When the vacation bells are tolling, the ideal way to revive yourself is to go for a holiday to discover unexplored places. More and more people are opting to travel to less-explored lands these days. Along with his 10 friends, Aadish, a Bengaluru-based software Engineer and regular backpacker, went on a two-day trekking trip, which he recalls as ‘unforgettable.’ Representing the ‘Let’s Go for a Camp’ collective, Aadish and his fellow travellers reached Kattappana in Idukki district as part of Hidden Paradise, a two-day trek through less explored areas of Idukki district. “Ardent travellers are not unaware of these areas but for most people, these trekking sites are still unknown. The serenity, experience and peace offered by these unexplored places cannot be described in words,” says Aadish.
The group started their journey from Kattappana early in the morning towards Microwave viewpoint, a trek that offers a lot of adventures. “As the terrain is rocky and sometimes slippery, it took almost an hour to reach the top. In spite of the cool breeze, the sun showed no mercy and the group members were tired by the time we reached the peak. But the effort was worth it as the view that we witnessed from top of the cliff was nothing short of magnificent.” As per their guide Sreejith’s directions, they returned to the base by 3 pm.
Calvari Mount
Anchuruli Tunnel was the next stop. This catchment area of Idukki Arch Dam is a beautiful region that is very tranquil and blissful. Anchuruli is acclaimed for its huge tunnel and small waterfalls. The water that comes from Erattayar river powers the Idukki Hydro Electric Project.
“Anchuruli is filled with sounds of birds, streams and waterfalls. It provides an adorable and alarming appearance of nature. The best time to visit Anchuruli is after the rainy season but exploring the tunnel would be a bit more adventurous,” he says.
This place gained more popularity after the climax scene of Iyyobinte Pusthakam was shot here. Ayyappan Kovil was the next destination; here they spent some time near a small tributary of River Periyar and on the hanging bridge.
Kalyanathandu
Before the sunset, the team reached Ramakkalmedu. “It is not that common to visit this area at night. Usually, travellers prefer to trek through this place in the daytime. But walking atop the hill at night was a different experience. Atop the hill, we had a small interactive session,” he added. Through the trip was fun and an unforgettable experience, they were sad about the littering. Aadish, who has been actively participating in treks, says the team could see how the land has been changing over the years due to the human intervention and encroachment. Most of the areas are filled with plastic and other wastes.
The next day, they went to Calvary Mount, which is also known as Kalyanathand, an important tourist place in Idukki District.
The Calvari Mount viewpoint offers a charming view of Idukki Reservoir on one side and a panoramic view of Kamakshy and Mariyapuram villages on the other. It is one of the most scenic places in Idukki. The team, which finished the trek and returned to the cottage by 4 pm, is determined to visit again.
