Discover Western Ghats – the Hottest Biodiversity Hotspot of India - Be On The Road | Live your Travel Dream!
none

Sunday, November 01, 2009

Discover Western Ghats – the Hottest Biodiversity Hotspot of India

Here is a quick table that links to my experiences of the ‘Western Ghats – the hottest biodiversity hotspot of India’ and one of the world’s top ten biodiversity hotspots.
Sorted in alphabetical order. First, by ‘State’ and then by ‘Place of Interest’.    
A small elephant family enjoy the lush green grass of Kabini

Goa
Place of Interest Famous for… Location Links to my posts on this blog
Mollem National Park Wildlife, Dudhsagar Falls, Devil’s Canyon, Tamdi Surla Temple Mollem (on the eastern border of Goa) Goa’s wild side
Panjim Boat Cruises on Mandovi River, Churches, Goan Holiday Panjim Riding past the Cruise Boats on Mandovi River at Panjim, Goa, India

Karnataka

Place of Interest Famous for… Location Links to my posts on this blog
Agumbe Sunset Point, Kundadri Sunrise, Vanakebe Falls, Koodlu Theertha Falls, Barakona Falls, Jogigundi Falls, Hebri, Sita Nadi Rafting, Rainfall Research Station, King Cobra Sanctuary Agumbe (Near Sringeri) Famous Sunset of Agumbe

Crazy Roads of Someshwar Ghats

Dodda Mane at Agumbe – Great Hospitality with a rustic homely experience

Elderly Couple from Malnad: Some Portrait Shots!

Surya Namaskar

Sunset Moments from Agumbe
Baba Budangiri Hills High wind speeds during the Monsoons, Inam Dattatreya Baba Budan Swamy Dargah, Coffee Plantations Near Chickmagalur Backpacking through the Western Ghats – Day 2: Mulaiyangiri to Baba Budangiri
Barakona Falls Barakona Falls, Narasimha Parvatha, Tropical Trek Near Agumbe Trekking Guide: Narasimha Parvatha, Karnataka, India

Tropical Trek to Barakona Falls near Agumbe, Karnataka, India
Bheemeshwari Jungle Camping by the Cauvery, Mahseer Fish, Fishing/Angling, Treks, Fresh water Crocodile Mandya District near Bangalore, Karnataka Weekend Camping by the River Cauvery at Bheemeshwari in Karnataka, India
BR Hills Tiger, Biligiri Ranganatha Temple, Western Ghats Near Charmarajnagar Enroute Biligiri Ranganatha (BR) Hills, Karnataka, India
Coorg Tropical Rainforests, Coffee Estates, Mountain Peaks, Birdwatching, Kodava Culture, Tropical Treks, Hill Stations Coorg Coffee Country of Coorg
Dandeli Tribes, Wildlife, River Rafting, Trekking Dandeli Top 13 things to do in Dandeli, Karnataka

Dandeli’s Lambani Tribe: The Story of the Nomadic Gypsies

The Tribes of Dandeli: A Photo Essay

Siddi Tribe: The Africans of India
Dubare Reserve Forest Elephants, Mahseer Fish, Fishing in the Cauvery Coorg Camping by the River Cauvery at Dubare in Coorg, Karnataka, India
Honey Valley Estate Thadiyendamol Trek, Coffee Plantations, Honey, Bird watching, Nilakandi Falls, Kakkabe, Chingara Falls Near Virajpet and Kakkabe, Coorg Weekend Getaway to Honey Valley Estate in Coorg, Karnataka, India

