Travel Guide to Nagala
Travel Guide to Nagala
Nagalapuram is at about 100 kilometers from Chennai city. Bordering Andhra Pradesh and Tamil Nadu, this little town is dotted with hills and mountains. The Nagala hills here, are famous among avid trekkers, campers and mountaineers. As you approach Andhra Pradesh, the hills come into view and each peak stands out majestically as if owning its place in nature. The rugged rocky terrain is entwined by random streams and boulders at the foothills of the mountains. A vast expanse of water that is connected to a reservoir spreads out like a blue sheet. Perfect for photo shoots! Once into the unassuming mountains, you are greeted with breathtaking sights of a number of fresh water pools and waterfalls. Nagala is apt for a weekend trek should you wish to stay overnight in the mountains, or even a day trek.
Getting there
If you are going in a group, you can rent a bus or van or you can take your own cars. If you love biking, then that's a good option too. The best time to leave is early in the morning at 5 AM to beat the traffic and heat. It takes two to three hours to get there. You can stop for breakfast at Periyapalayam or Uthukkottai. Post then, it is a straight ride till you reach Nagala. You can park your vehicles at the foothills of the mountain. Take a guide for security and navigation reasons. The Chennai Trekking Club is a good choice.
Things to do / see
Apart from scaling massive mountains that appear to touch the sky, camping and frolicking around in the pools, there is nothing much to do at Nagala. It is not a regular tourist spot for sightseeing or shopping. Nagala is a serious trekker's paradise and for those who love the outdoors. There are various trails ranging from easy and moderate to difficult. If you are trekking for the first time, then it is advisable to pick an easy trail. The walk to the foothills of the mountain is about three kilometers across the rocky terrain. This is the most painful part of the stretch. But once you have crossed this path, it is much cooler. You begin to faintly hear the trickling of water and before you know it, you are greeted by a refreshing sight of a stream. The water is crystal clear and you can get yourself a free fish reflexology as the streams are home to many fish. You can stop for a break, cool your feet and begin the climb again. Be ready to skip, jump, slide, swing from branches and Nagala Poolget partly drenched as your make your way across slippery boulders, 80 degrees inclined rocks, streams, trees and bushes. As you carry on, after about 30 to 40 minutes, you witness the first pool with a gushing waterfall. Take a moment to absorb the sounds and savor the silence. It is the most beautiful sight. You can choose to stop at the first pool for lunch, swim or proceed to the next pool. Nagala has four to five pools and as you keep climbing, the trail gets tougher.
If you plan to stay overnight, there is a safe camping site right at the top of the mountain. Many trekkers camp here, cook their food, listen to music and dance with the clouds. Some go exploring during the night but this is recommended only for trekkers with experience.
If you are on a day trek, you can explore two to three pools depending on how fast you can walk or how fast the group can keep up. Your trek back down must start by around 4 PM before it gets dark.
Nagala is great for photography enthusiasts though it can be tricky trekking and balancing a camera.
MetroMela's Tips
You must take with you sunscreen, mosquito cream and a hat / cap.
Make sure you wear comfortable shoes.
Carry floaters for treading in the pools as it is very rocky.
Keep your rucksack light.
Carry two bottles of water. You can refill these from the streams / waterfall.
You must carry an LED torch.
Nagala hills follows a strict no littering policy and hence whatever you take with you must be disposed when you trek back down.
The water is freezing cold and hence for those with asthma or any other chest congestion problems, it is not advisable to enter the water though you can paddle your feet.
Make sure your phone is charged and used minimally (though at some points there is no coverage at all).
Carry spare batteries.
Do not attempt swimming if you don't know how to else carry a swimming tube with you. The pools are at least 40 feet deep.
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