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| | The TRAVEL LOVERS! Network is not currently active and cannot accept new posts | | Wayanad Trip ........A lovely one !!!!!!!!! | Views: 1475 | | Jan 10, 2007 2:53 pm | | Wayanad Trip ........A lovely one !!!!!!!!! | # | 
Sai Pavan | | This is one of the most unexpected, but most remembered trips in my travelog. A trip to Wayanad, Kerala.
We had to attend a business commitment in Bangalore on 22nd December 2006, and December being the most hottest season of the year. Neither Trains, nor Buses were available. When checked for planes, the price was skyrocketting. Then suddenly an idea stuck our mind.............y not hit the road. We packed our bags and started.
21st December 2006, 11:00 AM We are still in the nawabs city moving along with the traffic towards the NH7 which would lead us to B'lore. By 12:30 noon we were on NH7 and soon crossed shadnagar. Our first break was at a Relience A1 Dhaba, kurnool-gooty road. At around 3:30 PM we reached the dhaba and had a wonderful lunch, relaxed for 40 mins and quickly started cruising as we had to travel 300 + kms to reach the destination.The day was quickly passing and the sun was ready to set. By 7:30 Pm we reached ananthapur. B'lore was around 100 + Kms away and we couldnt move as fast as were in the day. Then came chickballapur and by 9:25 PM we were near the New International Airport landmark at Devanhalli. It took us almost 45 mins to reach Ganganhalli where we had to stop for the day.
22nd Dec 06, we were tied up with the busy schedules and added to that we felt that we were slowly crawling through he heavy traffic of B'lore city. We had our work at Millers road and we were busy ther for the rest of the Day. Reached home by 10:30 and on the way home, Our plans for the trip started brewing as there were 3 days to spare. After lot of arguments and discussions we came to a conclusion that Mysore is the place where we need to go first and then plan for the rest of the trip.
23rd Dec 06, 6:15 AM We started our journey towards Mysore. Reached BHEL circle and the were searching for a pertol station. We found SHELL. Got into that and had the tank filled to the brim. Mean while i got down the car and just had a look at the mysore road......and couldnt believe my imagination.....there were more than 500 cars that passed us. It was un-imaginable scene. We thought that all of B'lore was on move.......:)
Then we slowly started our journey towards Mysore. The roads were really the best roads that I have seen. I heard of the Bombay-pune Express Highway.......and I think this is an equavalant to that. It hardly took us 2 Hrs to reach Mysore from BHEL Circle
Bangalore. We just cruised at 110 KMPH on the average, keeping the highest speed not exceeding 130 KMPH in our Santro. We literally over took all the vehicles on our way and the best part was to over take a KSRTC VOLVO coach. That guy was cruising at a minimum speed of 100 kmph leaving no room to over take him. It took us almost 20 KMS to over take him. Most of the cars that started had thier pit stops at KAMAT / COffeday and we have made no pitstop till Mysore.
Kengeri-Ramnagar-Maddur-Mandya-Srirangapatna and then finally reached Mysore by 9:00 AM and consulted a traffic cop for a good breakfast joint. He suggested one and we reached that which was just opposite to the main bus stand.The Masala Dosa was good, but idly was half baked.
We then had a look at the Palace from the front side and then Our little Digital camera had its work. We got the best of the snaps this time.
By 10:30 AM we started our way towards the Ooty road. This road had traffic mainly, Trucks. We then slowly over took them and then we had a clear road ahead and stuck to our routine pace. After crossing Nanjangud we three of us felt thirsty and at one glance found a villager carrying Coconuts carrying on a bicycle. After a quick bargain he gave us 6 coconuts for Rs.50/- Those were the coconuts, i think i had after ages. They were sooooo tasty and full of water. Our energy levels reached the peak once we had them and then progressed towards our Destination. After Nanjangud, our next target was Gundlapet. At Gundlapet, there will be a T junction. If we go straight it would lead to Ooty, TN. If we take to the right it would go to Wayanad, Kerala. We choose to take a right and then continued our journey.From Mysore Nanjangud was 50 odd Kms and gundlapet was 80 Odd Kms.
