Re: A couple ride to Ooty and Valparai

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Re: A couple ride to Ooty and Valparai

DAY 2, August 4.

It was 19℃ when we left our hotel at 7.45am. Mean while I requested hotel staff that we ll check out around 3pm and they happily agreed.
Had breakfast in hotel owned restaurant , it was served hot and fresh.
Both of us prefer less crowded and off beat places wherever we go, so today we planned to visit lakes. emerald, avalanche and upper bhavani reservoir. emerald lake is on the way but rest of the lakes comes under Forest Dept.
one must make entry of vehicle details here in check post(may be for non-TN vehicle only).
The ride was easy as we started early. And the route played scenic with tea plantation and greenery. Roads where narrow and widening work was under progress. After the check post the forest starts and roads are further narrow with some blind turns.we reached the forest Dept. safari point parking lot at 8.45pm and we were the only two tourists.
Safari is provided by Forest Dept by bus, small bus and Jeep. Prices are 150, 200 and 250 respectively/head. Canteen facility is there with basic breakfast and other beverages.(economical but tastes avg).
One hav to enter the name in the log book at hut like office and once the required tourist strength gathers, they will announce the name and will give the tickets.
By 9.30 small bus started it's journey. Before that, staffs were very strict about plastic, insisted us to pour all the snacks packed in plastic (whomever bought) to paper cover which was provided by them. It was 2 hrs journey- two way. Roads inside the forest are in Bad condition and driver was looking very skilled. It was foggy and cold so most of the windows in bus are kept closed by the passengers.
Bus was stopped at 3 places , view point stop, a small temple /water stream area and finally at upper bhavani view point; here we can only get view of the reservoir and not allowed to get into the lake. Due to fog we were disappointed as we missed majestic view of the lake, still All of us had some good photos and reached back at 11.30am.
We rode back to botanical garden,ooty(28km approx).
Had lunch(chicken biriyani) after having some clicks in the garden at near by hotel and it tasted good. Next was rose garden, made a short visit and left to doddda betta view point. Crowded. I checked the time it was 4.30pm and quickly booked the same hotel online and informed the staff. They allowed us to use the same room.
Had tea and bajji , we reached back. It was time for shopping. Wife purchased some dress and I purchased rain proof/ fur jacket,.good quality and decently priced. When it was 6 pm I remembered that I forgot to do PUC test today also.
By 9 pm our dinner was over along with short walk, returned to hotel and made all packing for next day. hit the bed by 10.30pm.


(We stayed in hotel charring Cross. Budget hotel, renovation work was going. Small single bedroom but neat and tidy bathroom, beds. Attached restaurant. Closed parking is not available because hotel is surrounded by shopping complex. Parking space also becomes problem during day time.(for bikers it's manageable).

It's better to reach early to ticket counter(before 9.30am max) for lakes safari(no major wild life here except endangered lion -taled macaque). As there are only few number of buses available and each trip takes 2hrs to complete. Jeeps are costly compared to bus. For better view, bus driver advised us to come in November month.
Forest Dept. Safari parking lot location:8H2R+58 EB Quarters, Tamil Nadu


DAY 3, August 5..

Re: A couple ride to Ooty and Valparai

DAY 3, August 5..

It was morning 8.45am when we came out from hotel after finishing breakfast and check-out formalities. Luggage's are loaded to bike and We decided to get PUC test done first for the bike and within 1km we located a emission testing centre.for our badluck Already 3-4 auto rickshaws were in Q.
By 11.30am we left ooty wasting
valuable 2hrs for a 15mins job. We started our journey towards valparai (initial plan was to visit kottagiri-coonor and return to home, but valparai won the toss finally).

Enjoying beautiful curvey roads in between coonor-mettupalyam stretch, finally we stopped for lunch at a place called sultanpet{(thanks to Google map for saving us from kovai traffic )time was 3pm)}. Had meals and journey begin. when it was 50km to Valparai, we took a fuel break.

By 4.15pm we were at anamalai tiger reserv entry post. Entered vehicle and tourist details in the log book. In A stretch of 500m, there is view point of aliyr dam, we took some photos.
As we started the journey it's was ascending; rapped with 40 hair pin curves. We could feel sudden drop in temperature while gaining the altitude. Enjoyed loam's view point on the way and stopped for tea break at a hair pin bend point. What a mind blowing view it was.

