I drove in Eco mode for about 90% of the drive.
BHPian GinsB recently shared this with other enthusiasts:
Hi Everyone,
I finally have a moment to share the story of recent trip! Since last December, my friends and I had been trying of a getaway, with Goa topping our list. But, in reality, work and commitments, we had to postpone the plans.
Finally, deciding that some trip was better than no trip, we ditched Goa and opted for a "Meghamalai" requiring lesser travel time. To lock it in, we booked a cottage at the Briar Tea Bungalows in advance, for around ₹12,000.
(Briar Bungalows: https://www.tripadvisor.in/Hotel_Rev...amil_Nadu.html )
The Journey Up the Ghats
The last-minute family commitments meant we couldn't start as early as planned. Thankfully, Meghamalai wasn't far; we estimated a maximum of 6 hours on the road, including breaks.
Travel Tip: The last towns before the ascent are Chinnamanur or Cumbum. I recommend stopping here to stock up (food, snacks, water, etc.). Once you start climbing, you won't find one until you reach Meghamalai.
Shortly after Chinnamanur, you'll encounter the Forest Department check post. Be prepared for a routine check of your vehicle and luggage. They'll record your vehicle number, name, and contact details.
Having seen a few videos online, I expected decent roads. But I was impressed by how good they were. Despite it being a weekend, the traffic was light – a contrast to popular hill stations. The climb took us roughly 1.5 hours. Along the way, you will see the Highwavys Dam. Unfortunately, I couldn't take much pictures. Everyone was sleepy, only shot a few therefore!
Arrival and First Impressions
We reached the cottage around 4:00 PM. After settling in and freshening up, took a walk around the bungalow and the nearby lake. It didn't take long to understand why Meghamalai remains relatively uncrowded: the road effectively ends here and the number of sightseeing spots is limited.
Our package included dinner for the evening and breakfast for the next morning. We went to bed with the temperatures around 15°C. Considering we had left behind plains at 35-38°C, the chill was entirely unexpected.
Exploring the Misty Heights
The next morning started with another walk, exploring a different path through the tea estate. After the breakfast, we bid farewell to our friendly caretaker and headed towards Meghamalai's primary attraction: Maharaja Mettu Viewpoint.
Honestly, this is the primary (&only) attraction. On a clear day, you're treated to panoramic views stretching across Theni and potentially towards Thekkady.
Other Points of Interest:
Venniar Tea Factory: Located en route, we decided to skip.
Iravangalar Dam: Public access to this dam is restricted. However, from the Maharaja Mettu viewpoint, you can observe penstock pipes running down the hills from the dam to a hydroelectric power station.
The Drive Back
We began our return around 12:30 PM, stopping for lunch in Cumbum. We reached home by 8:00 PM.
highways dam
Trip Stats:
- Total Distance: Approximately 400 km (round trip)
- Average Mileage: 13.5 km/l (as per the car's ODO)
- Road Conditions: Excellent.
Our chosen route:
Final Thoughts
If you're looking for a quiet weekend, it’s a destination worth considering.
Now, as they say, I'll let the pictures do the rest of the talking, in no particular order!
Ate some good stuff
and me
About The Ride: Invicto
I drove in Eco mode for about 90% of the drive. You could notice the 'rubber band effect' with CVTs, and the terrain meant the petrol engine frequently kicked. A quick mention for the Garware sun film I had installed – it definitely helped from the heat.
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