Our Target next was Sultan Bathery, a town in Wayanad District, Kerala.
After taking the right turn in gundlapet, we were cruising towards wayanad. We had to go through Bandipur forest for about 35 Kms. This is the place were once the Legendry Verappan lived :). All the forest was silent, but roads were really good. There
was no one behind us nor commin in the opposite direction. Since this is decideous forest, the greenery remains right round the year, unlike other forests where trees get dried in summer. There were hording all along the route indicating the visitors not to stop, but to continue the journey as that was not a picnic spot. There is all the very chance of wild animals to give company :) .......So we followed the instructions and made our way.
After travelling 130 KMS from Mysore finally we reached Sultan Bathery. This is a clean town and it has all the amenities required. We then went into a petrol station and when we asked the agent to fill in petrol, only then we realized that we were in Kerala :)
None of us knew malayalam. Watching tamil movies during my Engineering helped me as i managed to convey wht we wanted to that agent and then started going. We searched for a book stall to pickup a Map of Kerala so that it would be handy in case we need directions. After a quick search we could locate a book store and finally picked a book.
It was 2:30 in the afternoon and we had to go to the next destination ..... Kalpetta,35 Kms from Sultan Bathery, which is the tourist town of Wayanad. It is surrounded with beautiful Forest, Waterfalls, Lake & Dams.This place also has few good resorts.
Haritagiri Resort is one such resort which is Economic and has all the facilities. On the way to Kalpetta, there is a deviation to the left which would lead to Eddakal Caves. These are ancient caves which have some scriblings on the walls. These caves are 25 Kms from the main road. After reaching the parking spot, we need to walk around 1.5 Kms to reach the cave and imagine this path is full of Ups and few downs. It would drain out all your energy. I would suggest to pay Rs 5/- and use the service of jeeps available which would take you right near the cave as our cars will not go beyond the parking lot.
By the time we finished seeing the caves and came back to our car it was 4:15 Pm and we were tired and wanted to take rest. We slowly moved towards Kapletta to find a place to stay. To our horror, there was no cottage/hotel availabe as all of them were full.
November to Feb being the season, there were visitors more than expected this time and none of them were available. Finally after searching extensively in Kalpetta town for half an hour we found a Hotel called PPS wher we had to adjust in a room which costed us Rs 650/- for that night. That room was available with us only till 10:00 AM next morning, as it was booked for the next day. It was okay place and we were more than happy that we got a place where we can sleep that night and get hot water to take bath. We quickly checked into the room and had a bath and got fresh. All 3 of us were totally tired and my esteemed friends wanted to relax by having a booze. Since I am a non-alcoholic, they took pain to find the beverage they wanted & finally found one and then had it. We had a decent Dinner.......lucky to get phulka and dal fry.
Finished our dinner and slept by 10:00 PM. The climate by 7:00 Pm got so cold that we needed some dress to keep ourself warm and since it was an unplanned trip, we had nothing much to do also. So we closed all the doors and windows and slept.
One good thing i did that evening was to talk to that hotel manager and tried to find out if there was any other resort availabe around. That guy was really helpful and he gave me the resort names and telephone numbers. I spoke to all of them and all of them were full. Upon putting a little pressure on him, he gave the number of one more resort called "Rest in Mist" which is located in the middle of the forest. I contacted the owner of that resort and made a bookin there for the next day. We made the booking but we were in dilema as it was in the middle of the forest and we were not sure about how it would be.
