Lonely Planet India - August 2016

MaP:

diPti chalke

eAsy trIP s briar tea bunGaloWs MeGhaMalai taMil nadu

Indulge in

a satisfying

South Indian

meal at Briar

Tea Bungalows

FACT ShEET

GettinG there

Closest metro: Chennai (580km)

Closest airport: Madurai Airport (160km)

is connected to most metros either directly

or with a one-stop connection. Jet airways

air Pegasus air india and spiceJet have direct

flights from chennai (return fares from ` 2350).

Closest railhead: Dindigul Junction (DG; 150km)

though equidistant is a better pick than Madurai

as it has trains with better timings so you can

set off on your long drive to Meghamalai early.

from chennai take the 22651 Palani Express

(leaves Chennai Central [MAS] 9.40pm arrives

DG 6am; ` 810 Third AC) and return by the 12638

Pandian Express (leaves DG 9.40pm arrives

Chennai Egmore [MS] 5.35am; ` 745 Third AC).

GettinG around

the roads in Meghamalai are run-down so it’s best

to hire a 4Wd. the estate can arrange for transport

to and around Meghamalai. We used and liked

the services of Travel Cart (00-91-9447169933;

http://www.travelcartindia.com; ` 4500/ day for a Tavera).

WhERE To STaY

Briar Tea Bungalows:

the colonial-style bungalows (cloud

Mountain Manalar and sand river)

overlook the thoovanam dam catchment

area and tea estates. With well-maintained

lawns each cottage has a common

living room and dining area adjoining

double bedrooms. the cloud Mountain

bungalow is most suited for large groups

while the Manalar bungalow is cosier

(reservations: 00-91-9442202001/

9442634125; http://www.teabungalows.com

[email protected]; Tea Bungalows

Manalar Division High Wavys; Sand River

from ` 3645 Manalar from ` 4250

Cloud Mountain from ` 6320 all prices

include breakfast).

WhaT To EaT

Meghamalai has only roadside tea

stalls at which locals eat but you don’t

have to worry about stepping out for food

as briar tea bungalows offers delicious

home-cooked south indian north indian

and continental fare customised as per

your need. dessert served both with lunch

and dinner includes yummy fresh fruit

custard and chocolate pudding. enjoy thin

delectable dosas complemented by fresh

coconut chutney rasam and sambhar.

if you want a customised dish just discuss

it with the chef beforehand so that

ingredients can be arranged (breakfast:

8am – 10am lunch: 1pm – 3pm; ` 400/ person

dinner: 8pm – 10pm; ` 500/ person timings

can be changed to suit your convenience).

ShoPPiNG

there isn’t much by way of shopping

here. you can buy the in-house brand

of blended tea (` 120/ 500g).

CLEaN Loo GUiDE

the drive from Madurai airport

to Meghamalai takes nearly six

hours. stop for tea and a loo break

at the Green Kitchen Family

MeGHAMALAI

TAMILNADU

Chinnamanur

Suruli Falls Meghamalai

Briar Tea

Bungalows

IravangalarDam

Periyar Wildlife

Reserve

Dindigul

Railway Station

Madurai Junction

Railway Station

Theni

Madurai

International Airport

744

744

85

Bangalore Chennai

Welcome

GOOD TO KNOW

Ý t he forest department’s gate before

the Woodbriar property opens at 6am

and shuts at 6pm so reach or leave

within this time frame.

Ý i f you don’t speak tamil you could

request the english-speaking manager

to accompany you on sightseeing trips

around the property.

Ý i f you haven’t got a jeep hiring one

at the estate is advised for visits

to the tea factory and iravangalar dam

as the road is in a bad condition

(` 1200 for up to four hours).

Ý y our vehicle can be repaired

at a workshop on the estate

(minor repairs only without spares).

Restaurant in theni around 2.5 hours

from the airport (00 -91-9442091602;

http://greenkitchen.co.in; Cumbum Rd;

7am – 11pm; snacks: ` 40).

WhaT To PaCk

rain gear quick-dry clothing leech

socks or very thick socks warm clothing

for nights antiseptic cream/ lotion

SaFETY

While the property is protected by

a solar-powered electric fence (mild

current) which is switched on at night

you should avoid going anywhere close

to an elephant or a bison herd if you see

one. use salt or tobacco powder to get rid

of leeches (See What to Pack). don’t walk

around at night as wild animals including

leopards have been spotted in the area.

MEDiCaL aiD

first-aid kits are kept in

the bungalows. Medical ailments are

treated at the Briar Garden hospital

on the estate which even has ambulances

and an operating theatre (00-91-4546-

232222). serious cases are referred

to Theni Medical College (www.tmctheni.

ac.in; Kanavilakku Kochi-Madurai-Tondi

Point Rd).

ChiLD-FRiENDLiNESS

toddlers can play on the lawns attached

to all the bungalows. older kids

can be accompanied by attendants

on hikes to waterfalls and dams or for

bird-watching. if they would rather stay

put the property has facilities for chess

carrom and badminton and enough

space for other outdoor or board games

if you carry them. cable television and

a home-theatre system are also available.

click on the

links to Find

out more!

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view on
google
maps

52 July 2016