The trip has started from Bengaluru Airport after boarding the Mysuru Fly bus. Then took a KSRTC Karnataka Sariga bus to Kalpetta.
This route goes through Bandipur tiger reserve where we were lucky to spot 2 Elephants, which were enjoying their breakfast.
From kalpetta, boarded Kerala RTC's bus to Meppadi and then a private auto to reach Stingray tribe which was our first stay.
The day was well spent in the tribe, with lots of information to survive in forest proceeded with tasty dinner.
Next day started early to trek the Chembra peak, for which we have to take the entry permission and ticket from forest department. The trek starts with assistance from forest guards who guide the way till the peak.
After trekking through the forest and offering blood to multiple leeches for 2 KMs, one can witness a lake which shouldn't be confused with the famous heart lake.
Then a further 500 meters trek took us to the famous Heart shaped lake which is the last permitted trekkable point.
Trekking further to the Chembra peak is prohibited to conserve the wildlife on the peak. So, one has to satisfy their adrenaline rush of visiting chembra peak from this lake it self.
Returned from the trek, took a shower followed by lunch and an hour break made us ready for the next destination, which is Edakkal hermitage resort. The evening in the resort was well spent roaming through the property as it offers good sun set.
Started the next day with early morning trek to Ponmudikotta Hill Top. The route has well layered road, however the hill is very ascending. Took the darshan of Ponmudikotta temple and proceeded to the hill top as it is just behind the temple with a 5 mins forest like climbing.
Returned to the resort for breakfast and had a quick nap which turned out to be a good 3 hour deep sleep thanks to the trek. It was lunch time by when we woke up. After the delicious Kerala meals in lunch, headed to Edakkal caves, which is also another trekking like experience.
The history of the caves really fascinates us to think about evolution. After the heavy trekking, returned to the stay with shopping and dozed off after the delicious dinner.
Next day's plan is to reach Ooty which we started slowly after breakfast. Since we decided to use public transport, the hopping of buses between areas was fun. From Edakkal -> Sulthan Bathery -> Pattavayal -> Gudalur -> Ooty, the journey was not less than to any adventure.
Rest of the day spent roaming around Ooty town and places like Rose Garden and Botanical Garden.
After breakfast headed to Pine Forest, Pykara boating, Dam, water falls and shooting point.
That's it, headed for lunch as it was already late and then boarded the Coimbatore bus with very lite lunch.
After 4 hours of journey, the END card to our trip was clapped at Coimbatore Airport..!
