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Chinnar Trekking
Chinnar Valley is the one and only rain shadow region of the western ghats of Kerala. It spreads over 200 sq.km, in Tamilnadu and Kerala states. The Chinnar River starts off from Anamudi, the highest peak of south India. The Valley is believed to be one of the oldest of all human settlement having vestiges dating back to the period of 9000BC. It features cave temples, rock shelter paintings, megalithic burials and sacred groves. Now ¾ of the valley is under wildlife sanctuary and National park. The Valley is rich in wildlife like Elephants, civets, wild gaur leopard, sambar, Slender Loris, wild dogs, spotted deer, and many other birds, mammals and reptiles. This Kerala tour comprises of trekking through wildlife zone of the sanctuary, accompanied by a naturalist and tribal trekking guides, and camping inside the sanctuary. 80sqkm of Chinnar valley is covered with thorny sharub and cactus forests. Majestic Western Ghats protect the valley like a natural boundary wall. You can get a cool feeling of the water droplets splashing over from the water falls. Relax and cool down sitting beside the pools in the river.
We will arrange your pick up from Cochin, Ootty, Coimbatore or Munnar or you can report at Chinnar our base station at Marayoor. The trekking starts after lunch. You need to carry only a small backpack fit to take your dress and personal belongings enough for number of days as you wish to stay. The trekking route is designed as per climate and number of days. Any how a specimen ideal itinerary is as follows
Day-1
The trekking programme starts from the Chinnar base camp after lunch. We will guide you through the forest to check in at the Tree house . This walk under the cool shade through the river side recharge us. After check in the tree house we will proceed the trek to spot more wildlife in an area called ‘Kallikkad’ which means cactus forest to spot more wildlife. There are few hillocks around , which gives us a panoramic view of the forests as well as the endless mountain foldings. Return to the camp before night fall. The tree house is in the confluence of two streams in an animal crossing. After dinner take the rope ladder to get the tree house. You can go early to bed or listen to the call of the night, or watch stars by sitting in the balcony.
Day-2
Wake up with the call of birds and monkeys. After a hot black or coffee we will start our hike to the next station – the hill top house. It is about 6 km. away from the tree house. On the way we will stop near a tribal village. They will make some milk tea and breakfast. After a short break, proceed our trek to the hill top house. We will reach the camp before lunch. Our tribal guards will prepare lunch for us. You can take rest under the cool Veranda of a house looking the impregnable open forest around. After lunch and rest we will start hiking to near by waterholes to spot more wildlife. Before night falls we will return to the camp. You can take a bath and prepare for the campfire dinner. If the sky is clear you can see millions of stars and sparkling of shooting stars.
Day-3
If you wake up before sunrise you can witness the amazing virginity of dawn, enriched with the calls of birds and animals. The camp is ideally positioned to see the sunrise and golden rocky mountains. After bed coffee we will trek to the near by waterhole to spot more wildlife. Return to the camp for breakfast. After breakfast we will start hiking to the next camp, which is a log house near the river side. We will reach there before lunch . Here you can go for a swim or dip in the pond. After lunch and rest we will start hike in near by area to explore wildlife and nature.
ABOUT CAMPS
Chinnar trekking camp has the following options. The facilities of each camps are follows.
TREE HOUSE
TREE HOUSE: is built on a big tree sufficient enough to carry 4 person. It was used by the rangers to safe from elephants. It has one room, enough to accommodate 3 persons. We will provide mattress, sheets, pillows and blankets. No toilet or water supply is attached with. It is very basic in facilities. The guards will sleep outside the room in the balcony. The ladder to the TH is a detachable rope ladder with safe hand rope.
HILLTOP HUT
THE HILLTOP CAMP: Located on the edge of Thengamala Mountain (coconut mountain), this campsite is used by the rangers to watch smugglers and poachers. The camp is built in traditional way with bamboo, mud and grass. It has two rooms with coat and comfortable mattress. There is one detached toilet out side. The courtyard of the hut is an excellent viewpoint to spot animals. More over it offers scenic splendors of the nature around and the breathtaking views of landscape
LOG HOUSE
THE LOG HOUSE: Located in the bank of river/ another near a waterfall, this camp has one room with double cot and mattress. It has attached bathroom, spacious balcony etc.
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