Meghamalai , Western Ghats in Theni District, Tamilnadu: 

https://picasaweb.google.com/112046714466411554404/MeghamalaiWesternGhatsInTheniDistrictTamilnadu

Thekkady Tiger sanctuary + Periyar Lake boating + Kumily Town at Kerala:

https://picasaweb.google.com/112046714466411554404/ThekkadyTigerSanctuaryPeriyarLakeBoatingKumilyTownAtKerala

RIDE DURATION/DATE: 3 Days, 23^rd to 25^th March 2012

PARTICIPANTS/Rider: Udhaya Kumar.V & Balaji Anand

ROAD MAP:

Bangalore -> Krishnagiri – Salem – Karur – Dindigul – Theni – Chinnamanur (@ Take Left) – 37Km -> Meghamalai ->  High Wavy (540 Km)

Chinnamanur to(37 Km) Meghamalai – Will be very Bad road + Single Hilly road with 18 hairpin. This is only one route to reach Meghamalai. There is one more trek route available to reach Meghamalai.

We came back to Chinnamanur from Meghamalai, and then we did – Chinnamanur – Cumbum – Kumily – Thekkady

DISTANCE: 1199 Km (Round Trip)

View Driving directions – Bangalore – Meghamalai(Tamil Nadu) – Thekkady (Kerala) in a larger map

WHERE TO STAY (Hotel): 

Meghamalai (or “High Wavy Mountains”): This is NOT typical tourist place, so there is not much hotels. If you are going with your family, better you can book it well advance.

1. High wavys Government Hotel at Highwavys dam & ManalarLake. 18 rooms available. Room rent will be Rs.750 and Rs.1000. Minimum 4 people can stay in Rs.1000 rooms. I am sure, mostly you can get rooms. You can book the room through DD only. Contact Phone – 04554-232225/232211

2. Cloud Mountain Bungalow – Its private – Minimum Rs.3500 to 6,000 per family (Including food)

3.Sand River Cottage – Its private – Minimum Rs.3500 to 6,000 per family (Including food)

4. But still you can find some stay through government hotel employees.

FOOD:  At High wavys – there is 2 hotels available. But you have to order food well advance.

PETROLE/ATM/SHOP/MOBILE Signal: No petrol. No ATM. No Shop. Only BSNL mobile will work – Other Mobile phones won’t work. 

Thekkady kumily kerala: As you know well, Kerala famous for Tourism in South India. You can find more hotels at Kumily for stay. You can stay at kumily for Periyar Tiger Reserve and Lake tour.

ABOUT & PLACE TO SEE AT MEGHAMALAI :

Mountain range situated in the Western Ghats in Theni district, Tamilnadu. The place is situated at an elevation of 1,500 m above sea level. This is not famous tourist place, but one of the beautiful place for week end, where you wont see any tourist at all.

There is 7 Tea Estate available in this mountain range + 2500 family living near to 7 tea estate who work at tea estate. There is no other work in this place. All we can see Beautiful Tea estate + 3 Lake with Dam + Some animals (its based on your luck)

These 3 dam project was initiated by kamarajar + Implemented by Karunanidhi + Inaugurated by MGR. but its really very good visionary project. Out of this, two of the lake/dam was connected through tunnel. All these 3 dam water sent to suruli falls to generate electricity.

What to see Meghamalai ? (Sightseeing)

• Thoovanam Dam
• Highwayvs Dam & Lake
• Manalar Dam(+Upper Manalar) + Tea Estate
• Vattaparrai (Its Kerala + Tamil nadu border – You can see animals in this place)
• Venniyar Tea Estate
• Eravangalar Dam
• Maharaja Mettu – View point
• Thekkadi View point

Take Local Guide: These roads constructed and owned by tea estate company. So there is no proper road and no name board to reach any specific place. Even we won’t see any people to ask direction. We can see people near to village only. If you want to reach Vattaparrai + Maharaja Mettu, Better to take any local person who can show the way. Even we took one person to reach Vattaparrai. I am sure, you can’t reach this place without local people help.

Animals @ Being very close to the forest, a number of wild animals can be seen – birds, Tiger, Leopard, Gaur, Wild Boar, Porcupine, elephants, etc. But we are not seen anything. You have to reach Vattaparrai at 6.00 am to see some animals. But local people said, very often you can see more elephants in tea estates (or) in lake.

LOG:

DAY 1: 23-Mar-2012, 05:30 AM: WE started from Bangalore. Till Dindigul it was 4 lane and beautiful road. No worry just riding. There is road construction work happening till Chinnamanur and reached Theni at 1.00 PM.

We started riding towards Meghamalai from Chinnamanur. Its really very dry and bad road. Initially we thought we selected wrong destination after seeing these area, But reaching Meghamalai we realized the beauty of tea estate and lake. There is no single symptom for tourist place other then one government hotel.

Manalar Dam Tea Estate + Lake

Eravangalar Dam

Tea Estate + Village

DAY 2: 24-Mar-2012, 01:00 PM: We started riding to Thekkady to do Boating at famous  PeriyarTigerReserveLake. We checked in at Kumily. We went for some Elephants safari for some time pass and evening we visited to kathakali dram. There is more centers in this place who offering kathakali dance program.

kathakali drama at Kumily

Day 3: 25-Mar-2012, 06:00 AM: Periyar Tiger Reserve will be opened at 6:00 AM only. Periyar Lake Boating will be available only at morning and evening. Fist boating starts at 7:30 AM (1:30 Hrs boating duration), But tickets will be issued at 6:00 AM itself. This is limited tickets, So we went at 6:00 AM itself. But surprised to see there is already big queue. You have to catch first boating then only you can see more animals. Going in next rid will be just boat ride J you wont see much animals or no animals.

Periyar Lake Boating

Day 3: 25-Mar-2012, 11:00 AM: We started riding back tobangalore. Reachedbangalore at 08:30 PM.

By Udhaya Kumar.V , Udhaya@Udhaya.com

Trek Date: 28,29-Jan-2012

Place: Thadiandmohalu Trek – Coorg – Karnataka –India

Participants : Balaji, Udhaya, Shravan + 2.

Stay/Food: There is no hotel or shop in this area. You should carry food and water. You should have tent for sleep.

Thadiandmohalu Trek

Udhaya Kumar,V Udhaya@Udhaya.Com, +91-98867-33607

Ride Date : 25-Feb-2012

Place : KokkareBellurVillage, Mandya District, Karnataka

Ride Type : RTMC Announce Ride. Its used for meeting

Road Map : Bangalore–Mysore Road(Ramanagara – Channapatna) – 75KM -> Take Left Before Maddur – 13 km ->KokkareBellurVillage(100 km)

Return Trip : KokareBellurVillage-> Kanakapura ->Bangalore

Distance : 250 km (round trip)

View Driving directions to Bangalore – Kokkare Bellur in a larger map

About the Place: Kokkare Bellur – Its very small village located near Bangalore – Mysore high way at Mandya District, Karnataka near to Shimsa River. Its very perfect place for one day outing or riding. We cansee plenty of  Painted Stork (Called Kokkare in Kannada) and Spotbilled Pelicans migrant birds in this village. This is not typical Bird Sanctuary, beautify of this place will birds and people living together in the village. You can see birds near every house.

