[laluks]

Day01, 29.08.2010
Thommankuthu Waterfalls.

This is a seven step waterfall. If you really want to enjoy this waterfall you have to trekk 12 kilometers and keep counting the steps of waterfalls as you go.

I wanted some details of this place and nobody was able to give me any info. So what else drive up there and enquire

This place is 20Km from Thodupuzha in the Karimanoor route. The trekk is possible. Since it was raining we did not want to try the full trekk, but we did some 2km for a feel of the place, upto the third step of the waterfall.

Facilities are minimum. A day trekk up and down would be the option. The place is beautiful, and not touristy. A return is in the cards for sure.

See some details.


continued...

[laluks]

Day01, 29.08.2010
Thommankuthu Waterfalls

After parking the Civvy we immediately saw the first step of the falls.








Here is the office for taking the entry passes. We took the passes and we trekked through the muddy path.











Once upon a time there was a tree house



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[laluks]

Day01, 29.08.2010
Thommankuthu Waterfalls

We soon reached the second step of the falls.











We trekked on





We reached the third step of the falls.








continued ...

[laluks]

Day01, 29.08.2010
Thommankuthu Waterfalls

We decided to stop our trekk for this time at the third step of the waterfall. From here on the trekking path was full of boulders and was slippery.

We spent some time near the falls. The flow was heavy and it was quite obvious that this was a dangerous place. So did not venture into the water.











We trekked back slowly to the entrance.

















A peculiar flower



We reached the entrance by 14:45PM and spent some more time near the shop buying some local produce. By 15:00PM we started towards Idukki Dam.

continued...

[laluks]

Day01, 29.08.2010
Naadukaani Viewpoint

We reached Naadukaani Viewpoint by 16:00PM. We took the tickets and looked around.

The view of the valley was beautiful.






Can you spot a waterfall?


The Waterfall closer




Some settlement in the valley






Guys from here, please clarify the pictures below

Is this the Powerhouse?


What building is this?


Is this a church?


Which Church is this?


Guys, which are these bridges?





Panorama as seen from Naadukani Viewpoint


We drove on from here to reach Idukki Dam on time for the visit. Photography strictly forbidden at the Dams. There is a Hill View Park near the Idukki Arch Dam and the Cheruthony Dam from where you can have a very good view to the dams. Since we had entry to both the dams by way of Onam celebrations, we did not visit the park. On other days the park is beautiful option to take a sneak peek at the dams.

After the visit we moved back to the the resort via Kattappana.

continued...

[laluks]

Day01, 29.08.2010
Idukki - Vagamon

On the Kattapana route there is a place where you can have a good view of the Idukki Arch Dam between the mountains.






Lights are switched on the dam


It is customary for us to stop here whenever we travel through this route. There is a tender coconut vendor here too.

Finally we left from here by 18:30PM and drove through Elappara and again in the thick fogs to reach the resort in Vagamon by 20:30PM.

We ordered dinner to the room, and waited for an eternity for it to be served. Food was Ok for a change. Hogged onto the food and our tummies became happy again.

PPGs were watching some TV shows, while I retired for the day.

[Invader]

Hi Laluks,

I've read all your posts sofar, they are truly remarkable in all aspects (esp your knowledge in these routes, places, resorts, your narration..and indeed you have a spectacular recollection ability...

I've been to parambikulam and I've fallen in love with that place however I could not make it to the famous 'Tram way Trek'..have been there last year during a wrong season...summers...fear of forest fires made our movements restricted..

Hats off to your family, they seem to share a deep connections with nature and your happiness...this one count alone makes you unique and special...I can only dream of my family accompanying me in such adventures...treks etc.

I wish I knew you; thanks for sharing details of your trip, will surely visit gavi this year during the monsoons..

Cheers.

[laluks]

Originally Posted by Invader

Hi Laluks,

I've read all your posts sofar, they are truly remarkable in all aspects (esp your knowledge in these routes, places, resorts, your narration..and indeed you have a spectacular recollection ability...

I've been to parambikulam and I've fallen in love with that place however I could not make it to the famous 'Tram way Trek'..have been there last year during a wrong season...summers...fear of forest fires made our movements restricted..

Hats off to your family, they seem to share a deep connections with nature and your happiness...this one count alone makes you unique and special...I can only dream of my family accompanying me in such adventures...treks etc.

I wish I knew you; thanks for sharing details of your trip, will surely visit gavi this year during the monsoons..

Cheers.

Thanks Invader.
Good to know that my notes have helped you.

Tramway trekk is pending from my side too. But doesn't look like anytime soon.

[Antonian]

Nice Pictures and narration Lalu. BTW, Did you ever had a attack of Leeches ??. They are very common in Thommankuthu forest area.

[laluks]

Originally Posted by Antonian

Nice Pictures and narration Lalu. BTW, Did you ever had a attack of Leeches ??. They are very common in Thommankuthu forest area.

Thanks Antonian.
The leeches by now were a non issue, since we were in Gavi, the leech land, for two days before we reached here. So we were already attacked enough by them at Gavi, they decided to let us go in Thommankuthu.

[Antonian]

For me, The leeches are the worst nightmare. Last year, bleeding caused by them continued for 3 hours in my wife's leg. The whole trip was spoiled.

[laluks]

Originally Posted by Antonian

For me, The leeches are the worst nightmare. Last year, bleeding caused by them continued for 3 hours in my wife's leg. The whole trip was spoiled.

I agree. They can be a spoilsport.

I am thankful that my kids got used to them and did not consider it as a scare anymore after the first encounter at Gavi. They used salt if those fellows have bitten already and else they used to take it out with hands.

I was bleeding for all the days from Gavi.

[mallumowgli]

Leeches are an irritant all along the western ghats..but then no pain no gain hehe. Addyhemmige suggested rubbing moov - but it has not helped. Next suggestion is Odomos, should try that before moving on to the ultimate - snuff powder with gingely(til) oil

Laluji - how do you dig out such beautiful places, locations which are rarely on anybody's radar. One more place on my to-do list. GRRRRR...the list is getting longer and longer as the TL progresses

[laluks]

Originally Posted by mallumowgli

Laluji - how do you dig out such beautiful places, locations which are rarely on anybody's radar. One more place on my to-do list. GRRRRR...the list is getting longer and longer as the TL progresses

I like that the list is growing.

I keep reading about Kerala, any literature, any website, anything. This gives me a faint idea of what to expect. Adding to that the knowledge of the locale, we trace it out on ground. Most often it turned out to be beautiful places

[saleem_k]

Sir, great narration and wonderful pics. Thanks for bringing out the beauty of such places for people like us who don't know that such places exist. I've become a fan of your threads, so please continue exploring! :-)