Journey to a Mysterious Island - Backwaters of NagarjunaSagar reservoir

[Saran]

 

Journey to a Mysterious Island in the backwaters of the Nagarjunasagar reservoir

 

Where: Backwaters of Nagarjunasagar reservoir

When: November 18th - 19th, 2017

Distance: 160 Kilometers from Hyderabad

 

Objective:

A small gathering with the 'India-drive family'  in one of the Islands of NagarjunaSagar reservoir for an overnight camp under the beautiful night skies to study the star trials.

 

 

Participants:

 

1) Maruti Suzuki Wagon R

2) Chevrolet Beat

3) Hyundai i20 Elite

4) Hyundai i20 Active

5) Maruti Suzuki S-Cross

6) Hyundai Verna

7) Renault Duster (Brown)

8) Renault Duster (Grey)

9) Hyundai Creta

 

Route: Hyderabad - Pedda Mungal - Vizag Colony

 

Little intro about Vizag Colony:

 

Two dozen families migrated from Vishakapatnam district about 60 years ago to work on the Nagarjunasagar dam and today they have built up a village for themselves having 700+ members in Chandampet mandal in Nalgonda district and named it Vizag Colony. The place is surrounded by hills and irrigation lands having NagarjunaSagar reservoir on one side and the back waters on the other.

 

Road Conditions:

- Awesome single lane wide road from Hyderabad till Kondamallepalli.

- Kondamallepalli to Vizag Colony it is a narrow single road in good condition.

 

Google Maps:

Vizag Colony - https://goo.gl/maps/DkxruhW2niu

 

Important Points:

 

• Carry Water & snacks
• Carry Food preparation materials or take/buy prepared food which can last for days depending on your stay
• Carry life jackets & tents
• Mosquitoes repellent
• Torch lights
•  Powerbanks
• Available network (Airtel, Jio)

 

Food joints on Hyderabad - NagarjunaSagar Highway:

• Sai Annapurna hotels (veg),  Google maps : https://goo.gl/maps/qK64agvUpqm

• Kaveri Family dhaba (Non-Veg), Google maps : https://goo.gl/maps/nQPLuhBck5A2

 

We started the drive around 12:00 PM from Gachibowli (ORR) in 3 cars picking up Dheeraj (Hats club) along with the tents and the life jackets. We cruised through the ORR and reached the NagarjunaSagar exit to gather along with other India Drive members. We quickly arranged the tents and the life jackets in all cars and started our drive towards the destination.

 

 

We stopped at Kaveri Family Dhaba for lunch and hit the road again. We reached the destination by 4:30 PM.

 

The road took us alongside the backwaters of NagarjunaSagar reservoir.

 

We spotted few tiny islands and some fishermen in coracles.

 

We reached the destination (Vizag Colony) in our cars. From here we took a book ride towards the Island.

 

We parked the cars and took the boat packing all our stuffs and the journey took almost 20 minutes to reach the Island.

 

And, we had a Pet participation (Heidi - German Shepherd) brought by Harshita & Neeraja.

 

As the number of participants were more and so as their luggages, the boat had to do two trips. By the time the second trip got over, it got become dark and we were all up for a night trek :D.

 

We started the trek carrying the luggages taking few breaks in between as it wasn't an easy task doing it through the thorny bushes.

 

We reached the top by 8:30 PM.

We quickly pitched in our tents at a desired location on the top of the hill. Once the tents were arranged, we all gathered at one place to watch the stars. And to our surprise, it was not just the stars but also the constellations which were quite visible to our naked eyes lying on the rocks. Dheeraj explained us about the stars and some astronomical facts as we asked few questions and he answered them without any hesitation. Thanks a lot Dheeraj for the wonderful stare gazing session.

 

Once the session is over, we tried capturing some stars.

 

 

Almost everyone were tired after a tiring trek and we decided to have our dinner near the tents.