RTMC Team @ Bangalore Town Hall

Kokkare Bellur – Birds near to Home in the Village

Udhaya Kumar.V, Udhaya@Udhaya.Com, +91-98867-33607

Photo: https://plus.google.com/photos/112046714466411554404/albums/5690366749614109169?banner=pwa

PHOTO:

[Leh-Ladakh Ride] [1&2nd Jul 2011 – Bangalore – 2 - Delhi - Srinagar] https://picasaweb.google.com/112046714466411554404/LehLadakhRide1To16Jul20111stAnd2ndJulBangalore2DelhiSrinagar

[Leh-Ladakh Ride] [3r & 4th Jul 2011 – Dal Lake, Srinagar] https://picasaweb.google.com/112046714466411554404/LehLadakhRide1To16Jul20113r4thDalLakeSrinagar

[Leh-Ladakh Ride] [4th Jul 2011 – Srinagar to Kargil]
https://picasaweb.google.com/112046714466411554404/LehLadakhRide4thJul2011SrinagarToKargil

[Leh-Ladakh Ride] [4th to 7th Jul 2011 –Zanskar Valley]
https://picasaweb.google.com/112046714466411554404/LehLadakhRide1To16Jul20114thTo7thZanskarValley

[Leh-Ladakh Ride] [8th Jul 2011 – Kargil to Leh]
https://picasaweb.google.com/112046714466411554404/LehLadakhRide1To16Jul20118thJulKargilToLeh

[Leh-Ladakh Ride] [Leh Ladakh]
https://picasaweb.google.com/112046714466411554404/LehLadakhRide1To16Jul2011LehLadakh

[Leh-Ladakh Ride] [12&13th Jul 2011 –Leh to Manali]
https://picasaweb.google.com/112046714466411554404/LehLadakhRide1To16Jul20111213thJulLehToManali

[Leh-Ladakh Ride] [14to17 Jul 2011 – Manali & Delhi]
https://picasaweb.google.com/112046714466411554404/LehLadakhRide1To16Jul201114to17JulManali2Delhi

RIDE DURATION/DATE: 16 Days, 01st Jul 2011 to 17th Jul 2011

RIDER: Udhaya Kumar.V , Balaji Anand & Nandish

EXPENSE: Rs.62,130 (Per Head), IF we do round trip, it may come maximum 30,000 Rs only.

Rs.12,644 – 16 Days Food, Hotel/Room Stay and Other Expense
Rs.6,710 – 16 Days Petrol expense

Following expense can be avoided, If I ride from bangalore (round trip)

Rs.15,260 – Initial Preparation – purchase expense, Bullet Service, etc.
Rs.10,081 – Flight Charge (Bangalore to Delhi to Bangalore)
Rs.7,150 – Bike Transport Charge (Bangalore to Delhi to Bangalore)
Rs.10,285 – Unexpected Expense (Leh Service + Bike Transport from Zanskar because of Clutch plat and battery failure)

DISTANCE: 3,200 Km (Delhi – Leh – Delhi)

ROAD MAP:

DOWNLOAD ROAD MAP

State: Delhi – Punjab – Jammu and Kashmir – Himachal Pradesh – Punjab – Delhi.

Day 1, 01-Jul-2011: Bangalore to Delhi in Flight

Day 2, 02-Jul-2011: 640km: Delhi –(Good Road)- Ambala – Ludhiana – Jalandhar – Pathankot –(Good Road, 4 Lane) – Jammu Bypass – (Ghat Road) – Udampur (640km)

Next to Pathankot, We can take deviation to reach Udampur, We don’t required to go through Jammu, But When we went this road was closed for some local security problem. So we took Jammu Bypass to reach Udampur.

Stayed at – Stayed at Government Traveler Bungalow, Tajjor Kotti (Before Udampur)

Day 3, 03-Jul-2011: 266 Km: Chinap (Follow the Chinap River) – Srinagar

Day 4, 04-Jul-2011: 261 Km: Srinagar – (Good Road) – Amarnath Yatra –(Pass – Bad Road, No Road) – Drass – Kargil War Memorial – Tiger Hills – Kargil – Sanko(Towards Zanskar)

Drass – The second coldest inhabited place in the world after Siberia. Temperatures can drop down to about -45 Degrees Celsius in Winters & You can see more then 10 feet of Ice in the roads. This road will be opened for 3-4 months.

Petrol – Kargil having Petrol Bunk. Kargil to Padum(zanskar Valeey) don’t have any petrol bunk. One way will be 240km & round trip will be 480km, So you should have backup petrol for Zanskar Ride.

Stay – Kargil having hotel to stay, Recommend to stay at Sanko, if you planned to visit Zanskar valley.

Day 5, 05-Jul-2011: 236Km: Sanko (Towards Zanskar) – Panikar – Tangole – Rangdom – Badam(Zanskar Valley)

Road Status – from Kargil, first 30km will have good road. After that, NO road. we have to follow the river & very often you can see small water crossing. Maximum speed will be 25km/ph(We took 15hrs to cross 236km in Zansakar Valley), Nothing more its possible. In complete Leh, Ladhak ride, this will be considered as Very bad/no road. If you can able to ride in this valley, I am sure you can ride any ware in Leh, Ladakh region.

Zanskar Road Open Date – This road will be opened in Jun to 22nd Sep every year, Other season this valley filled by Ice & road will be closed. Government spending 3 months (March to May) to cut the ice and makes this 200km road for Zansakar connectivity. Other season local people will walk through river and reach Leh.

Hotel/Stay –

Sanko, J&K Tourism Bungalow – 44 km from Kargil, Towards Zanskar Valley(Badam)
Panikal, J&K Tourism Bungalow
Tangole, J&K Tourist Alpine Hut to Stay
Rangdom, J&K Tourism Bungalow – 124 km from Kargil, Towards Zanskar Valley(Badam)
Badam Town – J&K Tourism Bungalo + Private hotels – 236km from Kargil. This is last point in Zanskar Valley

Drass – The second coldest inhabited place in the world after Siberia, But local people said, Rangdom will be the 2nd Coldest place in the world compare with Drass.

Petrol – Zanskar valley don’t have any petrol bunk. You should carry extra petrol. But there is local shop selling petrol at Pankar and Badam. But absolutely based on your luck, when we enquired for petrol, they said it will take 3 more days to get petrol in this region.

Day 6, 06-Jul-2011: Local Sight Seeing at/near Badam (Zanskar Valley) (Karcha, Lakshara, Photang Monastery, Zangla, Stangday)

Day 7, 07-Jul-2011: Padam – Sanko (44 km before Kargil in Zansakar route)

Day 8, 08-Jul-2011: 230Km: Sanko – Kargil – Chamba Statue – Lamayurv Gompa – Nimmo – Leh

Road Status – Very Good Road + Ghat Road

Petrol – After 100 Km we have one petrol bunk (Mid of Kargil and Leh)

Stay at Leh (main Hub) – Its very Good Town and having all the facility. So you can find plenty of the hotels in all the range. Even there is the Airport @ Leh.

Day 9, 09-Jul-2011: Leh Local Sight Seeing and Service bike (SHEY PALACE, THIKSAY MONASTERY)

Day 10, 10-Jul-2011: Leh – 43 km – Khardung La (World’s highest motorable road – 18,380 Ft) – Leh – Leh Local Sight Seeing

Note – From Khardung La, we can reach NUBRA Valley(Panamik and Chalunka). We skipped nubra valley because of less time.

Stay @ Nubra – Diskit, Nubra Valley have Facility to stay.

Petrol – Panamik have petrol.

Day 11, 11-Jul-2011: Leh – Chang La Pass(17,586 fee, 5360 mt – World Third Highest Pass) – (152Km)Pangong Tso (Lake@14,443 feet) – Leh (Night Stay)

Stay at/near Pangong Tso – You can tent it in this place. You can find some tent hotel for food. But, it will be very cold. So Better will stay at Spangmik village. (you wont find hotel in this region)

Day 12, 12-Jul-2011: 254 km: Leh – TANGLANGLA Pass (17,582 feet, 5328 mt, World 2nd Highest Pass) – PANG – LACHULUNGAL Pass – Nakeela Pass – Sarchu

Road Status – Initial 60km bad road, After good road.

