[nkrishnap]

It was quite some time I did a trip to the wilderness. With lots of haggling, one 2D - 1N trip was approved. With a bit of research and pondering, the place was decided.

It would be in the wilderness of Thirunelly. Jungle Retreat Wayanad was chosen as the place to stay. Click on the link to know more about this place.

With Vishwaroopam movie’s ban lifted, the movie was in the ‘to do’ list. Decided to get rid of this from the pending list and booked a couple of tickets for myself and wifey for Friday night 9.30 pm show in Mantri Square.

Day 1 – 9th February 2013

After the movie, drove off to my friend’s place, with an hour of chit chat we started the trip at 2.30 am. The next point where we regroup was PES College at 3 am. Goutham (Autocrat) was already waiting near PES College. After a quick regroup, it was time to hit the Bangalore – Mysore sector.

From here on, it was cruising on the Bangalore – Mysore 4 lane road, for once it was enjoyable with sparse traffic. However, the humps which come up overnight did surprise us a couple of times. We reached Hunsur at 6 am and stopped over at Caffe Coffee for a coffee break.

On the way to Nagarahole













Drove through Nagarahole National Park with the hope of spotting a few animals. We did spot a few deer, a crescent serpent eagle. No tuskers or cats.







We cross the national park and headed towards the Irupu Falls but not before a breakfast break at Kutta.













A quick visit to the falls and we were on the way to check in to the cottages in Thirunelly.

Our Cottage



View from the Cottage






We headed for Nagarahole safari. It’s the same Canter safari. With the loads of clatter and rally type driving, we salvaged spotting whatever possible. The rain added to the misery too.





















We came back to the cottage in the rain. On the way back witnessed a Ford Ikon which had flung off the bridge about an hour back. Luckily the people in the car escaped with minor injuries.

As we were settling down to sip tea, A tusker lazily got in to the farm. Myself and Goutham immediately rushed to the watch tower to get closer view of the big tusker. He gave us company for about an hour before we made our way back to the cottage. It was such a thrill experience having the tusker a few feet away and we wait in the darkness. This has its own share of its risks though, if the tusker decides to take down the watch tower, it can do at its will even with the electric fencing.

The tuskers returned a bit later and stay there for a couple of hours before making merry of the bamboo trees/flowers for the rest of the night. We did hear a couple of alarm calls, but nothing turned up in the farm though.

To be contd....

[nkrishnap]

Day 2 – 10th February 2013

We had planned for the Tholpetty safari for the morning. Hopped on the car and went ahead for the Tholpetty Safari. Did not spot anything other than a lone elephant, few deer and langurs.

Early morning views on the way to Safari





Spotting from the safari







Morning views from the Cottage



Lineas enjoying the wilderness



Returning from the Safari, yours truly driving the jeep.



Drove back via Mananthavady route towards Bangalore.

Spotted this mom and calf just after they crossed the road.



Somewhere between Sultanbathery and Gundlupet.



We stopped near Gundlupet and loaded the boot with vegetables and a
coffee stop at the cafe coffee day in Gundlupet.



Mysore Palace from a different perspective.



On the way back the final stop over



Finally the Tusker who gave us company the previous night.



I will let Autocrat write his experience on this thread. Over to Autocrat.

PS: A big shout out to Autocrat to helping me take good photos and editing them. Thank you Goutham.

[ampere]

You are really enjoying the drives. Waynad is a nice place and add to it the fun of driving on the beautiful 2-Lane highways.

Nice snaps too. What is your camera gear?

[jkrishnakj]

Very nice trips, with some brilliant pictures. These are the types of pictures that make me wonder when i will migrate from my point and shoot - then, i realise i need to learn the art of photo, so, just buying a DSLR wont help.

I also wonder how you manage to drive staying awake all night? I have never tried that, and dont intend to either. I can wake up at 2.30 AM and drive, but need to be asleep atleast for a few hours before i get up and start so early.

Awaiting Autocrat's pics and narrations as well.

[nkrishnap]

Originally Posted by ampere

You are really enjoying the drives. Waynad is a nice place and add to it the fun of driving on the beautiful 2-Lane highways.

Nice snaps too. What is your camera gear?

Yes, enjoying driving the Linea indeed. Just returned yesterday from yet another weekend drive to Munnar.

Camera gear info.

