Vattaparai Falls & Kalikesam falls - Kanyakumari

Vattaparai Falls are located in the Keeriparai reserve forest near Bhoothapandi village on the Pazhayar River in Kanyakumari district, Tamil Nadu state, South India. It is 13 km N of Nagercoil) and 32 km NW of Kanyakumari. This 20 km² area is proposed to be a Wildlife Sanctuary.

There are a few small waterfalls in this area - the nicer ones being Vattaparai Falls and Kalikesam falls. There is a small Kali temple, next to the falls. This is a very serene and undeveloped place with only one small tea stall. One can enjoy water rushing through small mountain streams, ferns and pebbles in the rainforests. The falls are surrounded by forest on all sides and forms part of an active animal corridor. The long stream is pollution-free. People are allowed to take a natural bath here and it is believed that the water from the stream has some medicinal effects.

This is a serene and peaceful place. It is unlike the most popular falls in this district, the Tirparappu Water Falls on the Kodayar River, which has become a typical crowded tourist spot.

Tirparappu Waterfalls & Pechiparai Reservoir - Kanyakumari

Tirparappu Waterfalls are located in Kanyakumari district, Tamil Nadu state, India.
This beautiful waterfall descending from Kodayar River is located at a distance of 60 km from Kanyakumari and about 13 kms from Pechiparai Dam. After reaching Kanyakumari, there are a number of buses, auto rickshaws and taxis that connect people to different parts of the city. To reach Thirparappu Falls, the Trivandrum highway route through the village of Nagercoil can be accessed. The falls lies close to Kulasekhara village that was once ruled by kings.

Thirparappu Waterfall in Kanyakumari falls is 300 feet long and consists of a rocky riverbed. The view of the water, falling from a height of 50 feet, is truly magnificent. The Thirparappu weir has been built on the rocky mass that stretches far across the distance covering one fourth of a kilometer in the direction against the streams current. This weir supplies water to the fields that are used for irrigation.

A small temple dedicated to Lord Shiva is situated on the banks of the river. There are strong walls and fortifications that surround the temple. Recently, a swimming pool has been constructed nearby, so that children can enjoy their trip from Kanyakumari to Thirparappu Waterfall to the fullest.

Pechiparai Reservoir is a reservoir located 43 kilometers from the town of Nagercoil, near the village of Pechiparai in Kanyakumari District, Tamil Nadu, India.

The reservoir was formed by the construction of the Pechiparai Dam, which was built across the River Kodayar about a mile below the confluence of the tributaries Kallar, Chittar and Kuttiyar. It was built during the period 1897 - 1906 by the European Engineer, Mr Minchin, during the reign of the Travancore Maharaja Moolam Thirunal.
The original cost of construction of the dam was Indian Rupees 26.1 Lakhs (in the late 19th century). The catchment area of the reservoir is 207.19 km, and the depth is 14.63 meters. The Dam is a straight gravity type masonry dam of 425.5 M. long and 120.70 M. high above the deepest foundation. There is no inspection gallery. Water flowing through the gate of Pechiparai damThe water from the reservoir is used for both irrigation of crops and for drinking purposes, which has led to conflict between farmers who want to use all the water for their crops, and local authorities, who don't have another place to draw drinking water from, for supply to the urban areas. The dam is surrounded by hills of the Western Ghats, and is a scenic place.

Nature and Forest - Kyathadevara Gudi(BR Hills)

You will find yourself in the most delightful jungle setting at the Kyathadevara Gudi (K. Gudi) Wilderness Camp. A unique blend of a wildlife sanctuary and hill station, where you can expect the unexpected, the untamed and the unexplored.
BR hills(Biligiri Rangannabetta Hills) is about 250km from Bangalore, very scenic & beautiful. It is a forest range varying from 900 metres to around 1400 metres about sea level. The range is situated about 30 kms east of Chamarajanagar. If you travel from Mysore (via Chamaraja Nagar) it is about 85 kms. The road up to Chamaraja Nagar is OK. But then it deteriorates as you go into the country side. The last 12 kms of the road to B.R. Hills is through dense forest.

Entrance of BR Hills runway looks like a gateway to heaven. The roads are good as they are laid a few years back. There leads deviation from BR Hills and headed towards Kyathadevara Gudi. Climate here is excellent with cool breeze and natural scenery surrounded. There are a couple of activities that you can explore at the camp. These are tree top watch tower, jumping net and bird watching. The food is so delicious to have at K.Gudi. K Gudi temple was built by Mysore Maharaja. The stretch of K Gudi is the place where the Eastern Ghats merge with the Western Ghats. This place once upon a time was terrorized by Veerapan (smuggler, poacher and kidnapper). Lots of tribes around the Eastern and Western Ghats, Soliga Tribe being one of them. Safari starts from Tiger trail path and then deep into the jungle where you can spot Deers(chital, barking deers, Mouse deers, Sambar deers), Bisons, Elephants, Langur monkeys, Tigers, Leopards, Boars, the rare four-horned antelope, Dhole (wild dog), sloth bears, squirrels and flying squirrels. There are water hole around the jungle where animals comes for its tirst. A good high end Cam or Binocular is worth for watching/capturing the nature of the water hole on a elephant safari. It will be a thrilling & nerve wrecking experience at K Gudi to enjoy jungle safari.

