Munnar - Periyar: break journey? Tiger Trail?

Ixion · Oct 5th, 2009, 02:14

Hello

I have been planning a loop of Kerala on bicycle and thanks to much help from the Forum have pretty much worked out a route.

But I have a dilemma and wanted to post it in a different thread as it's more specific than my general route.

I'll be in Munnar just before Christmas, and then want to cycle to Thekkady/Periyar.

Now there's a couple of routes I could take to Periyar - either on the main road or via Idukki (I think, but the maps are inconclusive.) It's about 110km, which is a long day ride, and would be nicer to split, if possible.

Which brings me to my questions:

I'll be in Munnar 22/12/09-23/12/09. Should I then leaveon the 24.12, and head straight to Thekkady, stay there Christmas Eve, Christmas Day...

or should I stay in Munnar another night (24.12), and then cycle Christmas day...make it to Thekaddy Christmas Day?

Or is there somewhere good to break the journey between Munnar and Thekkady so I could stay there Christmas Eve - somewhere like Nedumkandam which is about half way? I can't find many places to stay and am not very fussy but don't want to end up somewhere really horrific on Christmas eve - would be depressing...

So it's a choice between - extra night in Munnar, extra night in Thekkady, or night somewhere between the two.

The other question is about Periyar. I am planning to go to the Sanctuary and if I am going to do it, want to make the most of it. So am thinking about doing the two day/one night Tiger Trail Hike. I've read some mixed reviews - and am not sure it's worth it for me. It would be a good way to spend a couple of days out of the saddle...

For what it's worth I love hiking, don't mind leeches, am very keen on wildlife, like taking photographs, but don't like going wasting time (especially two days) unless it's worth doing. If it just involves ambling around a well worn track for a few hourse and killing time I'd rather know. And some of the reviews seem to suggest that's what I'd be doing..

If I am not doing a two day hike in Periyar, then the odds are I'll spend an extra day in Munnar - so it's all kind of linked.

Your words of wisdom are appreciated...

Ixion

tittooraju · Oct 10th, 2009, 04:32

You are doing 100 kms cycle trip in a day.. Never ever thought of such a thing in high ranges..
Appreciate that..

tripsammy · Oct 17th, 2009, 23:45

We did the bamboo rafting trip last November and loved it but we are planning on going back in January to do the overnight camping as you see so much more wildlife when the rest of the tourists are out of the park. Thoroughly reccommend it.

Ixion · Oct 18th, 2009, 02:00

hey Tripsammy

Thanks for the response; I'm going to be staying in Kumily from 25th Dec for a couple of nights and so may well do the two day hike. They don't seem to be handling bookings at the moment - following the boat tragedy at Periyar.

Have you booked your hike yet? Or will you do it when in India?

Thanks again

Ixion

tripsammy · Oct 26th, 2009, 20:23

We havent booked anything yet. Still rather undecided as to wether to go back to Periyar for the treck or to go to Wayanad and wildlife reserves around there. Have you been able to book or is Periyar still closed?

Ixion · Oct 26th, 2009, 20:51

Haven't tried to book again at Periyar yet; I am going to be staying at Jungle View Homestay in Kumily and they've offered to make phonecalls/do bookings for me so if I decide to do the trek I'll ask them to help organise it. Having said that I am going to be going to Wayanad in New Year and so will do some nature hikes there and want to go to Chinnar when I am staying in Munnar (but mostly to see dolmens rather than animals which is far easier as they don't move much

I think my biggest worry with Periyar is - aside from the actual struggle of organising the hike - is that they will currently be excessively risk adverse. This is more than understandable but the risk is that over cautious behaviour - keeping excessive distances from animals, will sap any element of excitement from the trek...

Why, incidentally, are park offices SO bad at answering emails. Same problems contacting Chinnar - mailboxes full, no emails can get in.

It's very frustrating!

ixion

tripsammy · Oct 26th, 2009, 21:30

I share your concerns about the possible over reaction following the accident. Hopefully they will concentrate on the boats! I too had trouble booking the treck last year, no response to email etc. I booked everything else myself, that was the only thing I had to get someone else to organise for us.

