Nelliyampathy
Nelliyampathy is called the "Poor man's Ooty". One can expect a great weekend with his family, or a splendid honeymoon trip, because the cool climate will enhance your happiness and mood. Opt for this destination to ease off your tension and have a nice stay with your children for a day or two with safe hygenic food. Nelliyampathy is surrounded by tea and coffee plantations and has excellent weather conditions. The journey to Nelliampathi itself is an experience. The only route to Nelliyampathy is from Nemmara, from where the first town of Nelliampathy, namely "Kaikatty junction", is at a distance of 26 km. At the 9th kilometer is the Pothundi Dam, a dam constructed and maintained for irrigation purposes which provides water for the rice fields in the surrounding areas. Entry Fee to this Dam is - Rs. 5/- per child, Rs. 10/- per adult and Rs. 20/- for camera. There are many good locations in the part adjacent to the Dam. The dam is at the foot of the Nelliampathi hills and soon after passing the Dam, comes the Forest Department's Check Post, where you will have to enter your vehicle number, number of persons travelling and name of hotel of stay. From here, the road winds up for the next 17 km, with many hairpin turns on the way. The twists and turns is stretched by the government forest, where one can see massive teak trees. The road is very narrow and requires a skilled driver behind the wheel. On the way, one can see wild animals like lion - tailed macaque (macaque silenus), deer and porcupine. The view of the Pothundy dam from the hill height is a breathtaking sight( there is a view point uphill). There will be many waterfalls by the roadside during the rainy season.
ITINERARY
Day 1 :
Reach Nelliyampathy by noon and have lunch.
Start for Seethargund view point. Seethargund View point is with in the area or POABS tea estate. The picture of a tree shown above is the landmark of this view point. one can have a glimse of Tamilnadu from this view point. be careful to hold children at the view point. please do not allow them to run. At the parking lot there is a tea stall, where you can taste fantastic elaichi tea. The shop also sells teadust and leaf packets, coffee powder, etc. produced by POABS tea estate. after spending some time at the view point and at the shop in parking lot, return to your hotel of stay. Rest of the day, you han have spend time enjoying with your family in the hotel itself.
Day 2 :
after breakfast, proceed to Government Orange & Vegetable Farm. A half an hour time will be enough to have a glance of the farm. Then proceed to "Keshavan Paara", at about 4 Kms. distance from Nelliyampathy town. after getting down at the roadside, we have to walk 10 mins to reach the view point. Here also be careful with children, at the view point.
By this time it will be lunch time. Have your lunch and proceed to Maampaara. We have seen glimses of this place in the malayalam movie "Bhramaram". Please check at teh entry forest check post or ur hotel of stay, whether entry is permitted to Mampaara, because at times, entry is prohibited to this place.
return to hotel and relax for the rest of the day.
Day 3 :
return from Nelliyampathy after breakfast.