Petrol – 365 Km don’t have any petrol bunk. Next Petrol Bunk at Tandi/Keylong (Near to manali)

Day 13, 13-Jul-2011: 232 Km: Sarchu – ZingZing Bar – Rohtang pass – Manali

Road Status – Bad / No Road + Water Crossing + Pass Crossing. But Rohtang pass was in very very bad position. People took one complete day to cross this pass because of water/rain. Most of the car/heavy was get stuck in this pass.

Day 14, 14-Jul-2011: Manali Local Sight seeing

Stay – “The Beas”, Himachal Pradesh Tourism Hotel – at The Mall Road, Near to Beas River.

Day 15, 15-Jul-2011: Kullu & Manali local Sigt seeing.

Day 16, 16-Jul-2011: 989 Km: Manali – Delhi

Day 17, 17-Jul-2011: Delhi to Bangalore in Flight.

WE CARRIED:

Following things We dumped in our riding bags: I am sure, we wont use all this things, But some time its useful, we don’t know which ? when ?. So let’s carry important things for your ride.

Puncture Kit: 1. Electric Pump 2. Valve tube removing key 3. Tire removing levers 4.Tube patches 5. Spare Tube

Bike Backup Kit: 1.Clutch Cable 2.Accelerator Cable 3.Handle Liver 4.Foot Rest Rod 5.Screw driver complete set 6.Spanner (full set in all size) 7.Cutting player 8.Chain Lock 9.Front Light 10.Spark Plug 11.Spare bike key 12.Engine Oil (20-40 W) 13.Fuse 14. Additional fuel tank two 5 ltrs tank 15. metal carrier 16. Bungee 17.Fastning rope 18. Hammer

Other Kit: 1.Road Atlas (Eicher) maps book 2. Candle 3. Lighter 4.Swiss army knife 5.Torch 6.Sony Laptop(w series) 7.TATA Photon/ Relliance Data card connectivity 8.Sleeping Bag / tent 9.Camera 10.Cloths 3 pairs 11.T-shirts 6 turtle neck 12.Undergarments and SOX 13.Monkey cap 14.Sweater 15. Balaclava (HeadMask) 16.Mobile charge

Ride Gear: 1.Touring Saddlebag 2.Magnetic Tank bag 3.Armoured Riding Jacket 4.Ridng Pants 5.Riding Gloves 6.Thermals 7.Thermal gloves 8.Water proof riding shoes with ankel protection 9.Helmet / Additional clear wizer

Medical Kit: 1.First Aid kit 2.General tablets 3.Pain Spray

LEH BULLET MECHANIC INFORMATION: He is a very good Bullet mechanic. we serviced our bike in this place.

Juma Auto Mobile, Airport Road, Leh, Phone – 94691-58585, 9343824507

SOME POINTS:

1. Water Crossing : Water will be less in water crossing, Before afternoon. So where ever if you find more water crossing, better ride at early morning. No worry, your bullet will cross any water, even though water over the engine.

2. Engine Breathing issue / engine carburetor : Its know issue, while going in some of the pass, because of less oxygen performance will go down. Some known solution 1. You can adjust the airflow in the Carburetor. Its simple, you can do it (or) 2. You can make more holes in Air filter.

3. Ur Breathing Issue : You can feel breathing issue in the pass, don’t worry about this. Your body will get adjust it soon for this. But general recommendation, you should stat at any pass more then 20mins. Still if you fined any bigger issue, you can reach any army camp (you can find it in all the passes) and they will provide you the fist aid.

4. Shooting rock : Some of the mountain roads having this issue & its danger. Be aware of this and ride away from this mountain.

5. Clutch Plat Issue : Very often, Clutch plat will die in this region because of the road status, So better carry backup clutch plat (or) avoid using clutch very often.

6. Backup Petrol : Find the way to carry backup petrol for some road stretch (plan the distance). More you have petrol back-up, more you can ride at unexplored place.

7. Cold at Night : At Night Cold will be very high, Even though if you carry sleeping bag, it won’t work. Better stay at any paid tent or house or hotel.

8 ATM : Kargil and Leh having ATM. So must carry money while riding, No use of your debit/credit cards.

9. Army : Stop if army stops you (its not u’r city police – be clear). Even if you need any help they will help you. You can find army and army people everywhere in this region.

PLACE WE VISITED/PASSED:

1.Delhi
2.Jammu
3.Srinagar
3.1 Lake
4.Srinagar to Kargil
4.1 Amarnath Yatra
4.3 Drass (World second coldest (-45 Degree Cel in Winters) inhabited place)
4.4 Kargil War Memorial
4.5 Tiger Hill
5. Zanskar Valley
5.1 Rangdom
5.2 Rangdom Gompa
6. Padum Town
6.1 Karcha Gompa /Monastery
6.2 Nan/Lakshara
6.3 Karsha Cham/Ling Monastery
6.4 Photang Monastery
6.5 Zangla
7. Kargil to Leh
7.1 Chamba Statue, Budha
7.2 Lama Yuru Gompa
7.3 Nimmo
7.4 Magnetic Hill
8. Leh
8.1 Shey Palace
8.2 Thiksay Monastery
8.3 Kardung La (18,380 Feet)
8.4 Shanthi Stuba (Leh)
8.5 Hall of Fame (Museum of Ladakh Culture and Military Heritage)
9. Pangong Tso
9.1 Chang La Pass (17,586 Feet, World third heist pass)
10. Leh to Manali
10.1 Tanglangla Pass (17,582 Feet)
10.2 Lachulungal Pass (16,616 Feet)
10.3 Nakeela Pass (15,547 Feet)
10.4 Rotang Pass
11. Kulu-Manali
11.1 Naggar (Kulu Valley / Castle / Museum)
11.2 Jana Water Falls
11.3 Jagatsukh (Gayatri Temple)
11.4 Tibetan Monastery
11.5 Manu Maharishi Temple
11.6 Hadimba Templ
11.7 Solang Valley

GET PERMIT AT LEH:  We went to permit office(at 10.00 AM) and applied our permit to see the restricted area in Ladakh region. They collected the document and they said, they will provide the permit document at 4.00 PM.

THANKS NOTE: Our Sincere Thanks to our Friends … Rider… Mr.Jayan S R and Mr.Jo Jobingeo, Who shared there, experience and road map for our ride plan.

RIDE LOG:

Riding at Leh, Ladakh (Jammu and Kashmir) will be every Indian rider dream, Even around the world lot of motorcycle and cycle riders coming to this region to ride and trek in June to September. Other then this period(3 to 4 months), most of the Kargil, Leh roads will be closed and filled by ice.

Its my very long pending ride and finally happened !! I feel, every Indian should visit this region, at lest once in a life time. Its beautiful untouched mountains, valley, river, animas, Ladakh people, No road, No commercial !! its Ladakh region !! Its unique Natural beauty !! we can’t compare it with anyplace inIndia!!

Leh, Ladakh region filled by Buddhist people, who lives simple, more happiness, friendly humanitarian people. Yes off course we need feel it !!  this words not going to demonstrate anything. So you can try out once !! Budha calling !!

Day 1, 01-Jul-2011:Bangalore toDelhi in Flight

We transported our motorcycles to Delhi through Private Railway Cargo(Green Express), Other wise it will take 3 days to reach delhi from bangalore by road. We reached delhi in flight after we collected our motorcycle and checked-in the hotel atdelhi. We planed to stay outside delhi, but unfortunately we are not found any hotel, stuck in delhi traffic.

