Nilgiris - The Coldest Summer Getaway for Bangaloreans

Once upon a time, in other cities of India people used to envy our city of Bengaluru for its charismatic and ever soothing weather. Not so hot and humid summers, cool but not chilled winters and wet but romantic monsoon. This is how the seasons used to present themselves to the people of Bangalore. But those are past.To escape these pains we have to remain confined within the artificial environment of our home or office.

Monday to Friday you are forced to sit on your reclining office chair and stare in front of the computer, well-guarded from the sun’s menace and then go home and again sit on your couch in front of your grand LED-TVs within the comforts of your home. But why do you have to do this on the weekends, even when God has gifted the Bangaloreans with some fantastic hillside locations in the Nilgiris. You can go on a trip to tried-and-tested ‘the queen of hills’ Ooty & Coonoor. The innumerable valleys and lakes of Red hills, acres and acres of plantation in Kotagiri and the high peaks of Avalanche hills, the Nilgiris has so much to offer that you will be spoilt for choice.  The best thing about Nilgiris is that it lies between 1500 to 2600 above msl, making it the highest and the coldest hill stations in comparison to the likes of Coorg, Wayanad & Chikamagalur. Bunk the coziness of your home, get out and experience how to it feels when the natural cool breeze strikes against your face and send you in trance.

Udhagamandalam,Ootacamund or Ooty, the queen of the hill stations is the first name that pops out when we think about the Nilgiris. Even though we have to been to this place gazillion times and it has changed from a weekend hideout to a money raking commercial tourist center; the place still has its charm and manages to burst your stress, the moment we step upon this serene world. The Rose and Botanical Gardens, the lake, the famous Nilgiris Mountain Railway aka the toy-train and its steam chugging locomotives, ‘The queen’ has lots to offer that you can ask for.

Coonoor, the second most popular hill station in the Nilgiris, is also conferred with lavishly staged or spectacular display of natural beauty. Coonoor is the most commonly visited place for bird watchers for the place is full of beautiful and rare birds including black woodpecker, parakeets, barbets, mynas, cuckoos, Malabar trogon, Malabar gray hornbill, crested hawk eagle, and crested serpent eagle. Though secondary in importance to Ooty, Coonoor offers a more secluded retreat, away from the crowds that throng Ooty. Blessed with a milder climate, Coonoor also offers some of the finest hiking and trekking in South India, which will enable you to be closest to the rolling mountains and lush green foliage of this hill resort.

Kotagiri - A jungle trail that takes you to a small stream or passing the lush green tea estates and a magnificent Mayo River, a viewpoint providing some of the most spectacular and ‘instagram’ moments that you don't even think exists, a 4 km trek up to the sacred Rangasamy Pillar or splashing waters and having the moment of the life under Catherine and Elk Falls, Kotagiri will make you go weak at the knees and leave you yearning for more. Doddabetta, the zenith of Nilgiris is just 22 km away from Kotagiri.

Avalanche and Red Hills - Situated very close to each other, Avalanche and Red Hills serves up as an alternate destination for ever crowded Ooty and are only 28 kms away from it.The place serves out a ranges of valleys and lakes on the platter to entice your adventure hunger. Be it trout fishing in the Avalanche Lake, BBQ near the Emerald Lake or a trek in the green and serene Red Hills, the place has no dearth of options for the people bitten by the travel bug.

So if a romantic holiday tucked away in the hills amidst cool-n-fresh air and verdant Nature is what you are looking for this summer, Nilgiris is your best bet. 

You can also checkout our handpicked choicest accommodations in Nilgiris: Experience Nilgiris

Breaking The Myth Called Sharavathi Nature Trails

Donald Porter, V.P. of British Airways once said ‘Customers don’t expect you to be perfect. They do expect you to fix things when they go wrong.’  This post is not to introduce you to a new destination or an offbeat experience, but to acquaint you of how mismanagement of certain service providers can completely sour the mood of the customers and give them a bitter experience, while they were yearning for tranquility.

Recently, a team of HFL along with our valuable clients, went on an excursion to Sharavathi Valley. The valley located in the central Western Ghats of Shimoga district, Karnataka is a serene deciduous forests of the Western ghats and has many waterfalls, islands and jungle trails to offer. We at HFL have been endorsing the place for last 3 years and it is one of the most sought after location among our clientele. The service provider in this case is Sharavathi Nature Camp, an Outdoor Adventure and Environmental Education Organization that provides a camping and water activities program.