Finally we reached Valparai by 6pm. Rooms were already booked, hence rode towards nallamudi view point to enjoy the evening. it was getting dark, we came back to city ,had dinner in a tiny house/hotel and checked-in to pavin homestay. The owner was kind enough to gave us double beded big room even though we booked a single bed room.(thanks to off season).
Unloaded our luggage from bike, at last we called it day by 9.30pm.
(Sorry for my English grammar [emoji23])

Re: A couple ride to Ooty and Valparai

DAY 4, August 6.

When I opened the door , surprised by the view in front of my eyes..!!!. The room was very close to tea plantations. lost in nature for few minutes.
Both of us got ready by 8am and rode to town, had breakfast in a small daba kind of place.
Started towards nallamudi view point which is 10km away. When we reached there, near by tea shop guy stopped us telling forest officer went to inspect the area as previous day elephant herd entered nirar dam area.
We waited for 1 hr,same time clicked some photos, enjoyed fresh tea at the shop. But the officer not appeared.
Decided to skip the place And moved towards nirar dam. Google shown a short cut route which was inside the tea plantation. Just for say it was 1.5 km stretch but purely off road with tight curves. I must tell you, the most scenic view of valparai it was. Later Joined main road, after 1km again Google map showed us a short route but this time I ditched it as we both came without proper safety gears except helmet(this route will bypass check post). Later a guy stopped us at check post . Charged 30₹/bike as entry fee. Informed us about the route.
After the check post the road was worst till the dam(3kms). Reached the location, saw Only one small tea shop available here which serve tea, omelet.
Explored the dam and the staff allowed us to inside the dam(a tunnel from end to end of the dam). Took selfies and started the return journey. Another eye treating views on the way, this time we came by main route.
Packed our luggage ,loaded to bike, bid good bye to owner and ride started towards athirapilly falls, kerala.

it was 2.30pm.the road and the sholayar dam back water goes side by side which is mesmerizing.
Later Road was blinded with fog and our cruising speed reduced to bare 30-40kmph. Finally reached Forest check post which comes under kerala state. They gave us the slip mentioning arrival time at the check post and tourist details. informed us to give that slip at next check post which is 50km away.time was 3.30pm.

After the check post road was in bad shape + single lane. Thick idamalayar forest which is famous for elephants made us scare. Some of the mud road stretch indicated last year's land slide. Rare vehicle movement added additional flavor of fear. Finally reached athirapilly falls at 5 pm sharp, but ticket counter was closed.

When we were thinking what to do, A couple from Karnataka who went down to see the falls told us -better u guys watch it here by road side view point ; down there it's just mist you can see. They made our day. We happily parked our bike and enjoyed roaring falls from a distance but it is the place where one can get whole view of the falls(during monsoons). Spent good 10mins there and then time came for going back home.
Started our journey and I suddenly rode back towards to valparai just to admire a small falls on the way which is small but very beautiful. As we reached there, two policemen told us not to stop there but I engaged myself with them by talking even though I was not knowing Malayalam and mean time wife managed to click the falls pic.
Finally we left the place and later both of us started feeling hungry. Rode further 30km and stopped at small hotel in a place called Elanjipara.
Wife had veg thali and I am parota fan so I ordered parota and egg curry. Both items were delicious, purely in a keralit way. Time was showing 6.45pm and we were 400km away from home.after few kms we stopped to fuel up the bike and journey resumed.


Both of us knew it's going to be long night so decided to do it with at most care. major worry was Kerala tight two lanes and traffic + congestion in most of the cities.
We took 3 tea breaks and reached mahe ,time was 12am. Stopped in petrol pump for nature call ,same time i saw petrol price was 70₹/Ltr and immediately filled upto brim(rider tendency).


