With the Onam celebrations spilling on to the streets, many might want to beat a hasty retreat to some beautiful, serene places that are just an hour or two away from the city. MetroPlus speaks to ardent trekkers to list their favourite destinations that are off the beaten track…
A BIRDWATCHER’S PARADISE
There are quite quiet a few places for ardent birdwatchers and trekkers in Thiruvananthapuram. But none as serene as Arippa. It is a 1,000 hectare pristine forest ecosystem system located right on the edge of the Thiruvananthapuram-Shencottai State Highway(SH), 52 km away from the city.
USP: This patch jungle, known as ‘Arippa-Ammayambalam Pacha’ is a haven for birdwatchers. Several rare sightings have been recorded in the past from here. The first sighting in Thiruvananthapuram district of the rare Ceylon Bay Owl was from this low-lying evergreen forest. The rare and ancient Myristica freshwater swamps are also found in Arippa. The swamp is a rich ecosystem home to several endemic species of flora and fauna. Kerala Forest Development Corporation (KFDC) offers a two-day package, which involves stay in the forest inspection bunglow, bird watching sessions and trekking to the Myristica swamp. A one-day trip is also in the offing. Online reservation facility is available.
How to get there: Take the SH to Shencottai. The entrance into the Arippa forest is about 20 km from Palode. Check KFDC website. Contact: 8289821101, 8289821100
(Written by Aswin V.N.)
COLONIAL RETREAT
Braemore estates is hardly two hours from Thiruvananthapuram City and almost unspoilt by backpacker tourism. Suggested for those who are seeking a hideout from the noisy Onam celebrations in the city.
USP: It can be considered as the base camp for trekkers who want to scale Ponmudi and Varayad Kunnu. The four-hour long trekking from Braemore to Varayad Kunnu is ideal as you traverse through virgin grasslands and pristine greenery. The Estate is home to numerous waterfalls.
A colonial bunglaw is there to stay and food is available. Liquor is discouraged and non-vegetarian food should be brought from outside or requirement should be informed well in advance. The estate surroundings is well equipped with a tennis court, old tea factory, church, temple and other facilities.
How to get there: Braemore is 60 km from Thiruvananthapuram. Go straight to Palode and then to Peringamala. From Peringamala, it is another 15 km to reach Braemore via Idinjar. The road ends at Braemore. For more details and reservation for accommodation, contact the estate office. Phone: 0472 2845536, 0472 2845526
(Written by S. Binu Raj)
GOLDEN ADVENTURE
If you are in search of quietude surrounded by blue-green hued Kerala in all its glory, with only birdsong for company, make your way by country boat to Ponnumthuruthu. Literally ‘golden isle,’ the uninhabited, idyllic slice of paradise, covered in coconut trees, is in the middle of tranquil Anchengo backwaters.
USP: While legend goes that the women of the royal family of Travancore used to hide their gold jewellery on the island, today, the main attraction is a Shiva-Parvathy temple, known locally as ‘Thuruthu Kshetram,’ which is said to be about a 100 years old, only rather garishly painted. The only way to get to the island is by boat, from a few rickety kadavus on the lake. The temple’s boat service is available from around 6.30 a.m. to 12 noon and from 4.30 p.m. to 6.30 p.m., depending on its opening and closing times. Alternatively you can hire a boat, for around Rs.500. Picnic by the backwaters (or in the tree house near the ‘foreigners’ boat jetty) and roam the island to your hearts’ content. It’s a haven for birds too, particularly wetland birds such as egrets, Marsh Harriers, Whiskered Terns, and Ospreys. If you can, do watch the sunset from the isle and also pop into one of small coir manufacturing units that pepper the mainland.
How to get there: It’s just under 10 km from Varkala, via Nedunganda and Planthottam.
MAKE A SPLASH
If you like the rocky waterfalls of Kallar, near Ponmudi, then you’ll like Kalikesam. It’s a gorgeous little place deep in the Keeriparai reserve forest in Kanyakumari district, which is much more pristine and not as crowded as Kallar tends to be during vacations. Besides, the way to Kalikesam itself is picturesque – isolated stretches of road bordered by hills, lakes, farms and rubber plantations; totally worth the drive. Kalikesam (it’s not so much a waterfall as a cascade, really) is named after the pretty little Kaliamman temple on the bank of the river.
USP: It’s hard to resist a dip in the crystal clear waters. Trek a little further uphill from the temple and you’ll find beautiful rock pools that are ideal picnic spots.
A word of warning, though, the rocks can be a bit slippery, especially after the rains, and you have to keep an eye out for broken glass or shards left behind by the careless.
How to get there: The obvious choice is to take the NH47 to Keeriparai via Marthandam but if you have the time, do take the more scenic Neyyar Dam route that leads on to SH45 and eventually to Keeriparai.
(Written by Nita Sathyendran)
IN THE COMPANY OF ELEPHANTS
Serenity, calmness, tranquillity and quietude now have a synonym – Kaappukadu. Near Kottoor, nestled in the foothills of the Western Ghats, this elephant rehabilitation centre would easily be one of the most amazing getaways from the city. Get there early in the morning, early enough to catch the mist before the wind blows it off. After all it is just about an hour away from town.
USP: The sun-lit water in the catchment area of the Neyyar River at Kappukad is too breath-taking a sight to miss. You see the water taking on hues of green, which turn to aqua blue and then again to aqua green, with sunlight dancing all over the surface. What’s more, you get to watch elephants enjoy a long bath, their huge bodies scrubbed clean by the mahouts. For the more adventurous, there are guided treks into the forest –anything from the one-hour soft treks to arduous nine-hour treks, where you can enjoy the wild for the whole day. Staying the night out at Kappukad would also be a great idea, especially in the eco-friendly log house by the side of the water, constructed with just bamboo. Also available are six cottages, all recently air-conditioned and comfortable, at the centre run by the Forest Department. All the cottages and the log house come for a very reasonable rent. Make sure you order food as soon as you reach there. The only downside would be that the Forest Department has now stopped elephant safaris at the centre, which used to be a major hit with the visitors. There are also restrictions in place for going near the jumbos. Onam would be the right time to visit Kottoor as the villagers have made extensive plans to celebrate the festival and visitors can join in the festivities which begin on August 26 and conclude on August 31.
How to get there: It’s some 35km from the city on the Aryanad-Vellanad-Kuttichal road
(Written by Reema Narendran)
