Blended with Nature

Plan

Parambikulam; When I suggested Manju about visiting there, very little did I know about the place and was thinking just an outing and a getaway from the hectic routines. The blogs or travelogues we read gave  some idea about the place. I was excited about the drive. We never thought that this is going to be an experience which we can’t ever forget.

The travel to Parambikulam

We started at 5.15 am from Ernakulam. As we have seen the map I drove on till Vadakkanchery. Google map suggested to take a right turn at Alathur. I knew there is a way from Vadakkancherry to Nenmara and Kollenkode. Asked locals and they gave clear guidance. Took a turn and went thru Nenmara, Kollenkode. 

Paddy fields of Nenmara

Our stomach started reminding us about the breakfast. We stopped at a small hotel on the roadside. They had idiyappam, appam and idly. We settled for idly. They served idly with chutney, sambar (that was also called sambar), mulaku chammanthi and chutney podi. It was just sufficient. 

At Hotel Narayana

After 6-7 KM from Kollenkode we took right turn towards Chulliyar dam. First we thought we may go to the dam but later discarded the plan and went straight to our destination. We stopped at a place where we could see a portion of the dam, just had a look and continued.

Chulliar Dam

We drove on till Anamalai Checkpost where Tamilnadu check post people checked vehicle and bags to find out whether we were carrying liquor.  Liquor is a strict no no in Parambikulam.

Entrance to Anamalai Tiger Reserve

Took tickets and continued our drive till Top Slip checkpost. It was a bumpy drive as the road is in peril. We understood from others that this road is repaired before 6 years!!!.  It was amazing to see thick forest and teak plantation without a single soul for kilometers together on our way. At top slip check post we were stopped again, to verify our tickets and continued our travel. 

 Top Slip Check-post

There are few shops, a canteen and toilets at Topslip, which is useful. We were excited to see two deer on the way to Kerala Checkpost.

After emptying our bladder we drove on to Kerala checkpost. Parked vehicle and went to take tickets. They checked our details and guided us well. The way they were interacting was too good. They were friendly and informative.

Kerala Checkpost

Two more KM we were at the reception of Parambikulam Tiger Reserve. They verified our payment details and the balance is remitted in their office. One guide came along with us in our car to the “Tented Niche”, which we had booked early.

Tented Niche

We recommend  this accommodation to all those who plan to go there. Our car was parked in one parking lot and we have been provided our allotted tent “Banyan”. It is neatly furnished. They gave lemon juice as welcome drink which was refreshing. There are 7 tents altogether. Ours was on a side where forest is separated by electrified fencing. 

Parambikulam experience

We walked around as our program will start only at 3PM with a safari. We saw the media room and information center and spent some time in it. We saw some uniformed guides were posing for a photo session and out of curiosity we asked the forest officials about the occasion.

That small talk has opened a “Pandora’s Box”. They said that photo session is for an award from Chief Minister which they won for best innovative way to protect environment. The price money is 5 Lakhs and this money is going to be spent for tribes in that region. When we started asking further, we were introduced to a person, Mr. Ajayan, who is also an employee there. He asked us whether we have time to listen. On hearing yes from us, he took us to one building where he opened up a world of information, which made us awestruck. 

Ajayan sir started a session for us and another group about Parambikulam and its environment. We found that to be too informative and it opened an inner eye. That moment I repented not taking kids along. I decided to come back again with them to listen to Ajayan Sir and see this awesome place. If anybody visits this place after reading my blog, please ensure that you are attending the interpretation session. It may be better to do it before the trip as you will see all things though a different eye. 

We had our lunch from there which is for those inmates of tented Niche as buffet. It was good food with both Veg and non-veg. We went back again to Interpretation Centre to hear more from Ajayan Sir. He was giving orientation to another group who were seemed to be not too keen. Seeing us back he started in his regular humorous way. Hats off to him as he made us aware of many things and we felt real admiration to his passion and dedication.  It is understood from him that the Parambikulam is transformed to the current way because of efforts of one DFO Mr. Sanjayan Kumar. Saluting him for his vision and efforts

As planned our Safari started at 3.30PM in their own van. The drive was interesting with herds of deer and elephants all around.

They took us to two dams and for a bamboo rafting.

The last program was a dance by tribal women, which we found not so interesting. The highlight was the return trip in night to our tents.  We could see plenty of animals all around. Deers, rabbits, sambar, Gaur and elephants…. This is the reason why I recommend the stay ay Tented Niche. This trip is only for the people in the tent. The food was served around 8.30, which was delicious again. It was too calm and the weather was very pleasant and cool. We could only hear sound of birds and animals once in a while.

Morning we woke up hearing the sound of deer herd. We were glad to see a big group grazing around our tent. We could hear birds singing and whistling all around. We took off for trekking along with one guide immediately after tea served at 6.30AM.  . We opted for a long trek, which is 6KM through the forest.

 The interesting part was the trekking through the Ever Green forest. It is read in books that light does not fall on ground due to the thick vegetation on top and hence no grass.

We were lucky to see that and understand. There was a slight fear in back of mind about encountering wild animals. Luckily or unluckily we couldn’t see any. We saw the "Malabar Hornbill" (Vezhambal) flying away with a big sound and many more birds. It is known that Salim Ali had spent a few years at Parambikulam due to the presence of various types of birds.

We concluded the trip with the walk and then breakfast.We are determined to come back with our children as soon as possible. The place is so enchanting that you would stay back there forever!!

Some facts 

I wish to share some interesting facts about the whole place. It is the Tribals in that region who protect the entire forest along with the Forest department officials. The tourists are taken care by these tribals and they are doing driving, catering, housekeeping, reception and what not. It is really amazing to see the depth of knowledge of these people have. A guide, who accompanied us to the forest for trekking, knew the scientific names of all species of trees and shrubs on the way.  I don’t think a MSc Botany person will know so much.  It is understood from many bloggers and websites that you see Bison in Parambikulam, which is totally wrong. The animal that is seen is Gaur (Katti) which is a specie of Cow.