Destination: Hogenakkal Waterfalls (Also known as the 'Niagara Falls of India') lies on the border between Karnataka and Tamilnadu. "Hogenakkal" (in kannada I think) means "smoking rocks". "Chinna Chinna Aasai" song from the movie "Roja" was shot at this serene place.
Distance:
Highway route (via Dharmapuri) = 160 - 180 km
Shortcut route (through the mountains and ghat roads once ruled by Veerappan as stated by the driver) = 125 - 130 km
Travel Time:4 - 4.5 Hrs (on an average)
Itinerary:
7 am : Started from Bangalore.
8.30 am : Breakfast at a road-side tea shop just after hosur.
11.30 am: Reached Hogenakkal.
11.30 - 1 pm: Coracle ride (also known as boating in the local lingo) across the river.
The coracle would take you up to the top of the water falls, lined with rocks. You can get a better view of the falls from these rocks.
1 - 2.30 pm: Lunch at a local restaurant (known to the driver). Fish lovers will find a feast. Veges, please carry something else in your purse to munch on.
2.30 - 3.30 pm: Explored the other end of the river. Splashed around in the water. Watched a monkey's antics of snatching food. Finished about 2 bottles of Slice followed by a Raspberry delight.
3.30 pm: Started back to Bangalore.
4.30 pm: Tea break at Dharmapuri.
7.00 pm: Back to Bangalore.
Caution:
The rocky surfaces along the river are extremely slippery and walking with shoes makes it worse. Also, these become scorchingly hot in the afternoon sun. So its a choice between broken bones and burnt feet :).
The coracle rides are a bit risky when the levels are high. Make sure the boatman is a capable one with a good sense of balance (and one who knows swimming) since you have to trust him with your life. If you are taking kids along, make sure they don't jump around :)
Costs (for a group of 4):
Travel charges: Rs. 2500 - 3000 (including driver bata)
Taxes and Tariffs at Tamilnadu border: Rs. 100 - 120 (note: It is the cumulative amount collected all along the route)
Coracle Ride: Rs. 400
Food: Rs. 300
Total Cost per person: Rs 1000/-
Other Places of Interest in the village (that we did not visit):
Aquarium
Crocodile Rehabilitation Center
Ideal time to visit:
Summer (when coracle can get into the gorge and can ride up to the foot of the falls)
Just after monsoon (if you are interested in seeing rushing force of the fall)
PS: Ask the boatman to spin the boat if you can handle the centrifugal and centripetal forces without throwing up :)
