Bandipur , once more

It has been quite sometime that we last went to the forests. So when we got an extended weekend because of Good Friday and Easter both me and Ankur packed our bags and headed for another jungle trip. Over the years, because of so many frequent trips we are now sort of experts in packing. It took us less than 30 mins to decide and thrush what all to stuff in our bags.

I booked the Bandipur government guesthouse. The government guesthouse is so popular with tourists that it needs to be booked atleast 3 weeks in advance for the weekends. However this time, anticipating a rush for the extended weekend I booked it one month back. Incase you are wondering how to book online please follow the link http://www.bandipurtigerreserve.in/ . It maybe sometimes slow but then you need to have patience :)

As usual we started from Bangalore at 5:30 sharp. After getting out of Bangalore we had our breakfast. We stopped at Kamat and had dosas with coffee. We took the Mysore road to reach Bandipur. Just before crossing the forest gates we stopped by some shops ( before JLR property) to have another round of chai and photo clicks.

Once inside the forest gates, we drove slowly trying to peep into bushes as we drove trying our luck in animal spotting. Because of the intense heat and no rains, everything on either side of the road has turned yellow. The monotonous yellow was sometimes broken by brightly flowered gulmohar trees.

Inside Bandipur NP

We booked the hut "Kokila" since it is one of the best in terms of location. The rooms are spacious and airy. As soon we occupied the hut, we were greeted by some monkeys.The monkeys tried their tricks of looking cute and playful in order to entice us into giving them some food.

We were keen on the jeep safari, and since there are only 1 jeep and 1 gypsy so Ankur had to keep the queue from 2:30 pm. The booking starts from 3 pm. There are two jeep/gypsy safaris one from 3:30 pm and the other from 5 pm.

Sighting was pretty good with lots and lots of spotted deer, sambar deer, barking deer, boars, jungle fowl, serpent eagle, king fisher, tortoise, mongoose, peacock, hoopoe, flame-back and grey headed woodpecker, wagtail, Indian robin, dove, bulbuls, bee-eater, Indian roller, painted stork, swamp hen, cormorant, pigeons, brahminy kites and brahminy sterlings.

Safari Jeeps

Morning Glory

All for a drink

King fisher

Tortoise

Serpant eagle

sambar deer

barking deer

peacock

Boar

Loris 1

loris 2

An early morning pecker

Hoopoe

Hoopoe

Indian Robin

Peacock

poser!

We took the next day morning safari as well but this time unlike the last visit we had no luck with the big cats. In case you want to have a look at our magnificent big cat captured last time please check it here http://thetravellerweare.blogspot.in/2014/11/bandipur-call-of-wild.html

Athirappilly Falls,The Niagara of India

If I ask you to name one waterfalls in South India that has been shown in innumerable Bollywood movies for its majesty and grandeur, I am sure you will say "Athirapilly" without even batting your eyelid.

Athirapilly Waterfall

We started from Valparai, took the Valparai Athirapilly Road which leads all the way to the waterfall. The road took us past the Upper Sholayar Dam before entering the Vazhachal forest. The forest road is a long way and in many places the road is not in a very good shape. Believe me or not, driving through the forest will give you shivers. The trees are so old and huge and their trunks are all covered with moss. There is very less sunlight that can permeate the canopy and reach the road. Sometimes you might be greeted by elephants,monkeys, lion tailed macaw or malabar grey hornbills. The forest though dense and dark is constantly live with chirping of  various birds.

Because of such poor light conditions and bad roads all along the road there are visible signboards cautioning the driver about accident prone areas. In all true sense the Vazhachal forest is like a miniature version of the Amazonian rain forest. Had it been after 4:30pm, I would have not dared to venture through this road.

Vazhachal Waterfall

Driving through the forests for almost 2 hours we reached the Vazhachal Waterfalls. The falls is near the Vazhachal Forest Division and at the edge of the Sholayar ranges, it is just 5 km from entrance of Athirappilly Falls. We stopped walked some 10 metres, took some photos and came back.

Next we reached the famous Athirapilly waterfalls. The entrance that leads inside, is nicely decorated with bamboo and wood.Now there were ticket checkers at the gate but no ticket booking counters! On asking they told that the booking counter is some 1 km from the gate. So nevertheless my husband had to walk an extra 2 kms to get the tickets. If the ticket booking counter had been adjacent to the entry gate, it would have been good.

From the gate, we had to walk some 400 metres to see the falls from top. The place has been nicely barricaded so that people do not accidentally fall. There was also a path that will go to the base of the falls, but from my prior experience at Jog Falls I decided not to be so adventurous. The only reason is my never-exercised body may not allow.

Athirapilly Waterfall

Athirapilly Waterfall

On seeing the falls with our own eyes, we realised how majestic it is and the reason why so many film makers try to capture the falls in their movies.A truly beautiful falls in India.