When I checked weather forecast yesterday it was showing some good rain in overall costal side of Kerala but what we were going through was heavy rain (I am from Mangalore and we live with such rains during monsoon). Inner voice was kept telling something is wrong get the hell out of Kerala as soon as possible. So even though both us thought of taking break till rain subsidies, again i ditched the decision and kept rolling. Most of the roads were filled with 6 inch of water. I kept crawling behind one KA registered empty petrol tanker. He was maintaining moderate speed. Till mahe I managed behind him(most of trucks , cars, even SUV'S stopped at road side due to heavy rain).
Rain reduced to drizzling when we crossed kanhangad. Further two tea breaks, we reached our state, our home sweet home.wall clock was showing 3.30am.
A memorable 1250km journey ended sound and safe.


Observations

There are so many staying options available in Valparai which not yet registered in online. You can get good deal if you visit the town before the dawn.
In TN, most of the hotel /restaurant serve food in banana leaf or paper coverd plate. After finishing the food, we have to put the Leaf/paper to dust bin.
Never seen a dog/street dogs in valparai. Later came to know it's because of the leopard.
U can't pitch a tent in valparai without forest Dept permission and permission is not possible due to frequent attack of elephants.they have unique alert system for the same.
Valparai owns service of govt. Buses to all tourist spots.
A local mechanic in valparai charged me 50₹ for a chain tightening (after asking. He told it's their minimum charge).
At nirar dam, aged lady charged 160₹ for 3 plates of double egg omelet with 2 bread piece and 2 cup of tea.
Dam official (I dont know he is official or not) charged us 100rs/head for showing inside the dam. No receipt for the amount.
Athirapilly water falls ticket counter is 500m before the falls entry point, if you are coming by Kerala side. And ticket counter is combined with police check post.
If you are coming from TN side ticket counter is in 2nd check post point which is named as vazhachil falls.2 km before the athirapilly falls. U can avail tickets for both the falls at same counter
Road side falls I mentioned is named as charpa falls and it's good only during monsoons.

IF YOU ARE TRAVELING BY BIKE , TOWARDS VALPARAI FROM ATHIRAPILLY OR VISE VERSA, KEEP IN MIND - GATE CLOSES AT 4 PM AT BOTH SIDES. (for cars it's 6pm). So plan your ride accordingly.

Total number of days- 3N/4D
Total km travelled-1250km
Vehicle- bike(dominar)
Breakdown-nill
FE- least-26kmpl.
FE-Max-30kmpl
Crusing speed-90-95kmph in highways.
Mode of ride-with pillion.+luggage 25kg.

Items carried

Puncture kit and foot pump
Knife
First aid box.
Extra fuse, rope, Adhesive tape
Torch.(head mount)
Emergency light.
Tea flask
Paper cups and plates
Extra plastic covers for wet clothes and waste items carrying purpose.
Rain coats
chappals
Tent
Insulation foam
Thick blankets (crazy right[emoji23]).

Safety gears
Smk helmet+aspida jacket+ knee guard+probiker gloves.+safety shoes.
Avon helmet+tarmac jacket+ knee guard+ safety shoes

Expenses
Food-2900₹
Tickets/safari/fine-1000₹
Stay-2200₹
Fuel-3200₹
Total-9300₹

Next day morning when I woke up late and saw the news, Kerala was already declared orange alert for heavy rains.
Mangalore also.
For me it was weekly off and wife's college again declared 2 days of holiday.

Re: A couple ride to Ooty and Valparai

Really enjoyed reading your experiences!! [emoji3]

Re: A couple ride to Ooty and Valparai

Thank you brother..

Re: A couple ride to Ooty and Valparai

Loved your experience Prasad..How is the road condition & traffic at nights from Calicut to Mangalore. We did it 2 years back and it was a mess

Re: A couple ride to Ooty and Valparai

I couldn't judge the road conditions due to heavy rains.. and traffic was hectic in cities. We got use of Google online real time traffic data. Most of the times Google took us in some interior roads by which we managed to get ride of city traffic.
Even though it's two lane highway I was able to cruise at 65-70kmph without muh stress.

Re: A couple ride to Ooty and Valparai

Great pictures there buddy! Hope you both enjoyed the monsoons
Cheers and ride safe!

Re: A couple ride to Ooty and Valparai

Thank you brother..[emoji56]

Re: A couple ride to Ooty and Valparai

Nice captures!

Re: A couple ride to Ooty and Valparai

Thanks buddy..

Re: A couple ride to Ooty and Valparai

Nice travelogue !