While searching hotel at delhi, one guy stopped his car and came to us. He introduced himself.. He is Doctor Anil Agarwal and enquired about our ride. After he provides lot of health tips for us like 1. Don’t drink cold water at Leh 2. Drink more lemon water 3. eat ice-cream at night etc.. Even he recommended hotel to stay atDelhi. May be he inspired by motorcycle riding !!

Day 2, 02-Jul-2011: 640km: Delhi –(Good Road)- Ambala – Ludhiana – Jalandhar– Pathankot –(Good Road, 4 Lane) – Jammu Bypass – (Ghat Road) – Udampur (640km)

06:00 AM: we are started our ride towards Srinagar, but getting out of Delhi itself difficult. We should bypass this city to save our time. Today it was complete high way ride.

Entered Jammu and Kashmir

05:30 PM: We reached Pathankot (J&K) and planed to reach Udampur, but Udampur road was closed by army/police and requested to go throughjammu, its little long route, but its good high way.

After jammu, it was complete Ghat single road with more traffic. We decided to get out of the jammuand stay near Udampur, But this road don’t have any town or hotel facility. Finally we found on  Government Traveler Bungalow, Tajjor Kotti (Before Udampur). Its really bigger bungalow for tourist, but no one using it.

Day 3, 03-Jul-2011: 266 Km: Chinap (Follow the Chinap River) –Srinagar

09:00 AM: Started riding towards Srinagar. Before Srinagar we can see “CHINAPRiver”, just keep following we will reach SrinagarJ Its simple.

Srinagar highway having one of the longest tunnel in this region, its 2,547 meters !! its amazing.

Near to Srinagar .. These trees used to make Cricket Bats

We reached Srinagar and decided to stay at hotel. Its famous tourist town and we can find plenty of the hotels in any range. But DAL LAKE BOAT HOUSE will be very famous in this place for night stay. Yes off course its little costly.

We went to Dal Lake for boating, its one of the main tourist attraction in Srinagar and lake shore length of 15+ kilometer. There we an see plenty of boat house in this region. Even we can see lot of shopping roads where we can get very famous Kashmircloth in this place. If you want to buy any type of the Kashmir cloth or mat, you can get in this lake shops.

Dal Lake, Srinagar

Even we can visit other famous tourist attraction Nishat Bagh Mughal Gardensand, Hazratbal inSrinagar, but we are not went.

Day 4, 04-Jul-2011: 261 Km: Srinagar – (Good Road) – Amarnath Yatra –(Pass – Bad Road, No Road) – Drass - Kargil War Memorial – Tiger Hills – Kargil – Sanko(Towards Zanskar)

07:00 AM: we are started riding towards Kargil, there was lot of people going to Amarnath yatra using bicycle. It’s trend in this region. Till amaranth this road was good and after that it’s very bad or no road with pass.

Amarnath yatra Tent Place

There is plenty of Car, van going to Amarnath and its located at POK border, So army stops all the vehicle in one place and then they escort with army vehicle to reach Amarnath tenting place.

Towards Kargil from Srinagar

Srinagarto Kargil high way having beautiful place which get passed through KARGIL WAR MEMORIAL, DRASS, TIGER HILLS, etc. But this complete high way controlled and secured by Indian army.

We stopped at Tiger hills and visited to one of the government school. we had discussion with head master/teacher and he is explaining about Kargil water, winter, problem, how army helping to people, etc. We said, this place looks heaven (yes really look beautiful and great). He get angry and responded like, this is one of the worst place to live because only 4months in the year we can do any activity, in other season there will be 10 feet of ice, we need to be there in house for complete 8 months and do nothing. Even everybody needs to save food, vegetables in there house for 8months survival. even we need to save food for animals also. No road … No transport … No medical …. No work … for 8 months. (yes, its second coldest inhabited place in the world, where people living). If any emergency in this season, they have to depends on army only.

Tiger Hills, Near Kargil

Drass –  The second coldest inhabited place in the world after Siberia. Temperatures can drop down to about -45 Degrees Celsius in Winters & You can see more then 10 feet of Ice in the roads. This road will be opened for 3-4 months.

06:00 PM: Reached kargil and filed petrol. We are start riding towards Zanskar Valley/Padum.

Kargil Town

07:30 PM: We stopped at SANKO, J&K Tourism Bungalow for stay. Government invested lot of money to construct more hotels like this, but there is tourist in this region. We took one room and rent will be just Rs.200 only.

Day 5, 05-Jul-2011: 236Km: Sanko (Towards Zanskar) – Panikar – Tangole – Rangdom – Badam(ZanskarValley)

Towards Zansakar Valley

I can say, in complete Leh, Ladhak regionZansakarValleywill be the beautiful place to see, but its highly isolated place. In our complete ride, We seen just 2 tourist/riders only. But european tourist coming to Zansakar/Padum to do trek. From Padum there is 10+ days of trek route which is considered as more adventurist route in complete region to reach Leh.

Road Status – from Kargil, first 30km will have good road. After that, NO road. we have to follow the river & very often you can see small water crossing. Maximum speed will be 25km/ph(We took 15hrs to cross 236km in ZansakarValley), Nothing more its possible. In complete Leh, Ladhak ride, this will be considered as Very bad/no road. If you can able to ride in this valley, I am sure you can ride any ware in Leh, Ladakh region.

Zanskar Valley

This road will be opened in Jun to 22^nd Sep every year, Other season this valley filled by Ice & road will be closed. Government spending 3 months (March to May) to cut the ice and makes this 200km road for Zansakar connectivity. Other season local people will walk through river and reach Leh.

Drass –  The second coldest inhabited place in the world after Siberia, But local people said, Rangdom will be the 2^nd Coldest place in the world compare with Drass.

Rangdom Valley

RANGDOMValley– its beautiful valley in this route. We visited to RANGDOM GOPMA and its 500+ years older monastery.

Rangdom Valley

07:30 PM: We reached Padum town and check-in J&K Tourist bungalow (Rs.200 per day rent). This is main town in this region.

Day 6, 06-Jul-2011: Local Sight Seeing at/near Badam (ZanskarValley) (Karcha, Lakshara, Photang Monastery, Zangla, Stangday)

Zanskar valley having 18 villages and have 18,000 + people. They are all Buddhist and depend on agriculture. This valley highly isolated, it means only 4 months in the year people can use road to reach Kargil. After that this road will be closed because of more ice. After closing roads, Padum people walking on frozen “ZANSKA RIVER” to reach Leh. One of the hotel manger said, he took 3 days to reach leh by walk throughZanskarRiver. In night time, people will stay at cave in this 3 days. He said, people walking on frozen river, Often accident happening. Even last year 2 of them dead in this partially frozen river. So people follow some of the experience people path to reach Leh.

Dalailam Birth day Celebration at Padum, Zanskar Valley

We visited to KARSHA GOMPA/MONASTERY & nuns monastery (its 11km from padum). We spend some time with monetary monk, he is explaining about dalai lama, etc. Interesting thing, he said padum people will reach Himachal Pradesh by walking 3 days. People keep walking days together for survival or purchase anything !! But we call this as adventure Trek route  :-) , but its part of there life.

KARSHA GOMPA/MONASTERY, Padum

12:00 PM: We visited to PHOTANG MONASTERY to see Dalailam Birth day Celebration. The complete region people, monks and king was assembled in this place for this B’day celebration. Local traditional dance, speech, etc performed by local people. We are lucky to see this !!

03:00 PM: We went to ZANGLA to see the place, but there is no place and everything already destroyed. But this valley looks so differently (NO green) and beauty.

