Day one : 12th Jan 2014
Drove straight to Kadambari Hydro electric power plant toll gate and verified the entry passes and proceeded in green foresty area towards a 1 kms tunnel and parked our cars. After a brief walk inside a tunnel we entered the Hydro electric power plant.
The engineer gave us a tour of the 5 floors of the power plant, explaining the process of power generation through water and how mechanical energy being converted into electric energy through the huge turbines. Through out the year this second largest plant of asia supplies power to the whole of Tamilnadu during peak hours.. Visited the Perimbikulam dam after lunch at the village me
Proceeded to Balaji temple enroute to valparai. The temple was surrounded by tea estate and a quite and serene environment with a huge Balaji diety. Supposed to be a very powerful temple as most of the wishes come true here and an ideal place to meditate. Had a one hour drive through the tea estates of Valparai and retired Mahathma Gandhi Ashramam in Annamalai. 8 of us slept in one huge room with planned ventilation. The common restrooms were a minute walk from the room and were used to be 50 odd children. Values and way of life was a big learning, for eg the beetel leaf plate was washed and used it for breakfast by us.. Journey 70 k
Day two : 13th jan 2014
7 am we went for a bath in the Aliyar river. The clean sweet river water was so fresh way to start the day. Nagaraj and family joined us at this point and we had breakfast at ashram and proceeded to Parimbukulam wild life sanctuary. The drive was bumpy and we reached at 1 am at the Tented Niche and stayed in 4 tents Neem, jamun, teek and …… at 3 30 pm we left for the Jungle Safari in a mini bus.
The Kanimra Teak tree 39.98 meter tall , 460 years old, locally known as “virgin tree “, holding the record of oldest living teak Tree of the world.
The bamboo rafting for 30 minutes was so quiet and surrounded by green hills and still back water reservoir. Slept in the comfortable tents. Journey 70 km
Day Three : 14th jan 2014
At 7 am started a trek of 8 kms for above 3 hours. Hard trek in the dense evergreen forests and deciduous forests. It was rejenevating to let our feet soak in the chilled water of a stream. Saw some interesting flora and the guide kept talking about all the botanical names. After breakfast shifted to Honeycomb rooms and the treetop rooms. At 4 pm started a trek for 3 hours
Our new guide Mr Saju took us by foot in the mids of the forest. The highlight was the discipline we got into at the sound of wild langoors screeming alarming everyone the presence of a predator. All of us were so quiet and got the feel of what could be a life in a jungle. Stopped at the parimbakulam dam constructed by engineer Kannan during British rule. Tunnel was started construction at both ends at the same time.
He gave us wild nelikay (goose berry) which ha said was as nutritious and equivalent to four apples. In the wild we spotted Indian Gaur, Wild Pig, Crocodile, Spotted Deer and Samba Deer, Nilgiri Thar, wild Cat , Giant Indian Squirrel, Monitor Lizard, Chameleon, Black Langoor. Monkey, and yes it is important to mentionas Master Gaurav puts it we saw tiger…..leopard…,porcupine …elephants ..,,shits. Back to guest house thrilled excited and exhaustedafter a hot dinner served by the forests guards. Journey 20 kms
Day 4 : 15th Jan 2014.
7 am started for a bird watching trek and a trek inside the forest. We spotted Parrot, Flying Squirrel, Giant Squirrel. Two Tailed Drongo, Common Sparrow, Cattel Egrot. Snake Bird, Eagle, Serpent. Emerald Dove, migrating Himalayan White bird, Owl. Indian Trolled Fawl, Peacock, Peahen Indian Bulbul, Cuckoo, Vulture, Water crow, Sun Bird, Minnet and Kite. After breakfast we packed off and started our return journey leaving behind fresh air and water and noise free journey. Journey 160 Kms