Oct 13, 2009 08:28 PM
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(Updated Nov 10, 2009 03:52 PM)
Soochipara falls is a 40 Kms drive from Sulthan Batheri, Wayanad. One has to take a turn near Kalpetah in NH 212 and proceed to Meppadi which is the leading route to both Soochipara falls as well as Chembra Peak, the highest peak in Wayanad.
Once you reach the entry point for Soochipara falls there is a ticket counter of Soochipara Eco Tourism Puzha of the Govt., of Kerela who issue entry ticket costing Rs.20 per person with a 8 hours validity period from the time of issue.
There are separate charges for camera and video cam. Thereafter one has to walk for a few metres to reach one makeshift hut where a sentry checks your ticket and allows you to proceed further. From the ticket counter to the makeshift hut there are several snack kiosks and restaurants providing different receipe. The trek starts from the makeshift hut and on has to confront a muddy road for a few metres and you arrive at a circular concrete resting place under a tree.
Thereafter the rocky stretch starts. The stretch leads one to winding rocky alleys. The walk or the trek goes deep downhill and at the end of the trek the path becomes very narrow and very small and only one can trek on the uneven, disorderly pebble like rocks. When we were proceeding there was a little rain and the path at the end of the trek became slushy and slippery too.
One has to be very careful as otherwise one may tumble and fall down. You are greeted by a noisy and milky white gushing falls at the end of the trek which is enthralling to watch and you forget the strain of the trek. One can climb down still further as there is sufficient space for people to walk around the rocky surroundings and one can take bath away from the falls where the water goes like a rivulet. There are security guards who keep a vigil around. The force of the falls is such that one cannot go near the falls for a bath and there is no place for one to stand there as the eco structure is being maintained in its pristine glory.
The trek back is very weary and literally ‘breath taking’ in that one has to climb uphill and that becomes really an uphill task. Even in that cool atmosphere we were sweating a little on our way back because of the uphill trek. After reaching the circular concrete resting place where a vendor greets you with sweety orange soaked with masala powder the consumption of which soothes your weariness. This place is also open between 9 to 5. If one is interested in taking bath one may require about two and half hours from the ticket counter.
