Athirampally/Vazachal falls in May & Munnar

snonymous

We are in the process of finalising a trip to Thekkady Munnar and Athirampally/Vazachal falls or Thattekadu sanctuary in the latter half of May 08.

1]Has anyone who has been there recently confirm whether there is adequate water in the A/V falls right now, or is it just a trickle? According to the travel agents, it is 'season for waterfalls' - I am however extremely sceptical.

2]What is the shortest viable route from Munnar to Athirapally, is it necessary to backtrack to the highway then upto Chalakudy junction or is there a viable short cut midway along the Munnar Nedumbassery route or anywhere else? By viable, I mean reasonably good road condition !

3] What is Munnar like in May, will the waterfalls and streams be dry? Any suggestions for short hikes in easily accessible but unfrequented surroundings. We will have a car at our disposal ?

4] According to one agent, Devikulam lake is not accessible to the public, according to another it is. What is the truth?

5] Is the public permitted to visit the dolmens and ancient caves near Maraiyur? I ask because the caves and similar dolmens in the Palani hills region are now out of bounds.

6] Thattekadu - is it butterfly season in end May? Is it worth overnighting there or should we do Athirampally instead?

Thanks in advance.

Radjesh

Most of the waterfalls turn to a trickle in the summer, I dont think Athirapally will be any different.

Is there any waterfalls in Munnar, I was there 3 years ago & I really dont recall seeing any. except for a small fall on the roadside, but that was very small.

snonymous

Im already having second thoughts about Athirapally in May ! Hope Munnar in May doesnt turn out to be disappointing.

Radjesh

Munnar's a wonderful place, dont worry about that

pmvelu

@anonymous,

We tried out Munnar around the same time period 3 years back and we never liked the place at that time. Climate is just average & Tea Gardens on the way (We took Chennai-Dindugal-Theni-Cumbum-Bodimettu-Munnar) are not that much Green(As we see in Internet or Film songs) and we infact drove directly to plains.

From chennai, we called Tea county(KeralaToursim Hotel) and asked about the season and the guy told , season is just average only but we still went ahead and atleast we didn't liked much. Please remember we never tried out any tourist places around and this observation is on just seeing the route + Munnar bus stand and surroundings(We Reached munnar around 11 am and it's somewhat hot only- Munnar is not a Full-fledged hill station like Ooty / Kodaikanal where the climate is cool all round the year).

You please dial-in Tea County (English speaking staff will be there) and just ask how'z the season and get an idea !.

But Munnar is awesome post-monsoon (Like other places of kerala) and Dec - Jan is the best !

And coming back to Valachal / Athirapally , it's worth only if you visit in post-monsoon season. We Visited in January once and it's really good.

Hope this helps

snonymous

Thanks PMV and Radjesh
Yes Munnar is wonderful end and immediately post monsoons. Our trip is mainly for Thekkady -4 days -for which May is the best time for wild life sightings [we have been here before in May and can vouch for that]. We just thought since we are spending so much on the airfare if we could combine it with a few more days elsewhere and enjoy a longer holiday. I am now having serious doubts about Munnar and definitely Athirapalli can wait till a more suitable [w/fall] time. One of the tour operators also suggested 2 nights at Thattekadu. I would love to visit Thattekadu for its butterflies rather than its birds, and this is not peak butterfly time, I know we will see the southern birdwing , helens and peacocks also in Periyar. Any other suggestions from others would be welcomed. Not interested in Ayurveda / religion / beaches / backwaters. Thanks.

tstfs

I am In thekkady in mid may- travelling with 2 kids, could you please tell me what are the best options for wild life sightings

Gametotravel

Monsoon would have started by May so no problem in the case of waterfalls. Even after monsoons water does flow down so waterfalls will be active.

My take on Munnar is to go as much prepared as possible with your daily requirements and depend as less as possible on the hotels and resorts.

Food generally will be good everywhere with a budget of Rs 300/- per person per day (some resorts may give breakfast free).

People looking for forest meats should go prepared with contacts as ad hoc no one will help.

Munnar is worth going in the Monsoons too if one is well prepared

snonymous

Take a boat ride at 7am in the Upper Deck of the KTDC boat. Your hotel can book it in advance or you can book it from the info counter within the reserve, however in May it is heavily in demand so get your hotel to do it. You will definitely see elephants, boar, deer etc on the shores during this boat ride.

If you are up to it, also book a whole day Bamboo Rafting programme from the info centre which takes you with a local tribal guide on a short bamboo raft ride followed by hiking deep inside the forest and a bamboo raft ride to get back. Bound to see at least : LT Macaques, N langurs, M giant squirrels, asstd deer, huge butterflies incl. S. birdwing, lots of birds and anything else is your luck. You can book this trip in advance from the Info centre. Check periyartigerreserve.org and thekkady.com for more details.

You could also do a shorter 3hr nature walk - do the 7am or 11am for guaranteed sightings, alternately the 7pm-10pm - its called something else.

There are several more options including an overnight jungle hike, 2 days in the jungle etc. All the details are in the above websites. Ive been on the nature walks, and morning boatrides and I saw LOTS of wildlife. The tribal guides are excellent and can sense wildlife much before you actually see them. Also look out for the flora - orchids, ferns etc.

snonymous

Ive got a final quote of 36K for 2 people to & from COK airport for 3nts Periyar at Periyar House superior, 4nts Munnar at Siena Village Dlx and 1 nt Thattekadu at Bird Lagoon cottage with B/F & D and AC car throughout for sightseeing of our choice incl boating at Periyar and Matupetty. Will most probably go with this as it seems to be a fair deal.

tstfs

Thanks , so you are not visiting Athirampally/Vazachal falls

snonymous

Not much point if there is only a trickle rather than "falls". We are now doing the last 2 nights at Thattekadu before going back home, so its a good 9nt trip. Hope to see lots of butterflies there, as it is famous for its butterflies and birds. I read in your other post that you will be 3 days in Periyar. Do look up at all the trees for the rufous coloured Malabar giant squirrel [with their bushy tails dangling down], and also for the huge butterflies. The S. birdwing is a bright mustard yellow and black with wing span almost 20cm across, the helens, blue mormons, peacocks etc are also quite spectacular. Enjoy your trip and do post your report.

Inua

Don't know where you got the info. that Athirapally is a trickle in May. I've beeen there in mid April before, one of the driest seasons, when the falls were loud enough for it to rattle our windows and strong enough for people to get swept away in.

But Periyar is just as good to see all the animals and birds you mentioned + dont forget to look out for the state bird of Kerala - The Hornbill! They really are quite majestic. As the season is dry you have more of a chance of catching animals out of their dens looking for water. We had a close encounter with a herd of Elephants thundering down a hill in a cloud of red dust.

Have a good trip.

snonymous

Thanks Inua. Yes, I saw quite a few Hornbills and other wildlife when I was last in Periyar. Also saw large grey Hornbills once near Pune and Vashind, right here in Maharashtra. Athirapalli will just have to wait for another visit.