The trails inside this 7500 acres property out of which only about 1500 acres have the tea plantation the rest is pure unadulterated nature
BHPian ShivC recently shared this with other enthusiasts:
Bangalore-Sinnadorai
The rains are a beautiful time to drive to the hills where the green cover, the trees, the plants all look a rich shade of green and more so if you have a Jimny waiting to get to the adventure of the trails in the monsoon.
We decided to plan and take about 10 Jimnys on a short one night trip to Sinnadorai (further ahead of Sakleshpur) – leaving Bangalore early morning by 5.00 am to reach Sinnadorai by 11.00 am. These were all more or less known people and the invites were individual. Before we could say ‘Presto” we had 10 Jimnys signed up.
This was the sticker that I made for giving the group some identity and were put on each Jimny in the convoy:
The defining photo of the drive – nature in all its glory and green abundance:
We stayed in a property called Sinnadorai – Kadamane Estate. At the heart of the Kadamane estate is Sinna Dorai’s Bungalow, more than 100 years old – a heritage building that dates back to the 1930s and once owned by the Earl of Warwick. The estate is now owned by the Murugappa Group — under the Parry’s brand. It’s a luxurious old world charm property with beautiful guest rooms and surrounded by tea plantations.
Spread over 7,500 acres, with roughly 1,000 acres under tea cultivation while the rest of the estate is allowed to grow wild, the tea gardens of Kadamane have a manicured beauty to them. Perfect for admiring the monsoon beauty and the trails that come with them. The property has everything, a mountain top with panoramic views, a river that flows through, a dam, dense jungles and lots of small water falls that form in the rainy seasons – if there is any other in Kadamane:
We got news that it was pouring at the property – am sure everyone on us rubbed our hands in anticipation and glee of the monsoon drive – non stop rain was what we were all looking forward to. We were all of the opinion that the best time to visit Sinnadorai is the rainy season and the best trails are also in the rains.
Started out at 6.00am – delayed as expected and stopped for breakfast at Dhruvathare.
The Jimnys all lined up and raring to go:
The drive to Sakleshpur was uneventful expect that much before Hassan the rains started. It was a good omen…
The ghats section drive: 
The Estate has a church right when you enter with the property in the background which we hit at about 12.00 pm : 
The tea estates that greet you after entry to the property:
The property – Sinnadorai – kadamane Estate (photo courtesy Sinnadorai):
Arrival at the property:
One of the cottages:
The New Bungalow where some of us stayed:
All the Jimnys in our Bungalow where a part of the group stayed: 
My bedroom:
Lovely old world furniture and a room with a view:
Spacious wash rooms and (even they have a view) with an additional attached dressing room:
The view from the verandah:
Old world charm in one of the living rooms:
Early morning view with intense rain fall and winds:
The view at 5.45 am – foggy windy and loads of rain:
The Rain Gods were very kind: 
Battle ready with Leech socks – which are aplenty in the forest and trail areas – first time I have tried them and they are super helpful. The shoe covers were also very effective in keeping the shoes dry as the rains don’t just rain – they pour without a break.
Start of the drives
The trails inside the property are mind blowing. A special word of thanks to Radhika (who manages Sinnadorai – Kadamane Estates) who organized all the drives and made sure we had a comfortable stay. We also had well experienced guide’s for all the trails again provided by the property.
Start of the drives – multiple ones – where one ended the next started – thus the punchline in our sticker : “where the trail begins”.
We arrived had lunch and started out immediately on the trails. Everyone was raring to go.
The Jimnys lined up for a trail:
The Jimnys lined up for another trail:
One of the best portions of the trail. A bridge with old wooden planks and very rudimentary – over a rivulet – it was scary as could have given way anytime:
Crossing the bridge one by one:
One the trail:
We flexed to the max in some of the portions:
Some of the forests were so dark lights had to be turned on :
Beautiful Scenic Trails :
Jimnys convoy on the way to the trails :
Difficult Trails:
The forests are inviting:
Water crossings:
Fallen trees due to rains:
Jimnys in a trail in a dense forest:
On the trails in the early morning:
Trails with streams:
Pitch Dark Forests:
Jimny in its natural habitat:
Continue reading BHPian ShivC’s post for more insights and information.
