers and Sambar are kept here, and visitors can enjoy the animals roaming around in a natural forest area.

Home to various species of birds, butterflies, spiders, and mushrooms, Abhayaranyam has an elephant shelter and also a training center for mahouts.

You can enjoy the green and lush of the area with the view of the river here. There is a bathing session for elephants which is an amazing site for the visitors.

Make your way back to the entrance area afterwards to follow the trail down to the lower entrance/exit. It is an ideal destination for a one-day trip. 

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A Day in Mangomeadows

 

I was searching for an ideal spot to spend one-day near Kochi and finally spotted Mango Meadows which is an agriculture theme park located at Ayamkudi near Kaduthuruthy, Kottayam District in the Indian State of Kerala. It is a beautiful place, away from the bustle.

Spread across 30 acres of land with more than 4500 species of plants and trees, it is a paid attraction privately owned and managed by Mango Meadows Agricultural Theme Park.

It is one of the popular destinations for outdoor enthusiasts and nature lovers, offering a range of activities such as swimming pool, pedal boats, row boats, water cycle, go-kart etc. So, you should plan on spending a couple of hours or up to a full day here.

The park includes a fishpond, tree grove, farmland, cattle farm, boat safari, ropeway and restaurant.

Efforts are taken to preserve the natural beauty and cultural significance of biodiversity, which is helpful to visitors - both enjoyable and educational experience.

You will be directed to a parking area to park your vehicle when you reach the park. Your first stop when you arrive should be at the Visitors Center, where you can take entry ticket and book your lunch time.  Then you will be directed to a waiting area, and they will assign a guide. The tour guide explains the importance of trees and its scientific information.

Tea Garden

The statue of the Bible which stands at 25 ft by 25 ft is one of the major attractions in the park. The statue has been made with concrete and has original pages from the Bible in Malayalam language. The Bible Garden containing 125 plants, trees and herbs that were mentioned in the scriptures is set around the statue. 

Bible Statue

A unique romantic spot at the park is the Valentine's Garden.  There is also the Eden's Garden, belonging to Adam and Eve.

Valentine's Garden

Another attraction is Indian Map Statue. Children can learn about the “State Tree” of each state. Many such “State Trees” stand tall within the state spaces.

 Indian Map Statue

A few meters away, a temple pond proclaims the rich traditions of the past. Near to it, a 'sarppakavu'

(a place considered as abode of snakes) reminds about traditional culture of conservation of biodiversity.

After the guided tour, you can explore the park on your own or add on a cycling and boating experience.

Free cycling is allowed for 20 minutes with a deposit of Rs.100/-which will be refunded when you return your cycle within 20 minutes. Then we visited the place where Archery is practiced and enjoyed the thrilling experience of shooting arrows from a bow.

There is a tea shop which sells tea preparing in a traditional way. It was a fabulous experience. I anyway love tea. It tasted even better with pazhampori!

By evening, we left the place with a refreshed mind hoping to visit the place again.

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Vagavanam Trek, Idukki

Vagavanam is near to the famous hill station Vagamon, which is located in Idukki district, in the Indian State of Kerala.

We started our journey from Kochi in the early morning. Had a pit stop at Thodupuzha for breakfast. From Moolamattom onwards, the journey uphill having narrow roads and curves, was not at all comfortable. We stopped our car before reaching Vagavanam and collected our packed lunch. Reached Kerala Forest Department office at Ottamarapara, which is 8 kms from the Junction. There was a small shop selling honey and tea dust and we decided to purchase those when we return.

Kerala Forest Department arranges  windy walk trekking at Kuvalettam. Total trekking distance would be around 7 kms, which can be covered within 3.5 hours.

After taking entry ticket for Rs.155/- and completing formalities by filling form , we started out trek with our guides. Initial trek was through tar road, then we deviated to mud jeep road. Since this was rainy season, the road was slippery. We stoped at the foothill of the first hill, and had group introduction to know each other and resumed our trek.

Walking with greenery and fresh wind makes life easier here. We could see Vagamon in a distance.

We reached the top of the first hill. We could see a herd of elephants way down the hill.

It is all about walking up and down through the grasslands and enjoying the heavy wind. Few areas were slippery, rocky patch, so one needs to be careful while climbing. The journey is also scenic and is worth visiting for all nature lovers. Its beauty enhances during the monsoon season.

We trekked further until we reached the final hill which is the last point in windy walk trekking. Other side of the reservoir is Kulamavu. From the peak, we could get the beautiful views of catchment area of Idukki reservoir.  We rested for a while, had packed lunch, took pictures and started return trekking. 

It was around 3 pm, when we returned to the starting point of the trek. Next up in our chart was a bath in the nearby Kallattupara waterfalls. It was not a big waterfall, but water was cold and a bath beneath the falls, gave a lot of relief to us. After bath, we had a pit stop near the reservoir and shared our experience in this trek.

Kallattupara waterfalls

A beautiful challenging one-day trial with a mixture of greenery, rain, grass land and heavy wind. 

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