Trek along the Mystic peaks in the Shola forests of Western Ghats

Post the treks amongst the serene beaches of Goa, Odisha and gigantic Himalayas, this time I set out to explore the Shola forests in the western ghats between the Princess of hill stations, “Kodaikanal” all the way to Kashmir of Kerala “Munnar”.

Kodaikanal lake

Kodaikanal sits on a plateau on the upper Palani Hills in between the Parappar and Gundar valleys about 2100 mts above sea level. Blessed by the tranquil kodai lake in the heart of the city surrounded by the meadows and grasslands. A 30 min cycle ride around the lake through the guzzling markets flooded with homemade chocolates, spices, tea outlets and the warm woolen cloth shops along the rich flora was placid.

After the evening session of orientation and excitement of meeting fellow trekkers from different parts of the country, sharing each other’s past experiences we settled down to rest in the shivering cold of kodai. Once again the team comprising of 20 year old lazy bums to the hyper enthusiast 60 year old couples, from ISRO scientist, bankers, students, consultants to of course IT professionals.

Trail down foothills of Kodaikanal

On the Christmas morning we set out along the lake downhill amidst the shola forest and the grassland complex comprising of Indian Mahangony, Bishop Wood trees. It is along the route to the popular Dolphin’s nose and echo rock tourist destinations. The rolling stones all along the path ensured everyone to experience minor slips and skids and cautioned to watch ones steps with intense toe bits. Early evening we made it a pristine village by name Vellakavi.

Vellakavi is a small village on hill top with about 300 people and numerous temples. This has ensured to restrict the usage of slippers in the village and maintain a clean atmosphere all around. As the village is a part of the trekking circuit, they quite often host foreign travelers and of course very hospitable. With the smell of oranges and tinglings of the bell on the neck of horses and goats depicted an unique aura of the village. We were strictly instructed to keep our volumes lower post sunset to abide by the village rules.

Camp Site at Vellakavi

The next day, everyone geared with much more excitement as the destination was the kumbakarai falls which is one of the lesser known falls in the foothills of kodaikanal hills.  However, with some of the fellow trekkers crippling over the previous days muscle catches and pain, we slowly set out along the steep trail to the falls. With tamarind trees, lemons amidst the tropical montane forests added to the excitement and provided much needed breaks.

As per wiki, Kumbakrai falls has two stages. At the first stage, water collects in huge rock recesses which are each named after wild animals such as tiger, elephant, snake etc. The Pambar River then flows to the second stage before falling as the main waterfall. Thanks to the Sabarimala crowd for flooding all the water streams. However, managed to have a nice bath in the first stage of the fall to relive of the tiredness of the trek and refresh myself.

With fresh and chillness of the kodaikanal hills we board the mini bus to our next campsite at Kurangani.

Kurangani Falls 

Kurangani is a hill station atop Western ghats in the Kottagudi valley of Theni district and popular for coconut, mangoes, spices, arecanut and coffee estates. State forest department is actively promoting community based ecotourism. In our interaction with one of the forest he explained how strictly commercial establishments were completely banned and only trekking and other pro nature anthropogenic activities were allowed. It is a popular destination for many film shoots. Camp site located amidst the Arecanut and coconut farm with sound of the stream in the background. All were utterly cautious to place themselves in tents at the same time protect themselves from the possibility of falling coconuts. Early morning sun rays passing through the trees, reflection from the gigantic mountains and reading a book amidst the sunshine was a priceless moment.

Kurangani Camp site amidst Arecanut farms

All knew the day is gone be hard as we had a 8km trek uphill with minimal trees and grasslands along the way with sun shining bright adding to the heat. People slipped, lost breathes and mutual help and support was put into test. Fortunately, expect for minor slips we managed to reach the uphill which included almost a kilometer of vertical trek. After gaining back our breathes we further moved along the forest witnessing some of the forest fires in few spots of the forests.

Early morning view of the sun shine of the arecanut farm 

We anticipated to  have glimpses of Niligiri Tahr or Indian Gaur we trekked along however not much luck. Thankfully we were able to spot Malabar giant squirrel with long tail. The sharbat station just prior to the camp site ensured all made it their destinations successfully. Although sharbat was mere mixture of lemon sugar solution and water, it energized each one’s body and resorted trekkers to initiate usual discussions on demonetization, modi vs congress etc.

Bamboo houses for travellers as a part of Eco tourism initiative

Central station camp site was located in picturesque location amidst the trees and hills and overlooking the valley. Post tea break we head to watch the sunset and capture some of the vivid snapshots to upload to ones profile. With just another day left for the trek, post dinner session involved the star gazing session trying to spot the constellations, and stories from Bhangad in Rajasthan to each ones encounters with the ghost made it enthralling. Next day again, wake up by 6.30 am grab your cup of tea and set out to explore the other side of the valley which has a ruins of a old mosque on the edge of the hill. The beauty of the mountains is the unpredictability of the weather. With onset of fog engulfing the valley we all had to run back to the camp site before loosing visibility of the path.  

Uphill trek to Munnar via central station

All geared up for the final day of the trek with just 4kms uphill. For a few young vivid trekkers who wanted more out of nature were still looking out for more extreme conditions which could burn the fat within. And thanks to our prayers. With less than a kilometer onward, rain god started to pour. Everyone tried to protect their bag packs with the rain sheeters or the coat and set out to the top station. Rain wasn’t intense, however continued for the rest of the trek journey. The drops on the flowers, with view of the valley, rain drops refreshing ones senses and goosebumps all over was exciting. With the path getting slippery and divergent paths all along made one cautiously move one step at a time and make it to the top station. First thing one does on reaching is to go and grab one’s share of the chai, Maggie, break omlettes which are perfect for a cold chilly trek. The local tamil songs playing the local restaurant made one tap their feet as everyone was aware that this was end of the momentous trek and all had completed successfully.

Kottagudi Valley view

We boarded the jeeps and drove down to Munnar with brief stops of Mattupetty dam, mattupetty lake and lucious green tea gardens. Munnar is popular hill station in the Idukki district of kerala location at 1600 mts above sea level. It is a confluence of three rivers namely Mudhirapuzha, Nallathanni and Kundaly rivers.

As we refreshed and packed our bags to head back home, the essence of chillness of hill stations, smell of the tiredness and sweat amidst the joy of completing the trek, remembering the arecanut farms, oranges, the kurangani falls, kottagudi valley, the heat of the sun, chase of the fog, blessings of the rain god filled our hearts. Once again YHAI treks continue to amuse inspire and make us better human beings.

 

And thats me