 

Few decided to sleep after the dinner, few sat together and started discussing about cars and road trips. Late in the night, Dheeraj assembled the telescope and few of us have witnessed a closer view of the stars. Also, we spotted a lot of shooting stars. We woke-up early in the morning to witness the beautiful sunrise.

 

Ready to view the sunrise:

 

The sun showed up in it's glory. (I missed to capture it from the beginning where it rised from the backside of a mountain)

 

The higher it had raised, the brighter it had shined. India-Drive members started enjoying it from the top of the hill.

 

The beauty shines to reflect over the water.

 

By the time the sun went up, we decided to pack our stuff and trek down the hill.

 

Everyone started clicking pictures as Heidi was just enjoying the early morning walk over the hill.

 

A panoramic view from our camp site:

 

Our tents setup: (Panoramic view)

 

Fogs surrounds the mountains.

 

Had few discussions before we packed the things. In the meantime, we made sure that we din't spoil the nature. We carried back all trash bags to keep it clean and disposed them after reaching the shore.

 

We started walking down to catch our boat.

 

Panoramic View of the Boat boarding point in the Island.

 

We started preparing tea until the boat had come for the pickup.

 

First batch boarded the boat to reach our car parking.

 

Heidi was having some fun roaming around the Island

 

Cranes everywhere, catching their prey

 

Fisherman ON Duty:

 

Not sure about the name. But, I think it's a grey heron.

 

Boat arrives for the second pickup. Time to leave the Island (Didn't feel like leaving this peaceful place)

 

We boarded the boat and set everything ready for the launch:

 

Few birds chasing their prey. They look beautiful when they fly low.

 

Tiny Island on the way.

 

Cranes waiting for the fishes.

 

And we finally saw our cars

 

The location was so beautiful and peaceful. Definitely a must go place to enjoy the weekend.

 

Thanks to Gowtham and Sagar for arranging such a wonderful trip. And a great mention to Dheeraj for finding such a beautiful place and helping us reach the place, explaining the stars. Thanks a lot guys! You guys rock as always.

 

Huge Thanks to the participants. You guys are amazing! Showing great interest from the trip start to the end. Though the trek was bit tiring, everyone helped each other and enjoyed the trip. Thanks to Harshita and Neeraaja for bringing Heidi which we never expected. She was so beautiful and brave. I hope she enjoyed the trip.

 

It was great meeting  @sbhamidi @Sainath @Mahendra @neerjanath @kaustav @amruth @venu for the first time. The kids Sreshta & Arnav were so energetic and had a lot of fun.

 

See you guys in the next India-Drive meetup.

 

Cheers

Saran

[Gowtham]

Wonderful pictures @Saran

It was very quick and informative. 

Great crowd + Beautiful location = One of the best meet
All said and done, It was a great to get together, late night discussion are super fun.

Loved each and every bit of it.
Would like to thank each and everyone, who were part of it and made it eventful.

 

Special thanks to Dheeraj for arranging the camp and taking Astronomy session.

Could capture only few pictures this time.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

[sagar]

Wonderful report @Saran. You have beautifully crafted the whole trip into a report with beautiful pictures explaining the whole of action in detail. Cheers to that

 

I am sharing a few pictures taken from my mobile  

As we started our boat ride from the base towards the so called Mysterious island.

 

The boat ride was fun with these cheerful souls.

 

The sky got darker by the time we reached the Island.

 

Probably the most grained out picture of the early morning sunrise captured on my mobile.

 

Beautiful view of the surrounding mountains between reservoir during the sunrise

 

 

The sun shone brighter by the time we trekked down the hill and reached the reservoir bank to drive back to Hyderabad

 

 

 

It has been a great drive meet and loud shout to all the members who attended this meet up. Best part of this drive is the most energetic and always enthusiastic crew. 

It was wonderful meeting  @srikanth @Sainath @Mahendra @neerjanath @kaustav @amruth @venu for the first time.

