Bandipur -> Wayanad -> Kozhikode -> Guruvayur -> Cochin -> Periyar
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We had been pretty busy during the days before our leaving. That meant we had done little planning before we hit the road. Infact it was so bad, we were actually struggling with the guidebook and try to figure out where to go! All we knew was that we were heading to Kerala, but had no idea about where in Kerala! We left the city pretty late - around 4 in the evening and decided to get to Kalpetta and spend the night.
We must have reached Gundlupet around 9pm. We stopped here for a while before continuing on the road to Kalpetta that passed through Bandipur National Park. This section of the drive was something I looked forward to.
For more information on Bandipur National Park, including what to do and where to stay, see my earlier report on visit to Bandipur.
Driving through the National Park’s forest in a moonlit night is an overwhelming experience. The road slits through thick treeline, forming silhouttes in the soft light. The silence of the forest is broken only by the gentle friction between the tyres and the road, and occasioanlly disturbed by a bird of animal somewhere in the trees. The forest absorbs you from all the sides, overpowering and awing the senses. Occasional gentle breeze and swaying of the trees induces a soothing feeling as we drive through. Our indulgence with the surroundings was enhanced by two tuskers that were enjoying a moonlit dinner of fine grass by the roadside. Mother nature was unfolding its magic to us in the widlerness. I slowed down for a second look but did not stop, keeping our safety and eventually their safety in mind. As we moved ahead, we saw a few more animals including sambars. We slowed down at some point to feel and enjoy the silence, only to accelerate quickly, warned by a trumpeting pachyderm.
The drive lasted for more than an hour before the stretch of the wilderness ended. We drove on for another hour before we reached Kalpetta, checked into a hotel to end our day.
To be continued..
Hi,
Nice posts. You put me straight into flashback mode. I lived the live of a nomadic horsewoman in the Himalaya for 7 years, until retired parents brought me to the ground.
I still run an adventure travel company, though travelling in the outdoors is not the same as living under the sky.
I’ve linked to your post from my blog. Its not a story of my experiences, unfortunately, just something on my take on packing for travel.
Do feel free to hop in for a visit.
Travel packing is the post. I’d love to have true travellers like you around
Nice post though I am looking at some more info as I am planning to drive to Kalpetta this weekend.
It seems it took close to 8 hrs for the journey of around 250Km from bangalore..Are the roads that bad?
Which hotel you stayed in Kalpetta ?
Hi.
We’re planning a 2 day visit to Wayanad- can you help us optimizing our trip?
Of the following places, what all can be covered in 2 days (Saturday 11 Am till Sunday 4 PM)- What places can be kept for Saturday and what for Sunday? and what will be the best order of visiting these places?
Pakshipathalam
Chembra Peak :
Lakiddi :
Mutanga Wildlife Sanctuary :
Pookot Lake .
Soochippara Waterfall :
Edakkal Cave :.
Sulthan Bather
Thirunelly Temple, Tholpetty Wildlife Sanctuary
Will be great if you can throw some light.
Thanks in advance.
Chembra peak is a whole day affair and so is Pakshi Patalam. Tirunelli can be combined with later.
Lakkidi, Phookot can be covered in a day, and if you dont mind rushing through things, you can also include Edakkal caves for the same day.
All this, assuming you have your own transport.
But I would personally take it really easy and not worry about seeing too many places.
Thanks Arun.
Yes we’ll have our own transport…
Wow..firstly the fact that u stil respond after almost two yrs..
secondly..we are a grp of 12 ppl .. planning for the same destination for abt 4 day..wud be great if u cud start us off…
thanx a ton..Shruti
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