24th Morning 7:30 AM we were ready and we checked out the hotel room. We next started towards Phukote lake which is 23 Kms from Kalpetta. By the time we reached the lake it was 8:30 AM. This place was so beautiful with mist, its beyond imagination. The climate
as sooooooo nice that it cannot be explained by mere words. It has to be felt. There was a boating facility and we made no delay in taking one pedal boat. We spent half an hour pedelling the boat in the lake. We could capture real good pictures. We spent around 2 hrs in and
around that lake.
By 10 AM we started toward a waterfalls. There were two waterfalls. One is sujipura falls and the other one is kantampara falls. We first decided to go to Kantampara falls. The drive was so nice that it was all ghaut section with full of curves. I enjoyed driving. It took some 35 kms before we actually reached that falls. We had to pass through small hamlets and then finally reached that place. The moment we saw that place we really felt bad as it was a small fall. It was smaller than the the pearl valley in Bangalore. We got totally disappointed. We just reversed our car and then another tempo-traveller with 15 odd passengers (from bangalore I believe) came
along with a guide. The guide just stopped us and asked us how the falls was and we showed him our disappointment. He then asked us to park the vehicle and then asked us to follow into a small path through the bushes and trees to the left. We walked for around a quarter of a Kilometer and then we saw a beautiful water fall there. It was the actual water fall and that had no proper approach. WE spent some half hour playing with water and took some pictures. During that conversation with the guide we asked him about the forest resort " Rest in Mist" that we had a booking for that night. He said that its absolutely wonderful place and there is no such resort in Wayanad District.
He was right............!!!!!
That tempo traveller left and we stayed near that fall for some more time. When we started back we got a call from that guide who asked us to join for lunch. He gave us the directions and we just followed and reached the place where he wanted us to come. That was our Luck that took us there. We met one Mr.Saajan Verghese, the owner of that forest resort. Till I saw him, i was not sure about our stay at that resort. Once i saw him, I got confidance and then decided to stay there for that night. We had our lunch at his place and then we planned for the rest of the day to visit Sujipara Falls. To reach this falls we need to go through a place called Meppade.
Let me first tell you about Saajan and his resort. This guy is a farmer who has two houses in Meppade. In one house he stays and the other one he made a paying guest home. His resort is 4 kms into the jungle from Meppade-Sujipura road. No odinary vehicle can go into this as it needs only a 4*4 vehicle(4 wheel drive). HE has some 40 acres of land on the hill that is 6000 feet above sea level and which is in the forest. After his resort, all that you can see is forest. To get to his resort, you have to travel for 30 mins through forest through a terrain full of rocks. I shall tell you more about the resort later.
To go to sujipura falls we need to pass by his office which falls at 7 kms from Meppade. So we went to sujipura falls. This is a bigger water falls and to reach it we need to walk for 1.5 Kms and get down into the valley also. There is proper approach for that but you can only walk. We can really have fun with water and the water comes from a good height and there is place to sit under it and njoy. We spent around half an hour and started back as we had to reach the office of saajan by 5:00 PM.
We reached Saajans office by 5:00 Pm and he came along with his family by 5:15. We started our journey towards his resort. We followed his Mahendra jeep to around half a Km wher in we parked our vehicle in a house. We then picked our bags and then boarded the jeep.
Then the actual journey into the forest began. This is the first time I came into a jungle soo deep. The road......its not a road......we can call it a path, was full of rocks and its so narrow. One mistake and it would take you into any deep place. Ofcourse they were very experienced drivers who drove that way every day and so they are used to that track.
By 5:45 PM we reached the destination. It was a beautiful place and there was no house/cottage/hut surrounding that. Its all alone by itself at 6000 feel above sea leavel. We felt the height as it was soo cold and we could see the sun set into the mountains on the
west. This cottage has no power supply from the electricity dept. It has a solar panel which would generate power and a generator-invertor set that is sufficient to lighten all the 5 cotteges in it. There are 5 pairs of rooms under one roof with attached washrooms, one comman area, and on the first floor, the dining Hall.
That place was so natural, we felt it by the fresh breeze comming out of the trees. That night we spent in heaven on earth.
