[vasantevangelin]

Hi Car Freaks

I am planning to go to Top Slip this december 10th can you guys please give me details about this place , its climate now, and the accomodation inside this wildlife sanctuary.In this season can I see wildlife????. What all information you know please share Friends if possible Photos. Thanks in Advance

[rex_varghese]

If you've not already done, check these out:
Welcome to Topslip

Treks and travels: Valparai, Top Slip and Parambikulam

Lots of useful information.

And, let's know your experience, on return.

Regards
Rex

[Psycho]

Have been there in the jungles for 3 days when I was in college (1994-95). Damn one of the most beautiful and untouched places left in the south. Please make sure you have a forest permit (Forest warden at Pollachi)to enter ready with you else they wont let you in.

Acco is limited to the guest house near the forest rangers office and a few machans in the forest. (6:30) all shuts down.

However there are Tree Houses by the lake around Parambikkulam(Thunakkadavu). Most amazing hideaway with the forest areas but these need to be booked in advance.

[hvkumar]

Road is good from Pollachi via Annamalai and Sethumadai - take you around an hour or so. Bikes not allowed beyond Sethumadai Check Post. Night driving restrictions.

[thalavoy]

There are some plans by the government to improve eco-tourism. The Hindu : Tamil Nadu News : Rs. 4 crore to develop Anamalai, Ooty, Mudumalai eco-tourism circuit
I dont know when this will complete, but please visit before the horde of tourists spoil the unspoilt beauty

[mobike008]

My, My looking at the thread title, i thought somebody's top has slipped and was expecting a bootilicious picture

[iridium]

Hi,

Had been there in March 2006.
Pollachi is about 60kms from Coimbatore. You need to take a deviation in the Coimbatore bypass. Road is okay.
There's a forest department office in Pollachi. You can get more information. The forest gates close by 6:00pm and you need to get back before that.
You will pass Anamalai town on the way. You can visit the Masaniamma temple here. The diety is lying on her back. There's a small ramp on which you can stand and see the face of the diety. Legend is that couples who haven't had kids come here to pray for children.

Topslip, the trees aren't very thick. You can take a safari ride to the elephant camp. If you are lucky on the way, you can see some animals.

When we went, we were told that there's no accomodation inside the wildlife sanctuary. Not sure where the tree houses are.

From Pollachi you can visit Udhamalpetti. Hotel Anamalais is a decent place to stay there. You can take the direct route to Udhamalpetti from Anamalai.

You can visit Thirumoorthy hills, Amaravathi dam (crocodile park) and drive to Munnar from here if you want to.

Hope this helps.

Regards
Ravi.

[thalavoy]

Originally Posted by mobike008

You can say that. You thought somebody's TOP slipped and expect 'BOOTY'licious pics

[csentil]

Best time to visit TopSlip is just after the rains. When water is available in plenty you will have more animals there. Dec /Jan the place starts getting dry. Also depends on the monsoon that year. Most of the animals move down towards the plains in search of water and you would be lucky to see a few deer/bison.

Helps if you can book a cottage early. No point going there and coming back if you don't have a reservation.

If you go during the monsoon, there's a big grass plain quite close to the cottages/forest office and you will see a big herd of deer early in the morning grazing there. Good thing to wake up for.

Jungle treks are also available if you stay there. Book in the forest office in Top Slip and let them know your cottage. The guide will be there early in the morning as soon as dawn breaks. Trek goes on for 3 hours or more.

There's no restaurant there, just a small canteen. If you stay in the cottages, the caretaker will cook your meals. You have to pay in advance and let him know what you want. Cooking time takes an hour or more, so please make sure you order ahead of time.

[vicra]

Hi,

We have also planned a trip to top slip on dec-26, please share your experience once you come back from your trip.

Enjoy the trip.....

Originally Posted by vasantevangelin

Hi Car Freaks

I am planning to go to Top Slip this december 10th can you guys please give me details about this place , its climate now, and the accomodation inside this wildlife sanctuary.In this season can I see wildlife????. What all information you know please share Friends if possible Photos. Thanks in Advance

[vicra]

Hi,

Can you let me know how far is ooty from top slip and what route has to be followed.....

Originally Posted by Psycho

Have been there in the jungles for 3 days when I was in college (1994-95). Damn one of the most beautiful and untouched places left in the south. Please make sure you have a forest permit (Forest warden at Pollachi)to enter ready with you else they wont let you in.

Acco is limited to the guest house near the forest rangers office and a few machans in the forest. (6:30) all shuts down.

However there are Tree Houses by the lake around Parambikkulam(Thunakkadavu). Most amazing hideaway with the forest areas but these need to be booked in advance.

[vasantevangelin]

Thanks very much Guys for all the Information You people provided.Am looking forward for this Wild Adventure . Hope to post Pictures after the return as soon as Possible. Thanks

[Rocky_Balboa]

I suggest trek in Parambikulam forest rather than Topslip ones.
But ensure You get a proper permit and reach Parambikulam before 8:30PM (anyway the first gate closes by 6:30PM).

There is only one forest guest house in Parambikulam that can host about 50-60 people. Make sure You get the right accomodation. Liqour is not allowed and please do not take it past the checkpost.

The wildlife in Parambikulam forest are(atleast were) very dangerous when provoked, a week before We had our trip a man was stamped to death by an angry elephant only because he flashed the camera at the elephant. Please do not venture out late nights in Parambikulam, the guesthouse compound used to be a favourite place for elephants. I was also told about Cheetah sightings near the guest house quite often.

Take caution and enjoy the forest. The jungle trek is wonderful but the guide who will accompany You would not be of much help. If I remember there used to a 75km trek (2ways) which would take You through awesome areas.

TChau,
+Rocky_Balboa+

[csentil]

Originally Posted by vicra

Hi,

Can you let me know how far is ooty from top slip and what route has to be followed.....

You'll have to get back to Coimbatore and then its Coimbatore -> Karamadai -> Mettupalayam -> Conoor -> Ooty.

However the Mettupalayam - Conoor road is in tatters it seems. So it would be better to take the Mettupalayam -> Kotagiri -> Ooty road. Though longer would be the better route.

Once you cross Mettupalayam, the road branches left towards the Conoor ghat section, instead you need to take the road straight ahead if my memory serves me right. Just ask someone there. Its a very scenic route. Do not try night time driving.

Top Slip is 90 kms from Coimbatore.

Ooty is again 90 kms from Coimbatore.

However if you take the Kotagiri route its 130 kms. But its a better drive.

[csentil]

Originally Posted by Rocky_Balboa

I suggest trek in Parambikulam forest rather than Topslip ones.
But ensure You get a proper permit and reach Parambikulam before 8:30PM (anyway the first gate closes by 6:30PM).

There is only one forest guest house in Parambikulam that can host about 50-60 people. Make sure You get the right accomodation. Liqour is not allowed and please do not take it past the checkpost.

The wildlife in Parambikulam forest are(atleast were) very dangerous when provoked, a week before We had our trip a man was stamped to death by an angry elephant only because he flashed the camera at the elephant. Please do not venture out late nights in Parambikulam, the guesthouse compound used to be a favourite place for elephants. I was also told about Cheetah sightings near the guest house quite often.

Take caution and enjoy the forest. The jungle trek is wonderful but the guide who will accompany You would not be of much help. If I remember there used to a 75km trek (2ways) which would take You through awesome areas.

TChau,
+Rocky_Balboa+

Sorry for correcting you mate, the Indian or Asiatic Cheetah is extinct. All you find is Leopards.

Yes Parambikulam is an excellent place. The nature of the forest itself changes as you head into Kerala. Its more dense & greener.