More information about Avalanche, Ooty

kaboosh

Hi

I will be visiting the Isha Yog Ashram in Coimbatore in the first week of August with my husband. After the 10 August, we wanted to visit a serene, secluded, green place somewhere in the Nilgiris. After reading the posts here, I thought Avalanche sounds like a very good choice.

But is it the right time to go there? (second week of august)
Can someone please guide me if it is the kind of place to stay for 3-4 days?
If so, then what are the good places to stay in Avalanche?

snonymous

There is only the Forest Department guest house at Avalanche which you will need to book from the DFO office at Ooty. You will also need permission to visit Avalanche, you can go upto the Forest check post but not beyond without a permit.

At Emerald - another pristine area very close by with a lake adjoining Avalanche lake, there are some resorts - Red Hills, Destiny and some others whose names I do not know. The road on which these resorts are located goes on to Parsons Valley beyond. Permission is not required for Emerald lake. Last year it rained very heavily in that region during August / Sept. and part of the EB road at Avalanche was destroyed in a landslide. This year, I think the rains have failed. If you call the DFO office at Ooty, they will give you better information.

kaboosh

Thank you So much for the information We've booked Destiny, really looking forward to it

snonymous

If you have the time, try to do a trip to the Upper Bhavani lake from Destiny, its not very far. It is a pristine area with good chances of spotting wildlife, at least bisons and sambar if not more. Your hotel will be able to help you with this.

machadinha

LOL. Maybe this thread title can be adjusted so we don't all think there's just been an avalanche in Ooty? (First time I hear of this place, I don't think many others will have.)

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snonymous

Hello again Machadinha

Avalanche [pronounced Avalancheee locally] is a real place, I promise!

There is a Power House there, run by the Tamil Nadu Electricity Board [Kundah Power Project], a few houses for their staff, and a small Forest Department set up. There is also a pristine lake of the same name, with the Avalanche dam a bit further near the tiny township of Emerald. Emerald [30km from Ooty via Mel Palada and Ithalar] also has an adjoining dam, lake and an EB housing colony. A small bridge divides the Emerald and Avalanche lakes. If you are interested, you can see this bridge on Google Earth very clearly along with the 2 dams.

snonymous

Kaboosh
Did you make it to Avalanche? Please post your experiences.

kaboosh

Hello!
Yes, I made it to Avalanche and stayed there for 3 days- and what an experience it was!
Thanks much for recommending the place, I stayed at the Destiny Farms, aptly located away from the hustle bustle of Ooty.

They arranged for an Instructor to take us through the Forest treks, it was quite an experience. Although we did not apot any animals, lots of pugmarks of samba's and leopards made up for that

Staying at Destiny itself is quite nice, they have enough stuff to keep you occupied for 2 days.
We also went for treks on our own. Couldn't make it to Upper Bahavani, maybe next time!

Once again thanks for all your help!

snonymous

Thanks for the update. Im looking forward to our annual trip to Avalanche in the winter. What are the roads like right now? In Jan they were pretty bad due to an earlier heavy monsoon, landslides et al, but were supposed to be repaired this year. Did you go to Parsons Valley from Destiny?

Also how is that Isha place you went to near CJB?. My niece and her husband go there often ever since they suddenly lost their 5 year old daughter. They say spending time there gives them a lot of peace.

kaboosh

Anything I say about Isha would not help you form a picture. I guess you have to go their and decide what you think of the place.
It's a very different place, with a different Energy.

I would suggest read up on Sadhguru Jaggi, I liked his way of thinking, and hence visited the place. Check their Website too.

Roads to Avalanche we pretty OK, few puddlles at the last strech, but majorly fine. I did not go to parsons valley, will go next time

snonymous

Thanks for the info and all the best. Keep posting here on India Mike!

indianrunner

Hi,

Would you know if there is a place to stay in Upper Bhavani? If yes details on how to book the same would be appreciated.

For trekking in that area would I require the Forest dept's permission?

Thanks and regards

snonymous

There is a Tamil Nadu Electricity Board guest house near the Upper Bhavani reservoir and also a Forest Dept. Rest House. For the latter you will have to book from the DFO office at Ooty.

Not sure where you would have to book the TNEB house from, check their website for contact details.

Usually no one goes there as it is quite remote, so availability should not be a problem.

If you do get a booking, remember to take provisions for the caretaker to make your meals. They will have minimal basics but as there is no market nearby, it is much more more convenient if you take your own supplies.

snonymous

Forgot to add that you will require permission for trekking, this is also available from the DFO's office at Ooty. If you get a permit, you can enter Mukurthi NP from the U. Bhavani side, proceed to Bangi Thappal and the Sispara pass from where it is possible to trek down into the Silent Valley NP in Kerala along the old bridle path. For this you will also require permission from the Kerala Forest Dept.

If Im not mistaken, for trekking in restricted areas of the SVNP, permission has to be obtained from the PCF office in Trivandrum.
Get contact details from the respective forest department websites.

The person who can really help you with the Upper Bhavani area trekking is Jayaprakash who is a nature lover and environmental activist. He knows the area well and organises several treks ex CJB. Contact him at: crjayaprakash@gmail.com

indianrunner

Thanks Snonymous for the information. Let me organise a couple of days break and try for UB and post that the trek to SVNP.

Regards