Body

Canon EOS 500D

Lens

Canon EF-S 18-55 mm F3.5-5.6 IS

Canon EF 50 mm F1.8

Tamron SP 70-300mm F/4-5.6 Di VC USD

Canon EF - 24-105 mm f/4 L IS USM

[sajands]

super write up nkrishnap, what time did you reach nagarahole and do they have open jeeps apart from the canters. Please share the cost of the safari and duration. you got have loads of luck in order to sight a big cat in nagarahole, bandipur or kabini

Please keep the pictures coming.

-Sajan

[ampere]

Originally Posted by nkrishnap

Yes, enjoying driving the Linea indeed. Just returned yesterday from yet another weekend drive to Munnar.

Wow! You sure a going places!

Camera gear info.
Body
Canon EOS 500D
Lens
Canon EF-S 18-55 mm F3.5-5.6 IS
Canon EF 50 mm F1.8
Tamron SP 70-300mm F/4-5.6 Di VC USD
Canon EF - 24-105 mm f/4 L IS USM

Thats quite some fire power! Any thoughts on getting a wide angle ?
A 10-22 would be very useful.

[nkrishnap]

Originally Posted by jkrishnakj

Very nice trips, with some brilliant pictures. These are the types of pictures that make me wonder when i will migrate from my point and shoot - then, i realise i need to learn the art of photo, so, just buying a DSLR wont help.

I also wonder how you manage to drive staying awake all night? I have never tried that, and dont intend to either. I can wake up at 2.30 AM and drive, but need to be asleep atleast for a few hours before i get up and start so early.

Awaiting Autocrat's pics and narrations as well.

Yes, as rightly pointed out, handling the DSLR needs some hand holding from the experienced pros. But as they say nothing is impossible.

Its been this way of being awake during nights for quite some time as I have got used to it. They call me nocturnal man in my family for the driving especially.

I am also waiting to read Autocrat's version of the trip.

Originally Posted by sajands

super write up nkrishnap, what time did you reach nagarahole and do they have open jeeps apart from the canters. Please share the cost of the safari and duration. you got have loads of luck in order to sight a big cat in nagarahole, bandipur or kabini

Please keep the pictures coming.

-Sajan

We reached Nagarahole gate by 7:45 am. Nagarahole does not have jeep safaris. All they have is canters.

The details for the Nagarahole safari.

Vehicle type - Canter
Duration - one hour
Cost per head - Rs 300/-

With the cats its always luck and the wish of the cats to show up for you to click away to glory.

Had the luck once during a Bandipur safari, here is the link to that thread.

[nkrishnap]

Originally Posted by ampere

Wow! You sure a going places!

Yes, this time with the office gang. One more travelogue in the making.

Thats quite some fire power! Any thoughts on getting a wide angle ?
A 10-22 would be very useful.

I have run out of moolah. So its savings time for now. Once the Vitamin M recovers to normalcy will think about getting this wide angle lens.

[vidyanand]

Brilliant Photography! Truly brings out the beauty of the Trip.
I have not visited Nagarahole National Park and this post urges me to make a trip soon.

Nice travelogue. Brilliant photographs of wildlife and equally brilliant Lineas, nkrishnap.

[Lukeskywalker]

Nice pics Krishna, the forest shots are lovely, been a long time that I've visited any forest, you capture the Linea very well, good travelogue.

[KarthikK]

Fantastic pictures of the trip, and equally good narration to boot. I loved the wildlife shots, truly National geographic level portraits of those animals and birds. The fog shots of the roads and landscape are wallpaper material. Requesting you to send me a few of those for use as desktop wallpapers now .

Eagerly awaiting Autocrat's report and pictures too. I've heard a lot about his photography skills.

[nkrishnap]

Originally Posted by J.Ravi

Nice travelogue. Brilliant photographs of wildlife and equally brilliant Lineas, nkrishnap.

You are the inspiration to put the Linea through the travel paces. To come from you, its an honour. Thanks again.

Originally Posted by Lukeskywalker

Nice pics Krishna, the forest shots are lovely, been a long time that I've visited any forest, you capture the Linea very well, good travelogue.

Its good to get away from the urban jungle once in a while. If not to spot the animals, the relaxation is something that recharges you very well.

[S.MJet]

Excellent pictures there nkrishnap & equally lovely place to feel the wild.

This does inspires us to take a refreshing break away from our daily chaos.
Thanks for sharing.