The Gudiyam caves....I have been planning with my friends for the past 3 or 4 months to go to this place. 2 times the plan was cancelled due to some reason or the other. The third time, we decided to go ahead whatever happens. Also, as some of friends were leaving Chennai, we had to do it immediately. We decided to reach Thiruvallur by train and hire a car from there. We found a car operator with the help of Google and informed him about our plans. He agreed to take us there for 750 bucks (for 5 hours– he wanted 100 rupees extra for every extra hour). There was exactly 10 hours left for our journey....suddenly, we had a big hurdle- one of my friends who was eagerly planning along with me dropped out. I was left scratching my head when I got yet another shocking news...another friend too was not coming. But I decided to proceed with whoever was willing to come....Honestly speaking, I was too worried as the team that was finalised was relatively unfamiliar. I had gone out with them on a couple of occasions and I knew them very well but I was not sure whether they would endure the trek....
The day came and all these nightmares made me wake up a little late..But somehow we reached the railway station on time and caught a train. We had a nice time in the train and we discussed a lot of things....Finally, Thiruvallur arrived. I called the car operator but shockingly, he didn’t pick the phone. I tried 4 or 5 times but he still didn’t. So, we decided to search for car operators in the nearby area. All of a sudden, we had this crazy idea of hiring an auto to our destination. We approached an auto driver but he didn’t know about the place. I tried to make him understand and he finally agreed to come with us for 800 rupees(till 2 pm). Good deal!!! We got inside the auto and our journey started....
Moorthy anna(the auto bro) turned out to be extremely friendly and interesting...he made the trek interesting with all his jokes, stories and the best of all- his reaction when he saw a snake. He stopped the auto in a tea shop near Poondi from where we finally got a good idea of the route (we also had a good tea). En route, he stopped his auto in a couple of places and we ate some blueberries (after trespassing obviously).....We continued to drive along scenic farms, lakes, villages and even raced with buffaloes J.
The road was pretty bad in a particular stretch and the auto had a tough time.....I had a tougher time sitting in the front seat of the auto J.
Finally we reached the trek's starting spot....actually 2kms of this trail is motorable so we continued our "Auto Journey". The signboard is extremely rusted and can be easily missed.
We the reached the village of Gudiyam(or Goodiyam as the locals pronounce it). It was nothing more than 8 huts and 2 cement structures. The locals demand 200 bucks for coming with you all the way but you can easily find the way as we did if you have even a little common sense. Also, two dogs accompanied us all the way(whenever we were in a confusion on which trail to take, we followed the dogs....and they were always correct!) Also dogs don't charge 200 bucks...just keep feeding them often, they will keep helping you :)
The trail to the second cave is slightly tougher and denser too. We saw a scorpion and a small "baby" snake on this trail. The second cave is more scenic but don't make too much noise and disturb the 20-30+ beehives there. There is definitely no escape. There is a small temple inside this cave and we believe the villagers come there for some imporrtant festivals. This cave is also bigger than the first cave.
Moorthy anna(the auto bro) turned out to be extremely friendly and interesting...he made the trek interesting with all his jokes, stories and the best of all- his reaction when he saw a snake. He stopped the auto in a tea shop near Poondi from where we finally got a good idea of the route (we also had a good tea). En route, he stopped his auto in a couple of places and we ate some blueberries (after trespassing obviously).....We continued to drive along scenic farms, lakes, villages and even raced with buffaloes J.
The road was pretty bad in a particular stretch and the auto had a tough time.....I had a tougher time sitting in the front seat of the auto J.
Finally we reached the trek's starting spot....actually 2kms of this trail is motorable so we continued our "Auto Journey". The signboard is extremely rusted and can be easily missed.
We the reached the village of Gudiyam(or Goodiyam as the locals pronounce it). It was nothing more than 8 huts and 2 cement structures. The locals demand 200 bucks for coming with you all the way but you can easily find the way as we did if you have even a little common sense. Also, two dogs accompanied us all the way(whenever we were in a confusion on which trail to take, we followed the dogs....and they were always correct!) Also dogs don't charge 200 bucks...just keep feeding them often, they will keep helping you :)
It looked like the Archeological department had put arrow marks on the rocks but most of them are half-erased!!!
The first cave is a smaller one compared to the second and is full of trash....There was even a political propaganda on the rocks....but you can reach the top of it and have an awesome view of the mountains and the second cave at a distance. You can find a small water body but it is too dirty for drinking purposes. Stay advised, as we found a snake(common krait probably) in the first cave!
The trail to the second cave is slightly tougher and denser too. We saw a scorpion and a small "baby" snake on this trail. The second cave is more scenic but don't make too much noise and disturb the 20-30+ beehives there. There is definitely no escape. There is a small temple inside this cave and we believe the villagers come there for some imporrtant festivals. This cave is also bigger than the first cave.
We then started our return and on the way home we stopped at the Poondi reservoir and relaxed. We also tried some "Pumpsetting" on the way :D
Distance: 20 kilometers from Thiruvallur
Please carry enough of water as Gudiyam is a completely dry and rocky landscape
Please carry enough of water as Gudiyam is a completely dry and rocky landscape
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