The Sharavathi Backwaters

The trip began on a bad note when there was nobody to brief/receive us upon arrival. Lack of any kind of manager/guide surprised us, as we had been very well received in the past by program coordinators. Pushing this out of our minds as a result of lack of resources, we had a sumptuous breakfast of idli-sambhar, and got ready for the trek. There was no room to put our luggage, and we depended on the kind-heartedness of the cooks who agreed to let us keep our luggage in kitchen storeroom. The cooks of the camp donned the hats of the trekking guide and the team had to follow them as no trekking guide was available this time.In our previous visit, a forest ranger was hired as a guide who gave a detailed information about the place, trails  and various flora and fauna. Thankfully the driver we had hired from Sagar decided to accompany us. A late start to the trek, courtesy complete mismanagement and miscommunication, ensured that we trekked in hot sun. Nevertheless, the scenic surroundings of the jungle calmed our annoyance and we trekked to the beautiful waterfalls. Enjoying our trek and the pure luxury of waterfall in the hot weather, we returned to the camp, boneless with exhaustion. Looking forward to a tent and shower wasn’t asking for too much, would ya say ?

Water for bathing

Murphy’s Law ensured we were deprived of both for the next 3-4 hours after our return. There was no tent in place, and no water in the common bathrooms/washrooms due to a malfunctioning motor. Our less-than-desired fluency in Kannada resulted in us trying to explain to the cooks for the next 2 hours that we wanted a tent and water to bathe. Going back and forth between the arguments about whether we should return to Sagar and rent a hotel, we finally decided to stay as the lure of a bonfire on the banks of backwaters in moonlight was too strong.  There is a God, and He decided to intervene then, when the cooks/helpers finally understood our plight and put up an available old tent for us. We shall not talk about the condition of the tent, because, you know, we’d like to forget it ASAP. Sufficient to say that it gave us somewhere to be, so that we could spend the night.

Collapsed Tent

The next day, which was supposed to be dedicated to water activities, saw us sharing 2 kayaks amongst 15 people. Eventually everyone chucked the kayaks, and enjoyed a cool swim in the backwaters. We came back to our tent by noon, and after devouring tasty lunch of Pulao and Raita, spent the afternoon getting annoyed and pissed with the loud music being played by a few forest officials who were staying as fellow-guests. Below are some other observations that we made during this ‘misadventure’.

• Essential amenities like bathrooms and toilets were not properly maintained. They were dirty and no water was available.
• The organisers have some strict rules regarding camping named ‘Nature Etiquette’. We tried to follow this to the T, but were disappointed that few forest officials, who were also guest with families, made it a point to break as many rules as possible. Liquor bottles were littered everywhere. The fellow campers were drinking and playing loud music, which is a strict no-no. It not only nullifies the  values of Camp, but also pose a threat to nearby habitat.
• Before water activities, the group were not briefed about it. There was no raft building activity as promised in the itinerary that is provided on their website.

Nature Etiquettes

The surprising part was that when we tried to register our problem, it fell on deaf ears. Mr Sampath, the camp manager (who has been courteous in all our previous interactions) behaved in an unprofessional manner and hung up the phone when we tried to bring the issues to his notice.It was disheartening the way this trip turned out to be a disappointing affair for our esteemed customers and certainly not at all worth the price (Rs. 2000/person). We cannot overlook the fact that the local staff tried helping us to the best of their capacity. But the sad truth remains that a pristine location, bestowed so kindly by Mother Nature, was ruined by human mismanagement.

Team HFL suggests that the Sharavathi Nature Camp should appoint a full-time camp manager/guide to run the program effectively and with professional expertise. The need for basic amenities like clean washrooms is a must, atleast at the Muppane Camp. The quality of tents and kayaks is non-negotiable. Unfortunately, the current situation simply doesn’t meet the standards that we have set up for our offerings.

UPDATE (8th Oct 2014):"A few days back, we received an email from Mr. Sampath of Sharavathi Nature Trails (SNT). As per him the campsite is not maintained by them but the forest department and SNT cannot do anything incase the forest officials show up and make merry. Thus SNT doesn't take  the responsibility of the upkeep of the location of the campsite and their job is only to conduct the program."

