Bike Trip to Parunthumpara

Bike Trip to Parunthumpara

It was a fine Morning at Ramakkalmedu after a day trekking to Soojimala. I was planning to come back to Cochin. But somehow I don’t wanted to take the same route which I have already covered. I had a different route in Mind. Started after the breakfast at Rajesh’s house at Ramakkalmedu.

My plan was to visit Parunthumpara again. I have been at Parunthumpara long back. I think it was before three years. The route was not familiar from Ramakkalmedu. Last time I went from Kottayam. I took the route like Ramakkalmedu > Kumbummedu > Kumily> Peerumedu> Pambanar > Parunthumpara. Parunthumpara is a small hill station in between Peerumedu and Thekkady. It is 5 km from Kallar Junction in Pambanar. I Started by 9 from Ramakkalmedu and was riding through superb roads. By 10.30 I reached Parunthumpara. It almost looked the same except the crowd unlike old times. Last time I reached Parunthumpara by 9 in the morning and I was the only one on top at that time. But this time it was literally a mess over the top. There was lot of vehicles with tourists. Both locals and North Indians.

 

 

Parked my bike and went over to the top. Felt uncomfortable with the crowd there. But I was sure the place I wanted to go won’t be having any crowd. I wanted to go to the very tip of the rock from where the so called bird’s eye view of the valley could be seen. Usually people don’t go there and this time also when I reached there was no one in that rock. I stated descending down to the base and kept on moving to the rock tip.  It was somewhat a short trek of mere 10 minutes down the hill and a little climb up through the steep rock and a small walk to the tip of the rock.

 

Though the sun was bright by this time and it was hot the wind over the rock was comforting enough not to sweat. Parunthumpara got this name because of the bird’s eye view one can have from this rock. I wanted to spend more time there rather than roaming around in the crowd. When I was in the rock there was a mishap down the hill over me. A youngster who was fast ascending the hills slipped and fell down on the rock and got injured badly. I couldn’t see in very detail but was sure that he was in trouble. Later came to know that he had a cut in his forehead which needed atleast 2-3 stitches. I watched his friends helping him go up. Though it was a frequented tourist location this place could be dangerous if we mistake the ascend to be an easy one. The steep ascend and the gravel on the way can turn fatal if not taken care. A little care would have saved the other guy and his day.

 

I wondered why no one wanted to come to the tip of the rock and finally some guys came down and asked me whether they could come down to the place. I showed them how to climb down and asked them to take utmost care crawling through the rocks. They came and howled over there. Took photos I also helped them take some group pictures and they left.

 

 

It was 12 pm by then and it was time for me to start. Climbed up the hills and reached my bike. By this time it was very crowded and there were so many people over the road.

Took the other way down the hill and reached Pambanar. There was an easy way to reach Vagamon from Parunthumpara via Elappara. An auto driver gave me the direction and although I didn’t knew the road I decided to take the road. Elappara route was truly and feast to eyes. We could see tea estates as far as we can see. The rolling hills of Elappara estate was completely covered in tea plantation. The curvy roads reminded a serpent.

By 1 pm I reached Vagamon and Stopped for a little break.  I had two ways in mind. From Pullikanam I can either take the Kanjar route or the Moolamattom route. I preferred the later as this route has thrilled me when I was riding back from Vagamon to Moolamattom in my last trip to Ilaveezhapoonchira and Vagamon. After a break of half an hour and drinks I started from Vagamon by 1.30. As it was a long week end and Particularly a Sunday Vagamon also was very crowded. Cruised through the scary road to Moolamattom but this time I felt more comfortable with the road. I remember I decided not to take this road again after my first ride through this road. Reached Moolamattom and never bothered to stop. I had to catch the train from Cochin by 5.20

There were no stops in between and I prayed not to rain which would ruin all my timing. The ride was perfect and I reached Cochin by 4 pm. Had ample time for a freshen up and a swift packing. Started from room by 4.45 and left my bike at office and it was only a 5 mins walk from office to Railway station. Caught the train and reached Trivandrum by 9 pm. Reached home by 9.30. It was a hectic day with more than 450 kms covered 223 km in bike and 230 km in train. After a bath I was feeling refreshed and went to sleep thanking Mother Nature for keeping me safe for the entire day.

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Place               :           Parunthumpara

Location          :           Idukki District Kerala

How to reach  :           Nearest Railway station will be Kottayam. Form Kottayam one    can reach Parunthumpara via Kanjirapally > Mundakkayam > Azutha. Those who      are coming from Idukki can take the Nedumkandam > Erattayar >  Kattapana > Azutha road or Nedumkandam> Kumbummedu > Kumily >    Peerumedu road

Nearest town  :           Peerumedu (5.7 km) , Kumily (24 km), Vandiperiyaar ( 11 km), .   Vagamon (32 km)

Nearest City    :           Kottayam (85km,), Kattapana (48 km)

Stay                 :           There is no option for stay in Parunthumpara. One can find hotels in Peerumedu, Kuttikanam, Kumily or Vagamon.

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