Honey Valley Estate: A Peaceful Homestay in Coorg

Coffee in Coorg

Monsoon Trek to Thadiyendamol Peak, Coorg, Karnataka, India

Colourful Plants from Coorg

Aura of Coorg’s Coffee Estates

Tropical Trek to Chingara Falls, Coorg
Jogigundi Falls Cave Waterfall, Trekking Near Agumbe Trek to Jogigundi Falls – The Cave Waterfall!
Kakkabe Thadiyendamol Peak, Nalnad Palace, Padi Igguthuppa Temple, Kapala village, Chelavara Falls Near Virajpet, Coorg Nalnad Palace near Kakkabe in Coorg
Kemmangundi Hill Station, Coffee Plantations, Trekking, Hebbe Falls Kemmangundi Backpacking through the Western Ghats – Day 3: Baba Budangiri to Kemmangundi

Backpacking through the Western Ghats – Day 4: Kemmangundi – Hebbe Falls – Kemmangundi

Backpacking through the Western Ghats – Day 5: Kemmangundi – Kalahatti Falls – Mangalore

Monsoon Trek to Hebbe Falls, Karnataka, India

Kemmangundi in the Monsoons!!
Kodachadri Hills Kollur Mookambika Temple, Mookambika Wildlife Sanctuary, Sarvajna Peetha, Agastyar Teertha Falls, Linganamakki reservoir views, Trekking Bordering the Shimoga and Udupi districts Backpacking through the Western Ghats – Day 6: Mangalore – Kollur – Kodachadri Forests

Backpacking through the Western Ghats – Day 7 and 8: Kodachadri Hills

Backpacking through the Western Ghats – Day 9 (the last day): Kodachadri Hills to Maravanthe Beach to Kundapur
Koodlu Theertha Falls Steep tropical trek, Magical place Near Agumbe, Someshwar and Hebri Tropical Trek to Koodlu Theertha Falls – A Mystical Experience!!
Kumaraparvatha Kumaraparvatha Trek, Kukke Subramanya Temple Near Kukke Subramanya Kumaraparvatha Trek, Karnataka, India
Kundadri Sunrise Point Near Agumbe Kundadri: The Sunrise Point near Agumbe
Kutta Coffee Plantations, Irpu Falls, Cauvery River, Nagarhole National Park Coorg Cafe Mocha – A stroll in a coffee estate at Kutta in Coorg, Karnataka, India
Madikeri (aka Mercera) Hill Station, Madikeri Fort, Abbey Falls, Coffee Estates Coorg Abbey Falls near Madikeri in Coorg
Male Mahadeshwara Hills Male Mahadeshwara Temple, Cauvery Wildlife Sanctuary Chamarajnagar District Camping Trip – Male Mahadeshwara (MM) Hills, Karnataka, India
Mulaiyangiri Peak Karnataka’s highest peak, coffee plantations, Shiva temple on the top Near Chickmagalur Backpacking through the Western Ghats – Day 1: Chickmagalur to Mulaiyangiri Peak
Nagarhole National Park/Kabini National Park Leopard, Tiger, Elephant, Birding Near Hunsur Hanuman Langaur from Nagarhole National Park

Wildlife Photography: Spotted Deer at Nagarhole National Park, Karnataka, India

Black Crowned Night Heron at Kabini National Park

Jungle Overdrive Weekend Getaway – Kabini National Park, Karnataka, India

Wildlife Photography: Wild Dogs (Dhole) from Nagarhole National Park, Karnataka, India

Reflections in the Wild
Nilakandi Falls Tropical Trek, Thadiyendamol Range Near Honey Valley, Kakkabe, Coorg Monsoon Trek to Nilakandi Falls, Coorg, Karnataka, India
Sharavati River Valley Sharavati River Valley View Shimoga District Pit Stop on NH 206 @ Sharavati River Valley, Karnataka, India
Vanakebe Falls 600 foot waterfall drop. Trek to the top of the waterfall Near Agumbe Trek to Vanakebe Falls – A sight to behold!
Yaana Hills Twin limestone hills, Cave Temples Near Gokarna Yaana Hills – Towering Black Beauties in Karnataka, India

