Ride to Waterfall estates, Valparai (November 2022)
This is a long overdue update on an old overnight ride done with team-bhpian friends to Indraprastha bungalow, inside
Waterfall estates, Valparai around the first week of November. This place is an old Victorian era bungalow set inside a private tea estate, restored to modern standards and let out for guests to stay in and enjoy the lovely greenery around.
We were 6 totally (all stags), 5 on their bikes and 1 BHPian who decided to join by car due to some family commitments. For a surprise last minute wild card entry, CrAzY_dRiVeR decided to join with another friend's Duke 390. Since there was a car accompanying, we decided to dump the luggage in the car and I didn't carry my panniers this time
We departed quite early around 5AM from Silk board junction. There was intermittent early morning rain until Krishnagiri. Here are some snaps of some heavy fog between Krishnagiri and Dharmapuri.
The black Ninja amidst the foggy fields in the background
Stopping for refuel break and waiting for BHPian Shaikhmimran to catch up on his Vstrom 650
Another break before ascending Valparai, to rehydrate ourselves with these orange king coconuts
Stopping alongside Aliyar dam before ascending Valparai
Most of us were permanently in raincoat attire owing to the sudden bursts of rains in the mountains. Yours truly in gaudy rain gear
These sights greeted us en route to waterfall estate
We reached Waterfall estate (Indraprastha bungalow is one among three there) a little over 1 PM, just in time or some delicious lunch. Since this place has a butler available full time, we had to pre-order and could customize the food for our group. Needless to say, we were the only ones staying there that weekend and the place was entirely ours.
Indraprastha bungalow, Waterfall estate, Valparai
The lawn outside the bungalow for timepass
The living room, where we spent the evening and night chit-chatting over cars, bikes, current affairs and everything else under the sun
The dining area complete with antique furniture
The rooms were large, airy, clean and stocked with the necessary amenities although a bit basic
The full bike gang in the bungalow porch converted to parking area
Some timepass flower macros in the garden during the foggy evening
In the evening we stepped out for a short ride/drive on the lovely twisties. Here is a shot of veteran biker guru
neil.jericho trying out
shaikhmimran's Vstrom 650.
A solo shot of
CrAzY_dRiVeR on a Duke 390
After an uneventful night and some heavy tummies owing to the delicious food, we retired early. The next morning, some of us set out for a short walk around the tea estate region, walking amidst the tea plantation zones until we reached a small stream flowing through the valley. Here are some snaps from that tiny outing.
Soon it was time for breakfast, followed by the time to pack up and depart after spending a lovely weekend. Not before a departing shot of the bikes though. The light angle wasn't conducive for a good shot, but this is all I could manage with the phone
My Ninja with Indraprastha bungalow in the background. It marked my third visit on the Ninja here, with different friends' circles.
View of Aliyar dam from the top of Valparai
The return journey had a lot of heavy rain until Salem zone, so it was rain gear on all the way upto the halfway point of the return journey. The bike was completely bathed in muck, especially the lower portion near the swingarm
One great solo shot of yours truly, courtesy
CrAzY_dRiVeR
The last part of the return leg was uneventful and we all bid goodbye to each other on a clear Sunday night (here in Bangalore). A wash later, the bike was ready for the next ride as usual. This trip clocked another ~900 km and some nice memories as always.
Many more trip updates to come, thanks for reading!