If you stay for two nights or more, you could take the 15 km trip uphill further to the B.R. temple. The temple atop the hill of Lord Ranganatha (a form of the Hindu god Vishnu) celebrates an annual Car festival of the deity, which attracts thousands of pilgrims from far and wide. You can also go trekking into the jungle or sit in one of the many watch towers to sight game.
You can also get hand made things from cane and pure honey in this locality.

Accommodation:
Jungle Lodges and Resorts have converted a small hunting lodge of the Mysore Maharaja into a good and rustic resort by name - K Gudi Camp. The lodge (resort) has two options.
Either a tented accommodation with good and clean toilet facilities (that includes 24 hour hot water) OR a room inside the hunting lodge close by. For more rustic experience, log huts are also available.
The lodge has electricity provided by generators till 10.00 pm. The tents and log huts DO NOT have electricity at all (but for the hot water supply). Lighting in tents / log hut and the lodge is using lanterns / oil lamps at night.

How to locate the place:
The camp very easlily accesible and is located at Kyathadevara Gudi (K.Gudi) within B.R Hills Sanctuary limits.It is just 86 km from Mysore (via Nanjangud and Chamrajnagar) and 225 km from Bangalore (via Mysore and Chamrajnagar). K.Gudi Camp is also close to Coimbatore in Tamilnadu, just 175 km away (via Sathyamangalam and Chamarajnagar).

Tariff Chart:
The standard package starts at 12.00 noon on one day and ends at 12.00 noon the following day. It used to cost 1250 Rs /person per night, but has been increased to 1500 Rs in the past year. The all inclusive package is inclusive accommodation, buffet meals (lunch + dinner + breakfast) and two wild life safaris by jeep into the forest.
Bookings can be done online at www.junglelodges.com For details, call 080-25597021, 24, 25 or fax 080-25586163 or email info@junglelodges.com

Wild and Wonderful - Kabini River Lodge

KABINI RIVER LODGE
Near Nagarhole National park
USP: Nature and wildlife paradise
There are some things that can only be experienced. Such as sitting in an open jeep in the thick of the forest watching a pack of wild dogs hunt down a deer just a few feet from you. Or, watching a lone wild tusker suddenly charge towards your vehicle before stopping a few feet away and sauntering back to the watering hole.Or, watching a one-tonne gaur grazing in his green fief. Or a huge herd of deer, heads cocked to one side, scrutinising your vehicle with interest and many more with nature.
The connect with nature is almost instantaneous - the cacophony of a jungle teeming with life is refreshing - with crickets, bats, langurs, owls, wild fowl, bears, leopards, croaking frogs, deer - all blending with the rustic green and wet earthy smell.
The food (Vegetarian and non-vegetarian, south and north Indian) is tasty and satisfying and served piping hot at the Ghol Ghar dining area, The rooms are pratical; so,don't expect plush luxury.

Kabini River Lodge is one of the many projects of the Jungle Lodges and Resorts(a govt of Karnataka undertaking), and is located on the banks of the kabini river, nested in the southern fringes of the Nagerhole National Park with the Bandipur National Park one side. Just Five hours from Bengaluru, it was historically the hunting lodge of the erstwhile Maharaja of Mysore.

It is best from February till June(driest season) when it plays host to the largest congregation of Asiatic wild elephants. In addition to promoting eco-tourism, the resort tries to pass on the benifits of the locals here - 100 out of 110 of the staff are from villages within a three km radius including naturalists(locals trained formally on field by experts in various wildlife species). The resort does not promote mass tourism. The resort has hosted celebrities such as Goldie Hawn, Bill Travers, Waheeda Rahman and the late Protima Bedi.

How to locate the place:

Kabini River Lodge is 220 kms(takes about five hours) from Bengaluru via the Mysore-Mananthavadi Road. Sign boards are few and far between, and you are likely to get lost if you take a wrong route or turn from Mysore. The roads are in good shape for the most part except for the last 15 km, which is ridden with potholes.

Tariff Chart:

There are 38 rooms(including room, tents and cottages), and they can accommodate 75 visitors at any time. The cottage, room and tented cottages are available at Rs. 5000, Rs. 4250 and Rs. 3500, respectively, for a person a night on a twin-sharing basis. The package includes stay, all meals, jeep safaris in the Nagarhole(Rajiv Gandhi) National Park, coracle/boat ride, elephant ride(subject to availability), forest entry fee, camera fee and tax.Bookings can be done online at www.junglelodges.com For details, call 080-25597021, 24, 25 or fax 080-25586163 or email info@junglelodges.com

Things to do:
Go on a wildlife safari or a Nature trail.Take a coracle and boat ride in the kabini river.Go bird watching, or cruising.Watch a wildlife film, or go on an elephant ride.Indulge in an Ayurvedic massage at the Kottakkal Arya Vaidyasala located at the premises.