About Place: One of the lesser known treks in the Tamil Nadu circuit, Vattakanal trek is on the difficult side of the trekking spectrum. Completing the whole trek in a day would make it comparable to the strenuous nature of Kumara Parvatha trek. After reaching Theni early on Day 1, we head towards the base where we freshen up and start the trek. First hour is a warm up and is easy on the eyes with couple of deeply hidden waterfalls.
After a refreshing break is when the trek becomes taxing. Constant steep under the thick jungles of the Western Ghats make it a tiring journey. The views when the forests rarely open up are majestic. Spotting wildlife is highly probable with Bison, wild goats, porcupines being the more common species. Mist laden forests make it a spooky environment and walking the trails feel like a true adventure. After trekking for 10kms, we reach Vellagavi, a 50 house village with no road connectivity. They have to either come down to Kumbakarai or go up to Vattakanal for selling the fruits and spices which are in abundance. Oranges, Butter Fruit, Papaya, Banana, Guava, Passion Fruit, Jack Fruit are some of the many varieties of fruits available here, which make it a mouthwatering experience. Deep in the jungle, an aptly named camp site Into the wild is where we camp on Day 1.
Day 2 welcomes us with an unforgiving winding path which is continuously steep and equally spooky with the mist. After a tiring 3 hour hike, the warmth of lemon tea in the cold weather of Vattakanal concludes a satisfactory trek. The trek ends at Dolphin Nose in Vattakanal.
Difficulty level |
Moderate to Difficult |
Approx Temperature |
20/25 degree |
Accommodation type |
Tented Accmmodation with Sleeping Bags or Dormitory |
Washrooms |
Only at Base Camp |
Food |
Basic Veg Meals Food |
Transport |
Non A/C Private Coach |
Distance from Chennai |
490 kms (one way) |
Total trekking distance |
18-20 kms approx. |
Attraction |
Forest. Waterfalls. Mountains and View Points. |
Few important points to note before you decide to register:Click Here
What is included in the tour
- Non A/C private coach from Chennai to Chennai
- Trekking
- Accommodation
- 2 Breakfast
- 1 Lunch
- 1 Dinner
- Instructor from BMC
- Forest Permissions
- Basic First-Aid
What is NOT included in the tour
- GST
- Food during bus journey
- Anything not mentioned above
Note: There is a different permission charge for Foreigner & the difference amount should be paid by the participant on spot
Suggested things to carry:
- Personal medication (if any)
- Strong backpack (Preferably water proof)
- Fresh pair of clothes for two days.
- Toiletries.
- Mosquito Reppellent Cream
- Water bottles (at least 2 litres of water)
- A torch with new batteries (must in case of emergency)
- You can carry Energy Food (Chocolate bars, flavoured milk, Electrolyte drinks - Glucose etc.)
- Sunglasses, Sunscreen.
- Camera (Optional)
- Shoes with good grip (Must)
PACK LIGHT, CARRY ONLY WHAT IS NECESSARY
Tentative Schedule:
Day: 1
06:30 PM: Pick-up from PVR Skywalk Kilpauk
06:45 PM: Pick-up from Anna Nagar Metro Station
07:00 PM: Pick up from Koyambedu Metro Station
Day: 2
06:00 AM: Reach the trek base - Freshen-up & Breakfast
08:30 AM: Start the trek
: Trek to Campsite - Have packed Lunch on the way up
05:00 PM: Camping
Day: 3
06:00 AM: Wake up - Freshen-up - Breakfast.
08:00 AM: Continue the trek
10:30 AM: Reach Vattakanal
11:30 AM: Start back to Chennai - Have self sponsored lunch on the way.
11:00 PM: Reach Chennai.
Note: Drop points will be the same as pick-up points