Upon the advice form Saajan, we dared and took bath with the water that was litrally freezing. It was like ........eeeeeerrrrrr.....can't tell you. Once 5-6 mugs of that water fell on the body...the body got used to it and I njoyed that. After the bath...which took away all the tiredness out of us, we had a authentic Kerala Dinner. It was simple but tasty. By the time we finished our Dinner, the fire place in the garden was made ready for the bonfire setup. That was so nice. We spent almost 3 hrs sittin around the fire. Ofcourse the rest of the guests , they were around 14 of them excluding us, started playing anthakshari. We had fun. I carried my Laptop and played songs.
For one moment, when I thought that we were some where in the middle of the forest and no one else around execpt the handfull of us, my nerves just shivered. But at the same time I njoyed the place. Since it was 24th Dec and it was Christmas Eve, Saajan brought a cake, and the oldest of us, a lady had the pleasure of cutting the cake. By 11:30 all the guests, including us were back in the rooms. The night was so peaceful execpt for some wild animals sounds :) That would frighten you if you are awake. You should sleep, else you will feel panicked. I mean if you are used to such atmosphere.........then its okay. It was a first time for me and I was panicked for some time, but slept later. The climate was coooooooooooooooooold and you would njoy that too.
25th Dec , 2006 6:30 AM, got up and just checked around. The climate was so cold that, i could stay out of the cottage for more than 10 mins. The sun was just raising and we could practically see it on the mountains. I clicked some real good pictures. I spent almost 2 hrs just moving in and around the garden around the cottage. By 9:00 AM we got fresh and the breakfast was ready. Hot Hot puri with alu kurma, and we njoyed that. By 10:00AM we finished filling the suggestion book and got down. Now we were told about a fresh water spring that was just right opposite to the cottage. We had to walk for 200 mts to reach that. Saajan accompanied us along. It was a small
spring/pond and the water in it was fresh as the water was comming from some where in the hills. I just stepped into it only to feel the water and I thought I stepped into a freezer :) It was soo cold. Saajan got into the pond so easlily that we were shocked seeing that. later one by one all three of us dared and got into the pond. We njoyed in water for almost 2 hrs from then.
At around 11:45 AM we came out and went back to the cottage. We got dressed, packed our bags and started back. By 9:00 PM we were in Bangalore. And started to Hyd on the next day morning 5:30 AM and by 5:30 PM we were in Hyderabad.
Conclusion :
Hyderabad - Bangalore - Mysore - Wayanad - Mysore - Bangalore - Hyderabad ............1950 Kilometers. 5 days of tour.
Readers.......I think this description would have taken all the patience out of you. Plz dont curse me for that :)
Happy Touring
-Sai
Private Reply to Sai Pavan | | Jan 10, 2007 3:44 pm | | re: Wayanad Trip ........A lovely one !!!!!!!!! | # | 
VA Abraham | | Sai,
Nice to hear about your experience in Wynad. I take this opportunity to inform our readers about 2 bungalows which can be given to tourists for Home stay. These Bungalows are in the neighbouring district of Malappuram. To know more about these bungalows, do visit my website www.idealcoordinators.com
Regards,
Private Reply to VA Abraham | | Jan 10, 2007 3:49 pm | | re: Wayanad Trip ........A lovely one !!!!!!!!! | # |
Vijay Mohan | |
Absolutely marvellous. I will try going to the Rest in Mist sometime. Can you please post their contact numbers or send me through a PM.
Thanks in advance.
- VijayPrivate Reply to Vijay Mohan | | Jan 10, 2007 4:05 pm | | re: re: Wayanad Trip ........A lovely one !!!!!!!!! | # | 
Darpana Athale | | I've heard soooooo much about Wayanad thru a friend that I'm def planning to go there soon.
