Vazhvanthol Waterfalls, Thiruvananthapuram



Sundays are for rest. Yeah, but what am I supposed to do while I was not doing anything in particular the whole week? I just wanted a change of environment and luckily my flat mate also wanted to go somewhere as she was stressed after work. And then we decided to travel to Bonecaud. 

Bonecaud is inside the Peppara Wildlife Sanctuary and the journey itself is so pleasant. After the city is over, it is green, just green all around. 🌳🌴 But as we reached the Thodayar Section Office at Kanithadam, we were informed that Bonecaud is now a non-tourist area. I was a little aware of this, but wished we could somehow go in.

So, I already had a backup plan ready, the Vazhvanthol Waterfalls. Noticed a rush in the forest office and it happened to me that all the people queued up are taking the entry ticket. So, its destination waterfalls now.

Entry
The entry fee is 1500 rupees for 10 people. It just means that, even if you are travelling alone, you will need to pay 1500. Just recommending you to pull in all of your friends. For us, we waited for some time and then a couple joined, a family of three and two others. We were good to go, with 9 people. Also, keep a photo ID with you.

Guide
A guide is assigned to each group. Ours was a young man, in his twenties. I thought he would be more energetic and talk to us more. But was the exact opposite. However, met another guide at the
waterfalls, with another group and he talked a lot. A lot about the forests, about the waterfalls, about the trek and so much more. I wish he had come with us. But on our way back, our guide was kind enough to get us a lot of "Mootikka". 

The Trek
The waterfall is about 2.5 km away and that calls for a trek. It is a beginner friendly one, but risky at some spots. I can put it like, there are only rocks at some places that you need to carefully climb. 🧗Would not certainly recommend taking kids with you. 

Also, stay close to the guide. The stream from the waterfall, flows down and can be seen throughout the trek. But don't jump into the water wherever you see it. It can be dangerous as some spots are deeper that it appears (Yeah, it reminded me also of the rear-view mirror - somethings are closer than they appear 😅)

Take some food and water. The trek takes more than an hour. We were absolute fools, not storing enough water and no food at all. Ok, that is because this was just our backup plan. 😁 And we were fools again not getting an extra pair of dress and just ended up staring all the people who were actually enjoying the water. (Yes, because it is a backup plan). More than this, you all know what was the most disappointing part of the whole trek? A group of people who came after us, bought porotta and chicken or beef or something and ate just in front of us 😭😭. I don't know who can resist the smell especially in the lunch time.  (Revenge, we treated ourselves to crispy porotta and beef on our return journey). 

And our second guide told us that the waterfalls we were at is not the actual Vazhvanthol. It is above this and needs further trekking. But due to a mishap that happened four years ago, we are not allowed to go. I could see the excitement in our guide's eyes talking about it and really wish someday they open it back for tourists. 

How to reach
Google map is your saviour. Waterfall in enroute Bonecaud, the same route to Ponmudi till Vithura. Stop by the Kanithadam section office to get tickets. Those taking public transport, get into Bonecaud KSRTC. First bus from Thampanoor bus stand is at 4.30 in the morning. Please check Aanavandi website for further details.

Best time to visit
I don't know that yet given the climate change we are experiencing. Waterfalls are to be visited during the monsoon. But rains are too heavy these days. Also, our guide told us, when it rains a little heavy, the whole place gets flooded easily and trekking is difficult. So, I would say June, after summer and during the time of the first rains. Or during the the late Oct-Nov-Dec-Jan period, the cold months. 


Visited Aruvipara Dam enroute


A beautiful Fern I found


That's Mootikka for you


The trek starts here




Comments