It was early May, 2016. Summer was at its peak & Bangalore was burning at 40 degrees. A trip was always on the cards. So after scouting multiple hill stations, we finalized Manampalli forest a.k.a Manamboli.
Manampalli is located 9kms from main road off the Urulickal check post between Sholayar and Valparai. After getting the permissions from Pollachi forest department, we started towards Valparai at around 9 AM. With curves and hair pin bends, we drove through the lush green roads and took half hour to reach the Sholayar Power station. This seemed to be the main source of livelihood for people in and around. Manampalli draws power from Sholayar dam situated in the vicinity and there are settlements for the employees though many seemed inhabitted and abandoned. This is partly owing to the inaccessibility of basic health care and education, many have moved out to the close by town. The bus operates thrice a day to and from Valpari. Crossing this, you are greeted with an unmanned check post and the forest guest house is 500 meters past this check post. The forest guest house is maitained by government and as you reach, you ll see trench dug around the house to prevent the house from elephants. The guest house has a kitchen and a cook is available for help. You need to buy the groceries & essentials needed for cooking. They cook amazing non-veg. Mutton fry was my favourite. He leaves the guest house around 9 PM to Valparai. BSNL is the only provider with connectivity. Permission needs to be obtained in prior for forest safari.
The temperature was hovering around 20 degrees and shot up to 30+ during day. The streams were also running dry due to the monsoon failures. Though we were missing the experience of fog and chillness, we did spend 2 good days, walking through the forest trails, exploring the village, almost spotted a cheetah, spotted bisons & wild boars, witnessed elephants guiding her calf to the water stream.
Guest house in the middle of the lush green forest, sharing happy moments with friends under open skies, gazing at the stars, fireflies flashing off the green lights with their little butts, waking up to the morning raga of chirping birds accompanied by the sounds of flowing streams, slurping hot coffee sitting beside the stream and watching the sunrays lighting up the horizon, it felt like stepping into land of tranquility. Away from all the traffic and digital distractions, this was a much needed slow down. Manampalli is definitely worth visiting weekend getaway.
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