While going to Zangla, we met one american girl, who is walking alone to reach this palace to meet king. She said she came here to do research in Indian History. she is staying in this region for some months together. Other then this she said, she is teaching English for local school students, so she knows more people in this region. Great thing will be, she speaks in Ladakh/Tibetan/Hindi languages with local people. Good to see this type of the people passion with more courage.

There is one more monastery in this region, its called STANGDAY. But we are not visited and local people said, its very small.

Day 7, 07-Jul-2011: Padum – Sanko (44 km before Kargil in Zansakar route)

06:45 AM : We started riding back to kargil, But already my bike had Clutch Plat issue and having very less pulling power.

Special Animal at Zanskar Valley

10:30 AM: My mullet completely stopped because of clutch plat issue, still needs to go 160km to reach Kargil. I am sure we can use this for normal road, it wont work this type of the hilly claiming. I am very lucky, we found one truck which go backs to Kargil from Padum. We loaded my bike in this truck & traveled in truck.

Zanskar Valley

We had seen 3 trucks in a complete day. This trucks coming to padum from Kargil to transport, all the basic things(food, dress, oil, construction things, etc) for this region people. This road will opened only 4 months in a year, So they have to stock all basic necessity things.

Zanskar Valley

Day 8, 08-Jul-2011: 230Km: Sanko – Kargil – Chamba Statue – Lamayurv Gompa – Nimmo – Leh

08:00 AM: We started towards Leh, Ladhak. Its very good and beautiful road. We stopped some time at CHAMBA STATUE (Buddhist)

03:45 PM: We reached LAMA YURU GOMPA, we stopped for lunch and its one of the famous gompa in this road.

LAMA YURU GOMPA

MAGNETIC HILL(located near to Leh in Kadakh) – we are playing some time in this place with our bike. All we need to stop our bike at the marked place in the road. We should switch off our bike and we can feel, our bike/car will move automatically. Some people said, its magnetic property of this place, but its absolutely optical illusion and there is no magnetic disturbance in this are.

MAGNETIC HILL(located near to Leh in Kadakh)

07:00 PM: We reached NIMMO, Lex its very small town and having facility like hotel and shops.

10:00 PM: We checked in “Mansor hotel atOld Road” in Leh. We put our bike in Juma Auto Mobile,Airport Road, Leh service center for service.

Day 9, 09-Jul-2011: Leh Local Sight Seeing and Service bike (SHEY PALACE, THIKSAY MONASTERY)

10:00 AM: We went to permit office and applied for permit to see the restricted area in Ladakh region. They collected the document and they said, they will provide the permit document at 4.00 PM.

12:00 PM: We reached SHEY PALACE, its 15km from Leh. Its one of the beautiful place.

We visited to “THIKSAY MONASTERY”, I feel this is very beautiful monastery in this complete region.

THIKSAY MONASTERY

Day 10, 10-Jul-2011: Leh – 43 km – Khardung La (World’s highest motorable road – 18,380 Ft) – Leh – Leh Local Sight Seeing

06:30 AM: We started to KHARDUNG LA(world highest motorable road) and reached. But this place looks very cold and not able to see anything because of early morning. Its recommended to go this place after 11.00 pm. I am sure, every rider dream to reach this place in there life time. !! finally we did it.

KHARDUNG LA(world highest motorable road

Note – From Khardung La, we can reach NUBRAValley(Panamik and Chalunka). We skipped nubra valley because of less time. As per our plan we should stay one day atNubraValley, but we skipped because of riding time for Manali. we met different riders/travelers in leh, who reached Leh from Malali. First set of people said, they took 4 days to reach leh from Manali. One more set of people said, It needs minimum 3 days to reach leh in manali route, its goes. So we decided to remove NubraValleyand kept the day for Leh to mnali ride. But finally we felt, we took wrong decision and took input from wrong travelers. When we did this ride, all we took exactly 20 hrs(for 475km) to reach Manali from Leh, which includes break, food, Photograph, etc. But we are lucky, we are not stopped at Rotang pass and just crossed, this is one of the worst pass. Some riders said, they took one complete day to cross this pass because of rain, bad road, traffic jam, etc.

04:00 PM: We reached SHANTHI STUBA at Leh.

SHANTHI STUBA at Leh.

06:00 PM: We reached at “HALL OF FAME”, its museum of Ladakh Cultureand Military Heritage place.

07:00 PM: we went to “SPITUK MONESTARY”

08:00 PM: we went for shopping at Leh.

Day 11, 11-Jul-2011: Leh – Chang La Pass(17,586 fee, 5360 mt –WorldThirdHighestPass) – (152Km)Pangong Tso (Lake@14,443 feet) – Leh (Night Stay)

07:00 AM: Started to “PANGONGTSOLAKE”.

Way to PANGONG TSO LAKE

12:30 PM: We crossed “CHANG LA PASS(17,586 feet, World Third highest pass)” and reached Pangong Tso lake (14,443 feet).

Its most biggest and beautiful lake in this complete region. Half of the lake in Indian and remaining inChina. The army person said, if you go to this border you can able to see China Trains, it means china built the rail route till this Pangong tso lake border.

This lake shown in “3 idiots hindi movie” also.

PANGONG TSO LAKE

Stay at/near Pangong Tso – You can tent it in this place. You can find some tent hotel for food. But, it will be very cold. So Better will stay at Spangmik village. (you wont find hotel in this region)

08:00 PM: We came back and stayed at Leh itself.

Day 12, 12-Jul-2011: 254 km: Leh – TANGLANGLA Pass (17,582 feet, 5328 mt, World 2^nd Highest Pass) – PANG – LACHULUNGAL Pass – Nakeela Pass – Sarchu

06:00 AM: We started from Leh towards manali.

09:15 AM: We reached crossed “TANGLANGLAPASS(17,582 feet, 2^nd highest)”

12:15 PM: We reached Pang and took lunch.

Leh to Manali, one of the beautiful road which filled by Mountain, Ice, water crossing, Valley, River, Different Sand, Plain Land, etc. we had two major water crossing, all other thing small and keep riding.

Moray Planes – Its really fun to ride in moray planes, no road, more sand … just keep riding for at lest 25 km. But now government started constructing road in this area, it may take more time to complete. Its really risky place to ride and some of the car get stuck.

Moray Planes

02:00 PM: Crossed Lachulungal Pass(16,616), followed byNakeelaPass(15,547).

Towards Manali from Sarchu

04:00 PM: Reached at SARCHU and decided to stay in this place. We wont get any hotel in this region, but we can see tent to sleep and food. We initially thought of using our tent and sleeping bag to sleep at night, But after we realized its worst cold in this valley.

Road Status – Initial 60km bad road, After good road.

Petrol – 365 Km don’t have any petrol bunk. Next Petrol Bunk at Tandi/Keylong (Near to manali)

stay at SARCHU

Day 13, 13-Jul-2011: 232 Km: Sarchu – ZingZing Bar – Rohtang pass – Manali

06:30 AM: We started to Manali from SARCHU. After we realized one of our bike had puncture. We fixed the puncture and started at 10:00 AM only. There was two major water crossing in this road.

Leh to Manali

08:00 PM: We reached Manali after doing all the adventure to crossRohtangPass.We seen some of the people already burned there clutch plate in this pass itself and searching for clutch plate. WE stayed at “The BEAS” hotel (Himachal Pradesh Tourism hotel)

Water Crossing

BEAS RIVER starts from Rohtang region.

Road Status – Bad /No Road+ Water Crossing + Pass Crossing. But Rohtang pass was in very very bad position. People took one complete day to cross this pass because of water/rain. Most of the car/heavy was get stuck in this pass.