Though we reached up the hill late after a hectic trek through the thorny bushes under the night sky, I am sure it must have been a blissful moment by the time we reached the top to pitch up our tents.

Knowing some of the interesting facts about the night sky has always been exciting and all the thanks to dheeraj for making it more enthralling by giving us a closer view through the telescope. All the talks about cars, camping spots and the stars besides dinner & campfire was quite an exciting experience. The kids Sreshta & Arnav and not to forget the first pet of the crew 'Heidi' were very energetic and cheerful until we bid a bye. The morning sunrise view and chai followed by a dip in the reservoir has closed the event successfully before we drove back to our base 

 

[prabhum]

I missed the beautiful nature.... Thanks for the detailed report...

[sagar]

8 minutes ago, prabhum said:

I missed the beautiful nature.... Thanks for the detailed report...

 

Yes @prabhum, We missed you there. It was a fun trip

[apuroop]

I so curse myself for missing the trip, such a beautiful place and serene environment! 

Couldn't meet the gang.
Saran would dis be your last trip with Hyderabad gang around Hyderabad?????

[Saran]

I so curse myself for missing the trip, such a beautifull place and serene environment!!! Cudnt meet the gang!!! Saran wud dis be u r last trip with hyd gang arnd hyd?????

Me being in hyd, its the last trip. But will join India-Drive for any trip to Tamil Nadu. And, once I'm settled, will join any trip wherever it is.

Will drive from chennai and join you guys for sure.[emoji4]

[Sridhar Tandra]

Wonderful write up @Saran Thanks to you @Ranger and @sagar for the wonderful pictures!! I missed this drive so badly, was the first in the queue for a Star Gazing drive but could not attend cz I was outside of India..!! My Bad, will have to wait until Summer for Admins to consider Koil Sagar  

 

This location looks stunning

[Saran]

Wonderful write up [mention=488]Saran[/mention] Thanks to you [mention=1]Ranger[/mention] and [mention=7]sagar[/mention] for the wonderful pictures!! I missed this drive so badly, was the first in the queue for a Star Gazing drive but could not attend cz I was outside of India..!! My Bad, will have to wait until Summer for Admins to consider Koil Sagar [emoji4][emoji4] 
 
This location looks stunning

Hey bro.. Thanks [emoji4]. Yeah we missed you. The place was amazing...

[Saran]

Wonderful write up [mention=488]Saran[/mention] Thanks to you [mention=1]Ranger[/mention] and [mention=7]sagar[/mention] for the wonderful pictures!! I missed this drive so badly, was the first in the queue for a Star Gazing drive but could not attend cz I was outside of India..!! My Bad, will have to wait until Summer for Admins to consider Koil Sagar [emoji4][emoji4] 
 
This location looks stunning

Hey bro.. Thanks [emoji4]. Yeah we missed you. The place was amazing...

[sagar]

1 hour ago, Sridhar Tandra said:

Wonderful write up @Saran Thanks to you @Ranger and @sagar for the wonderful pictures!! I missed this drive so badly, was the first in the queue for a Star Gazing drive but could not attend cz I was outside of India..!! My Bad, will have to wait until Summer for Admins to consider Koil Sagar  

 

This location looks stunning

 

We missed you for this trip for sure @Sridhar Tandra. Will surely have one next year

[SK01]

Wonderful write-up@saran
I wish I was there.. happy that you guys carried your trash all the way down without disturbing the nature [emoji106]

[Gowtham]

On 11/21/2017 at 2:54 PM, prabhum said:

I missed the beautiful nature.Thanks for the detailed report.

 

 

On 11/21/2017 at 4:16 PM, apuroop said:

Couldn't meet the gang.

 

Don't miss the next drive. 

 

On 11/21/2017 at 5:05 PM, Sridhar Tandra said:

consider Koil Sagar

Koil sagar camping spot is completely submerged, we shall plan as soon as the water level goes down.

