Tadoba Tiger Reserve

If you are a wildlife lover, then this place is a must visit in India. This place is located in Chandrapur, Maharastra. Chances of sighting tiger is high here! We were lucky enough to sight 4 tigers!! 

Pre-Arrangements:
1. Accomodation booking
2. Safari booking (This must be done at least 1 month before, safari may not be available on the spot)
How to reach: Nearest railway station is Chandrapur which is 45 kms away
Nearest Airport is Nagpur which is 140 kms away

Where to stay:
MTDC Accomodation is the best for reasonable cost. Below are the options available.
Tadoba Andhari Tiger Reserve Kolara (FDCM):
2 Domitories of each 16 bed capacity for 4000 INR
2 Domitories of each 8 bed capacity for 2000 INR
6 Huts of 2 bed capacity for 1900 INR
Tadoba Andhari Tiger Reserve Moharli (FDCM):
2 Dormitory rooms each having 20 beds for 5000 INR
5 Huts each having 2 beds for 1900INR
Tadoba Moharli Tourist Co: 
12 AC Rooms available for - 1700 INR off peak and 2000 INR peak (Mid Apr to early June)


Other private accommodations are also available like svasara, tiger trails, etc..if you go for a any of these private resorts, they also provide you the safari, where as in MTDC, you need to arrange the safari by yourself. We have booked the MTDC one and got an agent who booked safari for us. Safari can be done on your own vehicle too, but my recommendation is to go with a open top gipsey as all the persons get clear view and ideal for photography which you may not get in a car or any other personal vehicle. 

Safari Details:
Timings:
Morning 6.00 am to 9.30 am
Evening 3:00 pm to 6:30 pm 

Booking: 
We used the services of a guide - Israil Shaikh who booked safari for us, contact number: 8055537104 / 9405710472 /9226273539

Cost: 
Per safari, max 6 persons allowed - Rs 1800
+
Govt fee per safari - Rs 200
+
Guide fee - Rs 200
+
Service charges - Rs 200

Total cost : 2400 INR + Tip if any

Documents required:
Our agent asked us to email the scanned copies of our address and identity proofs which are mandatory at the time of booking. Also they verified the proofs at the safari gate, so don't forget to carry the copies of your address and identity.

Tips:
Be at the gate at least 2hrs before, so that you will be in the front of the line.
Carry water, as the trip is for about 3 and 1/2 hours, you have only one place inside the forest where normal water is available (don't expect bottled water inside forest :) ).

Have a happy and safe safari!!

Munnar

We have visited this God's own country in the month of November for 4N/5D. 
Pre-Arrangements: 
1. Flight Booking 
2. Resort Booking 
3. Cab Booking 
Thought of booking houseboat online, but wanted to see the boat before I book, so it was not done. 
Itinerary: 
Day1: Hyd - Cochin - Munnar 
Started from Hyderabad by 10.00Am spicejet and reached Cochin by 12.30Pm. Cab was waiting for us, the weather in Cochin was hot and humid. Without any delay, we started our journey to Munnar, had lunch on the way at some hotel and the food was ok. On the way, we have visited couple of water falls. By evening around 6Pm we have reached the resort - Kaivalyam Retreat. Resort's surroundings were serene, rooms were spot less, bed was neat, toilets were clean, food was tasty and staff were helpful.The welcome drink served was awesome and refreshing towels really took off all our journey strain.  Relaxed for some time and ordered food. While the food was getting prepared, we had shower and were back to dining. The must mention about this resort is the food, we have requested for a custom menu as we traveled with kids and they prepared exactly the way we wanted!! Thanks Kaivalyam! The food was very tasty and the environment was hygiene. We played carroms for sometime before we hit the bed!

Day2: Flower garden - Elephant Ride - Photo point - Echo Point - Mattupetty Dam

After a heavy breakfast, we started our sightseeing. Flower garden was ok, enjoyed the elephant ride, wify enjoyed feeding elephants with lots of pineapples, daughter wanted a second ride!! Next stop was at Photo point - nothing much to see here, but when we saw the photos clicked by us at this place, we realized the beauty, may be that is the reason they named it as photo point! Echo point was not at all eco friendly - filled with all plastic covers, paper plates and other garbage. Mattupetty dam was nice. We have enjoyed the speed boat ride and were lucky to spot few elephants while boating. 

Mattupetty:

   Elephant Ride:

Photo Point:

Day3: Raja Mala - Lukkam Falls - Marayur - chinnar wild life sactury - Walk to waterfall near by resort - shopping

Rajamala is the highest point in munnar and is famous for sigting nilgiri tahr, by the time we went there, it was afternoon and was hot, so we decided not to go up and planned to visit it on the way back Marayur. Our next stop was at Lukkam falls, the water inside the fall was freezing, somehow we managed to get into water and crossed few rocks to reach bottom of the fall. Spent around 2hrs at the fall enjoying the cool breeze. After this, we started to Marayur which is famous for sandalwood trees. Visited sandal wood forest, went to chinnar wild life sanctuary and were not lucky enough to spot any wildlife there :( . After visiting chinnar, we started back to raja mala but by the time we reached raja mala, the trips to uphill were closed so we had to skip this place. As we had some free time, decided to visit a water fall near the resort (around 5kms from resort). By the time we reached the fall, it was evening and the climate was pleasant. Spent some time at water fall and went to market to purchase some sandal perfumes, lemon grass oil, massage oil, etc..and had finished our dinner with idly, wada at sarvana bhavan, near to market and returned to resort.


Lukkam Falls:

Sandal Wood Tree:

Orange Tree:

Day4: Checkout from Munnar - Spice garden - Alleppey House Boat

After breakfast, we checked out from Kaivalyam resort and proceeded to Alleppey. On the way, stopped at a spice garden and came to know about some plants and their uses from a guide who charged 100rs per head. Then we visited their products stall and purchased some herbal products and continued our journey to Alleppey. Our driver had talked to one of the house boat guys, and made the arrangements. When we saw the boat, we didn't like it and wanted a different one. After lot of arguments and shouting
that guy arranged a different one and we checked into the boat, spent that night fighting with mosquitoes until 9pm :). Electric supply to all the boats starts at 9pm so AC will not work until then. My advice to all who wish to stay in house boat is not to go for it, may be u can enjoy an evening cruise for 2 to 3 hours and stay in some lake view reosrt instead. The lunch and dinner they have served on board was tasty, and the view along the backwaters was nice. You can see all the localites commuting through small boats, experience the local life and witness lush green paddy fields through out your journey on house boat.

Spice Garden - Coffee plant:

Cardamom (Elaichi):

 Pepper:

 House Boat:

 Paddy fields:

Day 5:  House Boat Checkuot - Cochin Beach - Airport - Hyderabad

woke up early, got ready and checked out from house boat and were back to  our vehicle to proceed to Cochin. Visited beach on the way and clicked few snaps and continued to Cochin airport, boarded 11.30 flight and back to Hyderabad by 1.00pm!!