2. TALAKONA – EXOTIC WEEKEND DESTINATION TO SAVOUR NATURE

People who have gone to Talakona would vouch this is the place for those who like to live on the edge or experience nature at its rawest form. You can experience almost every nuances and grandeur of nature at this place – the virgin forests, water falls cascading down hills, wild animals – even elephants if you are lucky. The flora and fauna here is breathtaking.

And you won’t believe it, the cost of the package (for a group of 10) is just Rs.2500 per person, for two days. What you invest is nothing compared to what you would get in terms of the experience, the unforgettable lessons about nature and the exhilarating thrill of having roughed out in the open.

Through out the trip, you will be in the safe hands of trekking experts who love their job and guide you through the terrain, with a lot of passion.

So, what are you waiting for? You have nothing to lose – except life in comfort zones and fear itself. For once you can embrace the fear of the rough, uncertainties of the wild side of nature, silence, darkness, and the not-so-well-trodden paths.

Read on to find out how this little-known place, fortunately very close to Chennai, can take your breath away – just beholding the quick succession of scenes unfolding before your eyes during the two blessed days you will be there!

Talakona is located on Nerabailu – Talakona B.T. Road and 23 Km away from Bhakarapet of Yerravaripalem Mandal of Chittoor District, AP. It is located 59 Km from Tirupati.

Talakona is bountifully endowed with nature in the form of hills and valleys of Eastern Ghats. Talakona was declared as Bio-Sphere Reserve during 1989-90 because of wide variety of plant species with high site quality. Lord Siddeswara Swamy Temple is in this area. Talakona means “the head of the Seshachalam hills” and as such named as “TALAKONA”, it is known as “sacred hood” of serpant god.

The best season to visit here is November to June.
Flora: The area is a heaven for botanists with lot of bio-diversity . The area has as many as 1500 species belonging to 176 families of vascular plants. Perhaps the most famous is the Red Sanders which is endemic to this region. Sandal wood is also an important species of this area.

Fauna: The Talakona forests harbour certain threatened and endangered animals like Slender Loris, Indian Giant Squirrel, Mouse Deer, Golden Gecko, Yellow browed Bulbul and varieties of Butterflies. Golden Gecko is discovered after 100 years. Leapoard, wolf, Wild Dog, Sloth Bear, Porcupine, Pangolin, Wild Boar, Chinkara, Four-Horned Antelope, Chital and Sambar are some of the more common animals found in this area.

Facilities & Attractions:

Rope way:
The Rope way, at a height of 80 feet and 240 metres long, is the 2nd Longest in Asia

Trails one can traverse:

Log huts – Utladimpa - Papanasanam – log huts: 12 Km

Log hut – Siva Temple – Bandikanuma- water falls – Log huts: 8 Km

Log hut –Appaswamygavi – Waterfalls – Log huts: 10 Km

Accommodation: One Dormitory with 2 halls are available here. One hall is equipped with mattresses and the other hall is provided with 10 Cots with beds. This Dormitory is attached with Lavatory and Bathrooms.

There is one Climber which is 300 years old and measures 5 Kms long. It is likely to get mention in the Guiness Book of World Records.

Special Appearance (without appointment) : Elephants

Of late elephants which are not heard of or seen during the last so many years have been seen in Talakona and they are using this area as a corridor connecting Koudinya Wild Life Sanctuary of Palmner of Chittoor West Division and Dinnela of Rajampet Division.
The package costs Rs. 2500 per person
(With a minimum guarantee of 10 Pax)

Cost includes:
Ø Accommodation at Forest Department Guest Houses at Talakona for one night
Ø Food as mentioned in the itinerary
Ø Trekking Entry fee and guide charges (2 trips)
Ø Campfire
Ø Canopy Ropeway walk (One walk)
Cost does not include:
Ø Expenses of any personal nature
Ø Transportation cost from Chennai to Talakona & back
Participants are suggested to bring:
Ø Individual water bottle during trekking (2 bottles per person will be provided)
Ø Sports shoes or comfortable foot wear for trekking
Ø Comfortable dress for trekking (avoid wearing bright coloured dresses!!!)
Ø Torches
Ø Winter wear (mild)
Ø Cap
Ø Personal toiletries & towel
Ø Vicks / Iodex / Band-Aid
Ø Personal medicines, if any
Ø Mosquito repellent
Ø Binoculars
Ø Camera and necessary batteries
Ø Small lock & key for safe keeping of the bags
Note:
Ø Nearest place to buy basic amenities is Bakhrapet (25 Km short of Talakona)
Ø Bed sheets are available in the Forest Department Accommodation. However, it is recommended to bring your own bed sheet.
Ø Accommodation at Talakona subject to availability at the time of confirmation of the programme with payment.
Ø It’s advised not to take bath at Talakona waterfalls keeping the personal safety in mind.
Ø The check out at the Forest Department Accommodation on 23rd Nov 08 would be at 0900 hrs. (However, we can be inside the camp till lunch time even after checking out in the morning)
Ø Trek route to Sidhalagandi Lake is an elephant infested area and it may be noted that sometime it may not be advisable to carry out the trek on foot and may have to hire Forest department vehicle at extra cost.

Suggested Menu:
Breakfast:
Idli / Pongal, Vada, Sambar, Chuttney, Tea,
Or Trekking packed breakfast (Bread / Butter / Jam / Fruit)
Lunch:
Variety Rice (Coconut rice / Lemon rice),White rice, Porial, Papad, Sambar, Rasam, Curd, Pickle, Sweet / fruit
Evening tea:
Tea, Indian Snack
Dinner:
Chappati, Kuruma, Vegetable Biriyani, Curd rice, Onion raitha, Pickle, Sweet /

Please feel free to contact Mr. Pandurangan: 9884339441/9884801277 for any assistance.