Talakona falls - Entry view
One day trip, took a train Sapthagiri Express from Chennai, On sunday morning at Chennai Central - Queues at all 5 ticket counters is long extending onto tar road, in queue for 25 mins, I still have 9 members ahead of me at counter when the clock ticked 6:23am, the departure scheduled for 6:25am from platform No.7, had a decision to take up train and prepared for fine, late by 10mins reaching Tirupathi, Instead going to Bus Station went to GRK stop similar walk away distance from Railway station, soon took on a 'Piler' bus, got down at Bakrapet in a 40min journey, in no time got an auto heading to Talakona charging 30/- per head for jouney of about ~20km in 30 min, In fact this is festival season 'Shiva Ratri' so lot many visitors, and frequent Buses in place.
Another auto from Temple to Water crossover point about 1.5 km probably (buy in walk time) bargained for 10/- per head with 7 member group. There in at 11:35am - unavoidable walk way to reach falls, there was a fruit 'elakkaaya' claimed good for health, I took one its no ripe but fine with lonely walk. it took about 15min to reach falls
Uphill Bath point - main falls
Bought some nuts (not to eat) one works as knee pain reliever, another for scorpion, centipede poisonous bite reliever - forest medicine. Spent 10 min at main waterfall bottom point, beware of monkeys the moment you pull out a fruit from you bag - there would be a gathering and pose in competition for the fruit in hand - careful, went up hill, the bath point great place to have bath with high shower, took some pictures from left and right of the shower, there was guarded crossing, slippery to reached the right of falls, OMG! the monkeys carried my bag way off I had to run to threathen them away.
Manual mode of my camera - 85% Manual 15% Aperture PriorityCanon 18-55mm
Shadows - 1/13 sec f/8.0 ISO100 Image stabilizer ON
Bright - 1/200 sec f/8.0 ISO100 Image stabilizer ON
Noticed 4 - 5 stops of light variation altogether
videoclip
Manual mode of my camera - 85% Manual 15% Aperture PriorityCanon 18-55mm
Shadows - 1/13 sec f/8.0 ISO100 Image stabilizer ON
Bright - 1/200 sec f/8.0 ISO100 Image stabilizer ON
Noticed 4 - 5 stops of light variation altogether
videoclip
Valley view
It was now 2:00pm, thought to explore uphill, went climbing up the paved footsteps, somewhat steep long - this could just being solo travel, that appeared difficult for me with tripod and load of baggage. Once reached the top, sat down for 15 min till my breath substantiated to normal rate, a nice view piont showing other hill range.
Small falls
Walked along wide road, took left down way with steps reaching water stream ending up in large beautiful pool, realized in difficulty in trek is worth splendid falls, not prepared for the bath (dont expect a cloak room) time is ticking 4:00pm, I have started back chatting with a naerby village group, all way down trek ended up quickly, at 5:30pm am back near temple feeling hungry for skipping lunch, had vegetable rice, gathered information for stay.
# Accomodation 1. Forest Rest House - 9949837518 (off) - 9490609117 (Chairman) - Lady Officer - 9490609117 (Vice Chairman) Mr.Rajanna Booking required atleast 8 day in advance Room - 2 member/Double cot - 500/- Dormitory- 10 Bedded - 1000/- (Irrespective of members < 10) Kitchen available 2. TTD (earlier APTDC - 08584-272425) - No Advance Booking - Alloted on availablility |
# Trekking to Pool shown Left Forest office at Bakrapet - prior permission for Trek Guide - 300/- per day # Activities(to-fro walk from Rest House including bath time) - Trek/Pool(bath) - 5-6 Hours - Talakona Falls - 3 Hours - Nelakona Falls - 3 Hours - Canopy walk / - Safari - Self Arrange outside Jeep - Boating # Entrance Tickets - Person ticket - 5/- - Auto/car - 30/- - Still Camera - 10/- |