Oct 5th, 2009, 02:14	#1
Ixion Member Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: LONDON, UK Posts: 35	Munnar - Periyar: break journey? Tiger Trail? Hello I have been planning a loop of Kerala on bicycle and thanks to much help from the Forum have pretty much worked out a route. But I have a dilemma and wanted to post it in a different thread as it's more specific than my general route. I'll be in Munnar just before Christmas, and then want to cycle to Thekkady/Periyar. Now there's a couple of routes I could take to Periyar - either on the main road or via Idukki (I think, but the maps are inconclusive.) It's about 110km, which is a long day ride, and would be nicer to split, if possible. Which brings me to my questions: I'll be in Munnar 22/12/09-23/12/09. Should I then leaveon the 24.12, and head straight to Thekkady, stay there Christmas Eve, Christmas Day... or should I stay in Munnar another night (24.12), and then cycle Christmas day...make it to Thekaddy Christmas Day? Or is there somewhere good to break the journey between Munnar and Thekkady so I could stay there Christmas Eve - somewhere like Nedumkandam which is about half way? I can't find many places to stay and am not very fussy but don't want to end up somewhere really horrific on Christmas eve - would be depressing... So it's a choice between - extra night in Munnar, extra night in Thekkady, or night somewhere between the two. The other question is about Periyar. I am planning to go to the Sanctuary and if I am going to do it, want to make the most of it. So am thinking about doing the two day/one night Tiger Trail Hike. I've read some mixed reviews - and am not sure it's worth it for me. It would be a good way to spend a couple of days out of the saddle... For what it's worth I love hiking, don't mind leeches, am very keen on wildlife, like taking photographs, but don't like going wasting time (especially two days) unless it's worth doing. If it just involves ambling around a well worn track for a few hourse and killing time I'd rather know. And some of the reviews seem to suggest that's what I'd be doing.. If I am not doing a two day hike in Periyar, then the odds are I'll spend an extra day in Munnar - so it's all kind of linked. Your words of wisdom are appreciated... Ixion

Oct 10th, 2009, 04:32	#2
tittooraju 20LEGEND Join Date: Sep 2009 Location: Home sweet home.. "Kerala" Back from a journey of a lifetime.. Posts: 149	You are doing 100 kms cycle trip in a day.. Never ever thought of such a thing in high ranges.. Appreciate that.. __________________ Ente keralam ethra sundaram.. www.sarathkumar.blog.com

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Oct 17th, 2009, 23:45	#3
tripsammy Member Join Date: Oct 2008 Location: Preston England Posts: 42	We did the bamboo rafting trip last November and loved it but we are planning on going back in January to do the overnight camping as you see so much more wildlife when the rest of the tourists are out of the park. Thoroughly reccommend it.

Oct 18th, 2009, 02:00	#4
Ixion Member Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: LONDON, UK Posts: 35	hey Tripsammy Thanks for the response; I'm going to be staying in Kumily from 25th Dec for a couple of nights and so may well do the two day hike. They don't seem to be handling bookings at the moment - following the boat tragedy at Periyar. Have you booked your hike yet? Or will you do it when in India? Thanks again Ixion

Oct 26th, 2009, 20:23	#5
tripsammy Member Join Date: Oct 2008 Location: Preston England Posts: 42	We havent booked anything yet. Still rather undecided as to wether to go back to Periyar for the treck or to go to Wayanad and wildlife reserves around there. Have you been able to book or is Periyar still closed?

Oct 26th, 2009, 20:51	#6
Ixion Member Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: LONDON, UK Posts: 35	Haven't tried to book again at Periyar yet; I am going to be staying at Jungle View Homestay in Kumily and they've offered to make phonecalls/do bookings for me so if I decide to do the trek I'll ask them to help organise it. Having said that I am going to be going to Wayanad in New Year and so will do some nature hikes there and want to go to Chinnar when I am staying in Munnar (but mostly to see dolmens rather than animals which is far easier as they don't move much I think my biggest worry with Periyar is - aside from the actual struggle of organising the hike - is that they will currently be excessively risk adverse. This is more than understandable but the risk is that over cautious behaviour - keeping excessive distances from animals, will sap any element of excitement from the trek... Why, incidentally, are park offices SO bad at answering emails. Same problems contacting Chinnar - mailboxes full, no emails can get in. It's very frustrating! ixion

Oct 26th, 2009, 21:30	#7
tripsammy Member Join Date: Oct 2008 Location: Preston England Posts: 42	I share your concerns about the possible over reaction following the accident. Hopefully they will concentrate on the boats! I too had trouble booking the treck last year, no response to email etc. I booked everything else myself, that was the only thing I had to get someone else to organise for us.