Feb 09, 2011 07:53 PM
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This review is about one of the mostly unknown place in kerala(compared to munnar and thekkady).
Its GAVI- https://gaviecotourism.com/index.html.
This dream place about 28 KM from Vandiperiyar which is 14 KM from Kumuly.We reached here from Allepey as we went for boating there. Nearest railway staion is Kottayam(120 KMS).
Gavi is a part of Periyar Tiger Reserve and it resides exectly opposite to the Hills of SabariMala.
We booked the trekking and boating well in advance by phone(Info available in website above).
We reached there the main base camp by 3 Pm and after a evening drink of Tea & biscuts(Free comes along with package)we started our trekking by 4.30 without knowing that it will be best day in our lives. .!
We walked around a difficult terrain for an hour and reached a nearby hilly spot which boasted a panormic view of the great Sabarimala.
The guide insisted that we could see wildlife only if we are silent and that too after sun sets.
We waited there for 2 hours there till 6.30 and in that gap we spotted a wild deer(didn know exact name as it was very far away) and a group of Indian Gaur.! goodness me its very huge and nearly weighs a TON.
Then we heard screaming from fellow tourists down the hill running towards us .
It was the ELEPHANT .! that made them run to the base camp and they warned us not to enter the dense forests as the elephant was heading towards there.
But we had no other option because we have booked a night camp inside the deep forest.
We started slowly with pin drop silence and in zero visibility. Suddenly we heared a ELEPHANT shouting very near to us . it was the best sound I have ever heard and chilled my Spinal cord entirely.!
We silently followed the guide and after a 100 mts into the deep jungle we could see the elephant(jus a shadow, as it was pitch black and we couldnt even see our friends nearby.!).
The guide said only way we can reach the forest camp is to make huge sounds and frighten the elephant and run behind it to reach the camp. Bcoz the elephant was standing exactly between us and Camp .!
We made huge sound and as he advised and started running crazily behind the elephant and some how managed to reach the camp, minutes after the elephant crossed the camp.!
then we had a tea and dinner out there cooked by the guides(again free.!).The camp was in the forest floor with a 6 foot pit dugged around it and with normal tents made for the stay.(it was really good).
After the dinner all of our friends started sleepin around 11 and myself and my friend along with the guide were sitting outside near the campfire.Suddenly we heard him coming back.The elephat started breakin the bamboo for dinner, then the campfire was put down and we sat in complete darkness wout even making a noise for nearly 4 hr till 2 PM to see that elephant. But he eluded us again and we went for a sleep.
Next mng around 6.30 PM we started back to the base camp. This we have to take another route via a water falls . As we reached the falls we heard screams from the night camp and understood the ELEPHANT was coming straight at us.!(Oh god he was not ready to leave us.!)
We started running mad to the camp and as soon we entered the camp and sat silently it ventured out from the bushes.(the same way in which we went our to the waterfalls.!).
It was 40-45 yr old female elephant weighin nearly 5-6 tonnes.!
She came out silently and all of a sudden became violent and screamed like anything and charged towards us inside the camp.! Thank god and it was a false charge and she stopped 10 feet in front of us.It was the best moment in my entire life and it will be till my death.!
then she took a look at us and ventured out into the deep jungle after a couple of mins.!
then we reached the base camp by another safe way.
We had the breakfast, boating and lunch there and left around 1 pm to Kottayam
Entire package costs around 2000/- for a person.(includes stay in camp, food till you leave from there)
The guide( named RAJA) and cook were really good and warmth in their service. Best I have ever seen
My goodness still I Cant believe that I am alive and it was a memorable outing.
So I would recommend all of you to go to GAVI once in your life and dont miss the real wild experience.
DON MISS IT .!
Note: If you are feared to go by walk you can take a jeep safari(book in advance via phone).
If you are a daredevil in wild adventure you can certainly take a walk.
I would have really been happy if I would have died there killed by an wild creature rather than by a sickness.
Cheers,
Ragav J
