Saturday, September 18, 2010

Bramhagiri,Narimalai peaks and Irupu falls (18th and 19th Sep 2010)

Brahmagiri is situated on the border between Wayanad district of Kerala state on the south and Kodagu district in Karnataka on the north. Brahmagiri Hill, at 1608 m height, is a scenic tourist attraction. The top of Brahmagiri Hill is well forested and has a lot of Wildlife. Iruppu Falls: Iruppu (or Irpu or Lakshmana Tirtha) Falls of the Lakshmana Tirtha River lies on the Karnataka side of Brahmagiri. The Lakshmana Tirtha river eventually flows into the Kaveri River. Brahmagiri can be reached by a trek from Kerala side Mananthavady (29 km east) or from Kutta. From Karnataka side Irupu Falls is 9 km and to Munikal Caves is 7 km. Need to seek the permission of Range Forest Officer at Srimangala.

Journey begins
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Landscapes on the way:
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Team at the Base camp:
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Trek Started:

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River cross(Lakshmana thirtha river):
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Beautiful landscapes:
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Don't confuse its not Bramhagiri Peak:
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Narimali forest rest house:
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Team work in getting the water from the near by river stream:
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Wild life - on the way 2 Bramhagiri peak (Day 2):
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Landscapesssssssssssssssssss... No rest for camera
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Beauty lies in Bramhagiri:

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Bramhagiri conqueror's:
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Killer Leeches:
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Fun at the peak:
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Irupu falls:image


Bramhagiri,Narimalai peaks and Irupu falls (18th and 19th Sep 2010)

Monday, September 6, 2010

Bannerghatta National Park, Bangalore

Bannerghatta Biological Park offers a unique opportunity for people of all ages to observe wild animals in an almost natural environment up close, which will help everyone appreciate the wild animals, understand the importance of their existence. DSCF4773

Zoo area: It houses elephants, hyenas, crocs, leopards, snakes and a variety of other animals. It has a hospital with experienced veterinarians to treat the animals. A laboratory has also been set up within the zoo campus exclusively to support the wildlife. image

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Safari area: It gives an opportunity to see the rare Nilgiri Thar, the beautiful Chitals, the majestic Indian Guars, Black Bucks and the Sambhars. It also houses the rare Asiatic lions and the endangered national animal - The Royal Bengal Tiger. In collaboration with the Wildlife SOS, the safari area also houses bears mainly rescued from circuses and the infamously famous dancing bears. All these animals have got a new lease of life to roam free in this protected environment. DSCF4785

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The best thing in Bannerghatta is trek in herbivorous enclosures, where you walk to close to the animals.  But at least a group of 10+ people needed. For this you need to get the permission from the zoo director. They will send a forest guide along with us and covers the major part of herbivorous section. They charge Rs. 75 per head for a short trek (2+ km) and Rs. 150 per head for a long trek (4+ Km). During the trek maintain pin drop silent to see more animals from a closer distance and try to avoid reaching close to wild bison's as few of them are aggressive in nature.

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Timings:

The Zoo opens at 9 A.M and the Wild life safari starts at 10 A.M. The best time to go for safari is morning before 12 P.M, since the animals will be active before noon. 

Our plan:

  • 08:00 A.M – Reached Banner Ghatta and finished the breakfast.
  • 09:00 A.M – Visited Zoo.
  • 10:00 A.M – Grand Safari.
  • 11:30 A.M – Trek in Herbivore region of the park.
  • 01:30 P.M – Lunch break.
  • 02:30 P.M – Visited Zoo again and photography.
  • 04:30 P.M – Review of photos taken and .
  • 05:30 P.M – Back to home

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What needs to carry:

  • Small back pack,
  • Camera & Lens,
  • Umbrella (Protecting your camera gear if it rains).

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Travel options:

BMTC bus service is the best travel option. The frequency of the buses is good. 

  • For those who are travelling from Kadugodi / Whitefield to the national park, the best option is to take a daily pass in the Volvo which costs 75Rs. Then take the V335E or V331-A from the Kadugodi bus-stand to Marathahalli. Near the fly-over get down and take the V500C and get down at Jayadeva hospital stop. There you get the V365 which will take you to the park. Travel time on weekends is around 1.5 to 2 hours. The 500C actually starts from ITPL. So you may also board the 500C directly from the ITPL stop.
  • People who are from BTM layout can simply go to Hospital Jaydev flyover stop and can catch any G4 or 365,

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Trip expenses:   
trek expensesNote: Zoo entry is free with grand safari ticket.

Here is the complete set of picassa photo stream

Bannerghatta National park safari (4th Sep 2010)