Private Reply to Darpana Athale | | Jan 11, 2007 5:16 am | | re: re: Wayanad Trip ........A lovely one !!!!!!!!! | # |
Sai Pavan | | Hi Abraham,
I have already visited your website some time back. They look stunning. Next time Whn i visit kerala...shall make it a point to stay in one of them.
-Sai Private Reply to Sai Pavan | | Jan 11, 2007 5:53 am | | re: re: Wayanad Trip ........A lovely one !!!!!!!!! | # |
Sai Pavan | | Hi Vijay,
The owner's name is Mr. Saajan Verghese. You can reach him on his mobile +91-94476-40427. Hez very helpful.
Address
Rest in Mist
Wynad, Kalpetta
Telefax: +91-4936-202134
or
Phone: +91-4936-275784 (O)
+91 9895653809 (Mgr)
e-mail:restinmist@rediffmail.com
www.restinmist.com
How to reach
From KALPETTA (Capital of Wynad Dist) to Meppadi (10 KMS).
Rest in Mist office is on Meppadi to Soochippara Road near Kalladi Bridge(Located at 8th Km)
There is a West bound Ghat Road through the forest through which we need to travel 5 KMS to reach the destination.
Happy Touring !!!!!!
-Sai Private Reply to Sai Pavan | | Jan 11, 2007 6:54 am | | re: re: re: Wayanad Trip ........A lovely one !!!!!!!!! | # | 
Alakaline | | Hm.. Wyanad next on my list.
Private Reply to Alakaline | | Jan 12, 2007 7:28 am | | re: re: re: re: Wayanad Trip ........A lovely one !!!!!!!!! | # | 
~Trinity ~ | | i would love to see the pictures sai..pliss to share Private Reply to ~Trinity ~ | | Jan 12, 2007 7:32 am | | re: re: re: re: Wayanad Trip ........A lovely one !!!!!!!!! | # |
~Trinity ~ | | Wynad is an awesome place, been there a few years ago. The drive from mysore to wynad through sultanbattery ( hope i got the spelling right) is awesome.
You get to see the other side of nargarhole national park..Elephants and spotted deer is a common sight. This place is photographers heaven.
i stayed in a place called vythiri resorts. Expensive but a very well managed place. A friend also stayed in Jungle hut or soemthing like that.
Must got for everyone..:)
Private Reply to ~Trinity ~ | | Jan 12, 2007 10:21 am | | re: re: re: re: re: Wayanad Trip ........A lovely one !!!!!!!!! | # |
Sai Pavan | | Am just selecting the best out of the 450 snaps we clicked.
Shall share them once they are uploaded.
Private Reply to Sai Pavan | | Jan 12, 2007 3:04 pm | | re: re: re: re: re: re: Wayanad Trip ........A lovely one !!!!!!!!! | # |
~Trinity ~ | | sure thing Private Reply to ~Trinity ~ | | Jan 12, 2007 6:30 pm | | re: re: re: re: re: Wayanad Trip ........A lovely one !!!!!!!!! | # |
Shobha(usha) gowri | | Just couldnt stop myself from responding:
I have gone there many times and the more I see the more it has become the love of my life
Amazing-the drive from Mysore to Wyanad-leave Mysore say around three/four in the morning
You will reach the forest just as the sun rises-ethereal
If you are a shutterbug-get ready to see the rays through the trees-
I stayed at Vythiri all times-all time favourite
All that my daughters will do is to sit in the stream-all day long-if you need to spend time with those you love-go to V
No TV no nothing-just you and nature and quititude
Look out for some fab flip flops while there
Vythiri is built along a stream-so you live with the sound of water 24 hrs
Along with all the tourist spots the you will hear about-dont miss out on two spots people will not tell you about:the ride down the ghat road to Kozhikode-love biking??-ride down the ghat roads-not easy bec it is full o fbuses-but well.... do it
and Edakal-is near Sultanbathery-
Edakal as its name suggests is a huge rock that is "in between"
In betwen?yes between two huge mountains!!!!