Rohtang Tunnel(http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rohtang_Tunnel) (Its Under construction) is a tunnel proposed to be built under the Rohtang Pass in the Leh-Manali Highway. The 8.8-kilometre-long (5.5 mi) tunnel will be the longest road tunnel in India and is expected to reduce the distance between Manali and Keylong by over 60 kilometres Lying on the Manali-Leh axis.

Rohtang Pass (from Manali)

Day 14, 14-Jul-2011: Manali Local Sight seeing

10:00 AM: We visited to “NAGGAR/CASTLE” (its 40km from manali), We can have very beautiful Kulu/north/south valley view from this place. Other then this there is beautiful temple and museum in this place which represent Himachal Culture.

This complete region filled by APPLE TREES and apples. Its like every house having apple trees and garden.

We visited to “JANAWATERFALLS”

We visited to JAGATSUKH/GAYATRI TEMPLE, which is 500+ years old which represent himachal Pradesh architecture. We met one American in this temple. He said, he is in this place for last 8 months to learn Hindi, Sanskrit and Local Culture.

Temple at Manali

Just we visited following place:

TIBETAN MONASTERY

MANUMAHARISHITEMPLE(ONLY TEMPL FOR SAGU MAN)

MADIMBATEMPLE(500+ YEARS OLD)

Stay – “The Beas”, Himachal Pradesh Tourism Hotel – at TheMall Road, Near toBeasRiver.

Temple at Manali

Day 15, 15-Jul-2011: Kullu & Manali local Sigt seeing.

Manali

We visited toSOLANGVALLEYthrough Ropeway. But there is no activity now. Generally this place will be very famous and active in December & Jan.

Manali

Today nothing much to do .. Just Sleeping. Night we went to movie in the theater.

Day 16, 16-Jul-2011: 989 Km: Manali –Delhi

06:00 AM: We started from manali to reach Delhi. Initial we seen some danger roads in this stretch. After its good, just high way !!

06:30 PM: We reachedDelhi.

Day 17, 17-Jul-2011:Delhi to Bangalore in Flight.

10:00 AM: We handover our bikes to Private Cargo & went to Airport.

11:00 PM: Reached Bangalore Happily !!

Its really fun riding at J&K region. Dream came True J

Who will say no for this road

By Udhaya Kumar.V , udhaya@udhaya.com

Dandali, Karnatka: https://picasaweb.google.com/112046714466411554404/Karnatka_Dandali

Maharashtra Costal: https://picasaweb.google.com/112046714466411554404/Maharashtra_Costal

Mahabaleshwar & Panchagani, Maharashtra: https://picasaweb.google.com/112046714466411554404/Maharashtra_Mahabaleshwar_Panchagani

Aurangabad, Ajantha & Ellora, Maharashtra: https://picasaweb.google.com/112046714466411554404/Maharashtra_Aurangabad_Ajantha_Ellora

RIDE DURATION/DATE: 8 Days, 30-Oct-2010 to 06-Nov-2010

PARTICIPANTS/Rider: Udhaya Kumar.V & Balaji Anand in RE Thunder Bird

EXPENSE: Rs.12,500 (Rs.5,790 for Food, Stay, etc + Rs.6,710 for Petrol), Per head.

ROAD MAP:

Day 1, 30-Oct-2010: Bangalore-502km- Dandali

Day 2, 31-Oct-2010: Dandali – Belgam – (171km)Amboli – Sawantwadi – Vengulra Beach – (111km)Tarkarli Beach – Malvan Beach (297 Km)

Day 3, 01-Nov-2010: TarkarliBeach-212km- (Londa -> Ponda -> Dicholi -> Maneri -> Banda -> Sindhudurga) Ratnagiri Fort -56km- Ganpatipule Beach

Day 4, 02-Nov-2010: GanpatipuleBeach-219km- Mahabaleswar

Day 5, 03-Nov-2010: Mahabaleswar -24km-PanchganiTableLand-Aurangabad-(361km)Ellora – Ajantha

Day 6, 04-Nov-2010: Ajantha – Buldana – Sultanapur – (155km)Lonar – Jalna – (152km)Aurangabad

Day 7, 05-Nov-2010: Aurangabad-475km- Kolapur(Pune High Way)

Day 8, 06-Nov-2010: Kolapur(Pune High Way) -630km-Bangalore

DISTANCE: 3,190 Km (Round trip – Bangalore- Dandali – Maharastra Costa – Aurangabad - Bangalore)

PLACE VISITED:

Karnataka
1.Dandali
2.Syntheri Rock

Maharashtra
1.Amboli Fals
2.Vengurla
2.Tarkarli
3.Malvan
4.Ratnagiri Fort
5.Ganapatipul
6.Mahabaleshwar
7.Panchagani (table Land)

8.Aurangabad
9.Ajantha
10.Daulatabad Fort
11.Bibi ka Maqbara
12.Ellora
13.Lonar Crater

LOG:

Day 1, 30-Oct-2010:

05:00 AM: We started from Bangalore towards Dandali.

01:00 PM: We reached DANDALI @ Karnataka and checked in Government forest bungalow. We got this stay through one of the reference.
Place to Stay: You can find some of the jungle lodge and resorts in this place. Jungle Lodges and Resorts will be the famous one and there is no low budget hotel/lodge in this area for stay.

One of the very biggest forest area in Karnataka, where you won’t find much tourist or commercial things. This place very famous for water rafting, trekking, Bird Watching (we seen more Hornbills birds), Jungle Safari and Kayaking. Water sports will be available based on the water availability in kali river(Dam will be opened specific day/time only), So better you can check-it up while planning for any water sports in this place.

Place to see: This is not tourist place other then forest and river. But you can see some place like SYNTHERI ROCKS (Main Tourist Attraction), CROCODILE PARK and WATER RAFTING. All you can see forest … forest … birds !! Be with nature, you can go to this green place.

SYNTHERI ROCKS (Main Tourist Attraction) at DANDALI, Karnataka

Day 2, 31-Oct-2010:

07:00 AM: we started towards Maharastra costal and decided to bypass Goa.

09:45 AM: We reached Belgam, We traveled through NH121 its full of mountain ride. Its green .. green route.

11:30 AM: We reached AMBOLI & its just passing way only. Its very beautiful valley and small falls in this place, we stopped some time in this place . This is not place to stay or any activity in this place, just passing valley.

AMBOLI valley, Maharashtra

01:00 PM: We reached VENGULRA BEACH, its very small beach and no activity, no people other then some local people. We spend little time in this beach and decided to move towards MALVAN/TARKARLI Beach.

Stay at VENGULRA BEACH: There is MTDC (Maharashtra Tourism Development Corporation) hotel, But I don’t think any sense to stay in this beach. Better you can move to MALVAN or TARKARLI Beach.

04:00 PM: We reached TARKARLI BEACH and checked-in MTDC hotel. Tarkarli and Malvan very active beach’s comparatively, its attracts more tourist, again this both beaches in very nearby only. So you can stay where every you want and spend time in this beaches.

TARKARLI BEACH

In Malvan, there is Shivaji Fort and you can reach this place through local boat. Its nice place to spend some time. We seen plenty of fishing boats in this area.

Shivaji Fort at Malvan

Amazing things to see in this place, people driving there motorcycle/car in this sea shore to reach malvan town.

MALVAN Beach

Stay at TARKARLI Beach: We stayed at MTDC Hotel, but you can see more hotels in this place. MTDC very near to beach.

Day 3, 01-Nov-2010 :

06:00 AM: We planned to start, after we realized one of our bullet was puncture. We fixed our self and it took one hr. Good !! Puncture was happened at beach !! no need to worry much.

09:00 AM: We started driving in costal road.

