Leisurely bicycle rides around Ooty
Valleys and fields, temples and tunnels and through the woods... If this sounds like an adventure to you, you are absolutely right. What better place to have an adventure than in the Nilgiris, with its unexpected mists, bursts of sunshine and roads disappearing round the hillsides. Bicycles are a great way to nose around the lesser-seen places of any town, and they can take you where cars and buses may not. In any case, a hill station should be seen either on foot or on a bicycle.
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So, hop on to a cycle and take off. If you want some help in finding your way, Behind Bars, which promotes bicycle tourism, can help you. “We offer bicycle tours and even if there is one person, we are happy to show him/her around the beautiful bits of our town,” says Shobana Chandrashekar of Behind Bars. “We prefer having groups of no more than six people.”
Ride through Glenmorgan, Lovedale and Kodanad, visit Badaga villages, Toda settlements, eucalyptus oil distilleries and take in the view with tea in old colonial bungalows. You can ride for 14 kilometres or nine or whatever your legs and fitness allow you to. “The rides are easy and cyclists are accompanied by a support vehicle,” says Chandrasekhar, reassuringly. The cost ranges between Rs. 600 and Rs. 1,800, depending on the distance one chooses. This includes the cost of the bicycle, safety gear, helmet, refreshments, water, a guide and a support vehicle.
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Call: 08903647283/08903547283
Ready for some adventure?
How would you like a break in the hills, where the purpose is not just a holiday, but one with a purpose? Where you learn to experience personal summits, conquer fears and emerge a better individual?
This summer, National Adventure and Leadership School (NALS) in Manjacombai, about 30 km west of Coonoor, offers high-intensity programmes, such as an adventure internship, open to those from ages eight to 55, and for a duration of 14, 21 or 28 days. Adventure therapy is said to be a therapeutic intervention that utilises adventure activities and expeditions to create physical, mental and emotional challenges that catalyse change in people’s minds and, hence, their behaviours. Says Seshadri Venkatesan, director-operations, NALS: “These days, children don’t get adequate exposure to the Sun, and to physical activity. These are mandatory for the body to function well. It is said that lack of Vitamin D (which you get naturally from exposure to the Sun) can lead to depression and sadness. What we do is put children in the outdoors, from 6.30 am to 10 pm, and they take part in varied activities that make them feel alive.” This also works as a digital detox of sorts.
The programme works well for adults with low confidence levels, high anxiety and stress, says Venkatesan. “A structured schedule in the outdoors can recharge and prepare you for the next level. And, rope activities, night treks and rock climbing provide a healthy adrenalin rush.”
Visit: www.nals.in or
Call: 9442275501
Stop by for some tea
There is no escaping tea in the Nilgiris. Slope after green slope of tea plantations stare back at you from everywhere. Shacks, lean tos, tea parlours — all serve you tea from the la di dah gourmet variety to the hearty masala chai. An enduring memory for me about Nilgiris is when my long-drive-induced migraine lifted miraculously after a couple of cups of hot, sweet lemon tea at a lean to in the middle of nowhere. But, if you are a tea connoisseur and want to know a little more than the aam aadmi , the place to visit is Tranquilitea in Coonoor. You can have a masterclass in tea there, as Sandeep Subramani walks you through the best of Nilgiris’ tea. “This is for those who are really interested in knowing more about tea,” says Subramani, who hosts the tea session at his beautiful home. The tea-tasting sessions have been on for nearly 14 years, and have been written about in international travel magazines. The entire tea-tasting experience takes about an hour and is held at the tea estate in Coonoor. The tariff for the same is Rs. 450 per person for the standard tea-tasting experience, which is held at 10.45 am, and Rs. 900 per person for a private tea-tasting experience where the timings are flexible.
“We can always customise the timings and size of the group,” says Subramani, who takes pride in the fact that no board or sign-age announces his tea place. “It is all word-of-mouth and it is unlikely people will just wander in unannounced. We showcase some of the best teas of the Nilgiris, such as Silver Tips, handrolled green tea, Oolong and Bai Mudan.” Tranquilitea also offers its visitors a chance to buy some of those speciality teas packed in handmade paper in bright colours. The tea-tasting experience is by reservation only.
For details: 9443841572 or book online at www.tranquilitea.in