3rd-4th May: Beat The Heat With Red Hills Retreat

Mangoes, Lychees, Nimbu Pani and HEAAAT !!! 

Summer comes with its bag full of wonderful experiences and “Oh I hate this” tortures. Moreover the era of Industrialization has increased the torture and made these summer days really unbearable. Would you believe us if we say that we can take away this seasonal pain, not for the whole season but for a couple of days; that you can spend those days in the most spectacular location; that you can take a stroll in a valley between green mountains and a blue lake under open sky (where actually you can see a sky). Would you believe us that we can take you on an experiential trip along with other anguished souls, who want to escape from the city’s madness and the sun’s agony. Don't believe us, come and join us to the trip of Red Hills to experience “Garmi Me Thandi Ka Maaza”.   

Your abode for the weekend  

Never heard of Red Hills? Red Hills is on the out skirts of Ooty nearly 25 km from it, 320 km from Bangalore and 110 km from Coimbatore. The place gifts you with eight lakes and lots of valleys set in the backdrop of picturesque Nilgiris and acres of tea plantations.

Can you get a better seat ?

Why not Ooty? To be frank, Ooty is too much commercialized. We don't want you take away from the hustle bustle of a city and and drop you in between the hordes of other tourists and always irritating hawkers gaping at you. You want to have a mental peace and satisfaction and we will make sure you get one.

Are the Red Hills really Red? LOL. No, they aren’t red but surely you can get to see each and every color present in your 42 inch LED TV (Rainbow is too old school).

The View from Red Hills Peak

Which dates should you reserve in your calendar for this trip? We will be leaving from Bangalore on 3rd May (12:00 AM) and will return back on 4th May (10.30 PM)

Can I bring my whole colony? Since we want to make this trip an experience for you and other fellow travelers, we want to keep it a low scale affair. We can accommodate only 10 holidayers.

I want to go, but won't it be too expensive? This jaunt will cost you only 4990/-bucks. Did we say that it includes your travel both sides, accommodation in Red Hills, food during entire stay and all the activities that you are going to enjoy after reaching there.

I want to go now. This is so awesome !!!

Oh wait !!!

Hold on before you pack you bags and set out for the journey. You have to book a seat by calling us at +91-8095-262626. Network Problem? No problem. Drop us a mail at contact@holidaysforlife.co.in .

Okay all set to go. Can I have an itinerary to lure in my friends also? Sure, your wish is our command!

Day 1:

We will leave Bangalore by 12 am. After hitting the highway and passing Ooty, we will reach Red Hills around 11 am. After settling in the environment all of us will have lunch by 1.30 . After lunch, either be at leisure to complete the last day sleep or you can explore the area around the resort and appreciate the beauty of the God. At 4 in the evening we will set out for the trek to the Red Hills peak. After an hour of trekking, it will be time for a sip of Nilgiris tea right in the middle of The Nilgiris. After enjoying the sunset, we will head back and reach the base camp. At 7.30 we will have a bonfire to counter the chill of the hills along with lavish BBQ dinner. If you happen to be a Michelin star rated Chef or just want to show off your culinary skills you can definitely make your own BBQ. Time to go to bed, relax and prepare for the next day adventure.

The Evening Hangout Place

Day 2:

Feel the morning mist,t ouch the first rays of the sun and get freshen up by 9am and reach out for the breakfast. After the breakfast let your imagination run,a nd enjoy the next hour just the way you want to  experience. Explore the nearby areas, go for a hike or cycle around the property, chat on with fellow travelers. We won't disturb you till 11.30 am. Feeling hungry? How about a lunch beside a lake? Head towards the lake to for a picnic lunch .And since we are near a lake why not try fishing. After this we retreat back, pack our bags and leave for Bangalore by 3 pm. If you dont want to go back to the concrete jungle we will be more than happy to leave you in this pristine hills :)

Get your catch-of -the-day

To Sum Up

WHAT: Beat The Heat With Red Hills Retreat

WHEN: 3rd-4th May

WHERE: Red Hills (25 Km from Ooty)

How Much: Rs 4,990/person (We request for a 100% advance to confirm your booking)

How To Book: Call/Mail Abhishek @ +91-8095-262626/contact@holidaysforlife.co.in

Bookings open till 25th April.