02:00 PM: We reached RATNAGIRI FORT. There is no fort in this place other then compound. Top of this small hill there is Shivaji Temple. Nothing much to see in this place other then have very good view point(sea) from this place.

Shivaji Temple at RATNAGIRI FORT

05:30 PM: we reached GANPATIPULE BEACH and checked in. Its more active and beautiful beach in complete Maharashtra costal compare with other beaches.

GANPATIPULE BEACH

Its very small town and we visited to ganpatipule temple its in Sea shore itself.

ganpatipule temple at GANPATIPULE BEACH

Day 4, 02-Nov-2010 :

06:15 AM: We started riding towards MAHABALESWAR.

12:00 PM: We reached MAHABALESWAR and checked-in MTDC hotel. This is one of the famous and beautiful hillstation in Maharashtra.

MAHABALESWAR

There is two thing we can do In this place 1. VIEW POINTS – There is 12 view points(Lodwick point, elephant Head point, Savitri Point, Arthur’s seat, etc) in this hilli region where you can see complete place. But out of this, “ARTHUR’S SEAT” view point looks great. 2. VENNA LAKE: I am sure everybody who visit to Mahabaleswar, will visit to this lake. Its very bigger lake where plenty of all type of the boating happening. Other then this, Horses ride very famous in place. I am seeing people love to do this horse ride in this place, again no matter men, women.. kids … every body going for this horse ride.

Horse Riding at VENNA LAKE

Stay at Mahabaleswar: We stayed at MTDC hotel. But you can find plenty of the hotels in this place. Its typical tourist place & no worry about stay.

Day 5, 03-Nov-2010 :

06:40 AM: Started riding towards Panchgani to see TABLE LAND. Its very near from Mahabaleswar. Panchgani is very famous for boarding school in Maharashtra.

07:15 AM: We reached PANCHGANI TABLE LAND. Its flat land on the mountain & looks good. Some tourist place to see in this are will be Table Land, Sydney Point, Parsi Point, Mappro Garden and Sherbaug. Nothing great to spend time in this place, So we decided to move towards Ellora.

TABLE LAND at Panchgani

Route – From this place, we have to reach pune high way, from there we need to go towards Ellora. But we decided to go in state high way which will be the short route to ellora. But after started riding in this road, we realized we took very bad decision. We seen most of this state high way very badly maintain, its very very bad roads. Better you can go to National High way and reach Ellora, instead of using state high way.

04:00 PM: We reached ELLORA and spend our time. I am sure, its wonder & everybody must see this place.

ELLORA

08:30 PM: we reached AJANTHA and checked in MTDC hotel. There is two MTDC hotel in this place.

Day 6, 04-Nov-2010 :

09:00 AM: We reached AJANTHA and spend our time, Its amazing work. Its series of 30 cave temples, but out of this 15 not complete one.

AJANTHA

HOLIDAY DETIAL:
Ajantha – Monday Holiday
Ellora – Tuesday Holiday

PLACE TO SEE @/NEAR AURANGABAD:

Ajanta: 107km from Aurangabad City. Dating from 200BC, these caves were excavated in two distinct phases and reportedly took more then 800 years to complete. They comprise Chaityas(Shrines) dedicated to lord Buddha and Viharas(Monasteries) used by buddhist monks for meditation. The paintings and sculptures depict incidents from the life of the Buddha and various Buddhist divinities with the jataka tales,illustrating stories of Bodhisattva, being the most famous.

Ellora: About 30km from Aurangabad are the world renowned Ellora caves, known for their Buddhist, Jain and Hindu cultural influences. There are 34 caves containing shrines, monasteries and temples. The Buddhiest caves were carved during the period 200BC to 600AD. These were followed by the Hindu caves (500 – 900AD) and finally the jain caves(800-1000 AD).

Daulatabad: About 15km from Aurangabad, one of the way to the ellora caves, is the hill fortress of Daulatabad. This magnificent 12th century fortress was the capital of the Yadava rulers.

Bibi-Ka-Maqbara: in 1679, Aurangzeb’s son build the inspiringly beautiful Bibi-Ka-Maqbara as a tribute to his mother, Begam Rabia-ud-Durani. A replica of the Taj Mahal of Agra.

Panchakki: This is 17th Centrure water mill exemplifies the engineering ingenuity of that age. The mill which runs on water channelized from a river 6km. away through an earthen pipeline, was used for grinding food grains for the community kitchen.

Ghrishneshwar Temple: About half a kilometer from Ellora.

Khuldabad, Aurangazeb’s Tomb: near Aurangabad.

01:30 PM: We started riding towards LONAR. We need to go in local road to reach this place. Its really bad road in most of the places.

04:30 PM: we reached LONAR and spend some time. I am not seen any outside people visiting this place, Even local people not aware of this place. There is MTDC hotel, but its closed because of no tourist.

LONAR: Its situated on the outskirts of Lonar town in Buldhana District, the lonar crater was first discovered in 1823 by J.E Alexander and is written about in ancient scripts like the Skanda Puran, the Padma Puran and the Asina-i-Akbari. Its distinguished by the fact that it’s the world’s third largest crater formed nearly 50,000 years ago, when a 2 million-ton meteorite impacted the earth to create a depression 1.83 kilometers in diameter and 150 meters deep.

lonar crater

Near By: You can see Daitya Sudan Temple and Gomukh Temple.

05:30 PM: Started riding towards Aurangabad

09:30 PM: We reached Aurangabad and checked-in MTDC hotel. Yes offcourse its bigger city and you can get all the facility.

Stay at Aurangabad: You can see plenty of the hotels, but we stayed at MTDC hotel.

Day 7, 05-Nov-2010 :

09:00: we went Aurangabad local visit. Yes there is some of the good places. We visited to DOLADABAD FORT, temple, etc.

Bibi-Ka-Maqbara

01:30 PM: Our trip is over and riding back to bangalore via Pune.

10:00 PM: we stayed at KOLAPUR.

Day 8, 06-Nov-2010 :

05:30 AM: Started riding to Bangalore. On the way, one of our bullet had issue and went to Hubli to fix the bike. We was there 4+ hrs.

08:00 PM: Reached home at Bangalore.

OVERALL SOME POINTS:

1. Ajantha & Ellora – Must see in your life time.

2. GANPATIPULE BEACH – Its beautiful and active beach, compare with other Maharashtra costal beaches

3. Fort at Maharashtra Costal – It’s not worth to visit any fort. You can see only compound and some temple.

4. Roads – DON’T select any local or state road. Try to be on High way as much as possible. Local roads poorly maintained.

5. Hotel – You can find MTDC (Maharashtra Tourism Development Corporation) hotel in most of the tourist places for stay, but it looks little costly. All the MTDC rooms start from Rs.1,100, Its costly compare with other India state government tourist hotels cost.

By Udhaya Kumar.V, Udhaya@udhaya.com

RIDE DURATION/DATE: 2 Days, 22,23-Apr-2011

PARTICIPANTS/Rider: Udhaya Kumar.V, Karthik in RE Thunder Bird !!

ROAD MAP: Bangalore- Hosur – Krishnagiri -Salem– Rasipuram(New Bus stand) – Senthamangalam “Pirivu” Road(take right) – Singalandapuram – Belukkurichi – Kalappanaickenpatti, Sendhamangalam – Kollimalai (300 Km)

DISTANCE: 645 Km (Round Trip,Bangalore– Kolli Hills –Bangalore), 300Km – One Way –Bangaloreto Kolli Hills.

WHERE TO STAY: Very limited hotels available in this place, So please book your hotel before start your travel.

1. Nallathambi Resort, Semmedu Kolli Hills – 637 411, Namakal, Tamil Nadu, Phone – 94432 09842, 94432 56381, 04286-247463/247547, email – NallathambiResort@yahoo.in, web – www.nallathambiresort.weebly.com – You can stay with family.