Kerala

Place of Interest Famous for… Location Links to my posts on this blog
Banasura Sagar Dam Photo Ops, Boating, Short Hikes, Dam Near Kalpetta, Wayanad District Photographing Yellow Flowers at Banasura Sagar Dam

Banasura Sagar Dam – A Green Zone
Chembra Peak Trekking, Highest peak of Wayanad District Near Meppady, Wayanad District Monsoon Trek to Chembra Peak, Wayanad, Kerala, India

Trek to Chembra Peak – FAQ

Lovely Tea Plantations of Chembra Estate
Eravikulam National Park Nilgiri Tahr, Tea Estates, Elephant, Birds endemic to the Western Ghats, Kurinji Flower Rajamallay (Near Munnar) in Idukki District The Nilgiri Tahr lives on at Eravikulam National Park, Kerala
Munnar Tea Estates, Eravikulam National Park, Top Station, Echo Point, Kundala Dam, Mattupetty Dam, Devikulam, Pallivasal, Hill Station, Honeymooning Munnar Picture book tea town of Munnar!

Waterfall amidst a Tea Estate

Campsite amidst the tea estates of Munnar!!

The sun is shining on Munnar Tea Estate!!

Through the winding tea estate roads of Munnar!!
Nilgiri Mountains Trekking, Kodaikanal, Munnar, Ooty, Hill Stations Tamil Nadu and Kerala Trekking the Nilgiri Mountains from Kodaikanal to Munnar in Heavy Rains!!
Parambikulam Tiger Reserve Teak plantations, tiger, elephant, gaur, Birds endemic to the Western Ghats, Nilgiri Langaur, Evergreen Forests Parambikulam, Palakkad District On the jumbo trail at Parambikulam Tiger Reserve
Periyar Tiger Reserve Wildlife, Birds, Snakes, Shola Forests Thekkady Jungle Cruise at Periyar Tiger Reserve, Thekkady, Kerala, India

Ripples in GREEN!!

Wildlife Sighting during a cruise at Periyar Tiger Reserve, Kerala, India!!
Silent Valley National Park Rare rainforest, Lion tailed macaque, Butterfiles, Orchids, Birds endemic to the Western Ghats Mukkali, Palakkad district Silent Valley National Park is not really silent
Soochipara Falls Thundering water, Short Hike Near Meppady, Wayanad District Soochipara Falls in the Monsoons

Tropical Moss and the Enveloping Mist
Vazhachal Forest Tropical Rainforests, Athirapally Falls, Vazhachal Falls, Poringalputhu Reservoir from Valparai in Tamil Nadu to Chalakudy in Kerala Valparai to Athirapally: One of the top tropical motorcycle routes in India

Poringalkuthu Reservoir: Nestled in the tropical rainforests of Vazhachal, Kerala

Athirapally Falls: The Niagara of Kerala

Vazhachal Forests: A fresh lease of oxygen in Kerala

Maharashtra

Place of Interest Famous for… Location Links to my posts on this blog
Khandala Hill Station, Breathtaking views, Hiking Maharashtra Pit Stop at Khandala in Maharashtra, India
Sinhagad Sinhagad Fort, Tanaji Madusare Near Pune, Maharashtra Imagining the glorious past amidst the ruins of Sinhagad Fort near Pune in Maharashtra, India

Tamil Nadu

Place of Interest Famous for… Location Links to my posts on this blog
Anaimalai Tiger Reserve Tigers, Gaurs, Elephants, Evergreen forests, Birds endemic to Western Ghats, Other Wildlife Top Slip (Near Pollachi) Anaimalai Tiger Reserve – of Elephants, Gaurs, Tigers and Hornbills

