Tree-top rooms turn cheaper at Patchamalai

The forest department has slashed accommodation charges by a third of the cost for tree top houses and dormitories at Patchamalai hills. The move is seen as part of its efforts to promote the destination among tourists.The charges will come down from Rs 2,000 to Rs 1,500 for a tree-top accommodation for four. Five treetop houses have been built and exclusive vehicles will transport the visitors along the hills.For the British-era guest house, the fare has come down to Rs 1,000 from Rs 1,500 , As Reported By TOI.

According to the Newspaper,Charge for the dormitory which could accommodate 20 persons, for which Rs 200 was collected from each for a 24 hour stay, has come down to Rs 150.There has been an increase in the number of tourists visiting the hills and the move is seen as an attempt to sustain the flow as the cold weather may discourage people from visiting the hill station.At a distance of about 80 km from Trichy, this low mountain range in the Eastern Ghats is slowly making its presence known with improved infrastructure over the years. The forest department also introduced an exclusive weekend trekking package for nature lovers a couple of weeks back.The package is scheduled to start every Friday/Saturday evening at 5 pm and extends till 5 pm the next day at the Sengattupatti Ecotourism centre.

The forest department decided to charge Rs 1,000 per head to meet the operational cost which is inclusive of food, dormitory accommodation and trekking expedition.There are a total of four trekking routes identified by the forest department crossing through some of the scenic locations in the forest that cuts through 3 water falls.The forest department has been prompting eco-tourism activities in the hill with the participation of tribal community at Patchamalai.The footfall has been encouraging especially after the launch of the trekking package, said Naga Sathish Gidijala, district forest officer of Trichy, adding that slashing the cost would ensure more people will come and stay at Patchamalai..