Summiters Adventures

A shorter and more manageable trek, this one gives you a glimpse- tantalizing in itself- of the Nilgiris.  Although you’ll see only the very fringe of the Mukurthi National Park along the way, there are plenty of pretty sights- a lovely lake, dense forests, and a quaintly-named village- to make this a rewarding trek. Heading south-west from Ooty, past the Avalanche Dam, to the village of Avalanche, in the Avalanche Valley. Named after an `avalanche’- a landslide, really- in 1823, Avalanche is a riot of shola Forest trees, rhododendrons, orchids, magnolias and a trout stream: absolutely lovely. A trek down to Upper Bhavani, A dam on one of the prettiest lakes in the Nilgiris, before you pass into Mukurthi National Park and head north towards Kolaribetta at 2,625 M, Kolaribetta is one of the highest peaks in the Nilgiris, and a trek to the summit, while not very tiring, will reward you with an unparalleled view of the surrounding countryside. From Kolaribetta, go northeast, towards Ooty, stopping en route at the village of Emerald. Nobody seems to be very sure of why Emerald has such an unusual name- but nobody’s complaining. It’s a pretty place, and perfect for a tenting by the side of the lake.