Monica Garden Tea Bungalow: A Colonial Holiday House at Valparai

Malabar Grey Hornbill at Monica Garden Tea Bungalow, Valparai
Hogenakkal Falls Hogenakkal Falls, Cauvery River, Oil Massages Hogenakkal, Dharmapuri District Hogenakkal Falls – A Mighty mass of water tumbling amidst rocky gorges!!
Kalakkad Mundanthurai Tiger Reserve Tigers, Courtallam Falls, Manimuthar Falls, Vana Theertham Falls, Agastyar Falls, Thamarabarani river, Papanasam Dam, Manimuthar Dam, Elephants Tirunelvli district Kalakkad Mundanthurai Tiger Reserve and its mighty waterfalls
Kallidaikurichi Old Temples, Courtallam Falls, Agastyar Falls, Manimuthar Falls, Vana Theertham Falls, Papanasam Dam, Manimuthar Dam, Thamarabarani river Tirunelveli district Monsoon in the Western Ghats – My ancestral town “Kallidaikurichi”

A Trip to India’s Deep South
Kodaikanal Kurinji Flower, Nilgiris, Hill Station, Berijam Lake, Kodaikanal Lake, Silver Cascade Waterfalls Kodaikanal Motorcycling through country roads to Kodaikanal and Kolli Hills in Tamil Nadu, India

The Blue Mountains of Kodaikanal and its charming sights!!
Kodanad 220 Degree View, Moyar River Trek, Kotagiri, Tea Estates, Jayalalithaa’s House Near Kotagiri Kodanad’s 220 degree view of the Nilgiri Mountains

Kodanad: Jayalalithaa’s Home in the Nilgiri Mountains
Nilgiri Mountains Trekking, Kodaikanal, Munnar, Ooty, Hill Stations Tamil Nadu and Kerala Trekking the Nilgiri Mountains from Kodaikanal to Munnar in Heavy Rains!!
Ooty Red Hills, Emerald Lake, Avalanche Lake, Pykara Lake, Kalhatti Falls, Hill Station, Mukurthi National Park, Nilgiri Mountain Railway Ooty Kalhatti Falls – A Sad Trickle this Monsoon!

Nilgiri Mountain Railway – Go on a Joy Rife on this heritage train
Red Hills Niligiri Biosphere Reserve, Tea Gardens, Lake ecosystem of 8 lakes, Hill Station Near Ooty Camping in the lake ecosystem at Red Hills near Ooty in Tamil Nadu, India

Tea Estates from the Lake District of Red Hills

The Land of the Badagas

Emerald Lake in the Monsoons

Monsoon Camping by Emerald Lake in the Nilgiri Mountains
Valparai Aliyar Dam, Sholayar Dam, Nallamudi Poonjolai, Tea Estates, Anaimalai Tiger Reserve (Leopards, Lion Tailed Macaques, Elephant, Hornbill, Gaur) Pollachi District Valparai…the unsung hill station of India

Monica Garden Tea Bungalow: A Colonial Holiday House at Valparai

Malabar Grey Hornbill at Monica Garden Tea Bungalow, Valparai

Exploring the Valparai hills on a Motorcycle

Nallamudi Poonjolai: Velu saw God here!!

Sholayar Dam nestled in the pristine Anaimalai hills of Tamil Nadu


Welcome to BE ON THE ROAD Travel Blog! I am Sankara, its founder, a 40 something male from Bangalore who is living his dream of exploring the world and simultaneously trying to inspire others to live their dream.
Wanna live your dream? Find Some inspiration here!
Wanna know more about me?
Track blog updates from facebook and/or twitter!

Logo Credits : Jobi T Chacko. UI/UX Credits : Murugan S Thirumalai
Copyright © 2009-2024 Sankara Subramanian C (www.beontheroad.com)
Reproduction without explicit permission is prohibited. All Rights Reserved

Join the Travel Club for FREE!!
and every fortnight get in your inbox...interesting experiential and off-beat travel stories , destination guides, handy tips (travel, photography and visa) based on personal experience, global vegetarian delights with helpful survival guides and gorgeous world travel images and videos as I (the Indian traveler) trot the globe! And a lot of other travel invites and soon to be launched goodies !

* indicates required
Close