We had lots of obstacles and challenges in achieving our 4th time
journey towards Valparai. After landing our steps on the land of beauty
everything vanished like a mist on a sunny day. Thought the place is
not new to us the excitement and eagerness was not lacking at any point.
After passing through the first check post here comes the Monkey fall
as usual failing to shower us, not disappointed as we already drenched
ourselves at Pollachi dam water bed. After sighting the newly opened
view point located on the mountain we put a halt at our usual tea shop
for a sip.
 |
| Valparai |
 |
| Number parai Valparai |
 |
| number parai |
 |
| number parai |
Once we reach Valparai we finalized our home stay, had our
meal and headed towards ‘Number Parai’. One cannot forget the experience
had at this place especially the unplanned short trekking on the
drizzling evening. I’m sure we frightened Ajay, the driver of Sumo
(which carried us to NP) to an extent by alarming after misunderstanding
a near dead cow as a tiger. On our way to our home stay that night, did
we panic? Oh yes!! After hearing the tusker alert alarm that triggers
after its been detected via sensor. Soon we again struck in a shock as
soon as we noticed the tusker’s dung only minutes old. Our ‘driver
Annan’ confirmed no trace of elephant with a vehicle heading from
opposite. Between, the people on this vehicle confirmed they sighted two
leopards (rendu puli kandu), we anticipated that it could be a lie due
to we were already tired of hearing loads of false news throughout our
wildlife journey we did not seem to bother what they claim to have seen.
It was a satisfying home stay that one could prefer to stay situated
12km away from the town, very remote and isolated. We did not suffocate
from powerless night as we do in our city. Moderate climate was not
cold enough to wear a sweater or hot enough to make us sweat. The next
day was perfect sunny day. Talking about the breakfast I strongly claim
that no one would ever paid Rs 11 for single piece of idly in that
village offered by the ‘lady in the nighty’. I’m unsure whether we
should be proud for paying high or ashamed of being cheated, it is left
with our own perception. God bless the lady.
 |
| valparai |
 |
| valparai |
We do have a cooking
experience in the past that helped us to purchase the groceries for our
one day stay at Manambally forest guest house.
Manampalli forest
guest house. Do you thing the name itself sounds wilderness? Of course
it is. If valparai having major portions of the land owned by private
tea companies, large forest areas continue to be out of bounds,
Manamballi forest is greatly wilder than valparai having very less trace of
human and more wildlife habitat. This place is a widespread dense forest
with no tea plantation or other human activity. We had to travel
through the jungle for about 9km to reach this place. There are around
15-20 families surviving at this place by working for power plant which
is a primary electricity source for valparai.
 |
| manampalli |
What could I particularly say is
the best as everything we experienced here is top class. If sighting
crocodile on the river bank adds pleasure, then hearing elephant trumpet
(seems like approaching us) put us in terror. The music of bird, the
wild big squirrel, big fishes in the river, numerous species of birds
and the unguided trekking added more amusement. Overall Manambally is
worth for its cost.
The last day, before the sadness could fill our
hearts for vacating manambally, Nallamudi Pooncholai comes as a treat.
I’m surprised that I’m remembered by the sage or priest or whatever he
is. I never failed to say “Om Adhi Muruga” after meeting him. His story
was not new to few however not for the all. The waterfall
was like a final touch for a painting. We swam, relaxed and getting
ready to travel back to our homes. Overall this tour to Valparai was
very amusing and wonderful.
 |
| manampalli forest |
 |
| manampalli forest |
 |
| manampalli forest |
 |
| manampalli forest |
 |
| manampalli forest |
 |
| manampalli forest |
 |
| Manampalli Forest |
 |
| manampalli forest |
 |
| manampalli forest valparai |
 |
| manampalli forest valparai |
 |
| manampalli forest valparai |
Contact Info :
Need Prior permission to get in and stay in the manampally guest house, Permission to stay in the Manampalli guest house must be taken from the main office in Pollachi or contact DFO for permission.