 

 

[apuroop]

Eagerly waiting for the next one.

[Naveen1]

Saran, your pictures are very good.

 

No car pictures this time?

 

How many cars made it to the drive?

 

 

[Saran]

Saran, your pictures are very good.
 
No car pictures this time?
 
How many cars made it to the drive?
 
 

Thanks bro.

Yeah! We were very eager in our island trip. So not much of time for clicking car pics[emoji16]

We had 9 cars this time. [emoji5]

[raman]

Awesome pictures @Saran @Ranger @sagar. How big is the island and is it completely isolated or is any living out there?

[Saran]

Awesome pictures [mention=488]Saran[/mention] [mention=1]Ranger[/mention] [mention=7]sagar[/mention]. How big is the island and is it completely isolated or is any living out there?

Hey Raman.. Thanks bro. The island is pretty big which might take 2 days to cover completely. But surrounded by thorny bushes.

Its a complete isolated island.

[raman]

9 minutes ago, Saran said:

Hey Raman.. Thanks bro. The island is pretty big which might take 2 days to cover completely. But surrounded by thorny bushes.

Its a complete isolated island.

 

Oh, That's lovely. You camping site looks awesome. Waking up to a beautiful sunrise and a water body. I can imagine the peace you have experienced at this place  

[Saran]

 
Oh, That's lovely. You camping site looks awesome. Waking up to a beautiful sunrise and a water body. I can imagine the peace you have experienced at this place [emoji4] 

Yeah. It was a great experience we had.. beautiful morning [emoji4]

[vivek]

Lovely log about the meet up @Saran Beautiful pictures too.. Will soon join the crew once I get back to Hyderabad.

[Saran]

Lovely log about the meet up [mention=488]Saran[/mention] Beautiful pictures too.. Will soon join the crew once I get back to Hyderabad. [emoji4]

Thanks@vivek. [emoji4]

Happy to join you for the next trip[emoji4][emoji4]

[sbhamidi]

My trip report of our journey to the Mysterious Island:

 

 

[Saran]

My trip report of our journey to the Mysterious Island:
 
 

Awesome Video@sbhamidi

[Pralay]

7 hours ago, sbhamidi said:

My trip report of our journey to the Mysterious Island:

Really enjoyed the video! Good work!! Keep it up  

[veeran]

wonderfull wonderful .. wanna visit this place 

[shiva]

Perfect report of an unexplored place.
Do they provide life jackets?

Are the fishing boats safe?

 

 

[Saran]

2 hours ago, shiva said:

Perfect report of an unexplored place.
Do they provide life jackets?
Are the fishing boats safe?
 
 

They dont provide life jackets. We have to carry on our own.

I think you are referring the fishing boats. They are safe. But it's suggested to go in group to this place. Atleast 10 people.

[arifismyname]

Lovely meet up post @Saran, Missed this coz of my Lakshadweep trip.. will make sure I join in the next time ?

[Saran]

Lovely meet up post [mention=488]Saran[/mention], Missed this coz of my Lakshadweep trip.. will make sure I join in the next time [emoji2]

Thanks Arif.

Looking forward for the future trip. I ll try to join as well[emoji4]

[Kloky]

@Saran hi can u plz tell, how we can book the boats in advance.

Any contact details or reference is fine.

[Gowtham]

On 5/4/2019 at 9:51 AM, Kloky said:

@Saran hi can u plz tell, how we can book the boats in advance.

Any contact details or reference is fine.

 

You can directly visit the place. 
You can find the fisher man boats near the village. 
 

[shiva]

This place is shown in news a lot recently. 
Did we get any tourism opened spots in Vizag colony.
There is lot of activity. 

[grkiran16]

Hi Saran,

 

Thank you so much for your blog, amazingly captured everything. We are a small group planning for a similar expedition. Any assistance if you can provide on the camping and boating part ?