2. P.A Holiday Inn, MoolaKadai, Semmedu, Namakkal Dt, http://www.paholidayinn.com/, EMail : reservation@paholidayinn.com, Phone – 04286 – 247488, 04286 – 247466, +91 – 99620 05 617 – You can stay with family.

3. Malaiveedu Cottage, Valavanthinadu, V.S.Sellapa Gounder Valagam, email – malaiveedu@gmail.com, 84895 80617, 94435 34264, 9786424155, 04286 247566 – You can stay with family.

4.Kudil Vedu, Tamil Nadu

5.Youth Hostal / Panchayat Union Cottages Kolli Hills,  Kolli Hills Dist, Tamil nadu,India, Phone: +91-4286-247425

6. Lodge /ArrowMansion, Kolli Hills, Opposite to Semmedu Bus Stand, Tamil nadu,

Phone: +91-4286-247494, 04286 – 247494, 9443694907 – You can’t stay with family in this place. Its having just room for sleep.

ABOUT : Kolli Hills or Kolli Malai (Tamil: கொல்லி மலை) is a small mountain range located in central Tamil Nadu inIndia. The Kollihills is a sub taluk and forms a part of Namakkal district. Semmedu is the headquarters for the Kolli hills and Semmedu is connected by road to Namakkal andSalem.

The mountains are about 1000 to 1300 m in height and cover an area of approximately 280 km. The Kolli Hills has 70 hair pin bends to reach the top of the hills. The Kolli Hills are part of the Eastern Ghats, which is a mountain range that runs mostly parallel to the east coast of South India. The mountains are relatively untouched by commercial tourism and still retain their natural beauty.
The Kolli Hills are featured in several works of classical Tamil literature such asSilappathigaram, Manimekalai, Purananuru and Ainkurnuru. The region was ruled by Valvil Ori around 200 A.D., who is praised as one of the seven great philanthropists of ancient Tamil Nadu.

The hills are covered with evergreen forests, but increasing areas of forests have been cleared for farming. Important farm products of the mountain ranges include coffee, tea, jackfruit, pineapple, black pepper and other spices.

PLACE TO SEE:

1. Agasa Gangai Water falls (Main Attraction): Agaya Gangai is famous and very attractive water falls in Kolli malai. Agaya gangai waterfall is 300 feet from the river Aiyaru. It is situated near Arappaleeshwarar temple.

2. MiniFalls

3. ArappaleeswarTemple

4. Selur View Point (Main Attraction): Selur view point is one of the most panoramic spots in Kolli malai.

5. EttukaiAmmanTemple

6. Boat House: Its very small.

7. Botanical Garden

8. Seekuparai viewpoint

9. Siddhar caves: Siddhar cave is where the medicine sages once resided. Some caves are small and can hold only two people at a time. Some people have chanced across mortars and stones that were used by these ancient medicine men. The nearby groves abound in medicinal herbs.

LOG:

22-Apr-2011, 07:00 AM: Started fromBangalore

22-Apr-2011, 12:00 PM: Reached kolli hills, then we realized there is just having 4 hotels and already booked. Finally we got one room at Malaiveedu Cottage and checked-in.

This is not typical tourist/commercial place and you won’t see any tourist at all. So there is not much hotels to stay, but we can book at advance and go there. If you want justromearound the mountain, where you don’t want to see much people, then kolli hills will be perfect choice for week end. It’s series of mountain which contain 750 villages and 140 panchayat.

22-Apr-2011, 03:00 PM: we went to Agasa Gangai Water falls, this is main attraction in Kolli hills. We needs to claim down 1000 steps to reach this water falls. Yes offcoruse its easy to go down and little difficult come back. Near by we can see  ArappaleeswarTemple & MiniFalls.

Agasa Gangai Water falls (Main Attraction)

23-Apr-2011, 08:00 AM: We visited to View Point, Boat House and Botanical Garden. View point was good.

View from View Point

23-Apr-2011, 11:30 AM: Started our ride back to Banglaore.

23-Apr-2011, 06:00 PM: Reachedbangalore.

By Udhaya Kumar.V , Udhaya@udhaya.com

RIDE DURATION/DATE: 3 Days, 7-9-Oct-2011

Distance: Bangalore – Ooty – Bangalore – 690 Km (round trip)

Place Visited: Avalanche Valley (Avalanche Dam) & Emerald dam

LOG:

This time 3days RTMC annual meet happened at Sterling Holidays, Ooty. As usual all the program designed and executed excellent manner.

We know well, Ooty went more and more commercial. But we should see Avalanche Valley (Avalanche Dam) & Emerald dam, its really green and lovely place. Don’t miss it.

Avalanche Valley (Avalanche Dam) View

By Udhaya Kumar.V , Udhaya@udhaya.com

Ride/Trek duration/date: 17-Sep-2011

Rider : Udhaya, Balaji & Karthik

Road map:  Bangalore -> Mysore Road -> Kengeri(Take right next to kengeri rajarajeshwari dental college, You have to go 33km from this deviation) -> Big Banyan Tree > Manchanbele Dam > Savandurga

LOG :

We started claiming/trekking this rock mountain, its really fun, But we took 2:30 hrs to reach top. Its very danger to do this in rainy season & don’t do this. We can able to see clear mark for walk, Some people try it to claim in vertical direction, don’t do that. Even last month 2 of them dead in this place while trying vertical claim.

In top the mountain, you can see one small temple, But it will have very good view from this place. You should carry any food/water item if you want, you won’t find any shop top of the mountain.

There is one more trekking route goes towards Manchanbele Dam from Savandurga. This is reserve forest. Its not much danger, but there is elephants in this area. We took one hr to reach the river which will feed the water to Manchanbele dam.

If you want spend one day near to Bangalroe, you can very well go to this place and see following things.

Big Banyan Tree
Manchanbele Dam
Savandurga Mountain

By Udhaya Kumar.V,

RIDE DURATION/DATE:  2 Days, 7&8-May-2011

RIDER : Udhaya Kumar.V  & Balaji Anand in RE Thunder Bird !!

ROAD MAP: Bangalore -> Mysore -> Hunsure -> Periyapatana -> Sidapura -> Bagadamandala

DISTANCE: 550 (Round trip from Bangalore)

PLACE  Visited : Our plan to visit MANDALPATTI (Pushpairi) through this ride, But we just add some more places also in Coorg.

Talakaveri  / Brammagiri Hills

MANDALPATTI / Pushpairi Wildlife Sanctuary

bagavdeswara temple, Baganandala

Hebbe falls

Dubare Elephant camp

LOG:

I am sure most of the bangalore people preferable tourist place will be coorg and visit place like Irupu falls, Raja Seat/ Madikeri, Abbey falls, Cauvery Nisargadhama, Budha Golden Temple, etc (http://udhaya.com/?p=486).

View from Talakaveri / Brammagiri Hills

We heard lot about MANDALPATTI and plan to do this ride specifically. Its very famous place for trek and some of the Kannada Cinema songs filmed in this place.

MANDALPATTI / Pushpairi Wildlife Sanctuary

Route and Prefer time for Mandalpatti:  from Madikeri you can reach Mandalpatti, But its good, bad or small road which will take you to this place. It will take maximum one hr to reach this place in Car or Bike. Try to be in the place after 3 or 4:00 PM, Don’t go in afternoon.

I feel this is the best place in around coorg and must VISIT !! But very less people visit to this place because of no/bad roads. Don’t miss this place, if you visit Coorg.

Dubare Elephant camp

By Udhaya Kumar.V , Udhaya@udhaya.com