it is a difficult and arduous climb up huge rocks-very strenuous-but it is the site of ancient cave drawings.
an earthquake(so they say split the rock and a huge slice of the mountain fell to make it a natural cave!different drawings on the walls show that many kinds of people came there at diff times of history-I have no word to describe the feeling
wonderful guide up in the caves who helped me climb down-had to jump around on rocks like goats
But if you love adventure dont miss itPrivate Reply to Shobha(usha) gowri | | Jan 12, 2007 6:36 pm | | re: re: re: re: re: re: Wayanad Trip ........A lovely one !!!!!!!!! | # | 
Confucius | | Did anyone visit the ganapati temple there..its beautiful too Private Reply to Confucius | | Jan 12, 2007 11:35 pm | | re: re: re: Wayanad Trip ........A lovely one !!!!!!!!! | # |
Vijay Mohan | |
Hi Sai,
Thanks very much for the contact information.
Perhaps you want to delete the info now. I guess it is not okay to promote sales. :-(
Enjoy,
- VijayPrivate Reply to Vijay Mohan | | Jan 13, 2007 4:09 am | | re: re: re: re: Wayanad Trip ........A lovely one !!!!!!!!! | # |
~Trinity ~ | | sai is not promoting...he is just sharing info...:) so i guess its ok...
Agree with usha..vythiri is awesome..they have a hanging bridge to get to the restaurant...and its just beautiful..Private Reply to ~Trinity ~ | | Jan 18, 2007 12:54 am | | re: re: re: re: re: Wayanad Trip ........A lovely one !!!!!!!!! | # | 
BGS | | Vythiri some say is expensive,but good too.How much may be the tariff there,per room/cottage. Private Reply to BGS | | Jan 18, 2007 9:01 am | | re: re: re: re: re: re: Wayanad Trip ........A lovely one !!!!!!!!! | # |
Shobha(usha) gowri | | It is:but the rates vary according to the season
Good way is to call them and ask for the best rates=this is off season and maybe during the rains
But which tourist destination today isnt smart?-what I love is the tranquility and the fact you are with yourself all day-quite scary !I am sure if you are married to your laptop and the mobile-well you are in trouble;no TVs,no mobiles:but wow all the way.It is truly rejuvenating
Bt what is truly horribly expensive there-read it as fleecing -and something that gets my goat-is the taxis/tourist cars-costs you about 15 hundred everytime you go near a vehicle
But if you are using your own car-well...then you can go see the sunset over the mountains
The other prob is the food-you better be on time or the resturant will close
that takes away the fun of a holiday but tell the chef and the maanger that you are coming in for your food no matter what and to keep it for you
that way they are marvellous folks
and dont mis the fish curry etc-I am a veg so that is heresay and no one should hold me to it
But I hear there are some less expensive places around too
u
Private Reply to Shobha(usha) gowri | | Jan 19, 2007 6:04 am | | re: re: re: re: re: re: re: Wayanad Trip ........A lovely one !!!!!!!!! | # |
Sai Pavan | | Before checkin into Rest In Mist, as I have detailed about my survey for resorts/cottages in Wayanad, I have found out that there are around 4 - 5 resorts. But only 2 - 3 of them would take you into the natural surroundings. They will give you a feel that is far away from the routine life.
I think in such places, its more apt to njoy the nature rather than thinkin about watching TV or talking on mobile phone. Its like living the life for your self and to the fullest with no one to bother you.
I remember I had jotted down the names of the resorts in and around Wayanad. Let me check and if I find it, I shall post that :)
Private Reply to Sai Pavan | | Feb 23, 2007 2:59 am | | re: re: re: re: re: Wayanad Trip ........A lovely one !!!!!!!!! | # |
Sai Pavan | | Few Pictures that I could Upload ......there are some more, shall upload them soooooon.
http://www.flickr.com/photos/56077490@N00/Private Reply to Sai Pavan | | |
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